The Kingdom of Ice and Fire
Chapter 12: The Battle of Winterfell Part 1
A/N: Hi everyone! I am so happy that you all enjoyed the last chapter. Now it's time for the Long Night to begin. Now I ask that you all bear with me. I have never written a battle before. I promise I will do my best to make it as epic and entertaining as possible, but it might not be top quality level. Luckily, I have my good friend Longclaw helping me, and he is an expert in military history and battle tactics used. So I believe that I will give you all a battle that is worth remembering. Let's get into it!
As darkness crept inside the walls of Winterfell, men were scrambling to prepare. The dead were here. The battle was just about to begin. An ominous feeling of doom filled the entire castle, with many knowing that they will not all survive. And they were facing something worse than their worst nightmares could conjure up.
Theon Greyjoy was rolling Brandon Stark in his wheelchair to the Godswood. With them was Lady Alys Karstark and twenty archers from her House and Theon's fellow Ironborn. They had one goal. Protect Bran as long as they could. Until the Night King arrives.
Samwell Tarly held onto Gilly and Little Sam as they headed towards the Great Hall. Gilly could feel Sam's terror as his hands shook, and so gently squeezed his hand and gave him a loving look. Squeezing back, Samwell gave the love of his life a soft smile. He may not be an even-remotely good fighter, but he will die protecting his love and their son if need be. He stabbed a White Walker in the back before. If it comes to it, Sam will do it again.
"HURRY ALONG LADS! KEEP EM COMING!" Ser Davos continued shouting commands to the archers as they hurried along bringing in as many dragonglass-coated arrows as they could. As well as fire to light the arrows up and make them even powerful. Davos watched as the lads hurried along. 'Watch out for me sweet Shireen.'
Jon and Daenerys stood on the high hills which gave them a good view of their army and Winterfell. Unfortunately, the darkness was so deep that it was nigh-impossible to see the Wolfswood. Jon held onto Dany's hand. He clasped it tightly, and Dany returned with just as strong grip. Drogon and Rhaegal rested not far behind their mother and new father, awaiting their commands. Although it was almost impossible to see inn the darkness, when Jon turned his head to the side, he felt a powerful presence. He looked deeply into the darkness; his eyes narrowed. The dragonwolf could almost swear he saw blue eyes, something… or someone taunting him. Jon let out a small, but audible gasp.
"Jon?" The concerned voice of his love pulled Jon out of his stupor. "Is something wrong?" Dany's violet eyes sparkled with concern.
"No," he gasped. "It's nothing Dany. I just had to gather my thoughts. Don't worry about me."
Although she felt there was more than that, the Mother of Dragons nodded to her beloved and continued to look over her armies. Her people. She never put faith in gods, but if there were any, she prayed they would lose as few as possible.
Despite feeling the chill from the cold night, Ser Jaime Lannister stood his ground right next to the newly anointed knight: Ser Brienne. They were in the center commanding a large portion of the Northern troops that were there. Arya Stark stood ground with Gendry, the Hound, and Beric Dondarrion standing close to her. Tormund Giantsbane led his fellow Free Folk who were also in the center. Leading the surviving stragglers of the Night's Watch was Lord Commander Edd Tollet. Former First Ranger Benjen Stark stood next to him. Ready to be the Shields that guard the Realms of Men.
Grey Worm stood in front of his fellow Unsullied. They all had their dragonglass-coated spears and black armor with them. The Unsullied stood on the flanks of the center. Despite the grumblings of a few prejudiced, stubborn Northern Lords, the Northmen in the center gave their new compatriots nods of respect. Taking the time to talk and bond, many Northmen and Unsullied developed friendships and were proud to fight together.
Ser Jorah Mormont gazed into the darkness, astride his horse. The Dothraki and Vale Cavalry behind him, also astride on their horses. Ser Jorah took deep breaths to calm his nerves. If all goes right, they will survive the night. 'Stay safe Khaleesi.'
A lone figure came riding out of the darkness, face shrouded in a hood as the horse galloped slowly across the snowy trail. Nothing like one of those monsters, but Jorah put his hand on the hilt of his sword just in case. "Halt, in the name of Queen Daenerys Targaryen!" he called out. The stranger slowed to a stop in front of Jorah's horse, not a word said. Two delicate hands pulled the red hood back to reveal a woman of otherworldly beauty. Hair as crimson as the dress she was wearing, skin paler than the snows falling, her red eyes burned with fire.
"Ser Jorah of the House Mormont. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
Clearly of the living, Jorah's tension slowly dissipated. "Forgive me, my lady. Who are you?" asked the Bear Knight - this could be a Lannister assassin.
"I am merely a servant of the Lord of Light. But those who know me call me Melisandre of Asshai." His eyes widened - he recognized the name. "I have come to aid the true King and Queen in the fight against Death. Now, if you would be so kind as to allow me to pass."
Jorah was not too sure about this woman, - her history preceded her - but right now they needed any help they could get. He nodded and moved to the side, allowing the Red Woman to pass. "You two, go with her," he directed two Mormont bannermen. "Make sure she doesn't try anything stupid."
As she rode her horse past the legions of soldiers ready for the battle against Death itself, Melisandre's eyes found Grey Worm's.
"Valar Morghulis," she declared.
"Valar Dohaeris," responded the Unsullied commander, eyeing her suspiciously.
Melisandre smiled before locking eyes with Beric Dondarrion. The two loyal servants of the Lord of Light merely nodded, no words needing to be spoken between them. This was their Lord's time. And they would make sure that the living prevailed.
However, Melisandre noticed Arya Stark and Gendry Water looking at her with undisguised loathing. Melisandre could not blame them, given the atrocities she had committed in the service of the false Prince - she had been so sure at the time... Much as she knew it wouldn't go well, Melisandre dismounted from her mare, needing to speak to the young She-Wolf. Slowly she approached. "Hello Arya Stark," she greeted. "I told you that we would meet again."
Arya scowled, voice as cold as the blizzard around them. "I remember. But don't think that I have forgiven you for what you almost did to Gendry."
Melisandre smiled. "I'm not here for forgiveness for I know that I don't deserve it. I'm here to provide the help needed against Death."
"Why should we accept any help from you?" asked Gendry, quieter but still filled with ire and hate. "When have you ever done anything good that didn't involve murdering someone?"
"When I brought Lady Arya's brother Jon Snow back after he was murdered."
Arya's hate-filled face melted into shock. The Red Woman who had been on her list, and nearly killed the man she loved was the one who brought her beloved brother back from the grave? "You… you brought Jon back?" she asked with a soft voice.
"Yes. He and Queen Daenerys are the Lord's chosen." Her cloak billowed out in the wind. "They are the only hope against the Night King, but cannot do it alone. And you, young wolf, must be ready to play your part."
Arya looked at Melisandre with a confused glance. "My part?"
"Yes. You have shut many eyes as I had forseen. Brown eyes, green eyes, blue eyes. But there are still many more eyes that you will shut. Forever."
Leaving Arya with this message, the Red Woman remounted her horse and spurred it through the Winterfell gates. And she could see a pair of eyes staring at her with nothing but pure hatred.
Ser Davos didn't know if his eyes were playing tricks on him. The Red Woman. The one who murdered his beloved sweet Princess Shireen. The one he swore he would kill if he ever laid eyes on her again. She was here. Why now? He wanted nothing more than to run her through with his sword. And yet, at this time there were far bigger concerns.
With great reluctance, Davos shouted the order to open the gates for the Lady Melisandre. He would make sure she understands that he will kill her when he gets the chance.
Melisandre smiled softly as the gates opened. She knew that Ser Davos wanted nothing more than to execute her and he was well within his rights. The memory of the burning Princess still haunts her deeply. What she had done to that poor girl was unforgivable, no matter what reasons she had. However, the King and Queen needed her help for the final fight against the Night King and his army. She needed to convince Ser Davos to stay his hand.
He approached, hand on the hilt of his blade. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you where you stand."
"Each corpse is another servant of Death, Ser Davos."
"My blade is dragonglass... you shan't get up with this in your back."
Dismounting from the mare for the last time, Melisandre walked right up to Davos, meeting his eyes. "The Lord will make me answer for my crimes soon enough, Ser Davos, so such blood doesn't deserve to spill on your hands." His gaze still projected hate, but they wavered in resolve. "I shall not survive this war, yet we all serve a purpose to the living during it."
"Shireen is no longer among the living because of you."
A tired smile crossed her face. "Then I shall give no resistance to your blade after the war is won... I have done many things but I have never lied."
Davos hated letting the woman who murdered his sweet Shireen continue to breathe. But she was right. Now they had far bigger concerns. He would have to exact justice once the dead were destroyed once and for all.
Removing his hand from the hilt of his blade, the old smuggler stepped aside. "Right now, we need all the help we can get. But once this war is over, I will keep my promise and execute you myself."
"There will be no need Ser Davos. I do not intend to survive the Great War."
With those words, the Red Priestess began walking. Heading towards the Godswood.
Beneath the Heart Tree sat Bran in his wheelchair. Theon stood close to him. Lady Karstark, her archers, and the Ironborn spread out, standing armed and ready. They had multitudes of dragonglass-coated arrows, spears, and other weapons. Ready to protect Bran at all costs.
Theon gazed to the night sky, cold breaths coming from his body. He was afraid. They were about to face an enemy like no other. He doesn't know if he will survive. But it didn't matter. He will protect Bran to his dying breath. And after the terrible things he had done to him, it was the least he could do for him.
"Theon."
Theon turned to Bran, who had called to him.
"I know you're afraid," said the last surviving son of Eddard Stark. "So am I. But as Father always said, that is the only time we can be brave."
Theon gave Bran a small smile. But the smile died quickly as Theon's thoughts turned back to when he betrayed the Starks. His family.
"Bran. I… I just want you to know…" stuttered Theon as he walked slowly towards Bran. "The things I did… I wish… I wish that I…"
"Everything you did brought you to where you are now," interrupted Bran. "Back where you belong. Home."
Theon looked at Bran with a soft gaze. He didn't think forgiveness was possible. He doesn't think he deserves to be forgiven. But here Bran was essentially telling him that he has forgiven him.
Bran meant what he said. He had been hurt when Theon had betrayed them. But he has seen all that Theon had suffered at the hands of the sadist Ramsay Bolton. No one deserved to go through that. But Theon broke free and rescued Sansa. He saved his sister from their monstrous uncle. He has proven himself a good man. Bran was glad to have another brother back home.
"Lord Greyjoy! Someone's coming!" warned Lady Karstark.
Theon quickly turned around and gathered his bow and arrow. Made sure to aim properly.
The sound of snow crunching softly could be heard. But it wasn't any dead men or White Walkers. It was a woman with red hair and red robes.
The woman came closer and held her hands up to show she was unarmed. "I'm not an enemy Theon Greyjoy."
Theon continued pointing an arrow. "Who are you, my lady?"
The answer came not from her but from Bran. "She's the Lady Melisandre of Asshai. It's alright Theon. Let her pass."
Theon relented and put down his arrow. He stepped aside and allowed the Red Woman to pass.
Melisandre made her way over to Bran who watched her intently from his wheelchair.
"Hello Brandon Stark," greeted the Red Priestess. "It is an honor to finally meet the Three-Eyed Raven.
"And it's an honor to meet you, my lady. You've arrived just in time. The Long Night is finally here."
"Yes. The time has finally come. The Lord's chosen must fulfill their destiny."
"I have faith in my brother and in Daenerys. We may follow different gods, my lady, but our faith is in the same people."
"Yes, my lord. And even those who don't believe in the Lord can still carry out his task."
Bran and Melisandre shared a mutual smile. As the cold winds grew stronger, the two magical beings waited for the events to unfold.
Arya could feel the cold in her breath and in the breath of those around her. Her fingers tight around her double-sided spear. Staring into the darkness. Waiting for the enemy to charge. The tension could be felt by all. Dread filled many of the soldiers. Many were shivering from both the intense cold and from the fear of the imminent threat. The dead could charge at any moment.
Arya breathed and steeled her resolve. This was her home. She had just finally reunited with her favorite brother. Her surviving family was together. She had finally gotten to see Gendry again and confess her true feelings for him. And she had gained a wonderful friend in Daenerys Targaryen. For as much as she loved Sansa, they never had a true sister bond. With Daenerys, Arya had found someone who was so much like her. Someone who can relate to her. Arya will fight to her dying breath to protect all of them.
"Fuck!" exclaimed the Hound. "I can't stand all this waiting around! Where are those fucking dead cunts?!"
"Stand firm Clegane," said Beric. "They are coming for us right now."
"Did the fucking Lord of Light tell you that Dondarrion?" asked the Hound sarcastically.
"No, my friend. I feel it. The cold is getting stronger. And the darkness looms."
What Dondarrion said was true. The cold was getting stronger. Despite having gloves on, Arya could feel her fingers growing numb. She felt the shivers coming from her body. And her breathing was getting heavier. She noticed that Gendry, Tormund, Jaime Lannister, and Brienne were also breathing, the cold air leaving their bodies. Arya feared that some would be lost to the immense cold before the dead even charged.
But then…
SHRIEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!
The demonic shriek caused even the normally stoic Unsullied to flinch. Others cried out in terror. A few fell onto their knees. The Cavalry had to calm the frightened horses to keep themselves from falling.
But that was only the beginning. Arya felt the ground beginning to shake. She could hear a rumbling sound. It started out faint but quickly grew in volume. It began to sound like thunder striking. And when Arya gazed back into the darkness, what she saw nearly made her heart stop. She had seen many horrors in her long years of traveling. Things that many couldn't imagine. But they all paled in comparison to this.
From the darkness, thousands of blue eyes could be seen. And charging from the darkness were the wights that those malevolent blue eyes belonged to. Many of them had decayed flesh and were little more than skeletons. Even those who still had flesh were dulled out. They ran at inhumane lighting speeds, their demonic growls and shrieks filling the air.
Arya could see many of the men shaking in fear. Many were breathing and gasping uncontrollably. Some looked like they had pissed in their breeches. They were facing nightmares beyond their wildest imaginations.
"Hold your ground!" shouted Brienne as she drew Oathkeeper from her scabbard.
Jaime did the same with Lion's Pride. "Don't give in to fear! Send these fuckers back to the darkness from whence they came!"
Inspired by the two knights' courage, thousands of swords were unsheathed. Gendry held on to his war hammer with both strong hands ready to crush any wights that came his way. Beric lit his sword with flames. The Hound lifted his axe and readied to destroy the dead monsters. Arya split her staff into two and spun the two blades in her hands, ready for battle.
Grey Worm fearlessly donned his helmet and struck his spear into the ground. His fellow Unsullied did the same. They got into position, forming a thick shield wall on either side, and firmly placing their spears in the ground. Ready to hold the line against the storm that has descended upon them.
Jorah unsheathed Heart's Bane from his scabbard. The Dothraki drew their arakhs and the rest of the Cavalry drew out their swords and spears. The Battle has begun.
Ser Davos could see the dead beginning to come out of the darkness. It was time.
"Alright lads! Get those arrows ready!" he ordered. The archers quickly obeyed, gathering their dragonglass arrows and normal arrows which they doused with fire. Bronn himself doused his arrows with fire.
"NOCK!" shouted Davos.
"NOCK!" repeated the lead archer as all the archers nocked their bows. Bronn held onto his bow with tight fingers.
"DRAW!" shouted Davos.
"DRAW!" repeated the lead archer. The archers all drew the arrows back, pulling on the strings as the sound could be heard through the battlements.
"LOOSE!" ordered Davos.
"LOOSE!" Hundreds of flaming arrows flew through the night sky over the armies of the living and right towards the charging wights. Many were felled by the dragonglass and flaming arrows but that did not stop the vast majority from continuing to charge.
The wights were close. For the living, time seemed to slow down. The snowflakes mingled with the flaming arrows in the sky. Arya and Gendry met eyes, a flicker of love passing between them. Jaime and Brienne shared a quick look before gripping their Valyrian Steel swords. The Hound grunted as he readied to crack some skulls.
In a thundering boom the dead crashed against the living. Rotting bodies slamming into the shield wall that stretched out over a mile, the force of over a hundred thousand bodies behind them was so strong that it threatened to break the line. And all coherence disappeared into a maelstrom of hacking axes and sweeping blades.
It was quite clear that the wights had no need for skill. One large mass of writhing bodies, they simply charged. Setting themselves upon anything in their way, willingness to lunge and hack at the living - weapons, clawed arms, even their teeth. An unimaginable horror upon their gathered foes, many unlucky souls plunged in the slaughterhouse of death and gore. Truly a nightmare to be reckoned with
Gritting their teeth, the men used all their strength to keep the dead at bay. Unfortunately, not all were strong in body and mind. The dead managed to drag more than a few unfortunate souls into a frenzy of teeth and blades, leading to a terrifying death. Luckily, if any wights managed to break through the shield wall, they were quickly slashed with blades coated with dragonglass that quickly destroyed them.
In the ensuing chaos, Arya used both ends of her staff to cut down any wights that managed to reach her. Her heart racing, the sound of wights growling and men screaming, the smell of blood filling the air, the wild she-wolf fought harder than she ever has. Through the corner of her eye, she noticed Gendry smashing a wight's skull with his Warhammer, truly the son of Robert Baratheon in both appearance and in skill.
With a mighty growl, the Hound buried his axe into the skull of a wight. Kicking it off, the mighty Clegane swung at another incoming wight, decapitating it, blood squirting from where its head used to be. The Hound continued to brutally smash and destroy any wights that came his way. "Is that all you got, you dead c***?!" Snarling, he buried his blade into yet another, fist flying to bash through the skull of a skeleton only seconds later.
Enjoying the rush of blood in his veins, Tormund hacked and slashed at the wights who managed to break in. The foul smell of decaying flesh mixed with blood drove Tormund to strike even harder. Despite his focus being on killing as many wights as he could, the ginger wildling could see all his fellow Free Folk fighting harder than ever before. The sound of their battle cries echoed in the night.
"LOOSE!" shouted Davos. His order repeated by the lead archer, the whoosh of arrows being released filled his ears, as hundreds of flaming arrows lit the sky. Davos was glad that they had a tight and organized formation, otherwise they would be risking killing their own men. The sound of blades clashing, of monstrous growls and snarls, and of screaming men could be heard even from the battlements. The old knight would not deny that he was frightened, but his resolve overcame his fear, as he ordered another volley of flaming arrows to shoot at the dead.
Grey Worm made sure to keep his fellow Unsullied in position. "Dovaogēdy!" he shouted in Valyrian. "Iōragon qopsa! ōregon se qogron!" The Unsullied may be facing an enemy like they have never faced before, but their fearlessness in battle was apparent. "Sumby dōros!" Their shields crashed together, spears presented in a bristling hedgehog of points as the wights slammed into them. The smell of blood and ashes in the air, the screaming of frightened men, and the sight of the blue-eyed monsters did nothing to deter the legendary Unsullied soldiers. Grey Worm continued leading his men, silently praying that most of them would live and that he would be able to hold his beloved Missandei in his arms again. "Ropagon arlī!" The Unsullied steadily withdrew under the weight of the attack - slow and without letting their formation crack.
Jaime hacked at an extremely decayed wight, destroying it. "Fall back!" he heard from someone... sounded like one of the Northern Lords he didn't remember the name of. The Northern force began to withdraw, stabbing and hacking, further and further back to Winterfell. They drew the wights in, blue-eyed monsters blinded to all but their mad instinct to kill all in front of them.
From the corner of his eye, Jaime caught a glimpse of Brienne brutally destroying a rather large wight. He could hear Podrick's grunts and knew he was doing the same. The taste of blood and sweat filled the eldest Lannister son's mouth. He's fought in many battles before but nothing like this. He would be surprised if he actually managed to survive this battle. There were so many of them. No matter how many they destroyed, it seemed that there were always more to replace them. 'Fuck... this has to work...'
It was quite clear that the living could not win by simply hacking and slashing at the wights that endlessly kept coming. The dead were pushing the living back, gaining more ground. Despite their fears, the Northerners and Free Folk in the center continued to hold them off as they slowly were pushed back towards the Winterfell gates. The Unsullied's thick shield walls on the sides prevented the dead from being able to attack from the sides, forcing the wights to continue charging to the center.
Jorah turned back to face the cavalry.
"Knights of the Vale! It's our time! Let's destroy these foul monsters!" Jorah's rousing words led to a raise in swords and loud cheers.
To the Dothraki, Jorah made sure to speak in their language. "My fellow bloodriders! It is our time now! We ride into battle together! We will send these demons into the abyss. For Khaleesi!"
The Dothraki raised their arkhas into the air and began chanting, "KHALEESI! KHALEESI! KHALEESI!"
Jorah then pointed Heart's Bane forward and led the charge. The strong booming sound of horse hooves charging could be heard through the night. The Cavalry charged from the side, Dothraki arkhas and dragonglass-coated swords slashing at any wights that they could. Riding forward, they managed to find a break in the ranks of the wights and used it to push forward. Continue to slash at any wights that they could, the Dothraki and Vale surrounded the dead on the sides and at the rear. Making sure to guard their rear in case any more wights appeared from the darkness, the Cavalry managed to compress the dead into crescent-shaped salient.
The wights were now trapped. They had a wall of infantry man at their front and a Cavalry surrounding them at their sides and back.
Jon and Daenerys watched as their brave soldiers managed to hold off the monsters and compress them into a crescent-shaped salient. Their strategy was actually working! Now it was their turn to do their part.
Dany turned to her intended. "It's our turn, Jon. Let's go save our people."
As she turned to walk towards Drogon, she felt an arm pull her back. The next thing she knew, Jon captured her lips in a passionate kiss, one that Dany eagerly returned.
Breaking apart, Jon looked into his love's beautiful violet eyes. "Be safe Dany."
With a loving smile Dany brought her gloved hand to her dragonwolf's cheek. "You as well, my love."
With steel resolve, the King and Queen marched to their dragons who immediately craned down to allow them to climb onto their backs.
With a mighty roar, Drogon and Rhaegal flew into the night sky.
But little did Jon and Dany know, a malevolent entity smirked sinisterly. Its only thoughts being 'And so it finally begins.'
A/N: So the battle has begun. The strategy for the living is based on the Battle of Cannae, where Hannibal managed to destroy the larger Roman army. Battle's not over yet. Still got quite a ways.
Big shoutout to my good friend Longclaw 1_6. Without his help and his guidance, this chapter would not be as good as I hope you all will find it. Thank you so very much Longclaw. For everything.
I have two questions. The first one is what do you all think of Jaime's new sword name, Lion's Pride? Is it good? Should he have kept Widow's Wail? Or change it into something else? The other question is which direction should I go with Sansa? I am having so much trouble deciding if I should have her become better or worse? So maybe you can help me by giving your opinions? Just one thing. Whatever I decide please be okay with it.
I promise I will try and have Chapter 13 up soon. I finally got rid of my writer's block! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Please don't forget to leave a long review! Short ones are okay too.