The Unlikely Acceptance of Robb Stark's Demands by the Lannisters

Robb Stark's demands are undoubtedly insurmountable to the House of Lannisters. While Tywin Lannister, the hand of the King, may not necessarily care about Joffrey's whims, allowing the North and Riverlands to secede from the Seven Kingdoms would be a catastrophic mistake.

Risks of Evesham and Independent Regions

Granting Robb and Edmure's request would significantly weaken the Iron Throne's grip on loyalty. Other regions, such as Dorne and Lannister enemies, would quickly follow suit, demanding similar treatment. For instance, House Martell would be likely to seek the same arrangement, as their losses to the Lannisters parallel the Starks'. Oberyn Martell could easily persuade Doran Martell to follow Robb's lead, with Arianne marrying either Viserys Targaryen or Steffon Baratheon's surviving son, inviting sellswords to attack the Lannisters.

Lysa Arryn, in her defensive stronghold, could also push the lords of the Vale to either align with Robb or secede. Additionally, the Greyjoys, legal claimants to the Iron Islands, would not hesitate to use their naval power to terrorize the mainland, and Renly and the Tyrells would declare their independence, commanding their armies to assault King's Landing. This would immediately cut off Joffrey's primary food supply, a critical blow to his power base.

Stannis Baratheon's Intention

Stannis, the second son of Lord Steffon Baratheon, would follow Robert's path and attack Joffrey, representing a formidable challenge for the Lannisters. Unlike the Tullys and Starks, Stannis has no blood connection to the current monarch and would likely either declare his independence or claim the crown by force. Recognizing this, Tywin Lannister will never permit such a scenario.

Thus, Tywin's response to Robb's demands will be staunch opposition, supporting Joffrey to uphold Lannister supremacy. This understanding of potential threats forms the basis of Tywin's refusal to comply with Robb's requirements.

Other Demands and Consequences

Even when considering other demands, such as the release of Sansa Stark, Tywin Lannister's priorities come into play. Sansa is not merely a hostage but also a means to ensure Robb's compliance and to gain further leverage over the North. Consequently, she will remain in their custody permanently.

The sword Ice remains a point of contention. There is a speculative chance that Tywin might return the sword, but his desire to add a Valyrian steel sword to his house's collection may deter him from doing so. However, if Robb agrees to bend the knee and keep Sansa as a hostage, this might be a possibility. Ultimately, a peaceful resolution will only occur with Robb's submission.

In conclusion, the Lannisters' refusal to accommodate Robb Stark's demands underscores the complex political landscape of Westeros and the stakes involved in maintaining the Iron Throne's authority.