As we marched on to Winterfell I sended scouts and small company of riders along the way. This proved to be a blessing as we managed to kill many enemy who tried to lay ambushes and attacking our supply chains. We steadily made our way and finaly I could see winterfell.
The entire Bolton army seems to have been arranged at the front gates in neat coloumns. The banners of Karstark and Whitehills were also there. I let Balerion away from the field of battle never letting the enemy witness my dragon as I needed the Boltons to think they have a fighting chance.
A small group of riders came towards us carrying Bolton banners and stopped at the middle of the two armies.
Myself and a few northern lords and ser. Arthur moved to greet them.
"You are trespassing on Nortern lands under the control of House Bolton. Leave and take your armies from here." Ramsey said
"We have travelled a long distance to simply return, Snow. I believe you are trespassing on the lands of Starks. Bow before me and surrunder your armies or else face a certain death." I said
"I am a Bolton. King Joeffrey legitimized me" Ramsey said
"Funny, a bastard legitimizing another bastard.No, Snow you will live as a Snow and die as a Snow." I said
"Then my hounds will enjoy your flesh little dragon" Ramsey snarled
"And I will enjoy your death Snow" I said
We marched back to our respective armies.
I commanded the Barrow knights to attack first. To prove their loyalty and because of fear they charged into the center part of the Bolton lines. The Boltons and Karstarks seems to have braved the initial charge and they were slowly pushing back the knights.
That is when a horn was blown from their rear and the banner of the company of rose was flying in the wind as they cut off the castle from the Bolton army. Karstarks and Whitehalls tried to engage the company of rose but before that happened I set the cavalry and ordered them to attack both ends of the Bolton lines. When this happened the Bolton army had to close themselves and form a circle as they were attacked from all sides.
Now I warged with Balerion and he flew towards me and landed infront of me. A mighty roar was produced by Balerion. This shook the fighting force, they threw their weapons down and surrendered.The rest of the Northern army entered Winterfell and took the Bolton forces down.
Roose Bolton , Ramsey Bolton , Harald Karstark and Ludd Whitehill were taken prisoners. Sansa Stark was now free.
I summoned all Northern Lords in the hall of Winterfell.Sansa sat next to me at the high table. I stood up and the hall quited.
"Lords of North, years ago my father did a horrible act that caused the war between House Stark and House Targaryen. I knew my brother well an I do not believe he took Lyanna Stark by force and ser. Arthur Dayne can attest to that, but the past I cannot change. House Targaryen owes House Stark an apology. House Stark has always stood by House Targaryen without asking anything in return for centuries, serving us with loyalty and honour in the Dance of Dragons, during the many Blackfyre rebellions.So I formally apologise to House Stark in the presence of all Northern lords on behalf of House Targaryen. I will try to make further amends in the future as well.There is only one male heir for House Stark and that is Jon Snow , Lord Eddard's son.I am legitimising him as a Stark of Winterfell and confirm him as Lord Paramount of North." I said
The northern lords roared their approval for my decisions.
"There is the matter of traitors as well. Please bring them forward." I said
Ramsey Bolton was the first to be infront of me.
"Fight me coward , without your dragon you are nothing. Prove to us all your strength by fighting me" Ramsey taunted
I walked upto him and took hold of his neck and raised him as he flailed in mid air.
"My strength little beast is far above your understanding.I know what it's like to lose. To feel so desperately that you're right, yet to fail nonetheless. Dread it, run from it,Destiny arrives all the same. And now it's here, or should I say, I am." I said
Then I summoned a huge fire that took hold of Ramsey as he was burnt alive. His screams echoing in the halls but soon all that remained of him was ash.
"I came to Westeros not for just retaking the Iron throne . I came here to unite Westeros to face our common enemy. While I wield the power of fire and light our enemy wields the power of Ice and darkness. The dead are rising beyond the Wall my Lords to do the bidding of White Walkers. All the stories are real, all the monsters are real, all the heros of old are real, all of it. Soon they will overcome the wall and we will have to face them for the battle for dawn.Brandon the Builder saved Westeros for more than ninethousand years. It is now time for us to do the same and end this threat once and for all.The Great War is here." I said to the silent hall
Suddenly the whole hall was filled with shouting.
"Jon Stark has already let the wildlings inside the wall instead of letting them become wights to the WihiteWalkers. We must set aside our differences if we are to survive the coming war. We must unite." I said
"King Viserys is right we must unite against the common foe but we must also not forget about the danger to the south." Sansa said
"You are absolutely right Lady Stark. I will be going to the Riverlands and the Vale next. I will bring both to heel and then I will destroy House Frey.As far as I am concerned they sealed their fate the moment they enacted the Red wedding. As for House Lannister I have a debt to pay them and I will ensure it is paid in blood with interest. The westerlands will never be the same again, I assure you that. " I said to Sansa
"The rest of the traitors I will leave them in your capable hands my Lady" I said to Sansa
All the northern lords bend the knee to Sansa.Then the court was dismissed leaving me and Sansa alone.
"Your grace there is a message for you" my personal postmaster said
I took the message from him and read the message and a sa mall smile came to me.
"Good news your grace" Sansa asked
"My sister has brought the Reach to heel. House Tyrell is trapped inside Kings Landing cut off from their bannermen. House Tarly has been confirmed as wardens of South. Kings Landing is now cut off from any food or resources. She has used the Reach army to take the crownlands as well trapping the Lannister army in Riverlands. It seems I will be dealing the Lannisters the death blow in Riverlands Lady Stark. I will leave you with my kings guard until you have rebuilt your own guards." I said
"Thank you your grace ." Sansa said
"What will you do with the rest of prisoners" I asked
"They betrayed the North. Only death awaits them your grace." Sansa said
"Good , I will trust your judgement in this matter. I will be going now as I will have to meet up with Daenerys and destroy the Lannister army surrounding Riverrun. Tell me something who took you from kingslanding and delivered you to the Boltons." I said
"That would be Peter Baelish your grace. He was the master of coin for King Robert" Sansa said
"Oh he is more than that Lady Stark. He is the reason your father is dead. He started the war between Lannisters and Starks. He is a snake that I will remove the first chance I get. Take care Lady Sansa." I said as I walked out of the castle into the courtyard
There Balerion was laying down surrounded by many smallfolk and children who came to watch a dragon. They were standing at a distance being too afraid to move near him. Balerion was putting on a show as he rolled around in the snow enjoying the attention.
I walked towards him and as he saw me he sat up putting his head towards me. I patted him on his chin and slowly climbed upon him. Once I settled he flew up as we slowly climbed to the sky and flew away from Winterfell to the Riverlands.
I set Balerion down upon the old ruins of Harrenhall and waited for Dany. Sometime later she flew in on Rheagon.
"Brother how was North" She asked
"Cold, but they bend the knee. How was reach" I asked
"Beautiful. Highgarden is still intact . It will prove to be a good vacation place for us" She said
"Indeed sister, you did well. Come then it is time to settle our lion problem." I said
"Brother after you left we got a visitor. He is a dwarf, Tyrion Lannister. I agreed to spare him for now." She said softly
"I trust your judgement. " I said to her
"Well then lets put an end to the Lanniaters and Freys" She said
Our dragons took off to the sky. We flew straight to Riverrun and after some time we saw the Lannister army laying siege to the Riverrun castle.We glided down towards the army atop our dragons qnd shouted 'Dracarys'.
Two jets of potent flames set the beseiging army on fire. A long line of soldiers simply turned to ash.We passed by and took a turn but this time we splitted in two directions.
Dany began to set fire on the tents while I began to set fire on the soldiers never allowing them to regroup.There was total chaos in the enemy lines. There was no room for them to move freely so they were easily set ablaze.After several minutes of burnings I set Balerion down on the ground and saw Jaime Lannister on his horse looking lost.
"Lannister this is what happens when you play the game. Your father played the game very well but he never realised it was never a game he played. He courted death the moment he butchered my family. I will tear down your family brick by brick until there is nothing left. The last to go will be that whore in Kings Landing. She who caused all this death and suffering. I will send her soon after you. You can enjoy her company in hell." I said and set him on fire and watched as he burned to death.
The whole army inside Riverrun castle watched in scilence as I burned Jaime Lannister alive.
I then turned my attention on them. Balerion let out a roar and the guards blanched, I slowly climbed down from Balerion and walked towards the draw bridge and waited.
After some time the bridge lowered and the Blackfish came out.
"The Freys will be no more. The North, Iron Islands, crownlands and Reach have submitted to me. I will be going to subduse the Vale next. But before that I need to know will Tully banners rise against me or with me." I asked
"I do not have the strength to oppose you even if I wanted to.So I will bend the knee. Riverrun is yours, your grace" Blackfish said as he bend the knee
"Call all the noble houses of Riverlands to Harenhall. I will have to deal with the Frey infestation. They are no longer a noble house by my decree and their male line will be purged. A house that violates guest rights has no right to call itself noble" I said
"We will send the ravens your grace. Until the Riverlords gather the hospitality of Riverrun is yours." Blackfish said
Dany landed her dragon and stood next to me as we received guest rights.We entered the castle of Riverrun to rest as the Tully soldiers marched out and took any survivors as prisoners.