King Wallace I Stark

Winter raged on in the north, and yet they stayed strong, whilst there had been war upon war in the south these past few years, the north had seen peace and a return to something akin to stability, something it had had before King Robert had ridden north all those years ago to name Eddard Stark hand of the king. That the north was at peace and that his people had enough food and shelter to see them through what had been a very long winter, was enough for Wallace to feel proud over. That whatever tensions had lingered between the various lords sworn to Winterfell had since settled and the north was united as a front once more. Something that Wallace was very happy about considering how things with the other kingdoms were looking, relations with those kingdoms still sworn to the Iron throne were tense at best, and openly hostile at worst. Relations with the Riverlands and the Vale both kingdoms that had members of Wallace's family in them, were complicated. Whilst Wallace wished that both kingdoms remained safe and sound, they often sent men there trying to force Wallace into making decisions he was not comfortable with making and as such he never truly trusted anyone from either of the kingdoms that came to visit not even his own brother Donnel who was sent like a lapdog by Harrold Arryn to discuss something or the other. Wallace's family though was safe and secure behind a now impenetrable Winterfell, something that he had made sure of by having people attempt to break in and then having them felled before they could find any weak spots. His relationship with Arya had never been better, she had grown into a lovely and fierce young woman who was not afraid to take what she wanted. Their two children were growing bigger every day and it amazed Wallace at how quickly this all happened, little Lyarra was already two years old walking around and talking all the time, with everyone including him wrapped around her little finger. Their son Robb with his mop of dark brown hair and grey eyes looked exactly like Arya, but reminded Wallace more of himself when he first came to Winterfell though his son was only a year old.

A slight cough from behind him took him away from his pleasant thoughts, and sighing he looked at Maester Oswell, the new maester of Winterfell who had been sent some three years ago. Maester Oswell was a big broad man who would not have looked out of place in a giant's game he supposed. Still they had important issues to discuss and so Wallace spoke. "Well Maester Oswell, what news have you brought me then?"

The maester shuffled around slightly before sitting in the chair opposite Wallace and saying softly. "There has been a raven from Castle Black Your Grace. From Lord Commander Marsh. He says that the wildlings are growing bolder, and that he fears that soon enough they shall begin raiding across the wall. He believes the Watch has insufficient strength to hold back such an invasion."

Wallace snorts then. "So he is essentially grovelling for my help then is he? Does he still demand that I hand Jon back to him and his brothers for some sort of mockery of a trial?"

Oswell looks down at the letter and shakes his head. "No Your Grace, he merely asks that you consider his request and send aid as soon as possible."

Wallace nods and says. "Very well then, tell him to keep me posted and at the first sighting of wildling movement to send a raven immediately, someone of the north shall answer his call. Now what other news do you have for me?"

Maester Oswell pulls out another letter and begins speaking. "This letter came from Highgarden Your Grace. From Lord Willas Tyrell. He writes that your brother's sons are doing well and that they grow stronger every day. He also asks if you would wish for them to visit the north at some point in the near future."

Wallace grits his teeth and takes a deep breath before saying. "You mean, he is reminding me that my nephews are essentially hostages to ensure that I cannot make a move southward yet. And that if I try and make it so that they can remain in Winterfell where they belong, and then he will kill them? Very well then, tell him that when they are old enough to make the journey by themselves they can come and visit. But before then I must know where are we on the plan to get them out of that hell hole?"

Maester Oswell is silent for a moment and then he says softly. "My contacts in the citadel are working as hard as they can to make sure what you desire can come true Your Grace. They need just a little bit more time that is all."

Wallace feels the anger inside of him grow, and Thunder growls but then he calms down and says. "Very well, now what more news is there from the south?"

"There is Your Grace. Our spies report that the boy king on the throne plans on invading the Riverlands in order to make sure that he can take their supplies and clear away a route from which gold can come from the Golden Tooth into King's Landing. For it seems the Iron Throne is running out of money at an alarming rate." The maester said.

Wallace leans forward interested then. "Oh and how quickly can we mobilise troops to take whatever gold comes from the Westerlands, before it even leaves the place?"

The maester does a quick calculation and says. "About three weeks Your Grace."

Wallace smiles and says. "Very well then write to Lord Ryswell, Dustin, Glover and Tallhart. Tell them to prepare men and write to Greywater Watch they shall be taking men across the pathways into the Westerlands using the old routes. Write to the Blackfish and inform him of what the Lannisters plan, perhaps we can work together to take this gold."

King Harrold I Arryn

Winter he had been told often meant one thing, death. But so far the Vale had seen very little death and plenty of growth. Of course cousin Robert had died and Lady Lysa had cried but she had survived all the tragedy due to her little girl, and her little boy with cousin Donnel the four of them now lived near Ironoaks. The Vale was at peace, there was no trouble from the mountain clans anymore, not after Harry had called some men together and rousted them from their dens and lairs and put them all to the sword, some said that was too harsh a punishment that the clans were needed for order and balance. But Harry could never get over the story he had heard of his aunt Elyssa being carried away before her wedding and then how his own grandmother had died of a broken heart. The clans were gone and that was for the best. The lords of the Vale had come to accept him and his wife Sansa, whom he loved dearly. They respected him and they treated him as a continuation of an age old line rather than another line on the throne, something helped by the fact that he had taken the Arryn name and that his wife had managed to win everyone over. He truly loved Sansa, she was beautiful and charming and she always, always somehow knew how to win people over and how to say the right thing. They had been married for roughly four years now and in that time had had two daughters, Catelyn who was the spitting image of her mother with her auburn hair and blue eyes, and Alyssa who like Harry had blonde hair but her mother's blue eyes. They were twins and were inseparable and seemed so much alike it was hard for him to tell them apart sometimes. He loved them all fiercely and would do anything to see them safe. Of course there were occasions when he thought that they might not remain safe forever, when he might need to break the promise he had made to Sansa. For her cousin and her sister Wallace and Arya Stark were being very, very stubborn about refusing to acknowledge the fact that Sansa and their children had the senior blood claim to Winterfell and that they were refusing all offers to unite the two claims. Harrold thought that his cousin was being very, very selfish and that he was trying to prevent what was right form happening, and if that was the case then he truly was no better than Tywin Lannister. It did not help he supposed that he had been living his whole life in Wallace's shadow, the man had done so much in war and in politics that it was hard not to be impressed by him, something that also angered Harrold.

Though of course now with his councillors, Yohn Royce, Nestor Royce, Symond Templeton and his own cousin Anya Waynwood all present he could not afford to dwell on past insults or hurts. Clearing his voice and having a swig of water he spoke calmly. "I thank you all for coming. There are two important issues we must discuss. First of all, is the fact that Wallace Stark has finally seen sense and has agreed to a betrothal between his son Prince Robb and my daughter Princess Alyssa. The wedding shall take place once Alyssa has flowered, now that is done it removes the risk of potentially having a civil war break out between our two kingdoms once both myself and Wallace are dead. As it will help to secure our alliance and make us a formidable force. The question is, do you think the Riverlands more importantly the Blackfish will act on this news in a negative way?"

There was silence for a moment and then Bronze Yohn Royce spoke. "The blackfish is not a stupid man, he knows the Riverlands could not hope to stand against the combined might of both the Vale and the North and come out alive. He will allow the match to go ahead, for atleast it means two claims are better than one."

Lady Anya though seemed to be of a different mind. "I am not so sure, the Blackfish might be older and wiser now, but he was once a callow youth, and he is not as young as he once was. Soon enough he will die or be removed from power and someone else will try and use young King Eddard as a tool with which to combine all their cards. We must make sure that the man remains healthy until all the children are at a certain age, or at least until winter is over."

At his cousin's words Harry grimaced and said. "Then I fear you might not like what news I now have to share with you. A raven arrived just this morning from our outposts on the border with the Crownlands. Lannister forces were seen marching from King's Landing, with the objective of causing chaos in the Riverlands. King Tommem Baratheon leads the forces and they bring with them men from the Reach, the Stormlands and Dorne. The Blackfish will be sorely outnumbered if he tries to engage them in combat."

"What could the Lannisters want in the Riverlands though?" Nestor Royce asked aloud. "After all, all the gold and riches are in the Westerlands and the Reach."

"Because they need more ways in which to pay off their debt to the Iron Bank." Harry said. "Because the Riverlands block anyway of the Westerlands being able to bring gold through land, and what with the Iron Islands still being so volatile bringing gold by land is the only possible, and that does mean the Riverlands must be less hostile."

"So what will we do Your Grace?" Lady Anya asked. "Will we remain here and continue to store our soldiers and resources for something that will no longer come, or will we honour the auld alliance?"

Harry looked at his cousin and said strongly. "We shall fight my lady. It is time the Lannisters were dealt with once and for all."

Ser Brynden 'The Blackfish' Tully

The Riverlands were largely stable now, the Freys were no more, those that had continued fighting were dead or at the Night's Watch the women were septas or Silent Sisters. All else had bent the knee, winter had given the land time to heal, and time to grow back again. There was no longer a sense of dread or foreboding felt amongst the lords or smallfolk, all knew that they would make it through the winter. Trade was going well with the north and the Vale, and though Brynden was still frustrated by the fact that Wallace Stark had refused to wed his daughter to King Eddard he was at least relieved that the boy had seen sense and wed his son to Alyssa Arryn the daughter of his great niece Sansa. At least in that sense there would be less trouble once he was gone, for he was sure that sooner or later the tension over this issue would escalate quickly. He had arranged for King Eddard to wed Princess Catelyn Arryn in order to make sure the Riverlands and the Vale were still allies. The king was a good lad, quiet and calm unlike what his father had been, more like his mother who doted on him, he had fiery auburn hair and fiery blue eyes and was the joy of the whole castle and the whole of the riverlands. Brynden's own marriage was doing well his wife was smart and capable and their son Edmyn was a smart boy, who though only a year old, Brynden knew would one day would be a force to be reckoned with.

Of course for now none of that mattered a war council had been called on the banks of the Tumblestones where they had met with the northmen who had marched through, intent on raiding the Westerlands and hitting the Lannister puppet where it hurt. Gathered in the command tent were Brynden, King Wallace Stark, Lords Bracken, Blackwood, Mallister, Vance, Piper, Glover, Ryswell, Reed and Karstark. Brynden spoke first. "Well my lords, Your Grace. We have information that there is a Lannister army under the command of one Ser Damion Lannister marching towards us, some 5,000 strong."

"This is the problem with lions, they never seem to know when to stop breeding. I am surprised none of them have tried to take the Rock from the Imp." Lord Karstark jested.

"What do we know of this Ser Damion? Is he able, or is he more like Ser Stafford? Will he fall for ploys or do we need to go for all out attacks on him and his men?" Wallace asked.

Brynden looked at the lad impressed that he was so focused, and remembering what was said of the man, thought that he should not have been so surprised. Aloud he simply said. "I believe that the man has very little battle experience my lords. He spent most of his time in the Rock or Lannisport, the first time he wielded a sword was during the Greyjoy rebellion some years ago. He will be relying on the council of men who have not seen the riverlands since the rebellion."

"So if we can lure him into the banks of the Tumblestones we should be able to use the weather to bring him and his men down?" Wallace Stark asked.

Brynden was silent for a moment and then said. "Yes we could do that, though we would risk potentially bringing our own men into danger as well. The current in the river at this time of season is quite strong."

Lord Vance spoke then and said. "There are places on the bank of the river, that can be used to ensure that we can see the enemy but they can't see us. And in that case would lessen the need for a frontal attack. We have enough archers and scorpion throwers to be able to bring down the bulk of the heavy horse of the Lannister army, before needing to engage in close combat."

Lord Blackwood spoke then his voice quiet. "They will be coming from Pendric Hill's yes? That will give them a lot of momentum and speed, if we fire the arrows quick enough, or light them with fire as we did during the battle of the fords, we can slow them down and create enough carnage on the river's southern bank that we could easily take out at least half their number."

Brynden spoke then. "Aye that sounds like a very reasonable plan. If it is alright with Your Grace, if we use this plan we shall lessen the need for our own men to be brought into direct conflict or even risk their deaths."

Brynden looked at Wallace Stark for a long moment and saw the deliberation going on in his face and then heard the man say in a cold and collected voice. "Very well then, have men stationed on the east and west bank. The archers and the scorpions should be facing the southern bank so that we can have the sun facing the enemy as we fire the arrows."

After that there was some more discussion and then once all was settled, they all left to their respective tents to get ready for the battle that would come that evening. Soon enough it arrived, and as before every battle, Brynden said a small prayer to the warrior to keep him and his family safe and to show him the way. He was armoured and mounted when the sounds of horns reached him, followed closely by a howl of a wolf. The battle had begun, when he and his men entered the fray the battle was already raging, Brynden could see the blood of the fallen soldiers painting the river red. Pushing that thought from his mind he rode on cutting down men, left and right, swinging his sword as hard as he could he kept swinging, on and on.

On he went swinging and swinging, cutting through men left and right, he hacks and swings, and blocks and swings. Some of the enemies' blows connect with him and he grimaces with pain, but still he pushes on. The battle rages on and Brynden gives as good as he gets cutting through more and more men until there seems to be no more men to cut through, he eventually realises that either the Lannister host as retreated or they have been slain. Either way the way to the Golden Tooth is clear, the process of ending the Lannisters has begun for good now.