Once more thank you for the reviews.
Regarding Elia and her children, I have spoiled their future in one of the chapters but of course, it's not at plain sight.
The point that has been brought the most is Hoster Tully and I can say that Hoster will have two unpleasant surprises in the future...
Robert Baratheon
Outside of Gulltown, Vale, Year 282 AC
The bulk of the Rebel army had arrived a few days ago but some hosts like House Royce and House Redfort's arrived even earlier. Lord Marq Grafton had the walls of Gulltown garrisoned with archers ready to shot anyone who came near them but that would save them.
Jon did not wish to lose too much time in the siege so he ordered the construction of three siege towers who were almost finished and ready to be sent against the walls by midday, meanwhile, the trebuchets were being deployed into action too, close to twenty of them with more being built.
There seemed to be no sign of reinforcements coming from the sea, as no ships moored in the port. The houses in the Fingers seemed to be rallying there and did not make a move towards Gulltown to unite with House Grafton's men.
Another couple of hours ahead, the siege towers were fully ready and so the siege could begin.
Robert felt his blood rushing through every bit of his body, he was excited, he had long carved for a real battle but he expected an invasion of the Stepstones or perhaps a campaign in Essos but this was his war now. He would save Lyanna and Brandon from the clutches of the Mad King and kill the bastard himself.
"Assemble!" Shouted Jon as he called the Rebel lords. There was Lord Yohn Royce, Lord Gerold Hardyng, old Lord Eon Hunter and his sons, Lord Horton Redfort, Elbert, Denys Arryn and him. "The trebuchets will begin their attack shortly, then we move in with the siege towers in the left side of the wall. When the first soldiers set foot on said wall, they will begin making way to the side gates so we can enter with the majority of the army."
"Do we have numerical superiority?" Asked Lord Hardyng.
"We should have fifteen thousand men in this siege against some six to seven thousand at the very most eight thousand," Jon replied. "Still every man is worth as much as gold, if any soldier is able to save another, they should do it without hesitation."
"Wise words, Jon." Smiled Yohn Royce in his full bronze armor. "Wise words."
"Let's get these cunts!" Robert shouted.
"Aye!" The lords shouted in approval as they dispersed to give the orders to their soldiers.
Robert had no army to command, yet, so he just got ready for the fight, exercising his muscles as much as he could.
When he turned to his new appointed squire, as he had knighted Justin after Harrenhal, he saw said squire struggling to hold his war hammer and shield.
"Too heavy for you?" Asked Robert with a smile.
"Milord…how does Milord use this in battle?" Questioned the squire panting.
"I smash my opponents with it," Robert replied laughing as he placed his antler helmet on and then picked his shield and placed it in his left arm. "It's not that heavy." Robert added when he picked his hammer with his right hand with ease.
"As Milord says…" The kid said in disbelief with the ease he held the war hammer.
"Go hide boy," he commanded the boy. "You are still too young to die here, go grow a while more."
"Yes Milord…" The squire nodded and left to join the other squires at their camp as Robert saw the siege towers moving towards the western wall already.
He ran towards one of them and jumped inside it, climbing to the third floor as he wished to be the first to one to fight. Around him were many common folk, some chanting, some praying, most of them sweating or shaking.
"THIS DAY WILL BE REMEMBER FOREVER!" he shouted at them. "IT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE END TO THE TYRANNY OF HOUSE TARGARYEN!"
"AYE!" The soldiers began shouting in approval.
"WE WILL BEAT THESE FOOLS!"
"AYE!"
Robert felt the siege tower be hit by what seemed like stones but it was still enduring well and it would definitely reach the walls.
It rolled for what seemed like an eternity until they opened the platform and he saw they very close to the walls, he braced himself as he saw some men next to him be shot as their armors were mediocre compared to his.
Finally, when he saw he could make the jump, he jumped and landed weirdly but then composed himself as he saw the enemies rushing him, so without wasting more time, he lifted his war hammer and began smashing everything that moved towards him. One down, two down, three, four, five and so on.
The rest of the soldiers began jumping to support him and they were on a good pace to claim their side of the wall.
Below he could see their archers shooting the soldiers on top of the wall while rushing towards it too, the trebuchets in the distance kept firing to the spots were enemy control was larger in hopes to decrease it.
"WE MUST OPEN THE GATES!" he shouted to the soldiers. "MAKE MOVE FOR THE GATES!"
"AYE!"
Robert began pushing towards the wall tower that was next to him with a few Rebel soldiers as he saw more enemies rushing in to reinforce their weakened walls.
"BACK OFF!" he commanded the soldiers that were following him as he embraced himself for the incoming soldiers, as soon as they appeared on top of the stairs, he hit them with his war hammer and made the fall through the stairs. "COME ON YA SHITS, ON ME!"
"AYE!"
Some of the soldiers moved in and killed the shaken enemies that fell from the stairs while the rest of them moved with him into the streets. "MAKE MOVE TO THE GATES!" he shouted again.
There were archers and crossbowmen in the roofs shooting towards them, he lifted his shield against the multiple arrows being sent in his direction and caught them there. Many of the soldiers following him did not have the same luck though…
The walls of the city were pretty much overrun but if they could open the gate, they could fully control the city…so he led his men there and met with some others from House Redfort near the bloody fucking gate.
"WE HAVE TO LIFT THE GATE!" he shouted at the soldiers. "COVER ME!"
"AYE!"
He dropped his war hammer in the floor, grabbed the lever and began lifting the gate himself with his every strength, he opened it quickly and turned towards a wounded soldier next to him. "Hold this up."
"Yes milord." Replied the soldier.
Robert picked his war hammer back and waited a bit as a cavalry charge made its way inside the city taking out many enemy soldiers while the bulk of the Rebel army began entering as well, the walls were abandoned and taken as the fight was now made in the streets.
"COME ON!" he shouted. "WE MOVE TO THE BLOODY CASTLE!"
"AYE!"
The rebel archers and crossbowmen were engaged against the loyalist ones while the Knights of the Vale were breaking whatever defensive lines House Grafton had brought into combat. Robert saw Lord Yohn Royce and Lord Hardyng rallying their men into formation up ahead.
"Robert!" Called Elbert on top of his horse. "Jon is rallying the troops for the main assault against the castle!"
"Good to know!" he shouted. "I'm moving there myself."
"Aye, Lord Redfort and Lord Hunter are engaging by the northwest side and we should be able to engage them by two sides."
"Alright, I will join Lord Royce and Hardyng." Robert decided. "Tell Jon I will be there."
"Aye." Elbert nodded. "Stay alive."
"You too."
Elbert commanded his horse to ride along while Robert ran with some soldiers towards the main rebel host.
"Lord Royce!" he called. "I'm joining you!"
"Alright, we are moving against the castle." Said the Bronze Knight. "Join in."
Their retinue reached the entrance of the castle some five minutes later, neither Jon nor Lord Redfort nor Lord Hunter were there yet. Near the entrance was Lord Marq Grafton, fully armored with a black and red banner to identify him, he had about a thousand men in his command.
"Yohn, we can engage them!" Robert begged. "Let's end this now!"
Lord Royce looked hesitant though… "You," he asked a horseman. "Go and ask Lord Hardyng's opinion on an engagement."
"Yes, My Lord." The horseman nodded as he went and returned not long after. "Lord Hardyng agrees."
"Then warn him to follow us as soon as we begin our move." Lord Royce commanded.
"Right away My Lord."
Lord Royce waited for almost a minute before giving the order to engage the enemies. Robert embraced for the incoming fight, he lifted his shield alongside many more men as Lord Royce led a cavalry charge that was soon followed by House Waynwood and House Hardyng cavalry.
Lord Grafton's defensive line began to break with the charge, so the rebel infantry increased its walking pace and soon engaged the already weaken soldiers.
Robert used his war hammer to kill two soldiers before he noticed Lord Grafton coming in his way. So the bastard wants to fight me…
Lord Grafton slashed his sword in Robert's direction but Robert, expecting the blow, blocked it with his shield. The loyalist lord did not give up and kept trying again and again while Robert stayed in the defensive, waiting for the perfect time to strike and when he finally saw an opening in Lord Grafton's defense he spared no time and smashed him with his war hammer, killing him in the spot.
When the soldiers watched their dead lord in the floor, they either dropped their weapons and shields or made a run for it, those in the left side did not have much luck since the rest of the rebel army finally appeared from that side.
"Seven Hells!" Shouted Elbert when he came by Robert's side. "Remember to not cross you…"
"He had it coming," Robert replied. "If he wanted to live, he should have fought someone else."
"Well…" Jon began as he approached Robert as well. "One less problem I believe…"
"Aye." Robert agreed smiling. "Bring the ram so we can storm this bloody castle!"
"You don't have to ask for more." Elbert smiled too. "We won! WE BLOODY WON!"
"We still have to take the castle…" Jon began to protest, but soon, he was shut up by the crowd of soldiers cheering.
Yes, they still had to take the castle, but now House Grafton lost most of its men and its lord. The battle was pretty won.
Jon Arryn
Gulltown, Vale, Year 282 AC
It's was very late…House Grafton held the castle for four to five hours more before Lady Irina Grafton, born Irina Rosby finally conceded the victory to them and allowed them inside the castle.
They had long apprehended the ships with Loyalist banners and assured Essosi merchants that nothing would happen to them and commerce would resume normally in a few days. The citizens were being watched by the Rebel soldiers but would return to their normal lives later on when dawn and the new day came.
Lady Grafton allowed them to enter the Great Hall, him, Lord Royce, Lord Hunter, Lord Redfort, Robert, Elbert, and Denys while Lord Hardyng was in charge of warning their allies in the Fingers.
"My Lord Arryn." she bowed in front of him together with her two sons.
"Lady Grafton, please get up." he begged.
"My Lord I beg for your clemency." she insisted. "My children have nothing to do with my husband and my allegiance."
"They shall be spared and My Lady as well if they swear allegiance to our cause and place their men and holding in our control." he purposed. "Far from me to wish to kill children, this Rebellion would be pointless otherwise."
Lady Grafton seemed hesitant but then bowed her head once more. "I Lady Irina Grafton by the power bestowed upon me as regent of Gulltown, place my men and holding under Lord Jon Arryn's command."
"Thank you, My Lady." Jon nodded in respect. "One of your sons shall be sent as a ward to Lady Waynwood to ensure the compliance of these terms, I know you both know each other well."
"We do, My Lord." Replied the Lady. "I know she will not harm my son."
"She will not." Jon agreed. "A garrison of some three thousand men will remain here as well, the rest of the forces will leave in four days and leave Gulltown to its normal routine."
"Understood." The lady said.
"Please, it's too late already My Lady," he said. "Have the children go to sleep and My Lady as well."
"With your permission Lord Arryn." she nodded.
"Permission granted."
When the lady left escorted by some Rebel soldiers, the discussions began…
"What do we do now?" Asked Lord Hunter.
"We ride north to the Fingers of course!" Said Lord Royce. "And crush every Loyalist!"
"Lord Royce is right in the strategy we shall follow." Jon agreed. "But we must show clemency to the Loyalists, we can't be seen as tyrants as it's certainly not their fault for what happen to your son."
"I know Jon but I want revenge for what happened to my Kyle!" The tall man said decisively.
"House Targaryen shall pay for what happened with Kyle." Robert murmured. "They shall pay every bit of it."
"Having Lord Francis Corbray's second son will certin take the Corbrays out of the Loyalist side." Pointed out Denys.
"I believe so." Jon nodded. "That's why I insist in showing clemency, so we can gather more allies in this so much needy situation."
"Are we to believe in Lord Connington's words regarding that Lyanna Stark was not kidnapped?" Asked Lord Redfort.
"What is Connington anyway?" Asked Robert. "What are his words worth if there is no confirmation? As far as we know it might be a trap from the Mad King. The griffin bastard was always more loyal to the Targaryens that to me, his liege lord."
"Still…"
"Lord Redfort I understand your concerns." Jon began. "But I must agree with Robert to some extent in this regard, Lord Connington's words mean nothing if Rhaegar Targaryen or Lyanna Stark don't confirm it." he further explained. "Furthermore Aerys' reign as long expired it's either them or us by this point."
"Understood, you are right Jon." Lord Redfort agreed. "They wouldn't be having the same considerations for us…"
"No they wouldn't, they didn't have any for my son!" Insisted Lord Royce angrily.
"Robert you must leave for Storm's End in the morrow," Jon added. "And rally your banners, secure the Stormlands and come north to meet us."
"Aye Jon." Nodded his ward. "I had planned that up already, hopefully, Stannis did already call them to Storm's End so I have to wait less."
"I'm sure your brother has done that already." Elbert pointed out. "If not to defend the castle."
"Stannis might be boring," Robert confessed. "But he certainly isn't an incompetent fool, he has a mind for strategy, my father always said that anyway…"
"What about the other Kingdoms Jon?" Inquired Lord Hunter. "I'm sure Dorne will be joining the Targaryens…"
"Elia Martell is married to Rhaegar so yes we can expect that."
"Will the Riverlands join us though?" Inquired Lord Royce. "I'm sure Lord Mallister is furious for losing his son too."
"We haven't got any positive reply from there, nor the Westerlands nor the Reach." Jon pointed out. "The latter two I assume that they will join the Loyalist side but I expected the Tullys to call their banners in our favor..."
"Wasn't Lord Tully in your conspirator faction?" Questioned Elbert confused.
"He was." Jon agreed. "But I have no answer to that, I'm afraid." So much talk about Rhaegar being mad and now he doesn't raise his banners to help us out…what are you playing Hoster?
"Keep insisting with him." Said Robert. "We need more support if we are going to take on the Reach and the Westerlands besides Dorne and the Crownlands."
"I'm more concerned about the Reach…" Said Denys. "They can muster a hundred thousand men…"
"But they can't move with that many men." Jon dismissed. "It's a logistical nightmare to have such a large army and it's Winter which means that their resources are spent faster."
"Still hundred thousand men can be divided in smaller hosts." Insisted Denys.
"The mountains provide us with good natural defenses." Lord Hunter pointed out. "It's going to be hard for them to invade us."
"Precisely." Jon agreed. "Since we have discussed far too much today and it's still a few hours to dawn, I suggest we go to sleep a bit and prepare for the next day."
"I think its better." Agreed Lord Redfort and the others present nodded in agreement.
"If we need, we will discuss more things tomorrow, but for now have a good night of sleep." Jon concluded.
Taking Gulltown was a small step in their arduous campaign but they had to start small. Hopefully, Ned is safe and arrives promptly at White Harbor…
Ashara Dayne
Somewhere between Grey Glen and Newkeep, Vale, Year 282 AC
Ashara and Ned had been traveling for a very long time to reach the Bite. It had been a long and arduous journey to say the very least. The views were gorgeous, the snow made the mountains more pretty but also made them far more difficult to travel in.
The powerful winds didn't help either, even with multiple layers of clothes on top of them. Ned barely slept anything because he was on constant watch for the Mountain Clans even when the mountains they had passed by were not preferable targets for their raids and the constant movement of troops made it harder for them to even try.
Still…the nights were her favorite time because she loved the warmth she received from his tight embrace when they slept in caves to avoid being seen.
Everything seemed to be on their side until that moment, they had arrived at the coast without being attacked and she thanked the Old Gods and the New for it.
"We need to find a boat…" Ned said to her.
"Are there fishing villages or something?" she asked.
"I'm quite sure they are, though I don't really know where we are…"
"We can't go further," she stated the obvious. "If we go to the west, we might accidentally enter the Riverlands…"
"But if we go east, we stay in the Vale." he concluded her line of thought.
"Correct." she smiled.
"Then let's go east." he decided. "We will surely arrive at some village in the meantime."
They rode for some more hours, the terrain was much better now that they left the Mountains of the Moon and the travel speed increased a lot.
It didn't take long for them to find a fishing village and she was once again thankful for that. The folk there were wary of them and none were really in the mood to make the crossing and so both she and Ned got nervous that perhaps they wouldn't find anyone…
They reached a small house near the sea, one of the last few places remaining in their search for a boat.
"Is anyone home?" Ned shouted.
"Aye." Replied an old man with a big smile. "Me, my daughter and my grandson."
"We are looking for a boat to take us across the Bite to White Harbor." Ned explained.
"White Harbor?" Asked a pretty woman of brown hair and brown eyes with a young child with the same colors in her arms. "That's a long distance to travel."
"We are in a hurry miss." she said.
"I can take ya both to White Harbor." The old man said.
"Thank you." They nodded showing their gratitude.
"Hold on, Pa." Interrupted the woman. "The trip to White Harbor is long and dangerous and it will cost you lots of days that you could be fishing, who is going to provide us now that my Tom went to war?"
"I…" The old man began doubting of his own resolve and this wasn't good…she needed to do something…
"You can have this horse," Ned said as he pointed towards Brooding. "If you go to a market, you can sell it for twenty golden dragons."
"Twenty?" she asked aghast.
"Aye, this is a pure Northerner charger," Ned explained. "That's the minimum amount you will get, you can get more if you find the right buyer."
"I…" The woman was left speechless. "Who are ya?"
"It doesn't matter, miss." Ashara got in again. "We are just people in need to sail to White Harbor and that's it."
"I will take ya and bring ya back if need be." The old man said. "This much money that what we can make in ten years of hard work."
She held pity for these people who spent the entirety of their lives working and to her, twenty golden dragons weren't that much money but to them…it was as if they turned rich.
"I don't know what to say…" The woman replied shaken.
"Don't say anything miss," Ned said with an assuring smile. "But do give us a minute…so I can say my farewell…"
"Of course." Replied the old man. "When ya both are ready, come meet me down there where I have my boat.
She got closer to Ned when he was patting Brooding. "You didn't have to do this…"
"I did," he replied to her. "Otherwise we weren't going to get the boat."
"But you love that horse!"
"I do," Ned said while he continued patting Brooding. "But I can't take him with me anyway, at least this family will get money from him and hopefully live better."
"Oh Ned…" she murmured saddened.
"I will miss you friend, but this is a goodbye I'm afraid, live happily." Brooding neighed to Ned and she could have sworn her love was about to shed tears…
"Alright…" Her Ned murmured. "Let's go."
As they passed by the woman and her son… "Thank you mister…" she said with a bow.
"It's nothing, miss." Ned said with a shy smile. "I wish you, your son and husband much happiness."
She and Ned went down some stairs and entered the old man's fishing boat. The boat seemed robust enough and for that she was thankful.
"Destination, White Harbor." The old man said proudly.
May the Gods continue to be merciful on us…
The Rebels secured their first victory in the war and I hope the battle was enjoyable to read, I liked how it came out.
Now we all know what's going to happen to Ned and Ashara don't we? But maybe there will be something in the mix...next chapter it's going to be fully Ned/Ashara and I'm excited about it.
Anyway...thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day.