Hello! I bring you all to the update for Hour of the Wolf. Now without further adieu, please enjoy chapter 20 of the Stark/Snow Story.
Chapter 20: The Red Dawn
Robb
"The King in the North comes to my little celebration? I am honored to have you, your grace, heh." Robb heard Walder greet him and his family with a chuckle.
He took the salted bread from a servant, it tasted bitter to him but his mother insisted upon it and so it was the first thing he asked for when they rode into the gates.
A smile internally came to him when he remembered what transpired...
Entering they were met by Lord Ryman, Edwyn, Black Walder, and Petyr Frey. The wolves were quickly put on edge, scaring Petyr Frey off of his horse and hitting the ground in a hard fashion.
Arthur chuckled, Arya laughed but their mother chided her. He wanted to smile but that would be too inappropriate for him to do so. Ryman was aghast, Ser Edwyn was furious and Black Walder was indifferent. "Grey Wind, to me." He ordered and his companion stood down, Arthur and Arya did the same with Nymeria and Dusk.
"Your grace, for safety reasons I am insistent on kenneling those wolves, one almost killed my kin." He was reluctant, looking to Grey Wind who was on alert, he doesn't trust these people and yet he needs their men to retake his home.
"If it is so, I request bread and salt." His mother told him to do so when they were riding up to the drawbridge, she said it was to protect them in case of dangerous situations.
"That can be arranged- " Arthur spoke up, he almost wished his brother would have stayed at camp rather than come to meet Walder Frey.
"No." He turned to Arthur, shaking his head.
"Brother, please." He tried to sway things his way, Arthur, on the other hand, had a different direction of things.
"I said no, brother." Arthur told him, "The wolves have instincts stronger than any beast, if they cannot be at our side then I will leave." He sympathized with Arthur, and Arya, she nodded in agreement by saying she won't marry unless Nymeria is there with her.
He sighed, weighing on the decision to be made and he grunted, "My sister and my brother and I will rein them in... But the Wolves will not be kenneled, Lord Ryman." He said and it did anger them, he could see it in their faces but that didn't matter to him or his family.
"... Fine, my King. Follow us and we will get you acquainted with our father, Lord Walder Frey."
Now here they are, taking bread and salt, Grey Wind at his side and Arya standing defiant with Arthur on her right, their mother on the left. Mya and Gendry stood front and center with them in colors of black and gold, Baratheon colors especially since they joined their cause for justice.
"I am humbled, my Lord, and have come to personally apologize for breaking my vows." He said with his head held high, a proud stance, a kingly stance.
Walder chuckled, "Oh, it wasn't me you spurned, it was my daughter, she was a pretty thing and would be a good Queen for you. You'll meet her at the feast, no doubt." Lord Frey continued on, "The Stark family, the Tully family. All together and feasting with me... Even two half-Baratheon's are here with us, one made a wolf I hear." He watched Frey scan the group assembled and spotted his good-sister. "You definitely look fetching, and your belly isn't showing much, truly a great beauty." Arthur and Gendry were insulted, they wanted to defend Mya and stop Walder's lustful eyes looking at her.
Arya definitely went to say something and thankfully, his mother stopped and pinched his sister on the side making her yelp.
Walder sighed and got up from his chair, gesturing for one of his brood to come forth. He watched as a boy, three years older than Arya and didn't look any extraordinary than the others, he was weasel-faced with a long nose but tall, and lean as well.
"This is Waldren, a spawn from my last marriage before this one. He will be a good husband though if Edwyn had a son then I'd have him in place but no matter." Walder got up from his chair, "I am saddened you couldn't my son, King Robb, it would have been a pleasure... But that is not here or there." That is good to hear, he wouldn't have wanted to be his son, he has since fallen for his wife who he married out of duty and honor than affection.
He thought this was finished and he and his family could relax... He was wrong.
"My King, we once again urge you to kennel you and your sibling's wolves. They make my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren nervous. Heh-heh, I want us all to enjoy ourselves for the night before we march either North or South in the morning." He looked to both Arthur and Arya, they shook their heads and he nodded.
"They won't be kenneled, but, we will keep them from the feast." He told Walder who wasn't agreeable to it all, yet, he wasn't going to let him be pushed on the matter any further.
"Well, I guess it cannot be helped. We and my House welcome you to our table, for tonight the wine will run red, the music will be loud, and we will all put this behind us."
He raised his head high with the rest of his family and friends he's acquired in this war, from Westerlings to a pair of Stags who became a part of his family, honorary Northerners and members of House Stark.
Arya
"I could run away."
"Yes- But you won't."
"I could ride faster than anyone, even you."
"Yes, you can. I'm better with a hammer, anyway."
She smiled as she ran a whetstone across Needle, Gendry sat across from her on a stump. Picking something from his Warhammer that he made, before the battle against the Mountain near Shadyveil.
Her brothers and mother and Mya were settling in the Twins, she asked where Olyvar was, he was the only Frey she liked. On patrol, one of the smelly ones said, she walked away after that with Nymeria and Gendry following her to where they are now.
She saw Waldren, he was timid and nervous, she could tell he had no spine. And Robb wants me to marry him? She wanted to scream, to do something instead of being married to someone like him. And Nymeria? She wants her wolf there, she wants a lot of people there that cant... Like her father and brothers, even Sansa.
"I can't wait to go home... It's been too long." She muttered with a smile, she can imagine it from the walls to the godswood to her chambers.
Gendry smiled at her, "And I can't wait to go and see it." He told her and scratched Nymeria's ear, "All my life I was some smiths apprentice. Mya and Arthur brought me into the life of a warrior. I found meaning with you, Arya." Her eyes widened at the last part, she couldn't believe what he was telling her.
"... Quit being stupid." She tried to blow it off as something less than it was, Gendry frowned and stared into her eyes.
"Is it stupid to feel something like love, I love you, Arya. I have for some time but you are a highborn Lady- A Princess, you are meant for someone better than I." He said and she sat there, shocked and numb. She sighed and reached out, but recoiled after a second.
"You'll always be my family, Gendry." She told him and he chuckled, getting up to his feet.
"No. You'll be my Princess, my Lady." He left and once he was gone, she felt water on her cheeks and quickly wiped away the tears.
"Come on, Nymeria, let's go." She said, sheathing Needle and walking back to the castle, the hour was getting late and so was her freedom, it was fading away, little by little as the sun began to set on her.
Her mother was waiting for her in the chambers that Old Walder gave to her, she wanted to run but her mother commanded her to sit. She groaned and stomped forth, plopping down on the chair so her mother can begin working on her hair.
Things were quiet, it was peaceful and she wanted it to be quiet for a long while. "I know you don't want this." She rolled her eyes, was it that obvious? She winced when her mother ran the comb along her hair, she looked in the mirror and noticed it was at the same length as it was when she left Winterfell.
"Mother, please don't... " She tried to change the subject, talking about it made her want to run from here and from this agreement her mother had made.
"I never wanted this for you, as much as I wish it were true but this isn't you." And like that, for the second time of the day she was surprised, "Sansa is the Lady, she is the one who takes after me most, and you?" Her mother smiled and cupped one of her cheeks, "You are more of your father, someone who is willing to fight for her people and destroy your enemies with honor." The widest of smiles spread across her face, she's never heard such a thing from her mother before.
"... Thank you, mother." She whispered and her mother smiled.
Her mother helped her somewhat, she didn't like being put into dresses, she never liked the way they felt on her.
the chamber doors opened as her mother was finishing up, she turned and saw Mya standing at the doorway, a proud smile on her lips.
"You look positively beautiful, Arya." Her cheeks reddened, Sansa and the others used to call her names and definitely not beautiful.
Arya Horseface. Lumpyhead. Those were the kindest ones crocked up by Jeyne Poole and Sansa. She twiddled her fingers as she looked at the veil, though there was no need of it, She saw Waldren and Waldren saw her, it was unnecessary.
"I'm not staying here, I want to go home with you and my brothers, promise me that." She demanded and her mother smiled, nodding yes and that was all she needed right now, "Let's get this over with." She said and her mother said that she was too much like Arthur and Jon, and why wouldn't she? They are my brothers, they'll always be my brothers.
Arthur
He and Robb were walking toward the great hall, both men would have been sided by their wolves but they are being entertained by Raynald Westerling, his brother's brother-in-law, Nymeria however was standing by the door, sitting and turning her head to peek inside every so often to look at every one.
"After tonight, everything is going to change." Robb stopped and told him, he nodded and looked inside, Waldren stood beside his grandfather and the septon.
"The Greyjoys, Lannisters, and from what we've heard from the Wall, a Wildling army." He named off all of the enemies, the last one coming from a letter from Castle Black.
He thought it was from Jon, but it was from a Maester's Steward. It reported about the Wilding Army and something else, going into detail about a battle beyond the Wall. Robb decided that once they've taken back the North, they will march toward the Wall and assist the Night's Watch in this.
Along with this, he and Robb also got the news that Balon Greyjoy had died, fallen from a bridge at Pyke. Greatjon jested that the king crabs get supped upon by all manner of beasts in the sea, he laughed and got to thinking that from his knowledge, after an Ironborn King dies, there will be a Kingsmoot so all enemy commanders in the North will have fled back to their islands.
Robb's campaign in the North will be smooth, and when the Ironborn chooses a new King, the raiding rapists will have returned to continue their conquest to face a strong front of Northmen, united against them and he will personally skewer every nobleman on the islands for their attack on his homeland.
Then the South will feel dread once more, he still hasn't forgotten them, he will never forget what has been done to them.
"I just can't wait to go home, it's been so long since I've seen father's- I mean my walls, the great hall, and the godswood." He nodded to what Robb was saying, it was true and he swelled in pride on seeing home after being in the South for so damn long, too long.
"And I will follow you, brother, now and always." He muttered and Robb put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it slightly.
A chuckle was heard and they turned to see Arya coming up with Mya and Lady Stark, his sister looked very pretty tonight, even if it was not the right man she was being married to.
It's all in the past now, he isn't going to argue the matter further. I do know this, if this Waldren dares to lay a hand on my sister, no man or beast will stop me from tearing his arms and legs off, and I don't mean just his legs. Arya sent a hard glare towards Waldren down the aisle, it made the young man shiver physically. Then again, maybe nothing won't stop Arya from doing that. A smirk ran across his face, he cleared his throat and looked at his sister.
"Father would be proud to see you in that, Arya." He told his sister who's cheeks reddened, looking at her dress. Mya smiled and walked by him, he wrapped an arm around her.
"Arthur is right, happiness is all Ned wanted for you- For all three of you, and Sansa, and your two brothers... Even Jon." He and the others listened to Lady Stark, "I wished he could have been here to walk you down there, I- " Catelyn choked up a little and Mya put her arm around her after leaving his side.
Robb stepped forward.
"I would be honored to walk you down, sister, I would be very proud to fill father's boots for the night." Robb sounded very much like their father at this moment, he cracked a smile and tugged for Mya to come with him, they took positions by the side of Dacey and Smalljon. Lady Stark was standing beside Walder and Roose who had arrived just a few hours ago.
"We'll be going home, soon, friend. Are you excited?" Smalljon asked him he patted his war-friend on the shoulder.
"I can already taste the Northern air, not as suffocating as this place." The Umber heir barked in laughter, he laughed as well but was hushed by Mya and Dacey.
Soon enough, everything was quiet as Robb led Arya down to Waldren, Lord Frey stepped forward and beside his son as his father. He watched on, hearing the vows being said, they were still young children so there won't be a bedding ceremony but they'll still be sharing the same bed for the first night.
Once the Septon declared the marriage complete and that should anyone object, they should say it now or hold their tongues in silence. None spoke out, so the wedding ended and everyone dispersed for the feast.
Arya looked at him and he nodded, she did well, today, making a sacrifice she should never have had to make. I hope this bears fruit. He thought as he clapped his hands.
Catelyn
She was proud of her daughter, so, so proud. She watched Arya dance with Gendry, Waldren, and Wendel Manderly. Her daughter seems the happiest with Gendry and she felt sorry for her, Gendry and the girl is so close to one another.
It reminded her of when she was a girl watching how close Petyr and Lysa got, it was love, even if Arya wouldn't admit to having such a feeling.
Mya and Arthur also looked so happy together, with how close they held on to one another. She smiled proudly, the two reminded her of when she and Ned danced together, Bran had just turned three and she was pregnant with Rickon. Ned held her so close and lovingly as Arthur is doing to Mya right now.
And Robb, he was dancing with Dacey and it reminded her of when she met Brandon, how he was so charming and that he was always trying to find some joy in what he was doing.
Rickon. Bran. Sansa. Ned. They are all too far away, Sansa, she can get Sansa back to her but her love, her baby boys who she adored were taken by the Stranger.
"The Stark family is genuinely happy, that is good, Lady Stark." She turned around and saw Roose approach and took a seat beside her. "Stark unity is what will bring the North together, I can clearly see that." He added and she smiled, sipping from her wine but saw that Roose wasn't drinking any wine.
"You don't like wine, Lord Bolton?" She asked the Lord of the Dreadfort who shook his head with a ghost of a smile, he lifted a jug of water and poured it into his cup.
"No. Not at a time of war or before a battle." He said to her and she thought it strange, there won't be any battles tomorrow, at least not until the Siege of Moat Cailin.
"You know, I heard from Walder that you will be marrying one of his daughters, the one he had chosen for Robb." Roose's smile extended a little, hearing what she had heard from the biggest of the two Walda's in the room.
"Aye, and he gave me her weight in gold for a dowry. A pretty bride and wealth, what more could one ask for?" She hopes Roslin blesses House Bolton with many sons and daughters after Lord Bolton's son and heir died, the only son left to him had been Ramsay, the one who retook Winterfell
Lord Walder rose from his seat, "Your grace." She heard him call out to Robb who stopped dancing to hear him, "The Septon prayed his prayers, some words were said, and my boy here, wrapped my newest daughter in a cloak. " Some of the men in the room laughed. "Lady Arya is a child yet, but that doesn't mean that she and Waldren cannot sleep together until the day comes to consummate this marriage." Walder continued on while looking at Robb, "Care to send them off, my King?"
Her son stepped forward, looking back at Walder Frey. "Then let us let the children rest, then." Arya reluctantly got to her feet and walked out of the hall with Waldren following. She nodded for Gendry and Dacey to go with her, in turn, two of Lord Frey's sons walked with her daughter only to be uneased by Nymeria as they went.
"A shame, I am sure the bedding ceremony would have taken place if she were three years older." She didn't like the way Roose said that. He turned and looked at her, "I remember when you and Ned had been taken away by the Lords and Ladies, it was a pleasant night as I recall." It was, she enjoyed herself though the men had gotten a little more handsy than when Ned was as they consummated their marriage.
"You never participated, and you were drinking wine, as well." She pointed out with a small smile and Lord Bolton laughed lightly, she has got him there.
The feasting was plenty and the singing too, she heard the other wolves and the men cheering outside these doors. She heard footsteps and saw someone closing the doors to the great hall. A chill began to creep up her spine, she didn't feel right, then she heard the bards change their tune to something that gave her heavy dread.
The Rains of Castamere. Why play such a song of all places, and here?
"Your grace," Walder called out to Robb who was in conversation with Arthur and Smalljon. "I feel I've been remiss, in my duties. I gave you meat, and wine, and music... But, I haven't given you the hospitality that you deserve, I am host to the Young and Dread Wolf, to the Widow Stark and the She-Wolf to the two Stags." Walder added and continued on, "My King is wed, now, and I owe my new Queen a wedding gift." She felt Roose's eyes looking at her, and she noticed he was gesturing to his arm and she saw mail coming through, she seethed and slapped Roose across the face.
"Robb! Arthur!"
And like that, chaos rained in the shape of dirks, dinner knives, and crossbow bolts.
Gendry
"Wait, why are they standing there?"
Dacey stopped them as they made a corner, seeing three Frey men waiting for them. He didn't like this and he was too slow before he felt a dagger dig into his side, he cried out and Nymeria jumped Waldren down and chewed out the bastard's throat.
"Gendry!" Arya cried and ran over to him, angry and face beginning to wet with tears.
Dacey was quick to dispatch one of Lord Frey's sons, taking his blade and cutting the other's throat. The other Frey men began to approach, saying all manner of things to her and Arya. He growled in anger, how dare they say such things about her, the girls he's grown quite fond of in the last two years since she and he escaped King's Landing.
He knows he isn't a great lord, he isn't worthy of her but he loves the little She-Wolf. "Stay behind us, Arya." He muttered and thrust himself back to his feet with all his might, he grabbed a metal torch and put out the fire to make it a blunt weapon.
"Ready for a fight, Baratheon?" He was asked by Dacey, he grumbled a response as he readied himself.
House Frey, they turned traitor, but the question remains is why? He sighed and heard Dacey grab a torch of her own, Nymeria snarled loudly and he took a deep breath before charging.
If tonight is the night he dies, then he'll take as many of these bastards with him as possible, can expect nothing less from a Baratheon.
The Frey men fought well, but with the help from a giant wolf, the fight ended within minutes. He was finishing one of the last before he felt a shadow behind him, he reacted too late before he was stabbed in the chest, he heaved heavily as his blue eyes watched Arya scream for him. Dacey bashed the Frey in the head, the torch lodged itself in his head as the bastard fell, limp and he was bleeding out.
"No! No, you don't die!" He wished it were true, Arya clung to him as Dacey was urging her to get to her feet but the She-Wolf wouldn't move.
He felt it slipping, so he used what strength he had left and pulled Arya close and he kissed her on the forehead. "Get out of here, get to Robb and Arthur." Dacey gave him a sympathetic look, "If it is too late, get her out of here, get her to safety." His breathing was heavy as Arya screamed for him to wake up.
Soon enough he didn't hear her any longer so he imagined her face as his last moments, "I will miss you... My Lady... "
Mya
Arthur tried to run to her but both he and Robb were struck by bolts, Smalljon pushed her to the ground for her and her babies safety. The Umber heir lifted a table with the help of Lord Cerwyn.
The bards, they've turned murderous and all while Lord Frey is laughing and eating the food like they were all still feasting. She hates Walder, she hates all of these Frey's and Roose Bolton, even a Northerner had turned traitor.
She panicked as she looked for Arthur, she needs to find Arthur. "Arthur!" She shouted out and didn't see him, the hall was too chaotic with men being killed by those who were once friends and allies.
"My Lady! Watch out!" She turned and saw Smalljon stopping a Frey soldier from cutting her down, he choked the life out of him whilst taking a bolt to the back.
"Jon, here!" She handed Smalljon the fallen sword, he chuckled and took it.
"I'll defend you, now look for Arthur and the King, be careful." He told her and she nodded, ducking and looking for her husband and good-brother.
She found him, Arthur was dragging Robb to safety, the Young Wolf had four crossbow bolts in him where Arthur had three. She cried as he took another just trying to get his brother to cover. His purple eyes found her and he silently urged her to stay into cover.
How could he ask that of her? He was getting injured and where is Lady Stark, she hasn't seen her since all this had started.
Arthur, please don't die, don't die! She screamed inside of her mind, she looked above the rafters and saw the musicians, they were targeting more and more of their allies. "Stop this, if you are listening... Stop this!" She prayed to every god out there, her hand landed in a puddle of blood, she shook but cut it out, this was a battle and it needed to be fought, she needs to-
A cry of pain called her out of her mind, she turned to see Smalljon fallen to his knees. The great halls doors opened and men wearing furs and mail entered the hall, cutting down more men and Smalljon was decapitated from two swings of an ax.
"Come here, bitch!" Lothar Frey grabbed her by the hair, she yelped and flailed as he dug a dirk into her stomach and she screamed in sorrow and rage. My baby! She thought as she pushed herself away, she fell on her stomach hard as she began to bleed.
Lothar would have finished her if not for Arthur, he got his hands on his swordbelt and stuck his sword into the man's back. "You dare! You dare!" She heard and she began breathing heavily, she's losing so much blood that she cannot even get to her feet.
Arthur hurried to her side and lifted her up to his embrace, he grunted and began to cry, "Don't... Please, don't leave me... " She won't but one thing is for certain, their baby, their son is gone and ripped before he could take his first breath.
"Our son, our child... I feel it gone." She wept as their friends were slaughtered, the Greatjon was subdued and put in chains like his banner. Wendel Manderly was laid in his chair, his throat bleeding from a crossbow bolt. Where is Dacey? Where is Arya? Gendry, where is Gendry? She cried and wished this was all a dream, that they are in Riverrun and lying in bed, in each other's embrace.
This isn't a dream... It's a nightmare.
Third Person PoV
The Frey's and Bolton's led an assault on the Stark camp. Haigh, Ryswell, Whitehill, Dustin, and Goodbrook were apart of the coup.
Men were hanged, dragged by horsemen, cut down as they ate and drank and sang with one another. The Northern cause was under threat, Whitehill slaughtered Forrester. Bolton lit Stark and Karstark aflame in their tents and throats were cut, dismembered men that were too drunk to fight back.
Grey Wind. Dusk. Nymeria. The three direwolves dove into the Freys in the courtyard, Raynald Westerling and others started fighting back despite being under the ale.
"We need to get to the King." The knight commanded and cut down a hound, the beasts stood no chance against large wolves the size of ponies. The larger beasts dug and tore apart man and dog.
"Die, Stark!" A Bolton charged their lines, as they were fought back to the drawbridge. Raynald tried to get back into the castle, but from crossbow bolts and honds and sword and ax, it was too difficult and the heir found himself getting struck and falling into the river.
The wolves also tried to fight their way to the great hall, but Lady was injured, Grey Wind howled in frustration and sorrow. Dusk, this wolf was angry and tried hard but was slashed by a sword and struck by a spear. In the end, the three were pushed out of the Twins as Raynald and the others were.
Dacey and Arya got to a horse, the woman from Bear Island tried to fight but once she looked inside of the hall, she and Arya saw horror as they looked at their family and friends were being cut down or captured. Arthur was injured and held an unconscious Mya in his arms. Catelyn was nowhere to be seen and Robb, the King in the North was bleeding but tried and tried to fight.
Feeling the Northern cause was crushed, Dacey Mormont fought the urge to dive into the fray and took Arya away, she found a horse and ran over three men to escape. Grey Wind, Dusk, and Nymeria reluctantly followed them.
Arya watched the camps being sunk into chaos, the Stark banner and many other loyal banners being set on fire.
It was all lost. "Riverrun, Arya. We need to get to Riverrun." Dacey whispered and led on, some of the more cowardly soldiers followed, at least a hundred of them.
Back inside of the great hall, Walder Frey called for the killing to stop for the moment as Robb got back to his feet. Any other Northerner had either been slain or surrendered to Frey demands.
"The King in the North arises, I'm afraid we've killed some of your men, and your good-sister from the looks of it. Ah, but I will make an apology of it, that is sure to mend these wounds, heh!" Walder Frey said with a bark of laughter.
Catelyn watched and looked at Arthur, Mya was in his arms and he was silent. She hoarsely called out to him, "Arthur." He looked to her with rage in his eyes, rage towards their enemies and former allies.
Her own rage filled her as the widow of Ned Stark crawled out of her spot and yanked at the hairs of one of Walder's sons, she grunted and took a dinner knife to his throat. "Lord Walder, this is enough! Let it end! Please, he is my son, Arthur is my son- And Arya, please not Arya. Let them go and I swear we will forget this, I swear it by the Old Gods and New, we will take no vengeance." She tried to speak, but, Lord Walder would not hear her pleas, the pleas of a mother wanting to protect her children.
"You already swore me an oath, and though Arya is now Arya Frey... You swore that your son would marry my daughter!" Walder shouted at Catelyn who choked in tears.
"Take me for a hostage, but let them go. Robb, take Arthur and go, leave, leave now!" Robb would not move, though he did look at Arthur who looked right back. "Get up, get up and walk out... Please, please!" She pled for the two to listen, for them to leave now and never return for their own safety.
"And why, Lady Stark, would I let them do that?" She steeled herself and pressed the blade to the Frey, the boy shivered in fear.
"On my honor as a Tully. On my honor as a Stark! Let them go, or I will cut your sons throat." She threatened Walder who eyed her for a long moment, she thought she'd gotten through to the traitor.
She was wrong.
"I admire your ferocity... But that is a grandson, and I have plenty of those." Her will faltered, she heard footsteps.
Roose Bolton strode across the fallen and vicious, his sword in his hand and that very blade was thrust into Robb's chest. "Jaime Lannister sends his regards." She saw Robb fall to his knees, and her world suddenly collapsed along with any shot of having her happiness and the happiness of her children.
She screamed aloud and not long felt the cold steel of a dagger run across her throat, she felt satisfied to do the same to Walder's grandson before that.
The North Remembers. House Starks enemies will feel the blood beneath their soles. It was her final thought, and she collapsed to the ground and everything went dark.
Arthur looked stunned and seeing Robb being killed by Roose and Catelyn being murdered by Black Walder. Mya's breathing is light, she's fainted and if she lingers here without treatment then she will die on him.
"Time for you, Dread Wolf." Black Walder said and he growled, gripping his sword. Roose stopped him, pushing the Frey back.
"No, he is not your toy," Roose told Black Walder and old Walder laughed at his table.
"Aye. He maimed the King, and Tywin wants him for his grandson." Arthur heard the swine speak and he snarled, quickly getting up to his feet and storming forward.
Walder called for him to be stopped, he watched his surroundings and the rafters where men holding crossbows fired upon him, he ducked and evaded a few before lunging and throwing his sword just as he did to Joffrey at the Red Keep. He threw the sword with so much force and it made it's mark better than he did to Joffrey two years ago.
The blade ran through Walder's mouth, it pinned the old man to his chair and though this meant he was a captive of the Iron Throne, he shut that man up from chuckling and mocking his family.
He was tackled down, bound and forced to follow some guards and Roose Bolton. They led him to the bridge, he saw Stark and Tully men lying dead around but now wolves, so maybe they escaped and no Arya? He felt relieved to know that maybe she also made it out where he, Robb, Catelyn and Mya could not.
"See, Arthur, this war would not have gone in our favor. Robb might have won the battle, and you might have defeated the Mountain in combat." Roose started and got in his face, he seethed upon looking into Roose's pale eyes. "Robb would not have been a good ruler, wouldn't have been able to hold the North and Riverlands." Each word was insulting, "Now look, the Northern cause is over." He looked and saw the last of the loyal followers of the North gathered and surrounded by House Frey and Bolton.
"It's over, Dread Wolf. House Stark is dead after today, the sun shines on us." He heard Black Walder tell him with an amused look on his face, he grunted and spit on the ground.
He didn't realize that dawn was breaking, he wished this was a better morning but he closed his eyes and waited for the end.
Horns blew in the West, he was surprised and looked around thinking that it was overkill for the Lannister's to arrive and finish their own dirty work. He watched Roose and Black Walder react and they were confused as well, did they not know?
A force of a few thousand, 3500 at least. He saw horsemen, 400 strong. The rest of them were spearmen and infantry.
What was more surprising was what he saw on their banner, a white sword and falling star on lilac. His mouth went wide open, it was the sigil of House Dayne, his mothers House. They were added by 200 men from House Mallister, the sigil of a silver eagle displayed on indigo.
"House Dayne? What are we- " Black Walder didn't get to finish before he was gutted by a sword, he spotted Gendry who looked absolutely pale.
"Fight on... Fight... " Gendry tried to speak but didn't bother, he cut him loose and tossed him the sword in time to parry Roose's attack.
Gendry leaned on the wall, whistling and a dozen Northmen lead by Greatjon, he got out of those binds and had his sons and his sword in his hands. "The cause isn't dead, Arthur, fight for her, fight for Mya and my nephew's memory," Gendry said with his last words, the Baratheon fell limp and passed on from this world a moment later.
Roose and he eyed once more and he chuckled, "Now you see, Roose, there can be only one Lord of the North, and that person is named Stark, now prepare yourself." He took his stance and charged at Roose, not interested in sparing anyone who has betrayed his family.
Edric Dayne, Lord of Starfall gave the command to his Master-at-Arms and Jason Mallister to lead the charge, they dove down and clashed against the unsuspecting Frey and Bolton forces. The newly arrived reinforcements gave the Northmen a boost in morale, it made them break their defensive formation and charge into the enemy line.
Arthur came at Roose like a beast, a monster coming for vengeance and the vengeance for Robb, for Catelyn, for Mya and Gendry, for his unborn child.
"You'll pay for all of this! I will make you suffer!" He roared as he swung his sword harder and harder at Lord Bolton, his eyes were red with fury.
Greatjon and the Northmen finished with the Frey men and went to aid him, "No! Go and attend to Mya, force Walder's maester to help her." He commanded and Greatjon reluctantly went back inside of the castle to find that maester.
"I deserved more, you and your family ruin everything for yourselves. Robb married some fickle girl, legitimized you, sent Maege and Talbart off to find the Reeds." So Roose knew about that, he grunted and got back into his position as Roose came at him, swinging angrily at him, "I am Lord of Winterfell, now, I am Warden of the North and your sister should she be found will be my new whore." He roared at Roose for that comment.
As if his sword was a hammer, his blade clashed against Roose, each strike was like a thunderbolt until both of their swords broke, shattering to the ground and he took no time to hesitate. Arthur shoved his blade into Roose's chest as he had done to Robb, he used so much force that he ripped through his weak mail.
"The North was quick to remember, Roose Bolton, may the Old Gods tear you limb from limb where you are going." He growled out and pushed the traitor into the river.
Turning his attention back to the battlefield, he saw the Dayne forces and Northern force crush the last of the traitors. He was numb to this victory, for it should never have been a battle, to begin with. This was supposed to be a time of peace, it was supposed to be a night to relax before the journey home to the North.
The dawn was red, and with it, the lights of many were snuffed out.
AN: The long-awaited update is finished. Robb was killed, Catelyn lost her life, Gendry died protecting the girl he fell for, and Mya is in a critical condition and has lost the baby. The upside is the Northern Force is slightly intact, from the wiki about 7,000 was at the Twins, 3500 were for the North/Tully and 3500 was for Bolton/Frey. Remaining Stark/Tully force is now 2000 strong and combined with Dayne and 200 Mallisters are now 5700.
Going off the books, not the show where the Lannister's have an unlimited amount of soldiers. That's just silly.
Some news before we begin, I have chosen to keep doing this story for the time being until I get to chapter 35. Then I will head on over to Debts Paid in Blood and Wrath before going to The Falcon Flies High and What is Dead May Never Die to finish those two as they are nearing the end.
Now, to the reviews and I am happy to reply.
Sketchywolf, I know but it will have felt like a band-aid.
GilbM13, I hope you stop, she didn't exactly die but the damage had certainly been done.
Naty, More but Starks family is anything but resilient survivors.
Special Fan, Yes, THE wedding. Sorry but there cannot be Stark story without a form of tragedy at the Red Wedding.
Lord Villarreal of house grand, Sorry about that, lol, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.