Author's Note
I have had this story on my mind for a while and I have been having writers block with my other story a Path of Succession. I plan to finish that story and continue this story if it is well received. Please R&R
Wolves of the Sea
Stannis failed to defeat Victarion at the start of the Greyjoy Rebellion, meaning the coast was not clear for the army to cross to the islands.
The Trap at Fairisle
Robert's POV
"What!" he boomed, "Stannis has failed me again first letting the Targeyean children escape now this." He slammed his goblet on the table that they sat around in the tent, sloshing wine everywhere.
"Your Grace it seems Stannis and Lord Redwyne were tricked, the fleet they attacked was not the Iron fleet captained by Victarion Greyjoy, instead it was a merely 40 Long Ships made to look like a larger fleet with extra sails and fishing boats in the middle of the fleet," explained his brother Renly, his Master of Law.
He could tell Renly didn't look completely sad about the death of their brother, Stannis had never ever really shown any love to either of them.
Renly continued drawling on, " Lord Redwyne tell it that as they launched the attacks, the ships that they rammed had only a Skeleton crew on board, as their ships continued to plough through the meagre Iron Born fleet, a horn sound and from the west sailed the Iron fleet out of the mist, that was when the fishing boats were set alight and ploughed into out ships causing havoc and panic amongst the troops. Apparently Paxter says Stannis stormed in blindly determined to win a victory against overwhelming odds. Lord Redwyne says he tried to save him but they were badly outnumbered and were out of formation. There was no chance,"
He took another gulp of wine before stopping Renly from continuing, "What do we have left?"
"All the Royal fleet was destroy as well as 70% of Lord Redwynes fleets, the rest of it was badly damaged half of it barely seaworthy and not worth repair," explain Hoster Tully, " But there is good news, my loyal Bannerman, Lord Jason Mallister smashed the Greyjoy's attack on Seagard and he says slew Rodrik Greyjoy beneath the walls of Seagard."
The sight of Hoster looking smug and proud made him burn red with anger it seems he was surrounded by fools, his Hand had remained in the Capital to rule there, his best friend and brother Eddard Stark was still in the North waiting with his forces until Ironborn fleet had been defeated. Even Lord Tywin was not with him at his war council as he was still overseeing the damages to Lannisport and would lead his forces from the Iron islands to there.
While he sat here in the Riverlands listening to his brother drawl on, he yearned for battle. With his one true love dead that was all he had left and the Greyjoy rebellion had provided him with a chance to ride out once more but now for the second time his brother had failed him and his realm was now defenceless to Iron Born raids.
"Well, you are my advisors; advise what do you suggest we do," he huffed getting rather red with anger, his kingdom seemed to be falling apart in only 6 years.
"Defend the coast with our troops, we have more men than them, they can't possibly hope to take land, hold coast well we rebuild our fleet and then re-launch an attack," suggest Mace Tyrell, looking rather pleased with himself for being the first to speak.
"They do not wish to take land, Lord Tyrell, they are Iron Born they raid, they pillage and they take what they want, they pay the iron price!" growled Lord Royce, whom was leading the Vale forces in Lord Arryn's absence.
"He speaks the truth, ravens came in at the same time as Lord Redwynes. FairIsland has been captured, villages have already been raided all along the Westerland coast between Kayce and Banefort, there are even rumours that the Crag has been captured, and although the Iron fleet has been sighted heading North, back to the iron islands, also the retreating long ships from Seagard harried villages along the Cape of the Eagles and the Flint Cliffs" chirped Renly, for some reason he always sounded so bloody happy, he was about to say something, before
"Are you sure they are heading North, our intelligence has just been wrong with the location so the Iron fleet," a wise old voice standing behind him.
"You are here to guard me Ser Barristan, not advise me" He boomed loudly at the sound of the old knight's voice, he was a worthy knight, full of honour but he wouldn't let a man who had served the dragonspawn sit on the small council or advise him. Than turning to his youngest brother, "Why wasn't I told this at the beginning?"
"Well, uh, um I didn't have a chance!" blustered Renly sheepishly, wishing he could leave the tent.
"Lord Balon Greyjoy will not stop until he reclaims the land of his predecessors, we must guard our coast with vigilance , send the hosts back to their homes lands, The Reach is vulnerable right, with no Arbor Fleet all we have is the Shield Islands fleet, allowed the Reach army to go home to defend our Lands, reinforce the Riverlands with Crownland troops and send the Stormlords back, but don't disband the all the forces keep the men camped and ready to fight we are going to need it, " advised Lord Tarly, who was a well-respected battle commander. He had always wondered if Lord Tarly had led all the Reach engagements during the rebellion rather than Lord Tyrell thinks might have gone differently
"Fine," he grumbled, he was sick of this meeting any way, he wanted to get back to his tent where he could drink wine and fuck whores.
Balon's POV
The old way was returning, the Royal and Arbor fleet had been smashed, there were rumours going around that his heir was dead but that was false, it had all been part of the plan. Seagard was a strong castle now, not like how it use to be in the days of the first men, or even Harren the Black or the Red Kraken. He knew he couldn't match the entire kingdoms army, but he had more ships than any of them, his fleet was his power and the sea would be his moat.
A decoy had been wearing Rodrik's armour and leading the attack, after he had been killed, the real Rodrik sounded the retreat and led his battered ships up the Bay of Eagles, raiding villages until they reached the Flint cliffs, right now Rodrik was leading his men, scaling Flint cliffs to attack Flints Fingers and from there, the Long boats would sail up Blazewater bay uncontested from Flints finger and take Moat Catlin cutting The North from the South. All this while the main Northern host waited Torrhen's square for the fleet that was never coming to see them to the Iron Islands, sure soon Ravens would bring word but not soon enough. His brother Euron was currently leading a fleet of 40 longships to attack the defenceless Bear Island, while his other brother Victarion Lord Captain of the Iron fleet faked a retreat North before heading back down south, to attack the shield Islands, another plan created by their brother Euron.
Out of the 3 siblings, they all fitted in, he himself was the Eldest and the leader, then Victarion was the warrior and captain while Euron was cunning with battle plans, sure they were all fierce fighters but that was the way of the Iron Born. He just wished his children were like that.
And that was the que it seemed for his second eldest to storm in. "Father, when will I be given my chance to claim a lordship, Rodrik will inherit the crown from you but he has just claimed the Flint Fingers for himself. Why must I stay here listening to Theon whine and moan like a baby," Maron complained strolling into his father's solar like he owned the place
At that he slapped Maron, " We are Iron Born, I had reasons for keeping you here, but now take 5 of our fastest ships that are left and go meet up with your uncle Victarion and join him in attacking the Shield Islands!"
He, King Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Isles, King of Salt and Rock and Lord Reaper of Pyke would restore the old way and reclaim their lost territory, Ser Harras Harlaw already sat comfortably in Faircastle, with a few new salt wives, all the other people of the castle would be sold into slavery to finance the war, the small folk could stay, if they stayed loyal otherwise they would meet the same fate, he would not fall for the same mistakes as his predecessors
The Old Way would be restored.
Author's Note
All the ages have been slightly increased for this story. Here they are
Robb stark: 12
Rodrik greyjoy,20
Marlon greyjoy: 17
Asha greyjoy 14
Theon greyjoy:13
Sansa Stark:9
Arya Stark: 6
Bran stark,: 3
Rickon: not yet born
Joffery Baratheon: 10
Mycrella bratheon: 7
Tommen Baratheon: 3
Dacey Mormont 24
Aylsanye Mormont: 16
Eddard: 32
Catelyn:29
Robert: 33
Cersei: 27
Jamie: 27
Tyrion: 23