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Chapter 6
The White Wolf
Robb found himself marching alongside a respectable army once again, only this time instead of Northmen or Rivermen- he was also being followed by all the Vale lords who had chosen him as their King at Runestone with more and more of their men joining them on the road, he was also proclaimed King by those lords from the North and Riverlands whom he had brought here as well in that very moment.
The Wolf King.
When they named him as such, he had been terrified but also hopeful. He had sworn to himself to be brave and just, unlike anything the past monarchs of the Seven Kingdoms for a few decades had been.
Later he realized the implications it would have on his life, most important being...
He would never rule Winterfell or be in the North as he had dreamed for the rest of his life.
It tore at his heart for that was all that he wanted, all he had been trained for, and yet now he was King.
While not all lords from the North or Riverlands were present when the declaration was made, Lord Royce had sent the messages of this development across the Seven Kingdoms through ravens. He was not in favor of such a bold move, but could still remember Lord Royce's explanation quite vividly.
The last time your mother came asking for our support, Lady Arryn vehemently denied it. With this declaration, we have already allied with you. Now, she must either see sense by aligning with the wishes of her son's bannermen or lose any semblance of authority over the Vale and in the Seven Kingdoms.
She'll call it treason, my lord- Robb had said with a hint of concern.
We have declared our allegiance to you in hopes of avenging our dear Lord Jon Arryn whom Lady Lysa herself claimed was murdered by the Lannisters in the Capitol for reasons still not known. She fled here and shut the Gates of the Moon, if not for the Blackfish sending us word of your arrival here helping us making arrangements to allow you passing...
When you put it like that, there is a legitimate reason for the Vale lord's ire. It still puts House Arryn in a difficult situation nonetheless, Lord Royce.
I am aware and am truly regretful for my actions, may Lord Jon Arryn forgive me. We loved him dearly, just like the North loved your father. Both men murdered at the hands of Lannisters- scum who have no honor. There comes a point when it becomes too much even for loyal lords of the Vale, we couldn't sit back after what the Mad King did...nor can we now after what Joffrey has done. Lady Arryn may scream treason, but in the eyes of the nobility we are only seeking justice for our slain liege lord which is our duty. With almost all the Vale lords on our side, it would be impossible for her to oppose us.
And if she does not see reason?- Robb has asked carefully.
We hope you as her nephew can amend that, if not then we must find other ways and secure Lord Robyn in protective custody to keep him safe until he comes of age to rule the Vale. Lady Arryn has not been the most stable ever since she returned from King's Landing...and smothers the boy too much. You will see it with your own eyes, your grace.
Robb fought back the heavy frown that threatened to arrive upon his lips as he thought of those dreadful words. He could only imagine how his mother would react if he did anything to threaten Aunt Lysa's position...not that he wanted to.
They were family and what was being proposed was anything but honorable, and yet he needed the might of the Vale to have any real chance of winning this war. The North and the Riverlands were enough to win few key battles, but beyond that he would need the gold, supplies and men the Vale could provide him. Their Cavalry was the best in the Seven Kingdoms and he needed them by his side on the battlefield to face Tywin. They even had a fleet which would be a key war asset, something the North truly lacked and would be remedied whenever he got the first chance.
From the corner of his eyes, he saw a tall young woman with coal black hair and deep blue eyes approach towards him after receiving permission from the guards around him. Most would consider her average looking and not ladylike, dressed in leather garbs. The sight of her however reminded him of Arya...
My fierce and stubborn little sister.
He could not help but wonder how she was after everything that had happened, how Sansa was. His sisters needed him now more than ever and it was their faces that made him harden his resolve to do what was necessary to bring them home, for he had seen the guilt that haunted his own father when he won the war but was still unable to save his own sister, Lyanna Stark.
Robb would not repeat that fate again, this time the Stark girls would come home safe at all costs.
Even at the cost of his honor- loathe as he was to accept.
It was what Father would expect of him.
"Your Grace" said the young woman with a brief bow from atop her own horse, bringing Robb's attention back to her.
He still found it odd to be called by that title but refrained from showing his feelings to those around him by offering her a curt nod. For some strange reason, he found her to be quite beautiful even if others would not agree.
"My name is Mya Stone. I helped your lady mother the last time she was here to reach Eyrie. We are now approaching Sky, the last castle before the Gates of the Moon and will need to shift to mules for the way ahead is quite treacherous" Mya informed him with the utmost confidence,
"Seems you know your way around here then, my lady"
Mya blinked in surprise by the genuine smile upon the new King's lips as he made that remark and blushed. He was younger than her by a year or two, but was quite handsome nonetheless with his auburn-brown hair and pale blue eyes complimenting his stocky build and quite fair skin.
The Young Wolf.
She had to remind herself that the boy beside her was not just some pretty lordling, but a upcoming battlefield commander who had won a few difficult battles and a future King if he remained victorious until the end of the war.
"I grew up here, Your Grace. It would be a shame if I didn't know my own lands" answered Mya truthfully,
Theon riding nearby couldn't help but smirk secretly as he saw Robb's interest in the bastard girl. While not really his type, the Greyjoy felt she was good enough for having a night's fun in these godforsaken mountains!
Not that Robb would do any of that- honorable fool his friend was that way.
"It is certainly beautiful and quite an experience growing up here. I'm sure my father would have loved his time here" said Robb honestly, earning approving nods from many Vale lords nearby especially from Lord Royce himself.
"The mountains have a way of making men feel small, Your Grace" jested Lord Royce, earning a smile from Robb.
"That they do, my lord"
Even if the way ahead was hard and the meeting with his Aunt Lysa even more difficult now, Robb was grateful to have arrived in the Vale regardless and he had Jon to thank for that.
You cunning broody bastard. I hope you are safe, Brother. I'll be back soon with the army we need.
(Lands Near Castle Darry)
Jon Snow rode ahead of the Northern Cavalry accompanying him in the risky endeavor to bring Gregor Clegane-The Mountain to justice for his crimes against the innocent people of Riverlands.
His thoughts still lingered on the urgent news that had reached Riverrun and almost every castle of importance across Westeros. Through there, the Northern army currently under Lady Maege Mormont's temporary command had sent a desperate rider to the force led by Jon to inform them of the news.
The Vale lords has chosen their side by declaring for a King of their own.
Robb Stark- The Wolf King.
This was not something he had expected when he asked his brother to go there, even if House Arryn under Lady Lysa didn't want to join the war before...he doubted how could she go against the wishes of all her bannermen now that they had shown their revolt so openly? Lysa had a strong force but not enough to subdue the entire Vale, and Robb would support the lords who made him King.
The Northern and Riverlords who had gone with Robb had also sent accompanying letters declaring their allegiance to him leading to thunderous cheer among their army as per Lady Maege's letter before the remaining Riverlords and Northmen currently at Riverrun also declared Robb as their King, with Lady Maege acting as witness.
The North, The Riverlands and the Vale were united once again.
Three kingdoms had rallied to his brother and Jon could not fault them when the realm was sorely lacking for true and just leaders for people to believe in. It was certainly not Joffrey or Renly, while Stannis had the rightful claim but not the love or support from the Seven Kingdoms.
The news had bolstered the resolve of his own men by many folds which was a blessing Jon was thankful for as he needed it for what was coming.
He had left all of his foot with Lord Umber and Lord Glover a few leagues South to set up the ambush, while he and Lord Byrnden Tully had moved towards Castle Darry with all their cavalry where the Mountain was last spotted pillaging to draw the beast towards the trap they were setting.
In the grand scheme of this war, Jon doubted this battle would be a major one but not for him or those who supported him.
But the Mountain had to be killed, of that he was sure.
"Who gave you that sword, Jon Snow?"
He blinked and saw it was Dacey Mormont- the tall and lean but beautiful daughter of Lady Maege Mormont. She had joined him alongwith Wendel Manderly and Robin Flint- all had served in Robb's personal battleground and deemed it necessary to extend the same protection to his brother, even a bastard one named as the leader of their army in Robb's absence.
Jon saw her gaze was affixed on Long Claw on his hip and gave a firm nod.
"Lord Commander Mormont did for reasons I still cannot understand" said Jon awkwardly, by all rights the Valyrian steel sword of House Mormont should be in Dacey's hands instead of his. Yet the old bear had made his choice...
Curiously, his confession made her smile instead of being overly jealous.
"He must have seen something good in you then. Are you any good with it?" teased Dacey in a friendly manner,
"I would hope so" replied Jon in a subdued voice, earning an amused chuckle from Wendel Manderly and a smirk from the sober Robin Flint.
"Look sharp, lads! We've got company"
It was the Blackfish's warning and Ghost who had been effortlessly galloping by his side and suddenly growled that made Jon and the remaining Northern Cavalry close ranks to defend themselves from whatever their best scout had recognized.
It was midnight in the forests around the lands of Castle Darry, but already he could hear the faint sounds of battle and men's screams up ahead if he listened closely. He wondered what was happening for this was not going as per their plan...
War never did.
Quickly, the 150 strong Northern cavalry rode forward upon Jon's command and soon came on top of a small hill. Their eyes widened when down below in the field was their enemy itself in full force.
"That's the Mountain's entire cavalry" whispered Wendel in disbelief, for there were surely double the number of horsemen below than their own upholding Gregor's banner.
"Who the fuck are they slaughtering at this hour?" questioned Dacey, looking towards the Blackfish.
"That's Lyman Darry down there, the last of his house" replied the older Tully swiftly, pointing towards a group of valiant but doomed knights of House Darry desperately trying to protect a young boy almost the same age as Bran from the mountain's forces now surrounding them.
"We were informed Gregor put the entire castle to the sword. It seems we were wrong, what do we do?" asked Robin Flint seriously,
Many turned towards Jon who steeled himself and looked at the massacre downhill. It wouldn't be long before the outnumbered Darry defenders would be slain alongside their young lord bringing an end to an ancient and proud house. It was well known the Darry's were Targaryen loyalists who had lost a lot of clout after siding with the dragons during the Rebellion, nor had they supported Robb openly so far if not opposed outright.
The enemy outnumbered his own horse two to one and he could see the terrifying form of Gregor below in the field slaughtering men mercilessly.
In an open fight, they would meet the same fate.
But he had the cover of darkness and the element of surprise on his side, more importantly he didn't need to defeat the enemy which would have been impossible. He had to hit them hard, rescue Lord Darry and his men followed by escaping with everyone he could towards the ambush site where the rest of their forces would be waiting with Lords Umber and Glover.
His decision was made.
"Send a rider to Lord Umber and Glover warning that the ambush will have to be sprung sooner than expected with whatever traps they have established so far. By first light of the morning, we will be bringing the enemy to them alongwith some possible allies" commanded Jon swiftly,
Thankfully, Lord Brynden nodded his support and sent a rider to pass on the news ahead of time.
"The enemy is focused on eliminating Darry's men caught in the center. That gives us an opening- Lord Brynden lead 50 of our cavalry to attack their left, Ser Wendel- take 50 to attack the right flank. I will attack their front with Dacey, Robin and the remaining 49 of our horsemen" decided Jon,
"We're one man short" quipped Dacey amusedly, pointing towards the retreating Northmen riding to warn their comrades who would otherwise have joined his force making it even with the others.
Ghost growled taking Dacey and a few others by surprise, making Jon smile a little.
"I would say we have more than enough to make up for that decrease" replied Jon positively, earning a round of faint chuckles.
Nothing more was said as the men quickly departed to take up positions and spring the surprise attack.
As Dacey and Robin Flint gathered the cavalry that would follow him, he heard Ghost growl again in anticipation as Jon unleashed the Valyrian steel sword-Long Claw in all its glory. For a moment, he wondered about the tales of the battles his brother had fought and won. Had Robb experienced the same fear he was feeling now?
He would have to ask his brother upon his return, but as he saw Lord Brynden and Ser Wendel were almost ready with their own respective horsemen to attack the flanks...he knew it was time.
He looked at his men and saw the battle hardened northerners would follow him in his first battle.
Robb always took time to speak to his lords and men, it was only right he do the same for what little ability he had.
"I learned that before he died, my father-Lord Eddard Stark ordered Gregor Clegane to be brought to justice for his crimes against the innocents he murdered in these lands. We fight for him today!" said Jon, honestly and passionately
He could not truly rally them in Winterfell's name for it was not his, nor could he in Robb's name for they had already done their duty towards his brother by following him so far.
But the thought of his father gave him the desperate courage and strength he needed.
It inspired something truly powerful in the eyes of his Northern fighters as they unleashed their own swords when he raised his own high in the air and descended upon the enemy, Ghost charging loyally by his side just as Greywind had by Robb's.
"For Ned Stark!"
Jon roared his father's name and charged downhill at the head of his force with the boisterous outcry of the Northmen for their slain liege lord echoing after him from various directions as they all surged forward.
Lyman Darry had been desperately fighting for his life alongwith the few remaining knights from his house. They had fought hard to defend their castle against the Mountain and his men, but had been defeated. He had wanted to fight for his castle till his dying breath, but had been urged to flee by his loyal men.
Better alive to seek revenge against the Mountain than be dead and your house extinguished, my lord.
His kind master-at-arms, Ser Jasper had told him that before the old knight had sent him away and taken part in a doomed delaying action to cover his young lord's retreat.
But the enemies had caught up to them, and now as the last of his knights were surrounded and died defending him...Lyman regretted fleeing his home to die like this.
If only he had been keeping well and had a chance to visit Robb Stark after his victory at Riverrun to pledge their allegiance to the Northern Lord, maybe then they would not be meeting their end this way.
"For Ned Stark!"
Lyman blinked upon hearing these new battlecries echoing from the forests uphill and he was not the only one shocked when Northmen emerged in enough force to startle the Mountain and his men.
His eyes further widened when he saw a young boy with a large direfwolf galloping by his side charging straight towards the location where Lyman and his men were trapped.
Had Robb Stark answered his unsaid prayers?
Jon could feel the thundering of the horses around him as he charged downhill, his blood was burning as he caught sight of Lord Brynden and Ser Wendel launching their own attacks on the enemy flanks.
Their foes cursed as they desperately tried to turn around to meet the sudden arrival of the Northmen.
The unfortunate enemy rider nearest to Jon's charging direction was sent flying from his horse with a spear plunged clean through his neck. Shocked, Jon turned back to see Dacey give him a cocky smirk as she stole the first kill of battle.
Undeterred, he focused upon the enemies now so close in front of him as the two forces crashed into each other.
Ghost entered the fray first as the direwolf leapt at two enemy horsemen and brought them down from their mounts easily. Jon followed after his wolf and didn't hesitate as he beheaded the terrified man in front of him with Long Claw.
There was no time to marvel at his surprise or horror over killing a man, as he plunged the deadly blade through another man's neck.
Dacey and Robin were fighting by his side fiercely, but more enemies were coming regardless.
Jon ducked to avoid a savage decapitating's strike aimed at his head before parrying away the blade of his enemy with a primal roar, not giving the enemy a chance to recover- he plunged his sword clean through the man's heart without hesitation.
It was at that moment when the enemy's flanks were hit simultaneously and Jon caught sight of young lord Darry trying to make his way towards him with the last of his handful men- given chase by the Mountain himself who was not willing to part with his prey so easily inspite of the new arrivals.
Jon flinched when he saw the nearly eight foot fully plated monster cut down a Darry knight in half from head to toe as the man tried to cover his lord's retreat towards Northern forces at the front.
Ghost saved his life by mauling the horse of another enemy that was about to attack him. It forced Jon to make another a difficult decision...
"To me!" he bellowed at the top of his voice,
He didn't know what overcame his terrified heart, but he advanced further into the enemy center and could hear a few of his companions alongside Ghost dive deeper into the foray after him.
Grabbing a spear from his saddle, Jon threw it desperately towards the Mountain who was about to kill another Darry knight. The beast caught the offending weapon easily before switching his entire attention upon the fool who had dared to attack.
Cursing, Jon realized he had been that fool when the Mountain pointed his bloody greatsword right at him.
But it did remove the bastard's attention away from Lyman Darry and his men who ran like seven hells were after them straight into Robin Flint's protection.
Jon wished he had the same luck as the Mountain dove straight for him.
Returning the favor, the monster sent Jon's own spear back at him and killed his horse making the young Northerner crash painfully to the ground.
Jon gasped in pain and shock as he fought to make himself stand again with Long Claw thankfully still in his hands, from the corner of his eye he saw the Mountain riding towards him to finish what he started.
Ghost howled with vengeance and attacked the Westermen's horse bringing the man gracelessly to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Jon quickly looked around and grimaced, their initial attack had taken the enemy by surprise and even inflicted some good losses but they had reformed their lines and were fighting back with greater numbers as he saw a few lesser Northern cavalry than what he started the battle with.
He saw the Mountain shaking off his fall and would soon join the battle crying for blood.
It was time.
Jon parried the blade of another enemy horsemen that sought to take his head before plunging his blade into the man's belly viciously and unseating him from his horse. Without wasting any time, he mounted himself upon the freed horse and whistled to Ghost who perked up and followed after him.
"Retreat!"
Jon made sure his voice was loud and clear for all his men to hear, thankfully Dacey had more battlesense than him as she blew a familiar horn making the Northmen on all sides disengage swiftly.
Together, they quickly turned around with Lord Darry and his few surviving knights now joining their frenzied retreat.
Behind, Jon blanched when he heard Gregor roar furiously and steal a horse from one of his own men before ordering his entire force to chase after them.
He patted his new horse encouragingly while mourning for the one he lost due to his own valiant but stupid action.
"Run boy, run!"
Most men would have dreamt of their first battle to be a glorious one, a tough fight but one that shall end in their victory in the end. Jon had no such dreams but he sure as hell hadn't dreamt of leading a desperate retreat back to his footmen with the enemy pursuing them relentlessly through the Night.
The Mountain was nothing but fury and raw might as he rode after them with vengeance for stealing his prize in the form of Lord Lyman Darry.
Already, Jon had lost nearly forty of his own cavalry in the short battle and a few truly valiant Northmen who every now and then mounted a rear guard action to let the rest of their force flee.
It was in those moments that Jon realized that war was not all like the games he and Robb had engaged in as children. It explained why his brother was so controlled even after winning quite a few stunning victories, for Jon could not help but feel the weight of the men whose lives had been sacrificed in his mission.
But it hadn't been in vain for the remaining Northern cavalry force were about to reach their ambush location where their foot would be waiting to catch the enemy by complete surprise again.
The Blackfish had told him Gregor had more than 250 cavalry still left under his command, the rest having perished under the Northern assault quite quickly. Jon wanted the count to have been higher but there was only so much luck thrown their way...
"We will need to hold them in place or else they'll just escape!" warned Lord Byrnden,
Jon nodded as he turned to Robin Flint and a few others around him protecting Lord Lyman Darry and his remaining knights.
"Get him to safety! The rest of us will cover until the trap is sprung" ordered Jon,
"It will be done" promised Robin dutifully,
Jon saw several shadows lurking in the trees a few hundred feet ahead of them- Glover Archers.
Ghost galloping by his side looked curiously towards the flanks and Jon grinned madly as he saw Lord Umber on the right trying desperately to conceal his larger form in the bushes with Mormont Heavy Swordsmen. Lord Glover and his spearmen on the other flank had hidden quite well.
Jon allowed all except Robin Flint's group to slow down a little allowing Gregor and his force to close in for the kill.
Without hesitation, he made the rest of his men turn around to face the enemy.
It was the moment when the Northern attack truly began.
A hail of arrows came crashing down from the high trees at the hands of Glover Archers, and while the morning rays were yet to illuminate the forest- the sudden hail was enough to bring an abrupt halt to the charging enemy as Gregor's men raised their shields to defend themselves.
But they were not the real target.
It was their horses that screamed agony as a dozen were hit by merciless rain of arrows, it was hard to hit an armored horseman in such dim light but the horses were bigger targets to aim at and the Northmen had taken full advantage by shooting at the helpless creatures.
The first of Gregor's men chasing them were sent crashing away to death in most cases as their horses were killed, those following after them reared their own horses back violently.
"ATTACK!"
Jon didn't hesitate in giving the order as his own previously outnumbered cavalry except Robin's group charged at the enemy once again.
More arrows supported their advance, only these ones were burning brightly and sailed to the rear of the enemy lines. It didn't kill any of them, but did ignite the river of oil the Northmen had spread along the entire path to block off any retreat attempt by the enemy.
Not that the Mountain had any such intention in his own bloodrage.
The opposing cavalry clashed in a brutal manner sending men, horses, swords, spears, limbs and blood flying everywhere in a deadly dance once again. The previous fear inside Jon's heart had been overtaken by a renewed sense of vigor to bring justice to a murderer and rapist of innocents and children.
He had beheaded one of the Mountain's rider with all his might and sliced the neck of another as the man came close to attack him.
He could hear Ghost growling nearby as he butchered more of the enemies alongside the shouts and grunts of his own comrades around him.
The rain of arrows continued falling down upon the rear of the enemy ranks, many now finding their marks as the horses were clustered together and panicked against the fire raging at their backs.
Amidst the chaotic battle, Lord Umber's roar was heard by all as the giant of a man charged into the melee with determined Mormont heavy swordsmen following him
From the other flank, Lord Glover and his spearmen launched their own carnage.
Even so, Jon's eyes were searching for the form of the Mountain.
He didn't have to look long when he spotted the giant bastard had skewered through an Umber horsemen and had batted aside Dacey Mormont's own sword. Without thinking, Jon charged forward but realized he would not be in time to save the Mormont heir.
The Northmen or even their enemies were not prepared to see Jon madly jump from his horse and tackle the Mountain as both men fell to the ground. Jon quickly got back on his feet fighting back the surging pain across his entire body. Dacey was about to join his side but he ordered her to remain behind.
The eight feet Gregor Clegane now stood before him menacingly with murder in his inhumane eyes.
As the fighting raged everywhere, Jon grabbed Long Claw in his right hand firmly and a fallen Northmen's axe from nearby. He could never match the monster in front of him in strength, speed and surprise would be his only ally as he remembered Ser Rodrik's lesson while fighting fully armored knights.
Armpits, Neck, Groin, knees, elbows...
He remembered the weak spots drilled into his head over and over in hard training lessons as Gregor lunged at him with his greatsword coming crashing down to cleave him in half. Jon quickly ducked to the side and evaded a wild punch that would have broken his jaw easily.
The Mountain came at him again in a whirlwind of fearsome strikes which Jon was barely able to parry or evade with the greatest luck. It was then Gregor kicked him brutally in the chest sending him crashing a dozen feet away.
For a moment, he thought he had died as he simply couldn't breathe. His lungs must have been destroyed completely...
From his blurry vision, he saw the monster approach towards him to deal the killing blow.
Was this it? Had he been a fool to challenge this monster?
Kill the boy, Jon Snow. And let the man be born...
Maester Aemon's hazy words reached him somehow, making him remember all he had left to live for.
His duty, his brothers and sisters, his home and countrymen, his Black Brothers, and justice for his father.
He had already lost the battleaxe in his crash so he grabbed a sword of a fallen enemy next and shakily stood back on his feet, spitting blood harshly before glaring at the monster before him.
"Now you die, boy!"
He wondered if his father had felt what he was feeling in this moment when Eddard Stark had faced the legendary Arthur Dayne. In his narrowed focus, he had failed to realize the state of the overall battle as the Northmen butchered their enemies in droves with many now having turned to watch the deadly battle between the leaders of both forces.
Testing the twin swords in his hand was a new feeling, one Valyrian and the other castle forged steel.
The monster lunged at him with his fearsome might forcing Jon to bring both his blades upwards to block the killing blow. He was brought to his knees but he spat blood straight in the Mountain's visor making the enemy stumble. Jon kicked him in the balls brutally eliciting a pained scream as the Mountain stumbled back a little.
Gregor was not prepared for the Northern commander to strike his helm brutally with both his blades that sent him crashing to the ground in a mess of limbs.
Unwilling to let the advantage slip away, Jon charged forward towards the disoriented enemy.
Gregor roared angrily and threw away his disfigured helm, and brought up his monstrous sword to block the twin swords from the young boy. What he was not prepared for was the hard kick to his face that knocked away four of his teeth and weakened his grip on the massive sword which made Jon's twin swords carve a clean cut through his left eye.
To his credit, Gregor only groaned in pain as he backed away to gain some safe distance.
That was not to be as Ghost charged forward from the rear and clenched the Mountain's right leg earning a truly pained scream as the giant turned back to strike the wolf, but the quicker creature had darted away.
Gregor's vision was a mess with his left eye gone and blood pooling all over his face.
Snarling in rage, the Mountain was about to turn back to face the blasted boy who had injured him badly when he felt another sharp pain in his chest.
Looking down, he saw a smoking Valyrian steel blade had pierced him from behind.
On instinct, he swung his armored fist backwards and grunted in pain alongside approval when he heard the boy's anguished scream as he was sent crashing away disgracefully into the ground.
Many Northmen took a few steps back in disbelief when Gregor removed the Valyrian sword lodged in his chest and walked forward to punish the boy who gave him such a wound. Any lesser man would be dead already, but the Mountain was living up to his inhuman reputation.
Now wielding Jon's Valyrian steel sword, the monster attacked the disoriented boy whose own face was bloodied and bruised.
Jon's head was ringing in pain and his vision was full of various colors, his ears filled with shouting of all forms.
The only thing he knew was his enemy was not dead yet.
That meant he was not out of danger yet.
He barely managed to roll away from the Mountain's first strike with Long Claw that would have spilled his guts out on the battlefield. He wanted nothing more than to sleep but was forced to parry a mighty blow aimed to slice his legs.
The next one came at his midsection which he evaded by jumping away quite comically making the Mountain snarl in more rage. He had wounded the man and that meant he could still be killed, no matter how much of a beast he was.
Jon remembered his childhood days with his brother-Robb.
Robb always loved to play as Daeron Targaryen- The Young Dragon who won a few good battles. Jon's brother always proclaimed he would crush their enemies in great cavalry charges since their house didn't have dragons to do it instead.
Jon on the contrary knew he was a better fighter than Robb, atleast as an infantrymen. He had always pretended to be like Arthur Dayne, the noblest and strongest swordsmen. Even Father had respected the man despite killing him, and as a bastard that was perhaps the only honorable idol he could hope to be. It would help him protect his brother better.
Now years later, Robb had proven himself quite skilled with cavalry engagements while this battle had shown Jon quite clearly- he was better off fighting on land against footmen instead of on horseback like his brother.
The Mountain was himself surprised when Jon came at him bravely without a shred of fear in his heart.
The boy feinted an attack to the left making Gregor twist the Valyrian steel sword in his hand to block the incoming attack, but quicker than expected the boy twisted himself to get behind the Mountain's back.
None could match Gregor's strength or physique, but the boy had a smaller frame and was extremely fast with good reflexes. Most would even call him a gifted swordsmen to an extent...
Playing to his strength's instead of trying to defeat the Mountain's own, Jon emerged behind the Mountain's back with the larger man not fast enough to turn back in order to defend his exposed rear.
His sword had already sliced clean through the softer and exposed tendons in the Mountain's already wounded leg making the monster scream as he fell to his knees with Long Claw finally falling from his hands.
Jon stabbed the man's neck from behind making him gurgle disgustedly and his large body to twitch in severe pain.
Grabbing Long Claw once again and not willing to give the monster any more chance to stand back, Jon swung the Valyrian steel sword with a mighty roar to end the monster who had terrorized the people of Riverlands for months.
The severed head rolled off in the distance with sickening and wet splashes as the decapitated corpse fell lifelessly back to the ground.
Jon didn't realize how heavily he was panting by the end or how bloodied and battered his face truly was. Or the dark bruises all over his body that ached.
Slowly, he decided to focus upon the rest of the battle and was quite shocked to find it was nearly over with only a handful of the Mountain's force now surrounded and being put down mercilessly by vengeful Northmen even as the famed rapists of women pleaded for mercy.
But most of his army was looking at him with nothing but respect, disbelief and awe in their eyes.
They...they...had...done...it...
Dacey Mormont approached towards him carefully and maybe it was Jon's banged up head that made him see her as perhaps a truly attractive woman, even if she was nearly his age and was battered in wounds and gore.
"We won" said Jon in disbelief, his boyish grin coming upon his lips earning a wicked smirk from the Mormont fighter.
"No, we fucked their bungholes" snorted Dacey in a completely unlady like fashion, earning a chuckle from Jon.
It was then he saw the soft look that arrived in her dark gaze as she gave him a true smile.
"Thank you for saving my life" she said honestly with gratitude,
"I-"
"YOU CRAZY LAD!"
Jon was certainly not prepared for the Greatjon himself to rush forward and pat his back with the might of a giant even as the Northerner spat at the Mountain's cold corpse in disgust.
Lord Glover and the Blackfish alongside many of the Northerners were not far behind in joining the small group.
Jon was more than happy to pat his direwolf affectionately as Ghost also came by his side much to the terror of many men who had seen the beast defend its master fiercely and murder enemies without mercy.
"You fight well with the sword, lad" said the Blackfish with a grunt,
"Not so well on a horse though" teased Robin Flint, earning a wave of chuckles from the Northerners and an embarrassed look from Jon which only made the laughter grow more.
"Should we call him 'Mountainslayer', men?" roared the Greatjon,
In the grand scheme of things, perhaps this battle maybe considered a minor skirmish. The Mountain and his cavalry were ambushed in overwhelming numbers, he was a terrifying monster but just a minor lord whose loss won't change the Lannister's strength much. In truth, Robb had won larger and more tougher battles with his sharp mind on the field of battle.
And yet Jon was truly happy for in this moment he had gained true acceptance among his countrymen and even from the people of Riverlands in the form of the Blackfish. Something which he had never managed to get at Castle Black except from hardly five or six people.
"The White Wolf would be a much better name" suggested Lord Glover, giving an appreciative nod towards the same colored direwolf standing by Jon's side earning an approving bark in return.
Lord Umber seemed to like the idea as he grabbed Jon's right hand holding Long Claw and raised it victoriously in the air.
"Here's to The WHITE WOLF!" roared the Greatjon, unleashing a similar approving roar from the entire Northern force.
"WHITE WOLF!"
"WHITE WOLF!"
"WHITE WOLF!"
Author's Notes: End of chapter.
Hope you guys liked it.
I'm terribly sorry for not updating this in years, life and focus on another story of mine kept me from coming back to this one. But I am in a better place now and that other story is almost finished as well, so I will focus on this one alongwith another ongoing story of mine.
The one thing I can assure is that this story will never be abandoned, no matter how long it takes to finish this. I love Robb and Jon too much for that...
I know there are a few stories with Robb and Jon fighting together now on FF, there weren't many when I started this back in 2017. Some of them are quite good, I have a few ideas of my own and would like to believe it may end up with this story taking a little different turn than what many of you could have read in those fics. I'll try my best though...to make this as unique as possible.
Romance is also something that I am tinkering with, if the funny hints in this chapter were anything to go by. You'll just have to wait to read what I have in mind.
Reviews are much appreciated. Nothing motivates me more to write faster than hearing from my readers!
Until Next Time,
Blackwolf501