AN: All rights to HBO and GRRM and enjoy the next chapter.

Coming of the Red Anchor

Siege of Pyke

289 AC

Lannisport

Tywin watched from the ramparts of Casterly Rock as the large Northern host came marching down the road from the Golden Tooth. He watched as they walked and rode in a rather unorganized way but given they were only marching and not going into combat it could be excused, only slightly. He looked on intently at Northerners, spotting the newer armour they possessed and could gleam it was of better quality than what they'd had in the Rebellion. It was shinier than before and seemed better made. Another impact from that new northern house. House Britanican had been producing steel for a while now, cheaper and of equal quality to that of Casterly Rock's forges though sold mostly to the North. It proved tricky to get a sample of them to compare because the steel smiths up in Stoneyport confirmed every order made so faking one was hard to do. Going and buying a piece of armour or swords more so since they didn't sell individual pieces, or if they did not to southern houses. He was admittedly impressed with their security. They had grown quite quickly over the last five years with his sources indicating that the population was over 20,000 in Stoneyport, not including their military which was even more difficult to assess. He looked at the banners checking to see if the new house was present and struggled to see it before concluding it wasn't there at all. 'Why would a house not be present?' he pondered. He felt a presence just then come up beside him. He glance to his left a saw Kevan standing loyally as always. "Yes?" he asked.

"The king has called a council meeting given that Lord Stark has now arrived" Kevan said softly.

"Indeed? And what is it we are to discuss? Another feast perhaps hmm?" Tywin remarked.

"I believe a battle strategy and to brief Lord Stark on current events" Kevan answered. He then spotted where Tywin was looking. "See anything of interest brother?"

"The northern rabble is here, they seem as untrained as before but they are ferocious in battle. They also appear to have better armour and weapons by the looks of it too when compared to nine years ago. It should prove interesting to watch them against the Ironborn."

"And that new house? Are they interesting to see?"

"They're not here, their banners aren't flying" Tywin said.

"But where are they then? You'd have thought a new house would want to show its loyalty and prove itself" Kevan said, aghast at the show of disloyalty. Tywin would have ended a house if they'd done that to him.

"Indeed, which makes me assume they may have been dispatched already. They are a naval house, I would presume that they are already engaging the Ironborn. It would solve the issue of how those wrecks were destroyed which we've found along our shores." Kevan hummed thoughtfully. "Well I better see what His Grace wants to talk about. Have our troops ready, I sense we will be moving out within a few days. The Ironborn will pay tenfold for Lannisport" Tywin finished coldly before walking away from the walls. Kevan just nodded before then glancing south to where he could see the blackened and burnt out ruin of a once proud port which had been destroyed over 4 weeks ago.

By the time Ned and his fellow Northerners had arrived at Lannisport the rest of the seven kingdoms' various armies had arrived. Or rather, everyone but the Dornish were there, but only the North and the Westerlands was there in large numbers. The Martells had stayed in Dorne, continuing their isolation ever since Robert took the throne, while others had only sent small but well equipped groups, the largest of those small groups being the Tyrells. Ned and his people were the last to arrive, a day behind all the others. He gave orders to Lords Rickard Karstark and Roose Bolton to set up camp while he spoke with the King and the other Wardens.

He had barely entered the King's tent before he heard shouting. "Ned! Where have you been? Seven hells its been too long. It took the fucking squids to bring you down to see me! You shouldn't stay up in the cold North so much Ned, you look too grim haha!" The boisterous voice of the king came to him as the man came over and gave Ned a big bear hug. It was then that Ned noticed that his friend had put on a bit of weight since the Rebellion ended, looking less the strapping young muscled warrior who beat the dragon prince and more an ordinary man starting to go out to pasture.

"It is good to see you as well Your Grace. And I have been guarding the North for you as always" Ned replied solemnly though with a small smile, happy to see his old friend once more despite the bad terms they had parted ways on in regards to the Targaryen children.

"Oh fuck 'your grace'. I am king and I say my best friend will call me Robert" he said dismissively.

"Yes your grace." Robert just looked at him and sighed before walking back over to a large table in the middle of the tent covered in maps and markers. Around the table were a number of men who had been watching the greeting with mixed interest. Tywin Lannnister just stood there and observed them coldly while Mace Tyrell just seemed to be staring at the map and blind to it all. Ser Barristan Selmy was dressed in his fine gold armour and white cloak looking grim but also clearly pleased to have someone of some good repute there while Ser Jaime Lannister stood by the wooden throne in his kingsguard armour and cloak.

"Come Ned, we've just had news that my brother Stannis has finally got his act together and engaged the Ironborn. Apparently they managed to get the Redwyne fleet to help and they smashed the squids. Took him long enough but he's driving them back to their islands. Taken almost three sennights, the incompetent idiot, but still about time we hit back" Robert said gruffly.

"It does take time to assemble and move a fleet around the coast to the Reach and Old Town Your Grace, it is understandable it would take longer for him to get into position" Ned said, defending the stern but dutiful younger brother of Robert. "Lord Lannister are there no ships left here we can use to ferry troops across?" asked Ned hopefully.

"There are some surviving ships Lord Stark but they are not in any condition to ferry anyone. The Ironborn were admittedly quite efficient in destroying much of the port and my fleet" Tywin replied calmly though there was a clear hint of seething anger in his voice that showed just how pissed he was at the Ironborn.

"I see, my condolences then. Unfortunately my own fleet is not in a position to aid us either just yet I'm afraid Your Grace."

"Lord Stark, surely you must mean to bring them here if you have ships? How else will my gallant knights of the Reach teach the pirates a lesson?" Lord Tyrell said pompously. Tywin and Barristan rolled their eyes at the slightly rotund man.

"Bah ignore the flower Ned, what is your fleet doing then? They better not be just sitting pretty up in the North" Robert growled out while Mace spluttered and deflated. Tywin just observed with a blank stone face though he did look intrigued by what the northern fleet might be doing.

"According to a raven that I received as I passed Riverrun, they had destroyed a fleet of about 100 ships as it tried to go North after hitting Seagard. They captured twenty of those vessels. Since then they have been conducting raids on the Iron Islands, they had just seized Lonely Light and were in the process of securing it before they sent the raven Your Grace. Much of the remaining Ironborn fleet is now in disarray thanks to the raids conducted by House Britanican. They said they would continue harassment operations until we were assembled and ready to leave. After that they would escort us to the islands we wish to invade" Ned reported. He had been quite surprised when he got the raven at Riverrun explaining all they'd done; happy, but surprised. He was proud his new banner-men were proving their worth at war as they had with trade and construction. The new roads had been a boon to internal trade and troop movement and they had aided Ned in getting south far quicker than on the old worn and broken roads.

"That is indeed good new your grace. It softens their defences and their ships for your brother to defeat and secures the seas for us. I am quite impressed your northerners can do such a thing now" Tywin said with a pleased smile.

"Indeed Lord Lannister, I too was quite surprised. I had merely thought that at best we would hold the line and prevent too much occurring north of the Neck. Instead I hear about raiding and invasions. My new bannermen are quite capable" Ned replied proudly.

"Well then, lets stop hanging around like a bunch of girls who are nattering on about rubbish and lets kill some squids. Ned, signal your fleet to have ships sent here to ferry us across. Lord Tywin, you can go with my brother to the other islands like Great Wyk. Me, Ned, his northerners and my Crownlands troops shall go via Ned's fleet. I've heard abut much of them, it will be good to see what's what with them in person."

A chorus of "yes your grace" was heard and the lords exited the tent to go issue their respective orders. Ned however was going to struggle considering he had no way to contact the fleet before he then remembered a small item that Ser Rodrik had handed him when he joined his forces at Winterfell. He hurried to his tent, placed at the centre of the Northerners camp, and searched his luggage chests for the rectangular object about the size of his hand. He picked it up and studied the black device. The object seemed to have a grated section covering about a third of the front with a button on the left side with a single long, thin, tube-like protrusion from the top. If he remembered the instructions Rodrik had given him, pressing the button and speaking should relay a message. He held the button down and spoke into the strange object feeling a bit foolish as he did. "This is Lord Stark, I wish to speak with Lord Warrington or one of his admirals" Ned said before releasing the button. That point had been told to him twice by Rodrik as otherwise no reply could be heard if he held the button down. A few seconds went passed before a squawk came from the grate and a voice was heard.

"Lord Stark, this is Warrington. I see you have realised how to use the radio we gave you, good. What can I do for you my lord." Ned sighed in relief knowing this object somehow worked. It truly confused him how he could speak to someone instantly that was so far away.

"I need your fleet to proceed to Lannisport. King Robert wishes to use your ships to ferry my troops and his across to the islands. The rest will come once Lord Stannis arrives with the royal fleet" Lord Stark explained.

"I see. I will relay your orders, it may take a day or so for them to arrive safely Lord Stark."

"What is the current state of the Ironborn?" Ned asked, hoping for more up to date reports.

"They are effectively trapped on their islands. Our raids have stopped them from going out to sea even though they still have numbers. They are too scared to engage our fleet. A number of their ports and ships have been destroyed or damaged rendering them useless. I am told that a small Ironborn fleet is returning north from the Reach and the Shield Islands after their defeat down by The Arbour, so we will either deal with them or leave them to Stannis."

"Very well, I will see your fleet in a few days then."

Two days later and a fleet of around 60 ships approached the port emblazoned with the sigil of House Britanican, most were galleys but there were a dozen or so longships too. Only earlier that day they had heard from Stannis that had destroyed the remnants of the Ironborn fleet that had gone south and was heading for Lannisport as well. While the Northern and the Crownlands armies boarded the ships Ned was looking out into the bay from the deck of the Silence, the flagship of House Britanican. Or at least its public one. The steel fleet was a secret that left no survivors if used. Ned didn't like keeping secrets like that though he understood the necessity. Thinking of secrets he pondered what was to come next, would he survive? Would he get to tell Jon his heritage? 'I'm sorry Lya, I protected him but have I gone too far?' he wondered, regretting not telling any others in case he died. Only Howland knew the truth other than he. 'Perhaps telling Warrington could work? Hishouseis loyal to House Stark and have no interest in the affairs of the south, much like other northerners, though they seem to play that silly southron game well. It would be safe to tell him since their loyalty is assured and they can defend themselves well, both militarily and economically.' Ned continued to ponder his problems as the day went on as he went to see how his men were before then going to meet Robert.

"Ah these are fine ships your banners have made Ned" Robert said loudly, a cup of wine in his hand.

"I am told they captured the Silence from Euron Greyjoy when he tried to raid the North a few years ago. They have since refitted it and upgraded some things" Ned replied to his friend.

"Haha, did they now?! Ha well done to them I say."

"Your Grace, my Lord. The fleet is ready to depart and we have spotted Lord Stannis approaching" said a stern looking man.

"Good, about time we killed some fucking squids. Just like old times Ned, you and me against the world haha!"

"Thank you...Admiral Cosmo I believe?" Ned said uncertainly.

"Aye that's me my lord" confirmed the man.

"And Gardner?"

"He is commanding the home fleet so to speak. It's a small fleet we left behind near our coastline in case any got past the main fleet."

"Good planning. And Warrington?"

"We do try sir" Cosmos said dryly. "He wanted to come but he's more an administrator than warrior though he can use a sword and bow well. We're training him some more on strategy before letting him loose" he added with a chuckle. Ned nodded at the answer, it was best to train and learn before doing in practise.

"Good then lets go kill some squids!" Robert ordered. Cosmo grimaced at the unprofessional behaviour and made to go issue commands.

A day later and they were under way as the fleet rounded the tip of the bay by Feastfires and went northwards towards the Iron Islands. Behind them, Ned could see the royal fleet mooring by the port as it began to take on the remaining troops and supplies. The fleet of House Britanican made its way slowly along the coastline and Ned noticed that most of the ships were not at full sail nor were the rowers rowing hard. He asked Cosmo about it.

"Good eye my lord. That is correct that we aren't at full sail and we're rowing slowly. We're giving the Royal Fleet a chance to catch up so we can attack as one and giving the Ironborn no chance to escape or organise."

"Do you not worry about the Ironborn attacking us as we sail?" Ned asked with concern.

"We still have a few ships patrolling the islands and raiding them. It will keep those pirates occupied and bottled up until we hit them all at once, hence the slow going" Cosmo explained and Ned nodded in agreement. It was a good plan to allow for Stannis' fleet to catch up and allow for them to attack the major isles at once. He left to go to his bunk, being at sea was making him queasy, or maybe it was the thought of going into battle once more.

On the third day of sailing they arrived at Pyke. Stannis had deployed the Lannister and others' armies on the various islands, before heading off to hunt down any remaining Ironborn ships and to begin blockading ports. Robert and himself meanwhile, went to Pyke. Ned watched as the galleys fired catapult after catapult along with their ballistas at Lordsport, providing covering fire for the troops rowing ashore. Walls were breeched and the Ironborn were scattered by the artillery fire. They could not approach the beaches either with the weapons fire upon allowing easier landings. The vanguard of Crownlands troops along with a few northerners, read Greatjon Umber and the Mormonts, had landed and were now engaging in skirmishes with the Ironborn along the beaches near the port. The Ironborn were not well equipped, mostly wearing boiled leathers and the occasional piece of mail and poor quality swords or axes, so this left them vulnerable compared the plate, mail and brigandines the attackers wore along with their stronger and sharper swords. The northerners formed a shield wall and slowly advanced up the beach, driving the Ironborn back and away from the landing sites before heading on towards the port. Soon Ned was being rowed ashore and he led his squad of ten Stark soldiers towards the port as Robert and Ser Jaime Lannister along with some Crownlands troops rowed ashore to another part of Lordsport, Ser Barristan had gone to lead some troops to Old Wyck.

Ned swung Ice in a wide arch, catching the stomachs of three men who had charged at him with their swords as he walked into the town cautiously, leaving them clutching their fronts and toppling over while bleeding out and shouting in pain. Another man tried to catch him with an axe while his back was turned but Ser Rodrik engaged him and soon had him on the back foot before stabbing him through the stomach with a quick follow up slash to the back as the reaver toppled over. The small group of Northerners made their way quickly through the port and saw the damage done by the naval bombardment. Many buildings by the waterfront had been levelled with a number of Ironborn longships, that had moored up and abandoned by their owners, sunk where they'd been tied up. They rounded the corner of what had possibly been a home or a shop when another squad of ten Ironborn came running at them from down the street, shouting and screaming, while waving their swords or axes about. Ned and his men made quick work of them again, raiders and reavers were no match for fully armoured and trained soldiers. Ned curled his mouth in disgust at the pointless slaughter. Why didn't they just surrender and end this? They were clearly out numbered massively.

It was not much later, a few hours at most, and the port had been taken so Ned watched a number of Galleys enter the harbour and moor up alongside the docks to unload their contents. Between 100 to 200 soldiers were aboard each galley, in addition to their marine complement, with more on the Silence and the longships. The carracks, he was told, were patrolling the bay and hunting down any Ironborn vessel. They were apparently quite deadly and left little behind with their weapons, whatever those new weapons were. With fresh troops deployed and the port secured Ned met up with Robert before they headed to Castle Pyke itself.

"Ned!" Robert bellowed as he approached his friend. Rob had some blood on him although he appeared uninjured as he carried his war-hammer and his two guards stood behind him with Ser Jaime nearby. "A glorious fight to get the blood pumping. Just need a drink and a woman and this would be like back in the days in the Vale haha!" Ned gave a small smile remembering the fond and simpler times.

"Those were different days your grace. Simpler times back then."
"Aye it was, just us and old Jon going about the Vale killing the mountain men and sharing a few drinks afterwards. Ah what would I give to be back there sometimes" Robert said with a fond, sad look. "Well we have some squids to deal with. Lets set up for the siege and end this stupidity once and for all." Ned nodded and departed to organise his men while Robert went off to do the same.

It was after two days of besieging the castle that they finally breached the walls of the first part of Castle Pyke. The bombardment from sea by the galleys of House Britanican had set a steady rhythm for their own land based catapults and trebuchets to emulate. Many cheered when the main watchtower shattered and then brought down parts of the surrounding wall, which left Ned wondering at the kind of damage that would be caused from the sea side if this was what they'd done from the land. A man staggered through the breech first holding aloft a flaming sword and then a number of Ned's own northern troops led by Jorah Mormont charged in behind him.

It was a blistering three hours of attacking after that as the Ironborn fought tenaciously for every tower, hallway and bridge. Ned ducked a swing from a Ironborn's sword and returned it with a thrust of Ice before spinning around and, with a few large swings, cut through and then slashed five other approaching pirates and reavers who had tried to assault him en mass. With most of the group falling to the floor moaning or crying out in pain, two were left standing and clutching their sides. They tried to fight but the Greatjon made an appearance from a side corridor and, with a few Umber soldiers, hacked them down while Ned's own squad were busy with nearby scuffles. "Haha! This a real fight, don't get this from those fucking wildlings, you alright there Ned?" the Greatjon shouted. Ned nodded slowly, tired from the fighting and breathing deeply but he knew they were close. This was the penultimate castle of the three leaving only the Great Keep left. The Bloody Keep had extracted its price, just as its name suggested.

"I am fine, just taking a breather before we take the last keep. Hopefully Balon will surrender and end this madness now he is surrounded" Ned replied tiredly though he touched his face and felt blood from a small cut that he'd need seeing to once they were done.

"Aye it would be good if he did Ned, but we both know these Ironborn. These fools will keep fighting until we have a sword to Balon's neck." Ned nodded slowly in agreement. They heard a large cheer then coming from deep in the Keep and they soon realised that it had been secured and had fallen to their army. The group of fifteen northerners made their way to the last bridges. It was there he met Robert and some of his own men along with Ser Jaime standing guard as usual.

"Last one left Ned. These squids will rue the day they rebelled when I'm done with them" Robert declared. The pair took the time to look out at the keep before them. It was a massive grey stone structure and built on top of the largest island of the ones which made up Castle Pyke. There was a single stone walkway linking the two keeps while a few rope bridges swung in the breeze leading off to the Sea Tower and the Kitchen Keep. As he observed the Great Keep he spotted damage from the bombardment that the galleys had placed this castle under. A number of holes in the walls could be seen here and there while one tower had a large chunk taken out it from where a boulder had been slung which even now was still lodged in place. Elsewhere a number of ballista bolts could be seen skewering a few soldiers while others had been lodged relatively harmlessly in the walls. Indeed it was a very beaten down keep that Ned saw before him, though one that was still relatively secure.

After a few minutes of rest Robert nodded and the first few troops warily made their way across the bridge. A number of arrows fell upon the group as they crossed, fired from the last few defenders left who stood on the battlements of the gatehouse. Ned nodded at a few of his northerners who had bows and they began to return fire. After a few tense minutes where Ned and Robert had to move back or behind a man who had a shield, the defenders were forced back inside and more allied forces began to surge across the bridge. Shortly after Ned and Robert did the same and they soon heard the clanging and shouting of fighting throughout the different levels of the keep when they entered it. The two men, escorted by Ser Jaime and Lord Mormont, went through the keep, fighting the odd group or occasional single man as they searched the building and made their way to the Great Hall and the Seastone Chair.

Facing the little resistance, in part due to other groups of their soldiers searching the castle and distracting the enemy guards, they made quick progress before coming to a pair of sealed ironwood doors. Ser Jaime and Lord Jorah tried shoving, hacking and hammering the doors with their swords and shoulders but it got them nowhere. With a cry of frustration, Robert grabbed his war-hammer and smashed it against the door with all his might causing it to splinter and break as the doors to swing open, much to the others' surprise. Robert then strode through the broken door furiously as he made towards the Seastone chair where upon Balon sat. A cry from the right alerted the King to a man charging him so he hefted his hammer again and smacked it into the chest of the attacking man. The Ironborn was thrown backwards to the floor with a "oof" and lay there dazed and bruised from the blow while he whimpered in pain. "Pity I didn't kill him" Robert spat before turning to glare at Balon Greyjoy who glared sullenly back. Ser Jaime and Lord Jorah seized an arm each and shoved him before the king, Jaime smirked at the man while Lord Jorah just looked as grim as his lord paramount.

"Balon Greyjoy. You broke your oaths and stand a traitor. Your fleet is gone, your men dead or dying. End this now and bend the knee or face death like all the rest of your people" Robert said gruffly.

"You may take my head, but you cannot name me traitor. No Greyjoy ever swore fealty to a Baratheon" Balon replied stubbornly before spitting at Robert's feet.

"Swear one now or lose that stubborn head of yours squid" the King growled.

"I have nothing left, take it if you dare then. Because of you, and your accursed ships, my last son is dead. I have nothing left. Go on then stag king, end this now" Balon spat out. The others looked on in surprise before the doors opened again and in came the Greatjon with Ser Rodrik Cassel, Jory Cassel, two other guards and a young girl of barely ten and two.

"Found this girl your grace, my lord, up in a higher portion of the Keep. In the next room along from hers we saw it was destroyed by a boulder, we spotted the dead body of a young boy inside but we could not get to him due to the damage" the Greatjon said.

"Father?" the girl said weakly, tears running from her eyes.

"Stay strong Asha" Balon said sternly. "Do not be weak in front of our enemies." She sniffled but nodded.

"Can we get on with this?" Robert cried in exasperation. "Bend the knee Greyjoy or loose your head." Balon looked at his daughter before slowing bowing his head to Robert, it was the only way to save his final child.

"I surrender and swear loyalty to you, King Robert of House Baratheon of Kings Landing" Balon said bitterly.

"Then I, Robert, King of the Seven Kingdoms, titles, titles, titles, accept your surrender and in order to keep the peace and maintain order bestow upon you the title of Lord of the Iron Islands. Remember your oaths Greyjoy and keep your people in line, or we will return and you won't live to see another day" Robert threatened before softening slightly. "You do have our condolences for the loss of your youngest, he was a bystander but you brought this all upon you when you rose up. So let it be lesson and be glad I did not do to you what I did to the Targaryens" he said threateningly. "That being said, Ned."

"Yes Your Grace?" Ned answered, puzzled at why he'd be called now.

"Take the girl with you to Winterfell as your hostage. If you wish to see her again Greyjoy, or have her remain alive, you will stay in line or she and then you will end. You hear me?" Balon looked furious but bent under the equally harsh glare from Robert while Ned gave Asha pitying looks. With that done Robert marched out of the room. Ned walked to the door before turning to the young girl, "I am sorry for the loss of your brother. Children should not be harmed in war but alas they inevitably get caught up in it. Now pack your things and come with me young Asha." He smiled kindly at the girl before too exiting the room. The two Cassells led the girl back to her room to gather any items she wished before escorting her out of the keep and back down to the port, all the while she sniffled or came close to outright crying.

In the port Ned met with a healer, or medic as House Britanican called them, to see to the cut on his face. He was brought into a large tent with various implements dotted about on various tables and he sat on a chair while the healer did his thing. The medic went back and forth between him and the tables a few times and during this he did not notice a small vial of blood and a name tag getting placed in a small wooden box. "Ah Ned there you are, got that wound seen to?" Robert said as he entered the tent.

"Aye, it was just a small cut, it should not leave a mark when healed" Ned replied modestly. "Did you gain any yourself?"

"Ha one or two. Healer come take a look at mine when you're done with my friend."

"Yes your grace" the man replied while now cleaning up the cut on Ned's face above his left eye.

"How'd you get yours?"

"Just didn't move quick enough and an Ironborn clipped my head, didn't feel it at the time. And you?"

"Ha, you need to train more Ned, you're getting old haha! Mine was from a mad one, he was waving his axe all over the place in the corridor I'd gone down. Bashed him in real good once we got to exchanging blows but he still caught my arm." He let out a dark chuckle. "Now I want you to keep that girl safe Ned, she's insurance against the Greyjoys and as his heir if we can marry her off to a loyal vassal we'll ensure these squid's future loyalty. Maybe your boy would do eh Ned?" Robert said with a laugh.

"Marriage?!" Ned said in surprise. "You sure? Would the Ironborn even accept it? And I'd rather wait till he was older for any of that Robert, plus I had intended a northern match in all honesty, though I've not thought on it too much given he is only eight" Ned replied. The king just waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright Ned but keep it in mind since she'll be with you and this could be useful for the realm. We could always use your other lad, what's his name, your bastard, Jon wasn't it? That would both punish the Ironborn and bring them into line with him as her husband, I'd have to legitimise him first though. But fine we'll wait and see if you want to do that." Ned had panicked slightly, which was picked up by the medic as he went about his business, but he soon calmed down when Robert decided to wait to see who would be a better match. As the two friends talked the healer tidied up the king's wounds while also accidentally opening one a bit as he cleaned it which caused it to bleed slightly. Robert shouted at the man who apologised repeatedly and soon had it cleaned and stitched as well. During it all, and as the two friends talked, no one noticed that another vial and tag was added to the small wooden box.