The Winter King
Chapter 20: Retaking the North
A couple weeks have passed since Harry, Jon and Sansa began looking for support of the other houses. True to Harry's words, House Reed threw their support behind them without question. Howland Reed barely heard three words from Jon's mouth before he said he would send a thousand men to fight for him.
They didn't have as much luck with the other houses. House Manderly, one of the largest houses in the North refused to answer Jon's call. House Cerwyn too, refused to answer the call. House Glover accept to listen to Jon but they refused to answer the call. House Hornwood and Mazin, however, did answer the call. They remember the Starks. They remember Robb Stark and Lord Eddard Stark.
Harry was riding into camp with Jon, Sansa and Ser Davos. Harry's guards, as well as guards from other houses, bow their heads as they ride in.
"Stannis camp here on his way to Winterfell." Ser Davos said.
"I know. My men and I shadow Stannis and watch the battle." Harry said.
"And that's a good thing?" Sansa said.
"He was one of the most experienced commanders in Westeros. He chose this place for a reason. Those mountains are natural fortifications, there's a stream down there for the horses and men. Though, it looks like it's better than when we camped here." Ser Davos said.
"My men and I immediately took over this camp after Stannis left. Unlike Stannis, we're used to fighting in the cold and snow. That's what we northerners prize ourselves in. We know how to make tents and camps in the snow. Stannis didn't. That's what led to his defeat." Harry said.
"Aye, the snows defeated Stannis as much as the Bolton's did." Ser Davos said.
"We're not staying long. Another storm could hit any day." Jon said.
Brise was talking to her Rangers as Commander Chrestan was getting guard duty up. Harry stops to get off his horse as several men came forward to take care of the horses.
"We have to march on Winterfell now before the snows make travel too deep and we become trap here," Jon said.
"Just over forty thousand wildlings. One thousand Reeds, two hundred Hornwoods, one hundred forty-three Mazins…" Ser Davos said.
"Sixty-Two Mormonts," Sansa said.
"We got support from certain houses but not the support we need." Ser Davos said. "Let's not forget the forty thousand in the Winter King's army. We have a chance, If we're careful and smart." Ser Davos said. A noise complaint drew their attention where a Free Folk and a Hornwood were going at it. "For fuck's sake." He said as he takes off to break it off.
"So he's your most trusted advisor now? Because he secured sixty-two men from a ten-year-old." Sansa said.
"Ser Davos may not be the smartest man alive. But he knows his way around a fight. It was thanks to his quick thinking that alerted me to the treachery at Castle Black before it was too late." Harry said as the trio walks away.
"He's also the reason why I'm standing here talking to you," Jon said.
Sansa stops walking.
"Can we win?" she asks.
"We have over eighty thousand men. I have yet to lose a battle. I'm not going to lose this one either. Winterfell is our home. We're going to win. Not by numbers but by being smart." Harry said.
They turn back and could see the fight turning into a scuffle.
Harry turns his head and whistles. Several of his men turn to look at him and his gestures his head towards the fight. His men take off and immediately starts breaking it up. They got in between the two parties pushing them further back. Jon runs over to help and to break it up.
Harry walks up to Commander Brise.
"It's almost time for the meeting. Commander Brise, take three hundred Rangers and hide in the forest nearby. If the Bolton's break the meeting. I want you to engage them. Your primary target will be Ramsay Bolton. Kill him, and his reign will end."
"You sure that's wise? What if they try to kill you or Jon? Shouldn't we cover your escape?" Brise asked.
"Jon and I can take care of ourselves. It's important that we end the Bolton's reign as soon as possible. If Ramsay Bolton betrays the talks and attacks us, then I want you to kill him first. In the chaos of your attack, it will allow us to escape." Harry said.
Brise nods her head and begins to gather the Rangers and head to the meeting spot in advance. Harry watch her go.
Harry turns to Sansa who was looking at him carefully.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Are you and her…" Sansa began.
"Together. Not really. She's a talented Ranger and she has the respect of the army and a great warrior." Harry said. Harry steps forward and looks at Sansa. "What about you?" Harry asked.
"What about me?" Sansa asks.
"Since the day of the meeting has been approaching, you have been off. You've been worried and repeatedly been asking if we can win. Sansa, I know you well enough to know something is bothering you and you are scared. What did Ramsay do to you?"
Sansa looks down and didn't say a word. She became very uncomfortable.
"Please don't tell Jon," Sansa said. Harry nods his head. Out of all his siblings, he wasn't that close to Sansa. She did treat him awful but she wasn't directly mean to him. He shared a much closer relationship with Arya then Sansa. He was an older brother to Rickon and Bran as well, but he formed a tight bond with Robb and Jon. Yet he loved all of his adoptive siblings as if they were his real siblings.
"Ramsay rape me." Sansa said in a soft voice.
Harry felt time had slowly stop as his blood began to boil. Now he had another reason to kill Ramsay Bolton. He may not have been close to Sansa, but she was still his sister.
"Don't come to the meeting. You'll be safe here." Harry said.
"Let me come. I need to face him." Sansa said.
"Whatever you do. Do not say the Winter King is with Jon. The moment Ramsay hears that his facing a very large attack force, he will turn this battle into a siege and we can't afford that. A siege would defeat us. The weather has already begun to turn for the worse and Ramsay would have the advantage if he turns this into a siege. Remember, keep your mouth quiet about my involvement. I will attend, but I'll appear as a guard not a noble. Ramsay cannot know he faces defeat." Harry said.
Sansa nods her head. She knew she didn't understand military strategy, but she knew Harry did. She has heard of his success since her time as a prisoner in King's Landing. How the Winter King defeated his enemies so brilliantly and so effortlessly. How he was hailed as the greatest military strategist of Westeros's. Some were calling him the greatest military commander of all time. She knew she could trust Harry. And she trusted his judgment.
"Guards, get Jon and Ser Davos, as well as the other Lords and Ladies. The time for the meeting has come." Harry said to his guards. They nod their head. They take off to gather the Stark and their allies.
Riverrun
Jaime Lannister was trying to think of the best way to siege Riverrun. Riverrun also had a port that allowed ships to come and go as they please. And he's already seen the Northern fleet coming and going as they please from Riverrun. Most likely giving the Tully's supplies and food. So, starving them out was out of the question. The area also had large fish area allow food to be gathered easily, and the Tully's were expert river fish hunters.
The only real option was to storm the castle and take it by force. However, that was also out of the question. The Tully's had ten thousand men and they had the advantage as they needed the gate to be lower to storm the castle.
Several scouts appeared before him. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater came in looking very serious.
"We've got a big fucking problem," Bronn said.
"What is it?" Jaime asked.
"Several of your sentries spotted a very large enemy coming our way. They bare the sigil of House Stark." Bronn reports.
"The Winter King." Jaime Lannister said in slow realization.
"Awe, they'll be here soon," Bronn said.
"How many men?" Jaime Lannister asks.
Bronn looks at the scout.
"We believe it could be ten thousand men. Could be more, they're starting to fill in the road to the north. All we know is that we can see them from the end of the horizon." The scout reported.
Jaime knew this could be trouble. Ten thousand men alone would be more than enough to lure them into a battle. The Tully's in front of them holding Riverrun, now the Winter King coming in from behind.
Jaime knew the Winter King's reputation. Throughout the entire war, he has gone undefeated. Never lost a battle. His greatest victory was the Battle of Wolfswood. Defeating over a hundred thousand men from the Iron Throne with only twenty thousand men.
The real question was where did the Winter King and his men come from. Even reports were scarce about their actual numbers and where they came from. All the Seven Kingdoms knew, is that they appeared in the Riverlands before venturing north to deal with the Bolton's.
Jaime Lannister has eight thousand men under his command. The Frey's had four thousand. They did have the number advantage so maybe he stood a chance at beating the Winter King.
Then again, the Tully's could attack them from the rear forcing a two-front battle. Which would throw them at a disadvantage? Perhaps he could talk his way out of a battle.
"Send word to them, go under a parlay. I'll speak to them." Jaime Lannister said.
"Understood, my lord." The scout said as he turns and leaves the command tent.
"Ten thousand men coming for us. Looks like we got ourselves a fight." Bronn said.
"We may have a fight. Let's see what we can do to avoid one. The odds are not in our favor." Jaime said.
"Don't have to tell me that," Bronn said.
Jaime gets on his horse as did Bronn, they rode out with the guards to speak to the Winter King. It would be the first face to face conversation anyone has had with him. Jaime goes up the hill and could see the advancing army. It was far larger than ten thousand men. It seemed to have stretch for miles. As far as the eye could see. There was also no mistaking the flags of the Direwolf. It was House Stark that was coming.
Several of his scouts were riding back to him.
"They've agreed to a meeting." His scouts said as they approached him.
"Good," Jaime said.
"Now that is a lot more than ten thousand men. How many do you think, twenty thousand? Twenty-five? Thirty?" Bronn said.
"More than enough to challenge us. Let's hope they will turn back or this could turn nasty." Jaime said.
"You really think they're going to turn away when they got numbers on their side?" Bronn said.
Jaime didn't answer. He knew the odds were unlikely that the Winter King would turn away. Not after traveling so many miles to Riverrun.
As they got closer Jaime was surprised to see Brienne of Tarth riding in the front with two men. One was aged, not as old as his father, but seasoned like himself. The other was young but carried himself greatly. The commanders stopped the army as they army quickly moved to get into attack position.
Walder Frey and Black Water both were on their horses looking very nervous. The commanders rode forward with several guards.
"Ser Jaime Lannister, you've asked to meet." The lead commander said as they stop a good ten feet from Jaime's men.
"Indeed. I'm here by order of the King to retake this castle. Turn your army around and go home."
"Or else what?" The other commander said. "You'll fight us? We have fifty thousand men that have been waiting to battle the Lannister's for some time. The odds are not in your favor and you're in no position to make demands of us. Also, King Tommen is not our King. The Winter King is. House Stark is our rulers."
"We here under direct orders from the Winter King. Either you end the siege and go home. Or we'll attack and kill every single one of you." Brienne of Tarth said.
"Fifty thousand. Where the fuck did he get this many men to fight under him." Bronn said out loud.
"If you agree to leave and go home. No harm will come to you and your men. Refuse, and we'll just kill every single one of you." The lead commander said.
Jaime looks over the horizon and could see more men appearing. Yes, their sheer numbers alone would be problematic. There was no way he would be able to repel this attack with just twelve thousand men. He couldn't think of a safe way to beat them without dying. They also would have the advantage as they had the high ground advantage.
"Do we have terms?" The lead commander asked.
Jaime nods his head. "We have terms. Allow my men to pack up and leave peacefully."
"You have till nightfall. If you're not out of here by nightfall, we will attack anyone who remains." The lead commander said.
Winterfell
Harry, was sitting on his horse next to Jon left. Sansa was on Jon's right. Behind them, were the lord and lady's that swore their allegiance to House Stark. Tormund, Karsi, and Dim Dalba were also presented. Harry looks carefully and could see his Rangers hiding in the forest. Their arrows nock in their bows and they were aiming carefully at the arriving Bolton's. Harry made sure they were position near the forest, but not so near that the Bolton's would see them. Yet not so far, they would have trouble with range. With dark green tunics, and black pants and boots, they were almost perfectly camouflaged in the dense of the forest. Harry wasn't going to do any talking. He was a guard in this situation, not a member of House Stark and he needed to make sure his involvement was kept silent.
"You don't have to be here," Jon said to Sansa as the Bolton's arrived closer.
"Yes, I do," Sansa said.
The Bolton's arrived. Staying a good ten feet from the Starks. Ramsay Bolton in the middle with Smalljon Umber on his left with Harald Karstark on his right. Harry tried to restrain himself as he looked at the traitors. Ramsay Bolton had a smug look on his face. A large smile grew on his face.
"My beloved wife," Ramsay said in a boastful tone. "I've missed you terribly. Thank you for returning Lady Bolton safely." Ramsay said to Jon. "Now, dismount and kneel before me, surrender your army and proclaim me the true Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. I will pardon you for deserting the Night's Watch. I will pardon these treasonous Lords for betraying my house." Harry could tell he was full of himself. Already he believed he won. This is what Harry wanted. For him to be overconfident. "Come, bastard, you don't the men, you don't have the horses, and you certainly don't have Winterfell. You couldn't even get the Winter King to support you. I know he took his army south. So why lead those poor souls into a slaughter? There's no need for a battle. Get off your horse and kneel. I'm a man of mercy."
"You're right," Jon said. "There's no need for a battle. Thousands of men don't need to die. Only one of us. Let's end this the old way. You against me."
Silence filled the Bolton's as Ramsay looks on.
Then Ramsay started chuckling before he lets out some laughs.
"I keep hearing stories about you, bastard. The way people of the North talk about you, you're the greatest swordsman who ever walked. Maybe you are that good. Maybe not. I don't know if I'd beat you, but I know my army will beat yours. I have twelve thousand men. You have, half that? Less?" Ramsay said.
"Aye, you have the numbers. Do you think your men will fight for you when they hear you wouldn't fight for them?" Jon said causing Ramsay to fall silent for a few seconds.
"He's good. Very good." Ramsay said as he points a finger at Jon. "Tell me, will you let your little brother die because you're too proud to surrender?"
"How do we know you have him?" Sansa demanded.
Ramsay looks at Sansa for a moment before turning to Smalljon who nods his head. Smalljon reaches inside his saddlebag and throws a Direwolf's head on the ground before them. It was Shaggydog alright. Harry tightens his grip on his reins to regain some control of himself. It would be easy, just to kill them now. All three traitors were here.
However, his father, Ned Stark would shame him if he did so. He would betray his house and his honor if he attacks the Bolton's during the talks first.
"Now, if you want to save…" Ramsay said before Sansa interrupted him.
"You're going to die tomorrow, Lord Bolton," Sansa said. "Sleep well," Sansa said as she turns his horse around and rides off.
"She's a fine woman, your sister. I look forward to having her back in my bed." Ramsay said as he spoke to Jon. He turns his attention the rest of them. "And you're all fine looking men. My dogs are desperate to meet you. I haven't fed them in seven days. They're ravenous. I wonder which parts they'll try first? Your eyes? Your balls? We'll find out soon enough. In the morning then, bastard." Ramsay said.
In saying that the Bolton's turn around and leave.
"Let's make our way back to camp. We have plans to conduct." Harry said once the Bolton's were out of earshot.
Jon nods his head.
Stark Camp
"If he was smart, he'd stay inside the walls of Winterfell and wait us out," Jon said.
Ser Davos said "He can't afford too. He knows the North is watching. If the other houses sense weakness on his part, they'll stop fearing him. He can't have that. Fear is his power."
Jon replies "It's his weakness, too. His men don't want to fight for him. They're forced to fight for him. The moment the tide turns…"
Harry leans forward. "He also doesn't know about my involvement. He believes he has the number advantage over us. We have more than seven times the amount of men than he has. If we play this smart, we can crush his army in one fell swoop."
Brise looks over the map and says "If we reveal our entire hand too early, he'll take his army and force a siege. We should reveal only so much. Enough to fight with, but not enough to be beaten with."
Tormund spoke up. "It's not his men that worry me. It's his horses. I know what mounted knights can do to us. You and Stannis cut through us like piss through the snow."
Jon said "We'll be digging trenches all along our flanks. They won't be able to hit us the way Stannis hit you, in a double envelopment."
Tormund looks very confused as if he wasn't sure what they were saying.
"It's a pincer move. Our sides will be protected. They won't be able to hit us that way." Harry said.
"Good," Tormund said.
"How should we play this. We have more than enough men to retake Winterfell. Should we surround them?" Ser Davos suggested.
"No. The moment Ramsay sees a much larger attack force, he'll just retreat and hide in Winterfell turning this into a siege. We cannot afford a siege. It must be a battle. We'll start off with our backs to the forest. Commander Brise will hide in there with half our forces. I'll signal for you to attack." Harry said.
"What is the signal?" Brise asks.
"Red sparks in the air," Harry said as he turns to Commander Chrestan. "Commander Chrestan, you will take our cavalry and hide just over this ridge," Harry said pointing to an area about a mile away from the battle. "The moment you see the red sparks you come in charging, if you don't see red sparks Commander Brise will signal you with the war horn. Come in cutting off the Bolton's retreat to Winterfell. Ramsay believes we have a much smaller attack force. He has twelve thousand men. We'll fight with ten thousand. The Direwolves will also hide in the forest. It crucial that we let the enemy surround us with everyone they have before our true army is revealed. The moment he realizes his mistake, it will be too late. His army will be crushed and we can retake Winterfell. He won't have the men to defend Winterfell." Harry said.
"We should all get some sleep." Ser Davos said.
"Rest, Jon Snow. We need you sharp tomorrow." Tormund said.
Harry grabs his drink as prepares to drink from it. Rest before a battle didn't always come easy for him. Yet he allows himself to rest, his men needed him sharp and not half awake.
Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoys. Next chapter will be up tomorow.