CHAPTER 9. STANNIS BARATHEON
PART 1. BEND THE KNEE
Stannis Baratheon is the second son born to Steffon and Cassana Baratheon. As a child Stannis did not get along with his older brother Robert or his younger brother Renly. After Robert and Stannis witness the ship carrying their parents go down the rift between them only grew deeper. During Robert's rebellion Stannis fought for his brother and held Storm's End. His men were down to eating rats until Davos Seaworth arrives with fresh supplies. Stannis Knights Davos, but only after taking his fingers for smuggling; this earns him the nickname Stannis the Stern or Stern Stannis. The siege was eventually broken by Lord Eddard Stark of the North.
After the Targaryens were overthrown, Robert names their younger brother lord of Storm's End. The rift deepens when Robert beds a noble woman in Stannis' wedding bed. Later Stannis aids his brother in the Greyjoy Rebellion. Stannis served his brother King Robert as Master of Ships, but eventually he abandons his post and takes up residence in Dragonstone.
Stannis has always known about the Queen from the first day he laid eyes on her first son Joffrey. He knew that one day his brother would die and that his time would come. As he waited for his time, a Priestess by the name Melisandre came to Dragonstone and converted his wife to the belief in the lord of light as the only god. Then he was converted when Melisandre told him of the prophecy. A letter from Eddard Stark confirmed what he already knew about Cersei and her children and thus began Stannis' quest to sit the Iron Throne.
At present Stannis is on the ship the Sea Stag as it breaks through the waters on its way North up the West coast. Stannis has a fleet of seven hundred ships carrying an army of seven thousand sell-swords known as the Wind Blown. Another three thousand troops of the Storm Lands. Ever since he lost the Battle of Blackwater, Stannis had felt doubts about his destiny as the Prince that was Promised.
He stands on the deck of the ship thinking about all the decisions he made over the past three and a half years. Was the lord of light responsible for his current situation? Or did the lord of light use Ser Davos Seaworth to convince the Iron Bank to loan him the gold to raise his army? Another theory is that Davos is unyieldingly loyal and will do all he can to see Stannis on the Iron Throne. He smiles thinking, ("I chose My Hand well …").
As the fleet passes by the Iron Isles, Stannis seriously considers ordering his fleet to stop on Pyke and teach the Iron Born a lesson. Ser Davos his Hand walks up to him, "Your Grace…"
He nods toward the Iron Isles, "What do you think Ser Davos…Should we pay the Iron Born a visit and remind them of my might…"
It wasn't a boast, Stannis is the only man who can claim he defeated the mighty Iron Born in open battle on the sea. "You will be well within your rights Your Grace…and I say that because the Iron Born have been a little brazen lately…But do not forget our purpose on the wall…"
He nods and looks at Davos, "Do you believe the White Walkers exist Ser Davos…"
"I am a man who only puts stock in what he can see and prove…And I only take the word of men who have an upright reputation for the truth…Lord Commander Mormont said they exist…And Now Maester Amon and many others of the Watch…So it must be true…"
They pass the Iron Isles, then Bear Island and land at Shadow Tower, the last fortress on the wall in the West. Unlike the other castles on the wall, Shadow Tower is on the North side of the wall. They are welcomed by the Commander of the Shadow Tower Ser Denys Mallister. "Have you had any word from Castle Black?" Stannis asks walking beside Ser Mallister in the lower levels of the Shadow Tower. Ser Davos, Melisandre, and the Commander of the Wind Blown Yonish mo Rad are with them.
"No Your Grace…We have been under assaults from the Wildlings ourselves…The attacks stopped a few days ago…I sent out two patrols, but they have not returned yet…And I sent some men to walk across the top of the wall to Castle Black…"
"I can leave a thousand men here to help, but the rest I am taking with me to Castle Black…What news of the North…"
"Last news we received was from Deep Wood Motte…Lord Glover had driven the Iron Born from his home…"
"What of the White Walkers have you seen any of them lately…" Melisandre asks.
He shakes his head, "No 'mlady…We haven't seen any since our brothers rose with blue eyes over three years ago…We can kill them with fire…There was a report from Castle Black of a brother named Samwell Tarly…He killed a Walker using Dragonglass…They found some buried at the Fist of the First Men…"
Melisandre looks at Stannis, "Dragonstone is sitting on a mountain of it…"
"Are you sure?" Stannis asks.
"I have explored every inch of Dragonstone looking for relics or treasures left behind by the Targaryens…I am sure…"
Stannis looks at Davos, "Ser Davos send one ship back to Dragonstone my men only no sell-swords and tell them to start mining it and making spears, daggers, and arrowheads…"
"Right away your Grace…"
They stop walking before the door to the Main Hall, "I hope you bought some supplies Your Grace because ours are running dangerously low and we have received no aid from the south since King Robert's death or the North since Robb Stark died…"
"I have supplies and I will share all I can…"
"Thank You Your Grace…If I may ask when will you be leaving for Castle Black?"
"We leave at first light tomorrow…"
"May I accompany you?"
"Of course…"
The Next Morning at sunrise Stannis has his army move on minus fifteen hundred men, five hundred sell-swords and five hundred men of the Stormlands to help man the Shadow Tower; and the five hundred men he sent back to Dragonstone. Stannis forces his army to ride hard for two days before making camp. They rest for the whole day before continuing on. Four days later, a scout rides back to Stannis with a report.
"Your Grace…"
"What news…"
"There was a battle during the night…hundreds of Wildlings are dead…but many, many more are encamped about a mile from the wall behind the tree line…I also spotted a man of the Watch walking towards the Wildling Camp…He was alone…"
"Sound the charge…We ride hard…" Stannis commands. The ground shakes with unified beat of galloping horses. Soon they reach the Wilding camp and ride down the Wildlings like a blade on wheat. Many of the Wildings scatter and others stand and fight.
"Stop fighting! Stop! Stop! Enough of my people have died…ENOUGH!" A man yells.
Stannis has his squire sound the horn for his army to hold. Yonish rides up to Stannis, "Your Grace…We have captured many Wildlings and some have surrendered…The rest are fleeing North some on foot others on horse or by sled and wagon…Shall we pursue them?"
"No sound assembly and begin building pins for the captives…" Yonish bows and leaves. Then Stannis, Melisandre, and Davos ride up to the two men, one a Wildling and the other a man of the Watch.
"Identify yourselves…" Davos commands.
The man with black hair raises his chin, "Mance Rayder…The King Beyond the wall and Leader of the Free Folk…"
"There is no King beyond the wall…" Melisandre says speaking up, "And there is only one god…the lord of light…"
"Really please give him my regards…"
"Savage!" Davos says.
"Welcome Your Grace to Castle Black…"
"Boy you are addressing the one true King of Westeros…As a man of the Watch you should bow to your King…"
"Forgive me Your Grace I mean no disrespect…In fact I hold you in very high regard…My father died supporting your claim to the Iron Throne…"
"And who is your father?"
"Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell…"
"Ah Lord Stark's bastard…Tell me Lord Snow what should I do with this King beyond the wall…"
"First I would burn the dead before night fall…Then I would sit down and listen to what he has to say…"
Stannis nods, "And what are you doing out here?"
Jon looks at Mance, "I came to negotiate terms…Actually I was trying to get close and kill him…"
"Then why isn't he dead?"
"He's a good man…" Jon says looking at Mance again, "And he has earned my respect…"
Stannis looks at Davos, "Ser Davos have this man bound…Treat him well I wish to speak with him later…"
"Yes Your Grace…"
It takes a few days for Stannis to get settled. Once he is settled, he visits Ser Alliser Thorne on his sick bed, "Stannis Baratheon! What brings you to Castle Black…"
"The Long Night, the Wildlings and it's Your Grace…"
"Your Grace…Last time I saw you…You were fighting with your brother against the Targaryens…And it was your brother who sent me to this place…"
"My brother is dead…He had no true heirs to sit the throne…I am the rightful King of Westeros…I have bought ten thousand men here to aid the watch…The Long Night is coming and only I can save the realms of men from the coming storm…"
"Whatever the hell that means…What do you want from me Stannis…King or not I will never kiss your ass…The Night's Watch takes no part in the wars or politics of the seven Kingdoms…"
He sighs and sits down, "Since I been here I have been hearing rumors about Jon Snow…"
"The Bastard Traitor…"
"You are acting Lord Commander Thorne…If you truly became Lord Commander…what would do with Jon Snow…"
"Not much I can do…The Bastard was tried and Maester Amon believes he is telling the truth…I would throw him from the top of the wall, but he is still a brother of the Watch…and I will never admit it but he has proven himself…" Alliser stares at Stannis, "Oh I see! Stern Stannis wants to legitimize the Bastard and make him Warden of the North…You think he can unite the North under your rule and remove the Boltons from power…"
"I can remove the Boltons without Jon Snow…But the North called Robb Stark the King in the North…With him the North may follow me…"
"I have been in the North manning the wall for twenty years…The Northerners are a stubborn lot…And they will not follow a Bastard so easily…"
"So will you release him from the Watch…"
"Such a thing has never been done, but I tell you what…If you can convince him to accept…I will get the other Commanders to agree…" Stannis offers his hand and part of him thinks Alliser will not take it, but he does. Stannis is one step closer to the Iron Throne, but now he must convince Jon Snow to join him.
Later Stannis summons Mance Rayder to his solar in the King's tower. "Enter!" Stannis commands. The door opens and two guards escort Mance Rayder into the solar. They sit him down, "Leave us!"
Mance Rayder looks around, "The King's Tower…Not many have visited the Watch since Queen Rhaeys Targaryen gave the Night's Watch the gift…"
"Jon Snow says I should speak with you…about the White Walkers…"
He nods, "They are real…I have seen and fought them on many occasions…I have seen them kill and chop up the living…only to have those chopped up pieces come back together and live again…They like to decorate the ground with body parts…"
"You were once a man of the Watch…Would it be so hard to bend the knee…Many of your people have been captured…Others have been killed the rest have fled North…"
"Your views are so narrow…"
Stannis' anger starts to rise, "Be careful…I am King…"
"So am I…King beyond the wall…"
"Guards!"
They enter, "My people chose me to be their King…" Stannis raises his hand stopping the guards, "Not to make them bend the knee and kiss my ass…Because I am strong and because I promised to get them south before it's too late…That is why they follow me…People follow you because your name is Stannis of House Baratheon…Stannis the Stern they call you…Yes I was a man of the Watch…But then I learned of my heritage and I learned the true purpose of the Night's Watch, but my brothers would not listen to me…So I turned my cloak on them…"
"I am the Prince that was promised…"
When Mance starts laughing Stannis jumps up from his seat, "Oh I know that prophecy…I have heard it many times…The Wildlings know it as well…But I am not him and neither are you…The Prince would be a man who doesn't seek power for glory or gain…He is a person who does the right thing for the good of all no matter what the cost…No you are not him…You want me to bend the knee and help you fight your enemies North of the Wall and south…"
Stannis sits down, "The Iron Throne is mine by right…Bend the knee and save yourself and your people…"
Mance grunts, "I have always known that I may die trying to get my people south of the wall…Either the Night's Watch will catch up with me or I would die in battle…" He hunches his shoulders, "Getting captured and chained up is not one I considered…But I am ready to die…"
"There are many things you have not considered…Take him away…" Next Mance speaks with Samwell Tarly about killing the Walker and the Dragonglass.
After his talk with Samwell Tarly, Stannis leaves to find Ser Davos at the top of the wall. "I was told you were up here…"
"I apologize your Grace…But in all my life I have never seen anything so…majestic…"
"Yes it is impressive…all descriptions of the wall pale to seeing it with one's own eyes…" Melisandre is present.
"The magic in the wall is still strong…"
Davos looks at Melisandre, "Tell me Priestess…If the magic is so strong…Why are we here? The legends say that the White Walkers can't pass the wall…"
"Because…The wall will fall…I have seen it…"
"How and why?" Davos asks.
"I know not, but it will fall…I have seen it…"
"Enough!" Stannis orders and looks at Melisandre, "Find Jon Snow and tell him I wish to speak with him." She bows and leaves, after a few seconds Stannis looks at Ser Davos. "What is it?"
"Nothing Your Grace…"
"I know you Ser Davos…Out with it…"
"Well Your Grace…There is an old saying…The enemy of my enemy can be my friend...I know you wish the Wildlings to bend the knee, but perhaps you can allow them their independence…What I have heard of these people they will never bend the knee…"
Ser Davos Seaworth, Hand of the King; he always told the truth, no matter how hard that truth is to hear. "Your words hold wisdom, but a King must demand respect…"
"Yes Your Grace, but with the threat of the White Walkers we need all the able bodied men we can get…A hundred clans my King…seven different languages and Mance Rayder got them and the Giants to unite…Such a thing hasn't been done in the history of the Wildlings…We can use a man like Mance…"
The ride down the wall in the lift is long and so is it going up, but soon Melisandre returns with Jon Snow. "My King Jon Snow…"
Jon drops to one knee, "Your Grace…"
"Rise Lord Snow…" he obeys, "I have heard things about you Lord Snow both bad and good…Many call you a traitor…"
"Aye Your Grace they call me that and worse…"
"There are those who love and respect you…Especially the younger members of the Watch…There are those who hate you, but Respect and you…And finally there are those who despise you…"
"A man cannot control what others think of him Your Grace…"
"True, but tell me…Why do they call you traitor? I want to hear it from you." So Jon recounts his time from when he followed Jeor Mormont North to returning to the Night's Watch on a horse filled with arrows. "You loved this Ygritte?"
"Aye I did…But the Oath I made was greater than that Love…"
"How did she die?" Davos asks.
He sighs and explains the battle in the courtyatd, "She could have killed me…Or I her…We both hesitated…Then she was shot in the back by Olly…His village was destroyed by the Wildlings…Ygritte was among them that attacked the village…" Jon takes a deep breath, "That is the whole truth of it…"
"I believe him." Melisandre says.
Stannis looks at Melisandre and nods, "Jon Snow I am going to offer you Wardenship of the North and legitimize you…Come fight with me I can use a sword like yours…Help me retake Winterfell and unite the North under my banner…"
Stannis can see it on Jon's face as he struggles with the decision. "All my life I wanted to be a Stark…"
"You are the last of your House Jon Snow…A Bastard you may be, but your father's blood runs in your veins…The North will unite under you…" Melisandre says speaking up.
Stannis looks at Davos, "King Stannis is offering you a great opportunity…How many Bastards do you know are raised up to be Lord of their Father's House?"
Jon grunts and then his face becomes like stone, "As much as I would like to Your Grace I must say no…Besides the Watch Council would never let me go…I would be branded a deserter…"
"Acting Lord Commander Aliiser Thorne promises to convince the other Commanders to release you if you accept…"
Stannis hopes with all his being that this stubborn boy would accept his offer. When Jon says no his hopes fall and Mance's words haunt him, "You are as stubborn as your father…Would you at least do me the favor of trying to convince Mance Rayder to ally himself with me?"
"Mance…"
"Respects you…" Davos says speaking up, "He may even listen to you…"
"I will try Your Grace for the relief and aid you bought the Night's Watch…but I cannot guarantee he will accept…"
"Tell him his life depends on it…"
Stannis gets angry as Jon stares at him with judgmental eyes, "You will kill a man for trying to protect his people…"
Ser Davos is about to speak, but Stannis raises his hand, "If he does not bend the knee he will burn…"
"You can't do that!"
"Can't I! I am the King…The One true King of Westeros and I will have no pretenders anywhere calling themselves King…"
Jon sighs, "How long do I have?"
Stannis, Melisandre, and Davos start walking away, "You have until sunset Jon Snow…Either he bends the knee or he will burn.
PART 2. FALLEN KING
The Night's Watch is an ant hill overturned. After Mance Rayder refused to listen to Jon Snow, Stannis makes good on his promise to burn Mance at the stake. As Mance began to burn it was obvious he would lose his composure and die screaming. His screams never came as Jon Snow shoots him with an arrow. Stannis became furious but technically he couldn't touch Jon as he is a member of the Night's Watch.
Stannis meets privately with Alliser Thorne, "What do you want now…" He hesitates, "…Your Grace." Alliser says Your Grace as if he has a rotten piece of meat in his mouth.
"How sure are you that you can become Lord Commander of the Watch…"
"It is a strong possibility…My greatest opposition is Ser Denys Mallister…Why?'
"If you become Lord Commander…send Jon Snow to East Watch by the sea and an accident will befall him on his journey…" Stannis had reached his boiling point. First Robb Stark declares himself King in the North. Then he loses the battle of Blackwater and now Jon Snow shoots Mance Rayder with an arrow sparing him from the fire. Thorne smiles
"If I do this I will have to send some men with him to avoid suspicion…Make sure the men with him are injured, but not killed." Stannis offers his hand and they interlock arms, "But tell me…Your Grace…If you kill the bastard how will you unite the North?"
"I will make Lord Karstark the Warden of the North…After Robb Stark beheaded Rickard Karstark his House broke faith with the Starks…"
Stannis attends the Night Watch meeting where they decide to choose the 998th Lord Commander. Alliser Thorne is spoken for by Janos Slynt and Ser Denys Mallister is spoken for by Ser Cotter Pyke. At the last minute Samwell Tarly speaks on behalf of Jon Snow. Sam's words are moving and stirring. Even Stannis is moved by them, doubt sets in as they cast their lots for the next Lord Commander.
Stannis goes to his quarters disappointed as Jon Snow had been appointed Lord Commander. His first act was to free the Wildling prisoners and allow them to settle the Gift. A decision not well received by a few brothers. "Father…" He looks up from his plate at his daughter Shireen, "…Are you angry because Jon Snow became Lord Commander?"
Stannis smiles, his daughter is very smart and perceptive. "No my little Princess…He will make a fine Lord Commander…I just wish he would have accepted my offer to be Warden of the North…"
"Such a man should not be Lord Commander…He does not believe in our god…He is Bastard…" Queen Sylese says.
Ser Davos clears his throat, "Begging your pardon My King, but if anyone can get the Wildlings to help us fight the White Walkers…I think it's him…"
"Why?" Stannis asks.
"I've spoken with both men of the watch and Wildling prisoners…The Wildlings respect him for showing Mance mercy and allowing the prisoners to settle the Gift…He may not have taken your offer your Grace but he can still be of use to us…When the North learns that Eddard Stark's bastard has become Lord Commander…They will rally beneath you and fight the Boltons…"
"You may have a point Ser Davos…" Stannis eats in silence thinking on Davos' words. A few days Later Stannis is inspecting the men when Lord Commander Snow requests his presence.
He enters the office with Ser Davos at his side, Jon stands up, "Thank you your Grace for coming…"
"Is it too much to hope that you have changed your mind?" he asks as the young boy Olley serves drinks.
"Sorry Your Grace, but my place is here…I asked you here for three reasons…First…I must know how much longer will you and your men be here?"
"Tired of us already…"
"No Your Grace…It's just that our fight with the Free Folk has drained our supplies of oil and sulfur…and Maester Amon says his healing supplies need to be replenished…There is also the food situation…I gave what I could to the Free Folk as a show of good faith…If there is anything you can spare we would be grateful…"
Stannis looks at Davos and he nods, "I will give you what I can…"
"Thank you…Are your ships still docked at Shadow Tower…"
"Yes what of it…"
"I need to borrow them…The rest of the Free Folk have fled to Hard Home…Tormund Giant's Bane has agreed to accompany me to Hard Home and convince the remaining Free Folk to come south through the wall…Before the snows start and the White Walkers come…"
Davos whispers into Stannis' ear. When he is done Stannis looks at Davos and sighs, "Fine, but I need those ships back Lord Commander…" Jon nods, "And the third thing you wished to see me about…"
Jon hesitates, then he reaches for a letter on the table and looks at Stannis, "The Night's Watch takes no part in the wars or politics of the Seven Kingdoms…"
Stannis sneers, "So I've been told…What is it?" Jon reaches across the desk and hands Stannis a letter. The seal is broken, but he can tell that it was the seal of House Stark. He looks at Jon first and starts reading:
Dear Jon
I write this letter to let you know that I Rickon, Sansa, and Arya are alive and well…We have taken back Winterfell from the Boltons…They have been judged and sentenced to death along with the traitor Theon Greyjoy…We are overjoyed to learn that you have become the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch…
Arya sends her love and has sent her own letter with this one…Sansa as well believe it or not…We know you have allowed Five thousand of the Free Folk through the wall…It is the right thing to do and we support your decision. We are sending representatives to speak with them about furthering peace between the North and the Free Folk…The people we have sent are a Wildling Woman named Osha…She has been my protector ever since Theon betrayed us…And Howland Reed…he has a good head on his shoulders…
The North has named me King in the North after Robb…We are growing stronger every day and will start sending supplies to the Watch as soon as possible…We are making plans to avenge our family on House Frey and the Lannisters…There is so much more I want to tell you, but these are things that should be said face to face…Know that you do not stand alone in the coming fight against the White Walkers…As soon as things are settled we will visit you at Castle Black…
With all my Love
Your Brother The King in the North
Rickon Stark
As Stannis reads the letter questions mount up in his mind. His anger rises as another pretender stands in his way in his quest to rule all of Westeros. Now the North is united under another King, but if he attacks Winterfell before the North realizes he is at Castle Black. "Your Grace what does the letter say?" Davos asks. Stannis slowly hands him the letter and looks at Jon Snow.
"How long have you had this letter?"
"It arrived a week after my brothers elected me to be Lord Commander…"
"Unbelievable!" Davos says after reading the letter. He is about to hand it to Jon when Stannis snatches it away.
He scans over it again, "You could have kept this to yourself…Why didn't you?"
"You know why your Grace…If I had kept that letter and allowed you to march on Winterfell in ignorance…I would have been in the wrong…"
"Or you could be hoping to talk us out of fighting your family…"
Jon sits back in his chair, "I am the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and I am forbidden to intervene in the wars and politics of the seven Kingdoms…"
"If your brother calls himself King in the North then he is a traitor…Along with all who support him…"
"You can't fight the entire North Your Grace…That would be unwise…"
"Tell me…Lord Commander…Did you send a reply?" Stannis asks as the tension in the room builds.
"Aye I did."
"And in this reply did you tell them I am here and how many men I have…"
"I told them that you are here…I told them you have a sell-sword army and men from the Stormlands…" Stannis jumps up and makes for the door, "I also told them what I told you…As the Lord Commander of the Watch I cannot intervene…"
When Jon says this Stannis stops at the door. His mind is in turmoil. Lord Commander Jon Snow didn't have to tell him about the letter and yet he did. He looks back as Ser Davos remains seated; he probably wishes to speak with Jon in private. If anyone can win Jon Snow over to Stannis' side its Davos. The Onion Knight could talk a fish into jumping into a skillet.
"Lord Commander! You may want to send Ser Alliser away…"
"Why?"
"Let's just say that if he had been elected Lord Commander…You would have been sent to East Watch by the sea and along the way met with an unfortunate accident. Ser Davos don't be too long I am calling a meeting of my commanders…" Stannis doesn't wait for a reply. He leaves to be alone for a few minutes to think. Later he meets with his advisors and discuss the logistics of an assault on Winterfell.
"You could march to Moat Cailin and take it…Its not well defended…" Davos says. There are a thousand Bolton Men at Moat Cailin, but when House Stark came back into power they swore allegiance to King Rickon.
Stannis looks at Melisandre, "You have been quiet…"
She sighs, "I think you should march on Winterfell…"
"Why?"
"The lord of light is with you my King…"
"Whatever we do we need to hurry before the snows start…" Yonish says. The next day Stannis' army marches out of Castle Black.
WINTERFELL
A week after Jon became Lord Commander A Raven arrives at Winterfell. Arya had been delayed in her desire to leave Winterfell and head south. She had been gathering the supplies she would need to make poison. Finally she is able to pack her things. Gendry had been sharing a room with her and is helping to pack.
There is a knock at the door, "Come in…" Arya says after taking an exasperated breath. It is Brienne who enters the room.
"Begging your pardon m'lady…Your brother and sister ask that you attend them in the Solar…"
"You want me to come?" Gendry asks.
"No you finish packing…" Arya follows Brienne to the Solar, Maester Walken is waiting as well. "What's going on…" Sansa hands Arya the letter and she reads it whispering under her breath.
Dear Rickon
I was overjoyed to receive your letter…I am glad that you, Sansa, and Arya are all safe…You made no mention of Bran in your letter…I will make no assumptions until I see you face to face…I am proud of you all…And if Father were here he would be equally proud…Remember when the snow falls and wind blows the Lone wolf dies, but the Pack Survives…
When things are settled at Castle Black I will try to come to you…Please stay in touch all of you…
And now I must address you as the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch…
Your Grace…As you know the Night's Watch takes no part in the Wars and politics of the Seven Kingdoms…Stannis Baratheon is at Castle Black…He came to offer us aid…He has a sell-sword army and men from the Storm Lands…
You have done well so far…I cannot advise you on what to do…But if you decide to bend the knee I support you…If decide to defy Stannis I will support you by praying to the Old and New gods that you have success in whatever you decide…
With Love
Your Brother
Jon Stark 998th Lord Commander
After reading the letter Arya sighs and looks at Sansa, "What do you think?" She asks handing her the letter.
She looks at a map on Rickon's desk, "The Umbers, the Karstarks, and the Manderlys have the largest armies in the North…"
"We only have two thousand men stationed here…" Rickon says.
"And all the Lords have gone home to try and bring in one last harvest before the snows start falling…"
"If Stannis has Sell-Swords that means he has gold…His gold most likely came from the Iron Bank…" Maester Walken says speaking up. "A sell- sword army would give Stannis anywhere from five to twenty thousand men…The largest Sell-Sword army in the east is the Golden Company…The smallest is the Second Sons…With two thousand men…"
"I heard the Second sons are fighting for the Dragon Queen…" Sansa says taking a lemon cake off the tray on the desk.
"We don't have to fight Stannis in open war or allow him to lay siege to our home…" Arya says confidently. "We destroy his food supplies…and take his gold…His army will scatter…"
"Forgive me My Lady…But I have a favor to ask…" Brienne says speaking up.
"Speak your mind Lady Brienne…" Sansa replies.
"Let me kill Stannis…" She says looking at Arya. "I know what you are capable of we all do, but I want to be the one who kills Stannis…"
"Why?" Arya asks as she takes a lemon cake as well.
"Before I came into your service I served your mother…and before her Renly Baratheon…He was my King…He was murdered through blood magic…A Shadow with the face of Stannis…"
"There is no such thing as blood magic…" Rickon says.
Arya turns her attention to Rickon, "She's telling the truth…Your Grace…" Arya looks at back at Brienne. She actually had two plans, the other was to kill Stannis, take his face and use his army. "I need fifty good men…We infiltrate Stannis' camp destroy his food, take his gold, and kidnap him…Bring him back here to face justice…"
"You take too big a risk…" Sansa says.
Arya sighs, "How long are you going to keep doubting me?"
"I don't doubt you…I have seen what you can do…And it scares me…I am scared for you…Dear sister…"
"Arya be careful…" Rickon says. Just then someone knocks at the door.
"Come in…"
It opens and a guard stands in the doorway, "Begging your pardon Your Grace…But Lord Karstark and his party have arrived…"
Rickon and Sansa meet with Harrion Karstark and his sister Alys in the main hall. They both bow to Rickon and are offered Guests Rights. "Your Grace may I present my sister Alys Karstark…"
Rickon smiles and stands up, he walks around the table entranced by Alys. "Lady Karstark…Your beauty…overwhelms me…I hope I am not a disappointment to you."
"No Your Grace…"
"I know this is sudden…It usually is…But I hope we can become friends…and then more to one another…"
"So do I My King…"
Rickon gives her a diamond necklace from the vaults of Winterfell and kisses her on the cheek, "Please accept our hospitality…Dyllah please show our guests to their rooms…"
Meanwhile Arya gathers fifty of the best men in Winterfell in the godswood along with Gendry and Brienne. "Good men of the North…Stannis is marching on Winterfell with a large army…We do not know the strength of this army…Stannis wants to burn all those who do not serve his god…He killed his own brother with blood magic…We are going to infiltrate his camp…Destroy his supplies, steal his gold, and Kidnap him…Are you with me!"
Many cheer and few shout, "WINTER HAS COME FOR STANNIS BARATHEON…"
STANNIS' CAMP
Two weeks after Stannis leaves Castle Black a snow storm blankets the countryside. They travel two more miles before they have to stop and make camp. Their march has bought them to Long Lake. Stannis sits in his command tent on a chair with his head propped up on his hand. Ser Davos enters the tent with Melisandre and Yonish.
"Well don't beat around the bush let me hear it…"
"We have lost twelve horses to the cold…Fifteen men are sick in their beds with fevers and chills…Another twenty-nine dead to frostbite."
"My men are not use to marching in these conditions…We should head back to Castle Black get on the ships and sail up the coast to…" He looks at Ser Davos.
"Stoney Shore…"
Stannis sits up and looks at Melisandre, "Well if ever there was a time the lord of light should intervene now would be the time…"
"No one ever said My King that being the lord's Chosen One would be easy…You know what you must do…"
"Do! Do what?" Ser Davos asks in concern.
"Nothing leave me alone with the Lady Melisandre…" Stannis starts pacing as they leave the tent, but Davos lingers for few seconds before departing. "I told you to stop speaking of that!" He says in anger.
"Then why did you bring her…If not for Ser Davos the Iron Throne would be yours…"
She is speaking of Edric Storm a bastard of Robert Baratheon's. The boy had been living at Storm's End with Ser Courtney Penrose. Penrose had raised Edric like a son and deeply cared for the boy. When Renly died Penrose sided with Stannis. After the battle of Blackwater, Melisandre came to Storm's End for Edric and Penrose died trying to protect him. She wanted his blood for a sacrifice, but Ser Davos took pity on the boy and freed him.
"She is my daughter! Now leave me!" Stannis turns away from Melisandre and leans on the map table. "I said go!" She finally obeys. Later Stannis goes to see his daughter Shyreen. He sits on the bed and holds her in his arms.
Night falls on the camp. Jon had sent the response by Raven to Wintefell two days before he showed Stannis the letter he got from Rickon. As night falls Arya and the men she bought with her close in. They are wearing heavy white furs to blend in with the snow and heavy shoes for walking over the snow. A man passes by a small mound of snow on patrol, and Arya rises up and slits his throat.
Another man is bashed in the head by Gendry. Brienne sneaks up behind a man and snaps his neck like a twig. Arya climbs a tree and knocks an arrow. She aims at a man in watch tower. She fires and the arrows sails through the air and hits the man in the throat killing him. She aims at the next tower across from the first. Arya knocks two arrows as there are two men in this tower. She bites the feather off one of the arrows and fires. Both men go down at the same time.
Stannis is in his tent sipping on lemon water. Just as he lays down there is a huge explosion. "Guards! Guards!" He heads for the exit and pauses as something sharp hits him in the neck. Stannis reaches behind his neck and pulls a dart of some kind. He stumbles to ground and passes out. Arya and Brienne emerge from a slit in the back of the tent. Brienne scoops Stannis up and places him over her shoulder. Then they run off into the night with their prize.
Meanwhile the camp is all chaos as twenty men fire a steady stream of flaming arrows into the Camp. Ser Davos runs to Shireen's tent which is next to Queen Sylse's tent. "Momma!' He finds Shireen standing in front of her mother's screaming as it burns.
'Princess stay here…" Davos removes his shirt and douces his body with water. Then he rushes into the tent and finds nothing. He comes out coughing and finds a soldier dragging Sylse's body.
"Mother!' Shireen screams rushing up. "Please don't be dead…"
"She's not dead My Lord…"
"Thank the gods old and new…"
The next morning many are injured and dead. Davos walks through the camp taking stock of the destruction. "My Lord Hand…We searched everywhere…The King is gone…Taken during the chaos…" The Soldier says. Davos spots Yonish walking towards them. "Look for tracks and determine which way they went…"
"Its all gone…" Yonish says walking up to Davos, "The food supplies, the water, fodder for the horses…And all your gold."
"Commander take your men and the Queen back to Castle Black…"
Yonish shakes his head, "No!"
"What?"
"My men and I got more than we bargained for on this mission…All your gold is gone along with all the food…My men don't fight for promises…We are leaving…"
"Where will you go?"
"To White Harbor there is a city and a port…We are not marching to Wintefell…Half of us will be dead before we get there…"
"Half of you will be dead when you get to White Harbor…"
"Blood and guts await us at Winterfell…A way home waits for us in White Harbor…Goodbye Onion Knight…"
Davos joins Queen Sylse and Princess Shireen, "Ser Davos! Where are they going?"
"I am sorry my Queen…The Wind Blown found out that our gold was stolen…They are leaving…"
"How could this happen?" Sylse looks at Melisandre. "Lady Melisandre?"
She sighs, "I saw a great victory at Winterfell, but that victory was not my King's…It was of House Stark…"
A soldier walks up and bows to Sylse, 'What is it?"
"The men found tracks heading south towards Winterfell…We think about fifty strong…"
"Then we must make all haste to go after them…"
"No!" Davos says with more force than he intended…"
"No! I am your Queen!"
"Forgive me Your Grace, I mean no disrespect…But your safety and that of the Princess are my main concerns now…The best thing for you is to return to Castle Black with the rest of the army…I will take ten men and ride on to Winterfell…Hopefully I can negotiate a peaceful outcome…"
"Go Ser Davos…Go with the blessing of our lord…May he light your path…"
Shireen runs up to Davos and hugs him, "Come back safely Ser Knight…"
"I will little Princess…"
"Ser Davos!" He stops and looks back at Melisandre, "I would like to accompany you…"
Davos stares at her with rage in his eyes. "Ever since you came into our lives I have watched you turn Queen Sylse and our good King away from the faith of the seven. And then you try to poison the mind of that sweet child. You have burned innocent men alive just because they rejected your god…No m'lady you may not come with me for if you do I will bury my sword into your dark heart…" With that Davos walks to organize the men. It takes a few hours to organize everything and get the army on the move. Then Davos heads south with ten men.
