Wolf of Numenor

by keller.blair1

Jon snow the bastard of Eddard Stark has spent the last six years in Highgarden finding true friends among the reach lords and ensnared the heart of the golden rose. His Journey shall take him to lands far from the shores of Westeros and here he shall find true kinship among the faithful. Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien sinomë maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.

53. Battle of Winterfell

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After witnessing the last petty moments of Baelish's life, Catelyn and her brother Edmure and her uncle Brynden were accompanied by a dozen or so members of the Brotherhood as they set out to the Eyrie.

When her brother Edmure discovered that the Kingslayer was her prisoner, he howled with laughter, clearly amused by the fortunes of Tywin's son, and so either out of dullness or resentment, Edmure was content to mock the lamed lion as he called him at every opportunity.

Jamie Lannister was her enemy of that there was no doubt, that man had thrown her son Bran from the broken tower to hide his affair with Cersei and even wounded her dear Ned though the man had some honour as he had sworn to bring her daughters back alas he had failed for no fault of his own.

Arya has been missing since Ned's failed attempt to remove Cersei from the throne, and no one has heard from Sansa since the death of King Joffrey. Yet Jaime Lannister tried to fulfil his oath by arming Brienne as best he could. When they captured her, Brienne possessed two bags full of coin, a mail hauberk, a shield, and a letter signed by King Tommen saying that she is on a royal mission... And finally, the Valyrian steel sword known as Oathkeeper.

Catelyn's eyes strayed to the sword that Brienne carried with her.

It has grey-black and red ripples through the steel, with the red almost as dark as the grey. Its scabbard glitters gold and is decorated with a row of Lion's heads and smouldering red rubies. The pommel has a golden lion's head with ruby eyes that shine like two red stars... When Catelyn saw it, she wept; that sword had belonged to her Ned and before him to the ancient Kings of Winter and the Lord of Winterfell long after them reduced to a pretty bauble of those wretched Lions.

Jaime Lannister noted that it is appropriate to protect the daughters of Eddard Stark with his own steel, and Catelyn did not refute that ... Brienne insisted that this man had changed, and although she would never acknowledge it, Catelyn was beginning to accept that this was true. Jaime Lannister was no longer the rash, headstrong Knight that he once was.

"None are as innocent as they once were; it seems war makes monsters of us all in some way or another", Catelyn thought with regret before eyeing her brother, mocking Jaime again.

Edmure's enmity was rather vexing, of course, but he had good reason as the lamed Lion had threatened to deliver his heir with a catapult a rather cruel threat as House Tully had lost much in war already, a war that begun in part because of her foolish trust in Baelish, though the Lion could boast that no servant of House Tully lost their lives at the end of the siege.

She would speak to Edmure once they reached the Eyrie.

After several days of travelling at night on the river road, they saw the great mountains of the Vale rise before them snow-capped and aged.

"When last I trod this road, I brought one of Tywin Lannister's sons as my captive, and now I'm bringing the other ... Catelyn thought dryly.

"You have to rest."

Her uncle's voice brought her out of her thoughts.

"Uncle?" Catelyn asked.

"We have come very far, Cat... We are almost there, but we are wearied, and we are about to enter the realms of the Mountain Clans if they attack us now... We shall not reach the Gates of the moon; we need to rest," Said her uncle Brynden looking up at the sky with a thoughtful expression.

She did not answer and nodded as she did not wish more bloodshed than necessary.

"I do not want to cause more deaths by my recklessness," Catelyn thought with some sadness.

Thank the gods there was no incident on the "High Road", and they were able to walk the steep path without difficulty until they could see the battlements and the long parapets built in the rock of those mountains.

When they reached the gate, a group of knights in grey armour came out in front of them, the Knight of the Gate came to meet them.

A stocky youth of twenty namedays, he had a wide nose and a shock of thick brown hair. He was clad in grey heavy plate armour and helm.

Ser Donnel Waynwood, the new Knight of the Gate.

"Who would pass the Bloody Gate?" Proclaimed Ser Donnel.

At that moment, her uncle Brynden came forward, taking off his hood.

"I, Ser Brynden Tully with his nephew Lord Edmure Tully Lord of Riverrun and his companions who seek refuge in the Eyrie," said Brynden in a solemn voice.

Upon seeing the former Knight of the Gate, the group of knights received their former leader eagerly.

"It is an honour Lord Edmure, Ser Brynden ... We never thought we would see the Lord of Riverrun again, especially after the Red Wedding," Said Ser Donnel Waynwood, approaching them.

Catelyn only hid her face more as she restrained a groan of pain when she remembered that terrible day that was where her son Robb died betrayed and weeping.

"Need beyond hope draws me back to the Vale so my family may find shelter from the Lannisters ... I congratulate you, Donnel and don't despair, I have no wish to reclaim my title ... I bring a prize to my niece, and with luck, we can lock him in the Sky Cells "Said Brynden who gestured to the men to remove Jaimes hood.

Realising the identity of their captive, the knights held their breath.

"The Kingslayer…" Said the Knight of the Door in surprise.

"Yes, apparently Ser Brynden enjoys my company so much that he kindly asked me to accompany him to see his niece Lysa; after all, there was a time when we both were ... Well, close even if it was only for some weeks ..." The Young Lion said arrogantly, but the fear in his eyes was apparent to all.

"Lady Lysa has not allowed the war to enter the Vale; we cannot go against her wishes ... But neither can we ignore his years of service and leave him without help just like that ... Let them pass," Ser Donnel ordered his companions.

"You have my gratitude Ser," Brynden said with a bow.

"Although word of warning Lady Lysa's new husband isn't overly fond of visitors even if they are relations," Said the young Knight and Cat immediately remembered Petyr's agonising death with satisfaction.

"I can deal with the ire of my niece Ser ... Although I would welcome it if you could lend us some men to escort Ser Jaime to Eyrie", Her uncle replied with a malicious smile, surely remembering Petyr's death.

"Very good .." Ser Donnel said and summoned three Knights to accompany them on their journey.

"As for the road, I already know it ... Does Mya Stone still have her mules?" Brynden.

"That's right, Ser ... She must be about to start her journey, so I suggest you hurry to get there before dark", Ser Donnel said, stepping aside to allow the passage.

"Is Lord Nestor at the Gates of the Moon?" Brynden asked.

"No, my Lord... Since Lady Lysa's husband left for Riverrun, I am afraid Lord Nestor went up to Eyrie to aid Lord Robert and his mother with the affairs of the Vale ... Myranda Royce keeps the Gates of the Moon for her father. I am sure she will provide aid and supplies should you lack it," Ser Donnel said.

Brynden nodded and gestured for them to follow.

"This is going to be a long march ..." Edmure complained ... and no one could oppose him as the stony terrain of the Vale of Arryn was treacherous for any but the stoutest knights.

In fact, they all travelled the difficult stony path to the Gates of the Moon, and unfortunately, they could not arrive in time before nightfall, so they had to spend the night there. The Gates of the Moon was the first seat of House Arryn in the Vale. After the Battle of the Seven Stars, Artys Arryn, the first King of Mountain and Vale, began construction of the large castle where his host had encamped below the Giant's Lance the night before his victory. The two eldest sons of Artys who followed him on the throne expanded the castle.

It was now in possession of the High Steward of the Vale Nestor Royce if the rumours they heard were true; presumably, Petyr had persuaded Lysa to give it to Royce for his long years of service, and while Nestor was a worthy man, no scheme of Baelish was without ulterior motive... Although now it does not matter, that night, the torches flickered on the castle walls and the moon reflected on its Moat, writhing the castle in a silvery light.

Beyond the upper bailey's postern gate in a dense forest of pine and spruce, as well as the steep, carved steps along the Giant's Lance., they were greeted by Lord Nestor Royce's daughter, Myranda and a dozen men-at-arms who quickly subdued the Kingslayer.

Lord Nestor's daughter Myranda is short and fleshy and buxom. She has a small mouth, brown eyes, and brown curly hair. Edmure couldn't take his eyes off her, and as soon as he introduced himself, he began to make bawdy jokes, no doubt hoping to seduce her. This flustered Catelyn greatly as they were there to seek shelter and aid and couldn't risk the ire of House Royce, and so Cat eagerly reminded her boorish brother that he was Wed ... Although he didn't seem to listen to her.

While her brother made an ass of himself, Catelyn took stock of Lord Nestor's daughter; she appeared clever, playful, and given to gossip.

"Like Sansa when she was a child," Catelyn thought, holding back tears as she remembered her eldest daughter, who seems to have drowned in the sea; it may not be wise to believe Petyr's parting words ... But Catelyn had little hope her husband was dead as well as her three sons, and no doubt her daughters had perished in some horrid way.

For the first time in her life, Catelyn was alone, and it filled her with a fierce melancholy that threatened to consume her just as the waters of the Red Fork would one day.

As the sun rose and everyone set off to ascend Eyrie except the Brotherhood, who were bound by no oath to go farther than they deemed they should, and so Catelyn said a grateful goodbye to them and asked them to thank Thoros of Myr for all that he had done for her and her family.

As soon as those men left Mya Stone and her mules arrived, the appearance of King Robert's first-born Bastard hadn't changed a great deal.

She was a tall, strapping young woman with coal-black hair cut short and deep blue eyes. She was dressed in a masculine manner clad head to toe in fine leathers she no doubt fashioned herself, and she carried a bow and small dirk.

Seeing her after two years, Catelyn couldn't help but think of her husband's bastard son, Jon Snow.

She hadn't thought of the Bastard in many years the stain upon her husband's honour.

Jon Snow was the only point of friction between them during their entire marriage, the only thing that she could not forgive her husband since although many men had bastards, something that Catelyn had known all her life. So she was not surprised to discover that, in the first year of their marriage, Ned had had a child with a girl he met while in battle. Ned fought in the South while she remained safe in Riverrun. She thought more of Robb, her first-born son, the baby who suckled at her breast, than of that husband she barely knew.

The Starks were unlike the other men she had known. Ned took the Bastard home with him, declaring him his son before the Northern Lords. So when the war finally ended, and Catelyn moved to Winterfell with Robb, Jon and his nurse were already settled.

This hurt Catelyn greatly; despite their short time together, she had come to love him as she did Brandon, and still, he returned with a bastard, but Ned did not speak of the child's mother; he did not say a word about her, But there were no secrets in the castle, and Catelyn heard the maids tell the stories told to them by her husband's soldiers. They spoke in whispers of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of Morning, the deadliest of the seven knights of the Mad King's Royal Guard, and how the young Lord of Winterfell had killed him in single combat. And they recounted how Ned then brought Ser Arthur's sword to his beautiful young sister, who awaited him in Starfall. Lady Ashara Dayne, tall, divinely endowed, tanned skin with black hair like ebony and with haunting violet eyes. It had taken Catelyn fifteen days to gather sufficient courage, but finally, one night in bed, she asked her husband the truth of the rumours.

It was the only time in all their years of marriage that Ned had frightened her.

.. Don't ever ask me about Jon again; he's the blood of my blood, and you shall not ask more. And now, I want you to tell me where you heard that name, my Lady ... Ned said in a voice as bitter as the frigid lands he ruled.

She had sworn obedience to him. And from that day on, the rumours had ceased, and Ashara Dayne's name was not spoken again within the walls of Winterfell, but Catelyn could not feel rejection towards the boy.

However, that always caused confusion and doubts to Catelyn; if Ashara Dayne was not the mother of the Bastard... Who was? The boy does not have the grey eyes of the Starks, but rather ... A deep blue, one so deep that in the light of the torches, they almost seemed Violet.

In Westeros, violet eyes were uncommon save for those of Valyrian blood; by then, she already knew Ned well enough to know that he would never sleep with a prostitute, so a woman from Lys was discarded like the Targaryens.

So if it wasn't Ashara Dayne… who was it?

.

Whoever Jon Snow's mother was, Ned must have loved her madly because nothing Catelyn said could convince him to throw the boy out. Cat had come to love Ned with all her heart so much that it ached. For Ned, she would have endured a dozen bastards, as long as she didn't have to see them. But Jon was a constant presence, and as he grew older, he became more akin to Ned than any of his trueborn children.

That made the situation even worse, which only worsened over the years since as their son Robb and the Bastard grew up to Catelyn's annoyance, they both became brothers, friends and rivals, coming to compete amicably with each other, and the Bastard soon demonstrated an unusual talent for battle and sums, it appeared that ... He had a gift for everything, including song. Catelyn soon discovered that Jon was a skilled singer, and when Ned found out, she thought he would name him as Bard of Winterfell, but instead, Ned grew nervous and forbade Jon Snow to sing in front; of servants or guests ... That seemed strange to Catelyn, but she cared little if the bastard was content.

If Catelyn herself was honest with her feelings, she knew that her contempt for the child was misplaced; he did not ask to be born in this world, a world in which he would have no right to anything, a part of Catelyn would never cease being terrified, terrified that someday Jon would be displeased with his place in the world and like many other bastards decide to take by force what does not belong to him.

The Blackfyre rebellions were a perfect example of what happens when a bastard reached above his station and dreamt of more, but no matter how much Catelyn wished it, Robb didn't share her sentiments and treated Jon as his brother, so she decided to punish Jon for any trifling matter in the hope of taking him away from Robb either because he beat him in the tiltyard or in the Maesters lessons ... But it fulfilled nothing, the Bastard cried, and Robb consoled him; Catelyn felt a great deal of guilt, but it never lasted.

When it came to the Bastard, Catelyn felt her heart turn to stone ... Or maybe it burned like fire and changed like the sea; Catelyn despised Jon Snow, out of jealousy, fear or frustration she could not say, but she had loathed him for a crime not his own.

Then, one day Ned decided to send him with the Tyrells in the South; this was a great shock; the Tyrells were one of the oldest and most knightly houses in the realm; in her wildest dreams, Catelyn had never thought the Olenna Tyrell would suffer a bastard in Highgarden, but she was mistaken; Mace Tyrell was apparently overjoyed at the prospect.

That was not the solution that Catelyn hoped for; however, it was a solution; although she would have preferred him to join the Night's Watch, Ned's younger brother, Benjen Stark, was First Ranger, an honourable position among the brothers. Had he joined that brotherhood, Jon Snow would have been like a son to him, the son he would never have.

And the boy would have taken the oath when his turn came. That way, he wouldn't have descendants that Winterfell could dispute with Catelyn's grandchildren ... But Ned thought of something else.

He was crying a great deal the day he left his little face swollen and red, just like Robb, Sansa and Arya ... Catelyn never knew when it happened. Still, she began to smile at the Seeing him walk away, and the boy met her gaze; seeing his little face full of pain from being separated from his sisters and brothers made her feel like a monster; she nearly stopped Ned and allowed the bastard to stay, but she hadn't the courage to do it.

She tried to keep her children from sending him letters though Sansa was the only one who heeded her words; Robb and Arya challenged her since they were unwilling to forget Jon.

After many years, Catelyn saw the bastard again as a Renly Baratheon Rainbow; at that moment, Catelyn froze.

It was like seeing her beloved Ned in his youth; the boy had the long face of the Starks, with dark black hair. He was thoroughly Northern save for his deep violet eyes that glittered like the breaking dawn.

Jon was far more akin to Ned than Robb, who clearly had Tully blood with a chubby complexion, blue eyes and thick reddish-brown hair.

Seeing Jon Snow after several years, she could feel all that mistrust and resentment return, being reunited with Jon so soon after Ned's death had been horrid, and when Cat found out Jon had saved Lady, she was more wroth, she wanted to take away everything that could mark him as a Stark even knowing that it was fruitless. And although they had briefly spoken, nothing had changed. Jon Snow was someone she could never love or trust even if he was undeserving of her scorn and ire.

After the death of Renly Baratheon, she fled with Brienne of Tarth, and after returning to Riverrun, her son Robb questioned her about Jon and why she had not brought him with her.

But she dismissed it, telling her son that it had not occurred to her and that he had to flee for his life.

However, that proved to be a foolish mistake or a punishment from the gods for her indifference and cruelty towards the boy ... Surprisingly, Loras Tyrell and Robar Royce had joined Jon Snow on his journey showing an exceptional brotherhood in the case of young Tyrell, who defied his families alliance with the Lions.

If Jon Snow had been with them ... They could have used Loras Tyrell to pressure his family to ally with their cause and not the Lannisters, and in the case of Robar Royce, perhaps pressure his Father to send support.

In those moments, Catelyn berated herself, her resentment and distrust of the Bastard clouding her judgment ... Something that cost her son and her dearly.

The last known of those three was that they travelled to Dorne, and after kidnapping Princess Arianne Martell and escaping the wrath of Prince Doran, the three knights travelled to the Free City of Braavos, where they saved Daenerys Targaryen from wedding a Dothraki Khal, and after that, they disappeared, and no one had heard from them since.

Some assumed they sailed to Asshai, others to Valyria, even Ulthos ... But no one really expected to see them ever again.

Something that she does not regret in spite of everything... It is better than Jon Snow finds his luck and destiny elsewhere.

How much luck or glory can a bastard who fled and had fallen from grace like him aspire to?

Her musing was ended when the chill of the mountain whispered through her cloak, causing her to look to Mya, who seemed rather comfortable in the harsh climes.

When Mya saw her uncle Brynden and bowed in reverence.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Ser Brynden," The young Bastard said respectfully.

"Well met, Mya… Can you take us to my niece?" Her uncle Brynden asked, and Mya Stone nodded.

"Right away, we're lucky; it's a good day to go up; my mules are ready," Said the young woman.

"Shall we go on mules?" Edmure and Jamie Lannister asked concurrently, and they looked at each other with contempt, much to the amusement of onlookers.

"My mules are very lively" was the answer of the young woman with a shrug.

They all followed the Bastard around the castle. They had six mules waiting in the upper courtyard; they were already saddled.

Mya helped them mount the mules while a guard opened a narrow postern. On the other side was a thick forest of pines and firs, and beyond the mountain, like a black wall, but there were the ascending steps carved into the rock.

"There are people who prefer to close their eyes ... If they are scared or dizzy, they hold on to the mules too tightly, and they don't like it; they might throw them off," Mya said while leading the mules through the door and towards the green forest that was illuminated by the morning sun.

"I'm a Tully, and I married a Stark ... I'm not easily frightened, Mya Stone," Catelyn thought wistfully as she remembered her last visit to Eyrie.

"A Lion on a mule? ... My Father must be wallowing in one of the seven Hells," The Kingslayer said with a mixture of amused annoyance, although the idea of Tywin Lannister suffering in some hell brought a smile to Cats face.

The ascent to Eyrie was easier than Catelyn remembered, although that may be because it was daylight now. The trees grew close together, they closed over the road creating a canopy of foliage that sunk, so it was as if they were moving through an endless glowing tunnel. But the mules were fearless and steadfast, and Mya Stone seemed to have a miraculous knowledge of the whole terrain as nothing surprised her. They climbed the mountainside, following the nooks and crannies of the trail, so covered with fallen needles from the pines that the mules' hooves barely made a sound against the rock. The silence was reassuring save for the faint sound of nightingales, and the gentle swaying of the mount rocked Catelyn in the saddle, but this time she did not fall asleep.

In no time, they all found themselves in front of a vast stone gate.

"We are here, my Lords", Mya announced happily as she dismounted ... And Cat saw that everything was still the same in Eyrie, proof that the war had not reached there ... Yet.

The formidable stone walls were crowned by iron spikes, and the small fortress had two turrets at the top. Mya screamed for passage, and the gate swung open.

They were greeted by a small man with a stocky build and a square jaw. He has a squashed nose and a mat of woolly grey hair. He greeted Mya and offered the travellers skewers of meat and roasted onions, fresh from the embers. His voice was hoarse; apparently, he did not use it very often. He introduced himself as Ser Lothor Brunne, the Captain of the Guard of House Arryn, and offered to guide them the rest of the way.

Something that everyone accepted without question.

Since her resurrection, she barely ate or slept ... Although as the weeks went by, she began to feel less like a corpse and more akin to the woman she had once been and started to crave food and rest more and more. Catelyn hoped that meant that she would be the same as before, although she knew that was impossible.

"It's time to see my sister ... And this time, you will have to help us," Cat thought with some anger.

The last leg of the journey was rather grim as the three Tully's contemplated what they would say Lysa would help them willingly, or they would have to force her; she must remember that she is first and foremost a Tully from Riverrun.

As soon as they arrived, the Kingslayer was chained up by the surprised guards, and they were immediately escorted from the crane room by a spiral staircase. The Eagles Nest was a small castle for what was customary in large houses: seven slender white towers, close together like arrows in a quiver that hung from the shoulder of the great mountain. There was no need for stables, smithies, or kennels, but according to Ned, the barns were as big as Winterfell's, and its towers could hold up to five hundred men. Unlike the last time she was there, Catelyn had the feeling that the castle had a great bustle and that the white stone halls echoed with a great whisper.

Lysa and her son were seated upon the weirwood throne, and the moon door was open apparently, an execution has just taken place; the young Robert Arryn was playing with a doll while on his left was Lord Nestor Royce, attentive as always while his mother Lysa was speaking to a Lord.

One that most instantly recognised as Lord Yohn Royce Yohn's face is lined, and he has grey hair, slate-grey eyes, and bushy eyebrows. He is as tall as Sandor Clegane and has large, gnarled hands.

Bronze Yohn was a proud and formidable man with a booming voice, but the noble Lord can also be solemn and quiet. ... Now he looked ever bit fifty-seven name days.

Next to Yohn was a lovely young Lady; she was tall, slender and graceful in appearance as well as being well endowed; she had snow-white skin with long black hair with light brown tints kept in the form of a braid while wearing a delicate dress of brown silk and sown with many runes of gold thread.

She remained quiet and seemingly indifferent to everything around her while Lord Royce spoke with Lysa, but everyone knew she was merely scrutinising the court with a cunning that none could expect from a Royce.

Finally, whatever Lord Royce had requested was granted by Lysa, and after bowing, Yohn and his daughter began to leave the room, and when they did, they were surprised to see the former Knight of the gate, followed by his nephew Lord Edmure, a hooded figure, a huge ugly woman and a small boy.

As if that were not enough behind them, Jamie Lannister himself, chained with a haughty expression, though one could see slight fear in his cat green eyes.

"Ser Brynden?" Lord Royce said in a powerful voice, and instantly the Court of Eyrie as well as Lysa stared at the newly arrived guest.

"Lord Royce," Said the Blackfish, bowing.

"It is a joy to see you again, Ser ... Although not in such company, Lord Edmure .." Said the man bowing before the Lord of Riverrun, who only nodded.

"Lord Royce… This lovely Lady is your daughter?" Edmure asked in a friendly and amorous tone before kissing the hand of the maid.

But although she was courteous, Catelyn noticed that her gaze was cold despite her smile and sweet words.

Clearly, she wouldn't be seduced like Myranda Royce.

"Yes, Ser, my daughter Ysilla," He said proudly of his youngest daughter.

"It's a pleasure to see everyone," Said the young Lady bowing.

"Uncle?"

The voice of a surprised Lysa was heard throughout the hall, leaving Vale's nobles in awe of the visitors.

"Niece…" Brynden said, bowing.

At that moment, the Lords of the Vale were aware of their visitors, and little Robin jumped up when he saw his "uncle" Brynden again.

"Uncle Brynden!" Robert screamed excitedly.

"Lord Robert…" Said the Blackfish, bowing.

Lysa's gaze hardened as she saw the Kingslayer quickly rose from her throne.

"What is the meaning of this Uncle?! ... What is the Kingslayer doing in my son's Court ?!" She asked furiously, looking at Jamie Lannister, who only observed her with his characteristic conceited smile and snorted with derision despite being chained; however, Brienne and her young squire did recoil before Lysa's anger.

"He's our prisoner, sister", Edmure said, taking a step forward.

"Edmure?" Lysa asked in surprise.

"Are you surprised to see me? ... I imagine so, you hid here while you let them take everything from us ... Our home, our titles ..."

Edmure's voice was full of resentment, a very justified resentment ... But they could little afford to anger Lysa before asking for aid.

"Edmure ..." His uncle Brynden said in a warning tone; however, he also looked at Lysa with bitterness and disappointment.

"OUT ALL OF YOU! .." Lysa said, losing her temper in front of her Court.

"My Lady ..." Nestor Royce said, frightened by Lysa's outburst.

"Lord Nestor, take my son to his room ... And lock the Lannister in a Sky Cell."

"It seems to me that that is rather discourteous, my Lady considering that I have not made any affront against you or the Vale," Jamie said in annoyance.

"Your brother escaped from justice using a cunning trap; I will not give you the same opportunity ... Take him away!" Lysa ordered Lord Nestor and his guards, who were nervous about their Lady's outburst.

"But my Lady, the Moon Door..." Lord Nestor tried to speak when he realised that the Gates were still open.

NOW LORD NESTOR!" Lysa yelled again.

"Mommy?" Little Robert asked, scared, this being the only one who could make his mother smile; Lysa is fiercely protective of her dear Robert, and even then, it was rather queer how close she kept him.

"As ordered my Lady ..." Lord Nestor said resigned, making a sign for the Young Lion to be taken away it was a rather queer gathering now as before them had stood the Lord of Riverrun, their former Knight of the gate and the Kingslayer it seemed like a tavern tale or some tale from the age of heroes.

At that moment, Lysa dropped into the Vales thrones, and all could see how far the daughter of the Bloody Trout had fallen. Her face was a mixture of fear, anger, nervousness, guilt and anguish as she stared at her brother and uncle.

"What do you want from me?" Lysa said, pretending to be calm, but one could see that she was gripping the throne with such force that her knuckles were nearly white.

"Help... Lysa... We need your aid, sister... Our home ... The home where we were raised has been taken by that legion of fucking inbred weasels; we need soldiers to recover Riverrun... Please, Lysa," Edmure said, his face one of utter grief.

For a few moments, an expression of surprise, pain and guilt crossed Lysa's face but instantly, her expression hardened.

"I'm sorry to hear that ... But the Vale cannot afford to lose a single sword... If they attack us .."

"Who will attack you, Lysa? .. The war has cost thousands of lives, the seven Kingdoms are wounded and divided as never since the arrival of Aegon" The Conqueror ", Riverlands are devastated, the North is in chaos due to the Ironborn raids, Stannis Baratheon lost most of his men in his attack on the Capital, the Lions although they boast of having triumphed and defeated their enemies lick their wounds, especially after the death of the" Old Lion ", the Roses in Highgarden wouldn't dare march north, soon their troops will want to return home, and the Dornish have not taken part in the conflict ... So tell me ... Who Will attack the Vale? " Brynden asked angrily.

"Silence, uncle My husband has told me about the situation in the rest of Westeros, and I will heed his counsel ... You probably don't know, but he is ..." Lysa said, eager to reveal her marriage to her beloved Petyr without noticing the look of disgust from her family.

"We know your husband is, sister ..." Edmure said in disgust.

"Then you will know how smart he is ... Petyr and I ... We have waited too long to be together ... We have ... We have done things ... But it is for the good of our relationship and my son ... Lysa said with a delirious expression as Catelyn, and the others looked at her with pity as they realised how much her mind had deteriorated and that Petyr Baelish had been deceiving her.

But Catelyn had had enough and stepped forward.

"Enough, Lysa!" Catelyn yelled, furious with her sister, who quickly rose from the eagle's throne.

"Who are you? .. How dare you speak to me peasant I will make you… "But before the Mistress of Eyrie continued speaking, Catelyn left her face uncovered, revealing her corpse appearance to Lysa, who was only shocked to see the sister she believed dead again in front of her.

"Lysa ..." Catelyn said, approaching her sister, but she recoiled in terror.

"Cat? ... But ... They told me you were dead, killed by the Freys ..." Lysa said with tears in her eyes.

"They did kill me, Lysa, along with my son and our men... But I have returned, I have returned through powers that I did not believe were real, sister .." Catelyn said with a determined step, willing to force Lysa to give in.

But her sister seemed to be falling more and more, starting to cry.

"This is a cruel jest ... You are a shadow!" Lysa said, crying as she brought her hands to her head.

"It's true, Lysa.. your sister has come back to us," said her uncle Brynden, taking a step forward.

"No, I'm not a shadow sister ..." Catelyn said, getting closer to her sister, but she was immediately rejected.

"No, if you are ... The gods sent you to punish me for all the things I did," Lysa said, breaking into tears.

"The things you did? .. What do you mean, Lysa?" Edmure asked suddenly.

"No, no, no! Catelyn is dead. The gods are punishing me by showing me this shadow ... It was for going against my Father giving my maidenhood to my Petyr and not going to see him when he died .." Lysa said, crying.

"Lysa, it's alright", Catelyn said, trying to calm her sister.

"I killed my husband ... I killed Jon," Lysa said, crying, looking at everyone in the room, shocked.

"What are you saying, Lysa?" Uncle Brynden said, standing up suddenly.

"Uncle .." Catelyn said, trying to calm him, but her uncle didn't hear her.

"What are you saying!?" The Blackfish shouted frantically, but Lysa hit him in the groin, causing him to gasp and let go of her at that moment; she ran towards the Moon Door and looked at them all with misery and loathing.

"It was Petyr… Jon wished to part me from my sweet Robin; he wanted to send him to Dragonstone to be fostered by Stannis Baratheon! I had waited so long to have a child, and my husband wanted to get away from him... So Petyr told me that I should not allow it, as Robert's mother I should do whatever it takes for Robert to stay by my side, and he gave me a bottle of tears of Lys he told me, that if I put them in Jon's wine he would fall ill and I would have Robert" Lysa sobbed.

"By the gods ..." Catelyn said, putting a hand to her mouth.

"And then following his instructions I wrote Catelyn a letter, I told her that the Lannisters had killed my lord husband, Petyr told me to do it so that the suspicions fell on Queen Cersei and her family so that no one would suspect us and no one will take me away from my son... Petyr loves us so much that I even think about that ... Then he told me not to send Robb aid even though I considered it. So that the knights of Vale would protect us from the Lions… "She said, starting to cry.

Catelyn could not believe what she was hearing; her sister, her own sister, had been the murderer of Jon Arryn, her own husband played like a lyre by that Snake, everything Catelyn and Ned did was because of that letter... Because of that lie Told by her own sister, she lost everything, her husband and children, the two homes she had had, turned the wolves and lions into enemies, started a war that devastated the country and left countless dead.

Everyone she had ever loved was dead from her sister's obsession with that vermin ... And the worst part was that Lysa stupidly believed that Petyr really loved her.

At that moment, Ned Stark's wife remembered something Tyrion Lannister had told her on their way to the Vale of Arryn.

"You are a stupid woman, Lady Stark. Littlefinger has never loved anyone other than Littlefinger ... Said the Imp back then, and she dismissed it as a lie to save himself.

"Yes, it is true I am foolish, I tend to get carried away by first impressions, and I tend to presume to know the people around me ... But that only shows my arrogance; I really do not know the people who are around my side, not the one I consider as my brother and even my own sister whom I can no longer love, Tyrion Lannister, spoke truly." Catelyn thought with tears in her eyes.

And at that moment, when she saw Lysa in front of her, knowing what she had lost because of her sister, Catelyn pounced on her grabbing her neck.

"How could you? Do you know what it cost me? .. YOU STUPID SPITEFUL BITCH!" Catelyn cried out, crying in anger and pain as her sister struggled to breathe.

Despite being furious with Lysa, her brother and Uncle parted them with some difficulty.

"Enough, Cat, enough ..." Brynden said in dismay.

"Let me kill her uncle! .. Because of her, I lost everything!" Catelyn screamed with tears in her eyes, being held back by Edmure.

"I know, I know ... But Catelyn, she is your sister, if you kill her, you will be a Kinslayer... You will not be better than the Freys," Brynden said, and that seemed to calm Catelyn though her eyes burned like the seven hells.

"I did everything for love ... But Petyr has always loved you ..." Lysa said.

"DO NOT SPEAK OF THAT LOATHSOME WRETCH LEAST I RIP YOUR TONGUE OUT!" Catelyn roared in anger.

"When my husband returns ..." Lysa started to say.

"Your husband is dead, sister ... We murdered him before we came here ..." Edmure said mercilessly, looking at his sister in disgust as she acquired a horrified expression.

"You lie… You lie… YOU LIE!" Lysa screamed like a wounded animal as she collapsed on the ground.

"No, We discovered the role that your beloved Petyr played in the War of the Five Kings and in the fall of our House, and we paid him in kind," Brynden said in the same inclement tone as Lysa wept on the floor.

"Enough, Lysa... Do not weep for that viper who used us to claim power," Catelyn said furiously at everything she had discovered.

At that moment, Lysa looked at her, but now her eyes were filled with hatred.

"You will never understand ... I, I loved him, he was always the only one who listened to me since childhood, you were our Father's favourite, and Edmure was his heir ... but me?... I did not stand out at all. Petyr was the only one who consoled me, the only one who cares. When we were young, I gave him my maidenhood. I would also have given him a son, but my Father killed him with moon tea, tansy, mint, wormwood, a spoon of honey, and a drop of pennyroyal. I didn't know it, I just drank what my Father gave me ... Then he expelled Petyr from our home, and he struck me whenever I uttered his name. "

"He dishonoured you, Lysa... He didn't deserve anything else... Father was very charitable in sparing his life," Edmure muttered furiously.

"Then our Father forced me to marry Jon Arryn, who was so old that he could be my grandfather ... But I disgusted him; Father told him about the son he lost and told Jon that I could give him an heir, that's why Just like me ... All Jon wanted was a son and our Father's swords to help his little rebellion. I should have rejected him, but he was so old, I thought how long could he live? Half his teeth were missing, and his breath smelled like rotten cheese. You know I can't stand men with bad breath. Petyr always had it fresh ... Our Father said that Petyr was a mere peasant, but I knew he would reach very high.

Jon entrusted him with the customs of Gulltown to please me, but when he multiplied the income by ten, my Lord husband realised how clever he was and charged him with other assignments; he even took him to Kingslanding so he could be Master of coin. It was horrid to see him every day being married to such an old and cold man. Jon was doing his duty in the bedroom, but he couldn't give me pleasure the way he couldn't give me children. His seed was old and limp. All my babies except Robert died, I lost three daughters and two sons. I lost all my babies, and that old man continued living, with his disgusting breath and failing body ... So now you see, I have suffered far more than most," Said a tearful Lysa full of resentment.

"Lysa, our Father has already died and died full of regret and remorse for what he did to you... He did nothing but name you in his last moments... He died regretting what he did to you; he died regretting not having your love, "Catelyn said resentfully.

For a moment, Lysa's gaze softened but soon became cold and hard again.

"Nothing matters to me anymore ... They took the love of my life from me, and they come here now for my son, I know what they want ... They want to use Vale's army to take back Riverlands ... But I will not grant their wish. They took everything from me! .. "Lysa shouted, nearly hysterical.

That made Catelyn furious that she managed to free herself from Edmure and hit Lysa with all her might.

"WHAT OF ME, YOU CRAVEN WHORE?... For you and your damn husband, my beloved Ned was beheaded, my son Robb pierced by arrows ... My daughters disappeared, one of them may have died at sea, and my sons were slain by the Ironborn along with the thousands of innocents who died due to the intrigues that you and your husband provoked; our family fell from grace, and thousands have lost their lives. How can you say that they took everything from you? " An angry Catelyn yelled at a helpless Lysa who was still crying.

"I ... I ... I did it for love ..." Lysa said, breaking into tears.

... If you go ... to the Vale ... say hello to my wife ... I'm sure what Lysa will tell you ... you'll love it ...

Baelish's final words came to mind, and she, furious and indignant, nearly smacked Lysa again, although dead the silver tongue of that damned viper continues to hurt her and her family, after this ... She will never see Lysa as her sister again.

"Damn you, Petyr, although dead, you continue to haunt me ... when will I be free from your intrigues and deceptions? ... You destroyed my two families, you took the honour and titles of my House ... all for fucking spite; how long must I pay for my rejection of you? Catelyn thought bitterly, believing that Petyr Baelish was the one who laughed last despite everything.

For a few minutes, no one said anything as they were shocked to discover the origin of the War of the Five Kings.

The madness of a deranged woman and the desire for power of a cunning monster.

Catelyn continued crying in anger and outrage on the ground until she felt a hand on her right shoulder, looked up to see Brienne of Tarth's compassionate expression.

"My Lady... Stand up... Do not lay on the ground like a worm; it is not worthy of you ..." The ugly woman said compassionately, and Catelyn nodded and stood up.

"Yes... Lady Tarth is right..." Catelyn said, looking at her deranged sister with disgust.

"Lysa .." Catelyn said harshly, and everyone in the room watched her expectantly.

Lysa was just cowering on the ground like a beaten dog awaiting its Master's whip.

"What you did was ... Abhorrent, you killed your husband... You helped cause a war and destroyed your family by spreading your legs for that snake; your madness cost us everything, your family and thousands more Now you will help us to recover it ... You will provide us soldiers to recover Winterfell," Catelyn said, remembering the words of Thoros of Myr.

But Lysa regained her maddened countenance.

"I will never, I will not do anything to risk the safety of my son! .. I will not help you now that I know what you did to my beloved Petyr, no... I will not ..." And she stepped back to the horror of all.

With the revelation of Lysa's betrayal, none had taken any concern in the fact that the Moon door had been left open, and Lysa, in her hysteria and grief, had been drawing ever closer to its edge.

With those last steps of Lysa ended her journey... She fell through the door before the astonished gaze of all.

"LYSA!" Catelyn yelled; Edmure and Brynden ran towards the Moon Door, where, astonished, they saw a terrified Lysa hanging from a rock holding on tight.

"HOLD ON, LYSA!" Brynden yelled, reaching out a hand, but Lysa was so terrified that she couldn't stretch hers.

"Brienne, look for a rope!" Catelyn ordered frantically and her "warrior woman" gave no sign of hearing her nod.

"Hold on ... take my hand!" The Blackfish shouted to his niece, but at that moment ... As if it were an ironic punishment or revenge from the late Jon Arryn, a flapping of wings was heard, and a large golden eagle appeared and tore at Lysa's face with his talons, provoking the terrified Lysa to lose her balance and fall before the horrified gaze of her family.

Screaming in terror, Lysa fell and fell lost in the clouds before the gaze of her stunned family, who could not believe what had just happened, and Brynden Tully raised his gaze in search of the bird that had ended the life of his niece, but he only saw the animal ascend to the sky again and lose itself in the clouds.

"What in the seven fucking hells was that? "… Asked the shocked Knight with tears in his eyes.

Despite discovering their sister's actions, Catelyn and Edmure fell to their knees and began to cry in horror at what they had just witnessed.

After a few minutes of incessant tears, both of bitterness and anger at discovering the truth of Lysa's actions and at her death, they calmed themselves, for there was much to be done.

The three Tullys decided to correct Lysa's mistakes, although to do so, they would have to lie to the Vale Lords.

They decided to take over the raising of Lysa's child now that his mother and Littlefinger had died ... Fortunately for him, as horrible as that thought was.

While Brienne and Podrick took a vow of silence and vowed not to tell what had happened there.

Catelyn thanked them both for their loyalty and discretion. In addition to ordering Podrick to go after Lord Nestor Royce since Lysa's death should be made public.

When Lord Nestor returned, he was shocked to learn of Lysa's death, and they explained that when she gave them the news of her husband's death, she became mad with grief and threw herself through the Moon door though they omitting the part Lysa played in the death of her husband and in her involvement with Petyr Baelish since doubts of the legitimacy of little Robert would have been raised.

Quickly, the Lord of the Gates of the Moon called a Council of the Houses of Eyrie to decide what to do next and who would have the guardianship of Lysa's son who, upon learning of his mother's death, began to cry inconsolably in front of the other nobles who, despite everything, viewed him with compassion.

"He's a boy, a little boy of six namedays, barely a year older than my Rickon ... We can't expect more from him ... And he just lost his mother ... He's my nephew ... And no, I cannot help you while I'm more corpse than a woman I must stay hidden," Catelyn thought sadly.

During the following days, the most powerful Lords of Vale, The houses Royce, Waynwood, Hunter, Redfort, Belmore, and Templeton were arriving to decide how to proceed although Yohn Royce was already present, alas neither her uncle nor her brother Edmure had any relations in the Vale so their counsel would not be heeded. Still, the Lords swore to not reveal their presence to the Freys or Lannisters, something they were grateful for.

Her uncle Brynden revealed Littlefingers treachery; he had caused the war to destroy House Tully and Stark; however, they were dismayed to discover that none of the Lords of Vale were shocked; it seemed they knew of Petyrs silver tongue all well, and they formed a group known as The Lords Declarant their intent was to remove Petyr as Lord Protector of the Vale by any means necessary, it seems that they suspected that Tywin Lannister had sent Baelish with hopes of claiming the Vale for the Iron Throne.

Despite this, they were reluctant to fight a war against the Iron Throne since the only allies they would have had, the North and Riverlands, were defeated, so there was no point in holding the Kingslayer hostage; they could not win a war alone.

"They are right, but we need them, we need the Army of the Vale to crush the Boltons, I am proof that the gods are real, and I believe in That the Red God has a purpose for me sWe need to reclaim Winterfell from those flayed fools of that I have no doubt," Catelyn thought desperately as she stood silently behind her uncle and brother with her face covered as if she were a servant.

Her injuries were still too terrible to behold, so for the moment, he will hide his identity while he continues to recover; when her appearance is more human, Cat will be able to speak with others besides her companions and her family.

Maybe in a few months ... but for now, it must wait.

That was a problem that she and her uncle had already anticipated, so they decided to play one of the tricks in Littlefinger's book and with honeyed words, they convinced the Vale Lords to support Stannis Baratheon he was Robert's rightful heir. He, alongside Jon Arryn, discovered the illegitimacy of Cersei's children; it was simple to convince them that their late Lord would have supported Stannis as would Ned, for Lord Stark was still held in high esteem by the Vale Lords.

Her uncle spoke honourably and swayed half the Lords to their cause, most of them knights who were most eager for glory, but the Royces, the greatest family of the Vales lords, were reluctant, although they recognised the words of her uncle Brynden as truthful.

There they understood that the final word would fall on Lord Nestor due to his position as High Steward of the Vale, unless little Robert stops crying and will take his Father's seat, even if only this time.

Catelyn looked in dismay at her nephew, who continued to cry throughout the meeting being cared for by Lady Ysilla and other maids; the little boy had been saddened by the death of his mother and when he heard about Petyr's actions, and although he did not understand what they meant, he found out that Uncle Petyr intended to befriend Ser Harrold Hardyng. So the boy threw a tantrum as Robert dislikes his cousin Harrold and is resentful of his status and believes Harrold is just waiting for him to die so that he can take the Eyrie. And knowing that Petyr was kind to Harrold was a betrayal of him, so at least now little Robert was convinced that his "Uncle Petyr" was a bad and lying man.

"The boy is smarter than he seems ... Catelyn thought with a smile full of satisfaction.

It was there when the most surprising happened, little Robert displaying a strength of character that no one ever expected from him, stopped crying and went in the direction of the eagle's throne and sat upon it; after blowing his nose, he asked who had brought the bad man to live with his mother.

When they answered that it was the Lannisters, the little boy ordered them to "fly" ... That was when Catelyn and her uncle Brynden saw their opportunity and subtly suggested the idea of supporting Stannis Baratheon, and the little boy nodded to the satisfaction of all those who wanted to bring the lions to heels.

And so for the first time since Roberts Rebellion, the Lords of the Vale girded themselves for war and set out North to help Stannis rally the North against the Boltons, although Catelyn had not forgotten Thoros's words that Stannis would lose the battle without their aid but what had introduced her the most was the wolves she would supposedly find.

A wolf would come from the North and two wolves from the West, and with the two a litter of wolves, a half-dragon and half-wolf creature leading them.

She was not a fortune teller, but she knew very well that the direwolf was the emblem of House Stark ... Was there a Stark in the North yet?

She was reminded of Benjen, who was The Wall, but he is a sworn brother of the Night's Watch; he could not inherit anything ... So what wolves did Thoros refer to?

She did not know ... But she wanted to find out ... She will do it after taking revenge against the murderer of her son, Roose Bolton; she will see his fucking hide mounted before the gates and his corpse fed to the wolves.

For weeks the Vale prepared for War.

The Great Lords had decided that little Robert Arryn would be under the tutelage of Yohn Royce, so he would have to come down from Eyrie for the first time since he arrived ... which did not please the Lord of the Vale his crying and tantrums were proof of that.

When the army of the Vale was ready, they quickly set out in the direction of the North despite the reluctance of Edmure, who thought they should free Riverrun from the Boltons, and Cat agreed with her brother.

The Vales Army is the only army besides the Norths to fight in the deep winters, and Winter was ever near, and soon the northern climbs would be thick with snow and impassible for all save the hardiest of horses.

After leaving the Vale, set off along the King's road towards "Moat Cailin" to enter the North, which everyone knew that "Moat Cailin" was claimed by the Iron born... but Ramsay Bolton, the bloody bastard, had defeated them and hung their flayed corpses from the Moat's walls freeing the only passage into the North.

Hearing about the evil of Bolton's bastard son, Catelyn was disgusted and terrified.

The reputation of that Bastard, no ... That monster was frightening, his "activities" were known throughout the North, his fascination with the hunt for young women whom he raped first was something monstrous, especially his treatment of Lady Hornwood after the death of her husband and her son the Bastard Bolton forced her to marry him and sign a will that named him her heir so that he could inherit their lands. He raped her, locked her in a tower and gave her no food. When Ser Rodrik Cassel finally arrived to free her, it was too late: The poor woman starved to death after gnawing on all her fingers. Ser Rodrick had reported that as one of that monster's favourite torture tactics, he had ripped the skin off all of the old woman's fingers, letting her bite them as the only way to end her agony, after which, in hunger delirium, she ate some of them.

Catelyn wanted to vomit in outrage.

Now she is entirely sure that Roose Bolton and the Freys lied in their reports of what happened at Winterfell about what happened when Theon Greyjoy was defeated. Lothar Frey and Walder Rivers had informed her and Robb that they received a letter from Lord Frey's grandchildren: Winterfell has been destroyed, and Ser Rodrik was killed by the Iron born, but the survivors were brought to Dread Fort by Ramsay Snow. Lothar and Walder claimed to be unsure of Theon Greyjoy's fate even though they left him dead.

When Roose Bolton informed them of their Bastard's actions making it sound like that monster saved the day by driving the Ironborn out of Winterfell, she brusquely reminded the Lord of the Dreadfort that his son had committed many vile crimes and that Roose Bolton's leech replied that after the war is over, Ramsay would be tried for his crimes, and perhaps his deeds will make up for the crimes he committed, or not. And now Catelyn understands why he was not overly concerned about the possibility of his son being executed; Roose Bolton knew that Robb would not live long enough to judge that monster.

And now that ... Snow, no matter if the Child King granted him the Bolton surname, sits in Ned's seat, in Winterfell what had been the inheritance of her children was now ruled by a monster.

She wouldn't allow it, in the memory of Ned, Robb, Bran, Rickon, Sansa and Arya ... She would kick the bastard Bolton out of Winterfell and feed him and his Father to their own hunting dogs but not before torturing both Father and son for their betrayal.

For weeks they travelled the entire Kings Road to Moat Cailin, and she was able to see first-hand how the Riverlands had been ravaged by war.

"A war that I help cause ... Catelyn thought remorsefully.

Finally, after travelling a good part of the way and regarding the swampy terrain of the Neck, the army of the Vale decided to set up their camp there and rest a little before entering the North.

Catelyn stayed at her brother and uncle's tent; frustrated at not being able to go out to camp until after dark, she heard her uncle and brother return and stood up waiting for news, but the queer thing is that they did not come alone but were accompanied by Lord Yohn Royce and a young man with dark, unkempt hair.

Catelyn raised one of her eyebrows when she saw that young man; he was not of noble birth; that was obvious he had dark hair and clean but worn leather garments; he had a gloomy air and was silent.

Everything in his expression indicated to Catelyn that he did not feel comfortable being there, but for some reason, he did not seem to have any intention of separating from Lord Royce.

"Thank you for receiving me, Ser Brynden, Lord Edmure," The Runestone Lord said with a nod in reverence.

"Think nothing of it, Lord Royce ... Well, what did you wish of us? Pay the woman no mind ... She is mute and has our confidence," Edmure said, looking at his sister with a smile while her uncle merely chuckles.

"you will pay Edmure," Catelyn thought with annoyance.

"Very well, first of all, I want to introduce you to Grenn, one of my best hunters," Lord Royce said, introducing his servant, who only nodded without saying a word.

Catelyn raised an eyebrow at the hunter's lack of decorum; Yohn Royce sighed and gave the young man a reproachful look.

"I am sorry for Grenn's lack of manners; he is not well versed in decorum, but he is good and loyal," Lord Royce said, somewhat annoyed, looking at a pained boy.

"Don't worry, Lord Royce… But what is this young man doing here?" Asked his uncle Brynden.

Lord Royce sighed, and his expression turned melancholic and gloomy, and his gaze conveyed an apologetic air.

"I ... I am very sorry for what I am going to ask you ..., And I know that you have every right to be offended but know that it is not my intention to cause you discomfort ... It is just that as a father I must do everything in my power to care for my family although that sometimes proves futile," Lord Royce said.

Instantly her brother and uncle glanced at each other in confusion.

"What is Lord Royce referring to?" Edmure asked.

"Well, I have always spoken frankly ... So that won't change now ... As close relatives of Catelyn Stark, I would like to ask you if she has told you anything about her husband's bastard son, Jon Snow," Said Lord Royce with an apologetic expression as silence gripped the tent.

For a few moments, Catelyn, her brother Edmure and their uncle Brynden remained shocked to hear such a question, what interest will one of Vale's most powerful Lords have in the Bastard Ned? .. Hearing Jon Snow's name again, Catelyn felt As anger, resentment, and guilt began to fill her, and at that moment, a question began to form in her mind.

"What happened to that boy?:

Then Catelyn remembered something important ... Lord Royce's second son was one of Jon Snow's companions ... And no one has heard from them in over a year.

"He doesn't care about the Bastard; he just wants to know where his son is ... Catelyn thought-feeling compassion and sympathy for the old Lord in front of her.

But his brother Edmure and Uncle Brynden each raised an eyebrow, and Edmure stepped forward.

"Why would we know about the stain on my sisters' honour?" Edmure growled.

At that moment, Catelyn noticed that the gaze of that hunter, Grenn, had hardened, and now he was looking at Edmure in annoyance.

But Lord Royce didn't yield.

"I apologise if I have offended you, Lord Edmure. It is not my intent... It is just that... I think maybe your sister has told you something about that boy," Lord Royce said with resignation.

Oh yes, she told them a lot about Jon Snow over the years, Catelyn had sent some letters to them and their Father Lord Hoster telling them that she was afraid the Bastard would one day try to take Winterfell from Robb. Although her father and uncle wrote in their letters that that would never happen, the Lords of the North were too loyal to Ned to support the boy even if he tried.

And Catelyn was sure they both had a natural dislike for the boy because of their affection for her. So sadly for Lord Royce, there was no news to be had.

"I ... I just wanted information about the Bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark to help me find my son Robar, who was seen accompanying him along with Loras Tyrell, and it is said that the three crossed the Narrow Sea and went to Braavos where they hoped for an alliance with Daenerys Targaryen... And then they sailed to an unknown destination… "Lord Royce said sadly, and Catelyn truly sympathised with the old man.

"We already knew that story Lord Royce, my niece's son, was sold information about his Bastard brother ... But it made little difference; all traces end at Daenerys Targaryen's wedding ..." Brynden said, feigning concern so as not to irritate Lord Royce.

"Perhaps they went to the ruins of Valyria?" Edmure proposed with a shrug.

"No... they didn't go there," Young Grenn said in a whisper and won the gaze of everyone in the room.

"How do you know, boy?" Asked Brynden, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I was a travelling companion of the three of them for a while, Ser.. we separated when Jon told me of his plans to cross the sea," Said that young Grenn.

"Did you meet them? ..." Edmure affirmed, and the young man nodded.

"I met Lord Royce's son, Robar and Loras after the death of Renly Baratheon, when they were looking for Jon who fled the Tyrells, I was hunting deer in Lord Hasty lands when Robar and Loras ended up capturing me, and we accompanied Jon, the three of us participated in defence of Castle Hasty… "Grenn said, remembering those moments with his former companions.

Upon discovering this feat, Catelyn knew that the "Blackfish" was rather impressed; her uncle had always enjoyed tales of battle.

"You 4 defended that castle?" Brynden asked in astonishment

It was there that Grenn told them how Jon Snow and his companions aided by Ser Bonifer Hasty and his Holy hundred defended Lord Hasty's ancestral home from those who had betrayed Renly.

It certainly wasn't a great victory like Robbs, but considering the number of enemies and his skill... It was a remarkable victory, as even Robb had the aid of seasoned soldiers like Great Jon Umber, Roose Bolton, Robert Glover and Lady Mormont.

"I can't believe I'm acknowledging the Bastard strengths," Catelyn thought in disgust.

In the end, the young hunter ended that account by explaining that after the battle, they were rewarded by Lord Hasty, and Grenn considered staying with them for a while until he discovered that they intended to cross the Narrow Sea.

"I don't really know what happened ... Jon told us that he planned to join his brother Robb Stark in their war; I decided to stay with them for a while and perhaps earn some gold ... But I decided to part with them for a bit, settling things with my family before marching off to war, but when I returned, Jon had changed his mind ... He said that while I was gone, he, Loras and Robar had visited a ruined castle, the one that burned; down years ago ... " Grenn said.

"Summerhall", Her uncle Brynden replied, and the young man nodded.

"What did they want with that ruined castle?" Edmure asked, confused, beginning to take an interest in the story.

"Jon said he had a dream in which a strange man named ... Manwë ... urged him to leave Westeros and seek a place called 'Middle Earth' to seek his destiny and Loras and Robar decided to go with him," Grenn said, struggling to remember the details of the last time he saw his companions.

However, the Tullys trio was confused by the story as none had ever heard the term "Middle Earth" or the name Manwë.

"What is" Middle Earth "? Edmure asked, confused.

"I don't know ... It's the first time I've heard that name", Brynden replied, intrigued.

"I have consulted with my Maester, and in many places, I have obtained hundreds of maps ... But no one knows that place ... It seems that it does not exist," Lord Royce said sadly.

"So that bastard Ned Stark went mad?" Edmure asked, bewildered.

"I doubt it; Jon didn't seem mad when I last saw him, just determined ... Although the things he did afterwards make me doubt it, I found out that before crossing the sea he went to Dorne and took the Princess with him Grenn said thoughtfully.

"Why didn't you go with them?" Brynden asked.

"Because Ser, I have never left Westeros ... I was willing to accompany them on their way to the North or anywhere that was here in Westeros ... But I'm sorry for them, but I had no desire to cross the narrow sea. So I decided to stay here before they went to Dorne," The young hunter said in a brusque tone.

"And how did you end up here?" Edmure asked.

"Before the three of them ventured to Dorne, they told me that we would part friends; at that moment, Robar gave me one of his pins with the emblem of his house and said to me that if the war got too unpleasant in the South to go to the Vale of Arryn and show his Father the brooch and I would receive aid, "Said the boy with a shrug.

"And now you work for Lord Royce ... It will have been a major life change," said his uncle Brynden.

"I never expected to work for someone other than myself ... But at least I'm fine, and Lord Royce has been kind to me ..." Grenn said softly.

"This young man is one of the best hunters and explorers I have ever seen. He swiftly adjusted to hunting in the valley grounds after spending his life in the Stormlands," Lord Royce said, praising Grenn's skills.

However, Catelyn, who remained silent, only listened to Jon's story, intrigued ... So the Bastard left Westeros to look for an unknown land ... If it exists, that was something that she had never expected since he had never struck her as the adventurous sort.

The irony is that ... Of all Ned's children, the only one she has heard from is the Bastard, the gods nevertheless enjoy making fun of her ... Reminding them of their faults.

Still, Catelyn, to her surprise, is intrigued by the story told about Jon Snow... He travelled to Dorne and kidnapped Princess Arianne, and then went to Braavos to interrupt Daenerys Targaryen's wedding ... Why? .. Maybe he plans to support a Targaryen restoration to be legitimised even though the daughter of the "Mad King" does not have an army supporting her claim, not to mention that she had made an enemy of Prince Doran, so what did Jon Snow hope to get out of all this?

The Bastard, his companions and the two Princesses disappeared ... Probably shipwrecked or lost at sea following the crazy dreams of the Bastard Ned, so whatever Jon Snow was planning went awry.

Even so, something Catelyn shook when she heard that strange name ... Manwë, she had never heard that name, and for some reason, something in her felt comforted by said name, she did not know how to explain what was happening to her, only that that unknown name was meaningful for some mysterious reason.

"I know that this is an embarrassing topic for you as you are relatives of Lady Catelyn, but I beg you to try to understand me ... I just wanted some information about the whereabouts of my son; the gods gave me three sons and a daughter, one of whom lost his life north of the Wall that was my third son Wymar, impatient, hungry for glory and renown, he lost his life shortly after arriving at the Wall and then my second son Robar joins Renly Baratheon in a conflict that was none of his concern only to become a bastard's travelling companion; however, he is my blood, and I love him... So I simply wish to bring my son back home," Lord Royce said in an apologetic tone that moved all three Tullys.

"We understand, Lord Royce ... Don't worry about it," Brynden said in an understanding tone.

"I thank you, Ser Brynden, well in that case, we will retire and let you rest... With your permission, Lord Edmure," Lord Royce said farewell, and both left the tent, leaving the Tullys alone, processing the new information.

"Are you okay, Cat?" Edmure asked, worried about his sister, and although she didn't answer, he nodded.

"I imagine you would not have been happy to hear the name of your husbands bastard," said her uncle Brynden.

"No, but that doesn't matter that boy ... Jon Snow, I'm envious of his luck, whatever it may be ... It's none of our business, and I don't want to talk about him again ..." Catelyn said with pain in her voice as they merely nodded.

And that's right, it hurt her to know that of all Ned's children, only the Bastard remained alive while the rest, the legitimate children that she gave to her husband and all had died or disappeared, which was not fair. Of course, Jon Snow was not responsible, but that did not stop Catelyn from resentment and anger as she thought about it.

Catelyn's resentment for Jon Snow ... had only grown ... Even if he was not responsible for that, something that Catelyn knew perfectly well.

Navigating the insect-infested swampy trails of the Neck was a nuisance to the Knights of the Vale, and the dense thickets of half-drowned trees covered in pale mushrooms did not help, plus the quicksand below the water would drown anyone attempting to walk on the rocks.

That situation was unpleasant, and it tempered the fighting spirit of many soldiers; however, thanks to the fact that the kingsroad passes through the Neck, Due to the rugged terrain, the road becomes the narrow causeway, which is the only safe route to travel through the swamps of the Neck during times of peace. At the northern end of the causeway stand the formidable ruins of Moat Cailin.

But there was also another problem ... The crannogmen of the Neck.

The Crannogmen are a warrior people led by the Reed House from their Gray Water Watchtower; their current Lord is Howland Reed, who was one of the closest friends of her husband, Ned. Crannogmen are often looked down upon by other Westerosi, including neighbouring rivermen. The ironborn refer to the crannogmen as bog devils... and they are right.

The crannogmen poison their weapons and smear them with faeces and worse things and proved to be a difficult people to conquer ... And they might not take well the arrival from an army from the south ... It would be best to avoid them, but perhaps that is not possible.

If only Catelyn could prove her identity to Howland Reed ... But it wasn't time yet, at the rate her cadaverous body would heal perhaps in another two or three months.

Although apparently, the Crannogmen did wish to challenge them and allowed them to pass, which was quite unusual for them since they did not like the Southerners.

"They probably expect us to dispose of the Boltons for them; otherwise, we would have already met them on the road, and poisoned arrows would have rained down on us," Catelyn thought with relief as she trotted alongside the Vales Knights.

After leaving Moat Cailin and the swamps, the rest of the way was quiet, and without incident, a preamble to the enormous bloodshed that was about to occur, the army passed through Moat Cailin without issue as the Ironborn were expelled while the rest were hung or captured, the Boltons apparently do not regard Moat Cailin as worthy of soldiers.

Which was lucky for them since they broke through without incident.

In some villages they passed through, they witnessed the cruelty of the Boltons. The villagers clamoured for the return of the wolves because as they all lived in terror of the Bastard of Bolton, Ramsey, who now indiscriminately began his hunting games, many a maiden feared they would be captured by their cruel Lord and raped for his amusement.

However, not all the things they heard were horrible news about the Boltons ... The scouts of the Vale informed them that Stannis Baratheon supposedly saved the Night's Watch from a great Wilding army led by their "King Beyond the Wall Mance raider who was now a prisoner of Stannis.

It seemed that the Lord of Dragonstone had unified some of the mountain clans, after which he seized the Wolfswood from the Ironborn and, according to rumours, taken Asha Greyjoy herself captive, after which House Glover joined his cause. They weren't the only ones; House Mormont began to sympathize with Stannis, and now Alysane Mormont "The Bear" has lent her support to Stannis' cause in thanks for ridding the North of the Ironborn and crushing the Wilding invasion."

"It's a cunning move; the remnants of Robb's army begin to gather, albeit under Stannis's banner," Catelyn thought dryly, that would be the best to prevent them from joining the Boltons. As the Ryswell and Dustin Houses already did, although that did not surprise Catelyn in the least, Barbrey Dustin had always resented Ned for bringing back her husband horse but not his remains.

Fortunately, however, the most powerful House in the North has yet to declare its loyalty to the Boltons, the Manderlys of White Harbour.

Everyone knew that the most influential House of the North after the Starks were the Manderly since they were the ones who controlled the only sea route in the North, which made them their "Pantry" in addition to having silver mines in their domains, the side that manages to bring the Manderly to his side will undoubtedly win the coming conflict ... However, the loyalty of the Manderly is still unknown as Lord Wyman still does not publicly support either Stannis or the Boltons.

"Wendel Manderly, the youngest son of his Lord, was killed at the Red Wedding, Lord Wyman would never join the Boltons ... We must find a way to gain their support ... Catelyn thought.

However, all that was forgotten by a more pressing matter... Supposedly, her daughter Arya was forced to marry the Bastard son of Roose Bolton to legitimize her claim on Winterfell.

That filled Catelyn with happiness and horror, joy to know that one of her children was alive and horror to know that she was now the wife of that monstrous rapist ... Catelyn would not allow it; if necessary, she would go to the Dreadfort, She would scale its walls, and she would show Roose Bolton the traditions of his House firsthand, then Catelyn would recover her daughter Arya.

Not to mention, all their spies say that Stannis was about to face the Boltons at Winterfell.

"We don't have time to go to White Harbour ... We must join Stannis as soon as possible", Her Uncle had told her with a grimace as he would have been overjoyed at the thought of more men.

But it seems that the gods played a cruel joke on them and on the Vale's army.

A brutal snowstorm has slowed her march through the North; Catelyn knew the storms in the North very well and realized that this storm was deadly; if they continued marching, half the army would die from the frost before they reached Winterfell.

Vale's knights are trained to fight in winter, but still, this is too much for anyone ... We must wait," Catelyn thought resignedly.

Although her motherly instincts urged her to ask her Uncle Edmure and her brother to pressure the Vale commanders to continue as they were trained to fight in such provisions. But the memory of her own death and the mistakes made in the past by her and Robb quieted her need for revenge. The only fortune they had was that they managed to find a village along the way and shelter from the cold, as well as a nearby stream where they could fish and replenish water.

Finally, the frightful blizzard began to lessen, and after a week of tolerating the cold, the march continued; the storm was unrelenting, and the army had used a great deal of provisions, but still, they continued fortunately for Tullys the knights of Vale did not want to surrender or retreat because of a mere storm.

Their pride as knights did not allow them to leave without fighting on the battlefield ... Which was fortuitous for the Tullys' crusade.

Until finally, after two more agonizing weeks, Catelyn could perceive it in the distance, Winterfell, the castle that had been her home since the end of the Rebellion, the inheritance of her children and that had been sacked by the Ironborn and give to a family of traitors was finally in sight with its thick walls covered with snow. Still, it was not only adorned with snow but banners as well.

The Flayed Man of House Bolton and A crowned black stag within a flaming red heart on a bright yellow field, the personal heraldry of Stannis Baratheon.

"I can't believe it ... That priest's words are true ..." Stammered Edmure, who was shocked to see with his own eyes the veracity of the visions in the flames of Thoros of Myr.

Seeing the impending battle Lord Royce who was appointed as the marshal of Vale's forces, cleared his throat, and his powerful voice was heard by all present.

"Well, we are here ... However, I do not think that joining the fray directly is a good idea ... Roose Bolton may have set a trap ... It would be best to flank the flayed fucks to prevent their flight," Said the old Knight while stroking his beard.

With those words, Catelyn beckoned to her Uncle, and he nodded.

"In that case, Lord Royce, I propose to invade the East Gate of Winterfell, the bulk of Bolton's army is on the walls, so that must be almost unguarded or unprotected ... If we seize it, we can take Winterfell from the inside ..." Said Brynden remembering what his niece knew about the ancient Stark fortress and Lord Royce seemed to meditate for a few minutes on her Uncles words and finally nodded.

"Very in that case that we will do, Lord Stannis will attack them from the front and we from behind assuming that we have no problems that way we will expel them from Winterfell." Knights of Vale!" With that cry, all fell silent and nought was heard save for the howling winds.

"I know that this is not our conflict, and I know that many of us who are here come to fight for their own glory, but none of that matters now, we will go into battle, and it saddens me to say that many will not return, although that will not weaken our determination. .. On that battlefield are contending Lord Stannis and the forces of Roose Bolton who obtained his titles and position by betraying his King Robb Stark, nephew of Lady Lysa and nephew of Lord Jon as well as the cousin of Lord Robert ... Who helped Lord Stannis discover that half of Westeros knelt before abominations born of incest ... Let us fight now, for the memory of our Lord who was killed to stop their crimes from coming to light and to avenge Lord Robert's cousin ... Charge! " Lord Royce bellowed his voice like a clap of thunder.

Lord Royce drew the Valyrian sword of his house; it was called Lamentation, and it glittered in the sun, and soon he set off thundering towards the eastern gate followed by the Knights of the Vale who cried "FOR THE VALE AND FOR GOOD KING ROBB" as they charged.

Seeing that the battle was imminent, Catelyn realized that her Uncle was approaching her.

"Cat ... Stay far from the field, if possible seek shelter ..." Said the Blackfish, as he drew his sword.

Catelyn saw Vale's men marching against the Boltons with great satisfaction and nodded.

"I shall uncle, take care of yourselves, both of you..." Catelyn said, looking at her brother and Uncle.

"We will, sister," Edmure said.

"Then come on, boy ... This has just begun," Said the Blackfish starting his ride being followed by his nephew.

For Stannis Baratheon, the time had finally come to face those shifters; he had come to the North advised by Davos and Melisandre, who counselled him to help the night watchmen despite his precarious situation, that advice proved to be a good idea.

Since now, he had not only saved the Wall and captured Mance Raider, but he had followed the advice of Benjen Stark, whom he wished to make Lord of Winterfell and add another house to his cause.

Originally Stannis intended to march with the savages who had joined him towards The Dreadfort, as Ramsay Bolton had marched south to Moat Cailin and his supposed ally Arnolf Karstark who had been given to the Red God suggested attacking the Bolton ancestral settlement; however, Benjen Stark warned him that it was impossible.

In The Dreadfort, they would learn of his advance long before he could even glimpse the castle, and Moat Cailin would soon fall, meaning that Roose Bolton's bastard son Ramsay and Roose himself would have been free to march against him with full force. Furthermore, according to Benjen Stark, marching with the savages would only have served to turn the Northerners against him. So instead, Ned Stark's younger brother proposed that he visit the mountain clans, including the Pedernales, Wulls, Norreys and Liddle, and it went rather well.

Finally, Benjen Stark suggested that instead of attacking the Dreadfort, he should march into the Wolfswood and expel the Ironborn. In return, the savages would remain at the Wall with the Night's Watch, who would decide how best to handle them.

It was clear that despite his oaths, Benjen Stark had not forgotten the family that had raised him, and it was clear that he craved revenge for both his older brother and his nephews.

Stannis followed the advice of the First Ranger. They quickly began to win allies in the North such as the Glover, the Mormonts and half of the Umber in addition to discovering the treachery of Arnolf Karstark, having captured the children of Balon Greyjoy Theon and Asha; unfortunately, Stannis had little time to ponder his alliances as he girded himself for war.

They had to defeat the Boltons before they consolidated their control over the North... That blizzard was of great aid to him.

That stupid Hosteen Frey took it upon himself to decimate his army and diminish the Bolton forces by falling into a trap, Stannis set for him in a frozen lake:

He prepared a false village on a lake completely frozen by the blizzard, and when Hosteen Frey and his men went to look for them, he guided them to the centre of the lake, and due to the vast numbers of men, armour and weapons, the ice soon broke, and Hosteen Frey and his men fell into the frozen water.

Many of his men tried to flee, but he had placed his soldiers on the shore of the lake, and they executed all who escaped from the lake; in a short time, Stannis had bled the Boltons of two thousand men and numerous knights at the cost of two scouts.

Not to mention, he now also has the support of the Iron Bank of Braavos to hire mercenaries if necessary.

He had sent Davos, his right hand, to negotiate with Lord Wyman Manderly the Lord of White Harbor to propose an alliance against the Boltons, but it seems that "The Lord Too Fat to Travel on Horseback" denied his loyalty to the Starks and joined his enemy in addition to executing Davos.

"If I get out of this alive, the first thing I'll do is burn that whale alive," Stannis thought spitefully as he gnashed his teeth.

But now ... Now begins ... His battle, a battle that he did not know if he would win ... But for his kingdom and his subjects, he must try, for he is a Baratheon.

That's when he took a look at his men.

At the head were marching the men of the mountain clans; With the chiefs and champions on the backs of Percherons, with their brave men trotting after them, wrapped in furs, with hardened leather and old chain mail. Some painted their faces brown and green and had branches tied to their foreheads to hide in the vegetation.

While the southern Knights accompanying Stannis, they were a pitiful sight.

They struggled to survive by walking in the snow in heavy armour, while clansmen wore so-called bear claws, elongated snowshoes made of bentwood and leather straps, as footwear.

Rudimentary but effective.

Since they are tied to the soles of the boots, they allow them to walk on the snow without breaking the crust of it and sinking down to the hamstrings. Some have bear claws for horses, and the little Percherons wore them as quickly as other mounts carry horseshoes.

There is no doubt that the winter warriors are much fiercer than the southerners ... Now he hopes that is enough.

"It's like you told me, Davos ... I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne ... Stannis thought with some remorse.

The last of the Baratheon drew Light Bringer, and like a beacon amid the storm, the gleaming sword acted as the signal to attack.

At that moment, Stannis Baratheon's infantry faced the walls of Winterfell, where there were already a dozen archers on the battlements.

The banners of both Lords fluttered in the breeze, the shouts of anger, and the bows being drawn with flying arrows were heard throughout the snow-filled field.

The infantry of both armies clashed swords like men possessed; the Bolton infantry was superior in arms, but their enemies were much more ferocious and using their iron and bone weapons, they tore through the Bolton spearmen with savagery more akin to wolves than men.

Benjen Stark had told him that the Mountain Clans were celebrated and fierce warriors ... and it seems he spoke truly.

Clan champions fought with massive axes while common men sling stones with extraordinary precision, knocking many a Bolton knight from the saddle; the mountain warriors wielded axes and ashen spears, and each time they struck down a flayed man, they roared in a fury.

Although unfortunately, given their homeland, those clans do not have a strong tradition of chivalry ... That was beginning to be noticed as the Bolton commanders began to direct their spearmen to the more seasoned Westerosi, leaving the cavalry to deal with the unarmoured clan's men.

It was a horrid display of blood and death as neither army wanted to give ground, although the Boltons had the advantage of being able to retreat into Winterfell.

Stannis's men began to pressure the Boltons until they revealed their plan the hammer and anvil.

This wouldn't have been an issue had Stannis had a more seasoned army, but he had too few Knights and spearmen to repel the Boltons, and they would be surrounded and slaughtered should the plan succeed.

Stannis had claimed the lives of many a foolhardy Bolton with Light Bringer the flaming sword cleaved through plate and flesh as though it were mere parchment, alas the battle was turning against them ... Stannis Baratheon realized that the only way to win this fight was to cut off the head of the snake ... Roose Bolton must die.

"I must slay Roose Bolton to end this battle" Alas, Stannis musing, was cut short when he felt a painful prick in his neck, and suddenly he was gasping for air.

They rode for several minutes while listening to the sounds of bloody fighting until they finally reached the East Gate of Winterfell, where to their shock, it had a large garrison of men guarding it.

It was a formidable force whose heraldry they knew well A white merman with dark green hair, beard and tail, carrying a black trident, over a blue-green field.

House Manderly ... Had joined the Boltons.

"By the Seven hells", Brynden thought as he trotted alongside Edmure, Lord Royce and Lyn Corbay.

The Manderly knights were surprised to see them, all the more surprised when they saw the emblem of House Arryn alongside that of other renowned Houses in the Vale.

At that moment, one of the knights raised his helmet and rode his horse towards them.

He was well over six feet tall and quite stout. The Knight had a grey beard and slate-grey eyes. He wore ornate silver armour with niello engravings meant to look like flowing seaweed. His helm is modelled after the head of the Merling King, having a crown of mother-of-pearl and a beard of jet and jade.

At that moment, Brynden remembered who it was, Marlon Manderly, Lord Manderly's cousin, who was now approaching him.

"Blackfish ... I can't scarcely believe you're here ... Especially with the army of the Vale at your back ..." said the Knight Manderly in a haughty voice, raising an eyebrow.

Brynden just looked a few moments and sighed.

"I can't believe that you, House Manderly, have thrown your lot in with the Boltons; they betrayed your King and were also accomplices of the Red Wedding where Lord Manderly's youngest son died," Brynden said with disappointment, and at that moment Marlon's eyes hardened resembling beaten steel.

"Mind your words, Trout, things are not as you imagine, My Lord ... My cousin is not the useless fat man everyone thinks him to be; I assume you are here to reclaim Winterfell?" Said the old Knight.

"The thought had entered my mind," Brynden said with a shrug.

"In that case, we can come to an agreement ... We will let them pass undisturbed ..." Marlon Manderly said to Brynden's surprise.

"Is it some trick?" Lord Hoster's brother growled.

"No Ser Blackfish; my cousin has not betrayed the Starks ... In fact quite the opposite, but he needs to keep up his deception for the moment, the truth is that Lord Stannis attacked Winterfell too soon we hadn't time to prepare our ruse, and that is why we feign loyalty to Roose Bolton and his Bastard... But your appearance is rather fortuitous; we may claim victory now," Marlon said with.

"Is Lord Manderly planning something to get rid of the Boltons?" Brynden asked, doubtful.

"Yes... But Lord Stannis's attack has hindered my cousins' plans... We expected this battle in two or three more weeks... But it seems Lord Stannis's reputation is well deserved; not even this foul storm could deter him," Marlon Manderly said with surprise in his voice.

"In that case, let me pass Ser ... We shall purge Winterfell of those monstrous cunts", Brynden said, gesturing for the soldiers to get ready.

"As you say, Ser Brynden, however a word of warning, Roose Bolton and his bastard are within these walls, They must not escape ..." Marlon said with hatred in his voice.

"You don't have to tell me, I know very well, what I would like to know is about the youngest daughter of my niece Catelyn, the sister of my king Robb Stark ... Arya Stark, I understand that she was forced to marry the bastard Ramsay Snow .. "Brynden said sternly, but Marlon Manderly shook his head.

"We do not know anything about the girl; it seems that she escaped somehow ... Roose Bolton had ordered that they search for her, but the battle with Lord Stannis has diverted his attention ..." Said the Knight without care.

"Damn, Cat is not going to like this, but she will be relieved that her daughter is no longer in the hands of that Bastard... Well, now I have to worry about other matters," Brynden thought.

"I understand ... So ... Shall we start?" Brynden asked, eager to slay Boltons, and with a gesture from the Manderly cavalry, they began to clear the way for them.

"The knights of House Manderly will be by his side in the fight, but Roose Bolton will soon discover what is happening and when he does, Lord Manderly's life will be in danger. So now I will go together with some of my best knights and secure our Lord," Marlon said with a grimace which caused Brynden to suppress a laugh.

"May fortune favour you, Merman; it is fortunate that we mustn't face each other on this day; it does my heart good to know that my niece is no longer in the hands of that Bastard... But I'm freezing, and I greatly desire to see the heads of both Boltons on lances before the days end. "Brynden said, starting to get impatient.

"Be well, Blackfish and may your blade be wetted with the blood of many Boltons", Marlon Manderly said, taking a dozen knights while the rest joined the Vale's lines.

... Well, it's time to clean Winterfell of that scum ... Brynden thought as he drew his sword and with a shout, the army of Vale, together with the Manderly cavalry, began their plunder of Winterfell.

The battle of Winterfell has practically decided from the moment that Vale's knights entered Winterfell; they quickly slaughtered all who stood before them, whether Bolton, Frey or Karstark.

Apparently, Roose Bolton sent Freys men and the soldiers of Houses Ryswell and Dustin to the vanguard, preferring that his men remain safe behind the walls of Winterfell.

It was what everyone who came to that conclusion thought at the same time; however, despite the large number of soldiers within Winterfell, the charge of the Vale and Manderly took the Boltons by surprise, and many had fled.

They must seize control of the Castle lest the Boltons form a proper resistance.

Brynden, Edmure, along with Lyn Corbray, Benedar Belmore and several dozen other Lord went into the castle and killed all in their path; Brynden had ordered that they spare the lives of women and children Although it seemed that there were no children and very few women no doubt because of the Bastards fearsome reputation.

They head to the inner castle, the fortress within the fortress ... Knowing the selfish character of Roose Bolton, he will have taken shelter there by now ... And hopefully his Bastard too.

They continued fighting through the courtyard until they finally managed to break through to the inner castle using the covered bridge that led to the armoury; fortunately, the Bolton were relatively poor bowmen and picked off two men while the bridge provided needed cover from their enemies.

With Brynden's gesture, they all began to move the vast iron and oak doors, and with a great effort on their part, they were finally able to see the interior of the Great Hall of Winterfell that was nothing like Riverrun's.

Inside it can hold eight long rows of trestle tables, four to each side of the central aisle, There is a raised platform for noble guests, and the walls are covered with banners. The hall contains the high seat of the old Kings in the North. The seat's cold stone has been polished by the many lords who have sat upon it, and its massive arms are decorated with the carved heads of snarling direwolves, which were covered with flags of the flayed man.

It was a magnificent throne room, only the floor was littered with several corpses, including several Manderly knights; thankfully, Lord Manderly was not among the dead.

"Praise the gods; his men made it," Brynden thought before he gazed upon Roose Bolton.

Roose Bolton, the bloody Lord, sat upon the throne, his pale face stained with blood; he was surrounded by knights watching them enter with an absent look with his cold and cruel eyes, he wore a suit of dark grey plate armour over a quilted tunic of blood-red leather. Its rondels are shaped like human heads whose mouths are open in agony; he also wore a pink woollen cloak embroidered with droplets of blood.

To his right was a young man who was clearly his bastard son. He was big-boned and slope-shouldered, with a fleshiness indicating he will be fat later in life. Ramsay's skin is pink and blotchy, his nose broad, his hair long and dark and dry. Although his mouth is small, his lips are wide and meaty, wormy looking, and he smiles a wet-lipped smile. His distinctive eyes resemble Roose's - small, close-set, and oddly pale, like two chips of dirty ice.

He wore dark armour with a red helmet and a pale pink cape. His rounded helmet and gorget resemble the face and shoulders of a bloodied, skinless man whose mouth is open in a silent scream.

Although the most striking thing was the insane and anxious look he had on his face together with a horrible smile ... And he had a cut on his left cheek ... He looked like a dog desperate to launch the attack and seemed willing to throw himself against them despite his situation but was stopped by his father who stood up.

"I see you have come this far... Apparently, the loyalty of the Manderly was an act; they allowed you to pass through the East Gate, correct?" He said in his soft, low, pasty voice.

"That's right ... Lord Bolton, since I discovered of your support in the Red Wedding, I had hoped to be alone with you .. Lord Wyman's forces have graced me with good fortune, it seems," Brynden snarled.

"Heh, that damn walrus... He fled like a coward when we discovered his betrayal; his guts will feed our captives for months... But, with his skin, I will make a cape .." said the Bastard with a look of glee, and his father gave him a stare of reproach.

"Enough Ramsay ... Ser Brynden Tully, I knew it would be a problem, later on, leaving him looking after Riverrun was the only sensible decision his nephew made during their war ... Although I must admit that I never thought you would rally the Knight of the Vale to your cause how did you convince your niece? " Roose Bolton asked in the same tone of voice.

"She came to her senses ..." The bitterness of the lie felt like poison on his tongue.

"Hehe ... So that bitch from the Vale took sides in the end, when we finish with you, we will pay her a visit ..." The Bastard Bolton said with a disgusting smile as the Tullys and the Vale knights looked at him with contempt, and Edmure pointed his sword towards him.

"I'm going to cut your tongue out, you bastard .." Edmure said, spitting at Ramsey.

Hearing the word "bastard", Ramsay Bolton's smile faded, and he quickly drew his weapon ... a skinning knife.

"When the Trout are cooked, they are cleaned by removing the scales and then the intestines ... I will do that with you, and then I will throw you, my girls... They are always hungry .. Fucking fish .." Said the Bastard with a sick look.

"Edmure touched a nerve ... Brynden thought with amusement, but Roose Bolton just sighed wearily.

"Not even now at this moment do you understand Ramsay ..." Roose Bolton said, standing up.

"He knows it's all over for them ... And yet he's so calm? .. What a cold man, he is frightening to behold," Brynden thought, now understanding the danger that Roose Bolton indeed posed.

And with that in mind, the legendary Knight decided to put an end to that miserable house that had plagued the Starks for many centuries.

For his nephew Robb and the Northmen, Brynden drew his sword and pointed it at Roose Bolton.

"My Lord... It's all over, for you and your House, Lord Stannis had beaten your armies in the field, and we have the entire might of the Vale outside none will ride to your aid, and you shall not escape your line ends here Let's not delay this any longer ... The souls of those who died betrayed will finally find some peace," Brynden said.

"As I wish to be ..." Roose Bolton said in his distinctive whisper, drawing his sword.

The battle in the Great Hall of Winterfell did not wait ... The Boltons were finished, and they knew it, which left the question of why Roose Bolton was so calm ... Well, it really did not matter.

Brynden with his nephew and the Vale knights launched themselves against the Boltons, and the few men who were with them in the room began to fight fiercely, the Blackfish fought against the Lord of The Dread, and they were even, there was no doubt that Bolton was a splendid warrior despite his cold demeanour.

The sword dance between the two intensified more and more, and Brynden understood that a mistake would cost him dearly; of course, the Boltons were defeated, but Brynden wanted to live to savour his victory; he was not interested in dying like a martyr, and so when he opened his defences, and Roose took the bait Brynden sidestepped his strike and punched him in the face the sickening crack told Brynden he had broken Lord Bolton's nose. The man collapsed without waiting for him to rise Brynden drew his hunting knife and cut the man's throat ear to ear.

The look in Roose Bolton's eyes was one of surprise .. Really... As far as Brynden knew that man had no feelings, it was rather amusing to think the man showed no emotion till he was choking on his own blood.

At that moment, Brynden heard a deranged scream and was surprised when she saw the Bastard son of Roose Bolton kneeling on the ground while crying and saw a pool of blood flow from the stump where his right hand used to be ... which was on the ground in a pool of blood.

In front of him was his nephew Edmure, and Lyn Corbray wielded Lady Forlorn, stained in blood.

"DAMN .. DAMN!" The Bastard cried, and when Edmure was about to kill him, a booming voice echoed in the hall "STOP, LORD EDMURE!" They all turned to see a wounded and bloodstained Marlon Manderly, who arrived with his sword drawn.

"Why do you halt my vengeance?" Edmure asked, annoyed.

"That Bastard is responsible for countless crimes in the North... His death cannot be quick; it has to be ... Painful and slow," Said the Knight Manderly looking at a tearful Ramsay on the ground crying for his hand.

Edmure nodded and lowered his sword while Lyn Corbray, fed up with Ramsay's crying, kicked him to silence him.

"Sease your weeping, you fucking mongrel", Lyn snarled in disgust.

"How is the battle going?" Brynden asked suddenly.

"The inner keep of Winterfell has already been taken... Bolton's men could not counter us in time, we had casualties, but they were insignificant; now comes the battle outside the walls. Although knowing Stannis, he has already smashed their lines," answered Lord Royce, who suddenly entered the room.

Brynden nodded.

"This is not over yet ... The battle must be ended in the bud ... All enemies must be dealt with," Brynden said.

They all nodded as they looked at Ramsay on the ground, still bleeding.

"Take him to the maester and have staunch the bleeding. He must be ready for his own execution ... Ser Lyn act as his guard if he tries to escape cut his throat." Brynden ordered while Corbay looked rather annoyed as he considered the task beneath him.

"Come on ... There is a battle to be won ..." Said the Blackfish as he looked at the Great Hall of Winterfell and ripped down the Flayed Banner to reveal the Wolf of Stark proud once again.

"Now this place can go back to what it was ... You just have to find Cat's daughter," Brynden thought.

The battle was soon defined ... To everyone's surprise, the gates of Winterfell opened. The look of relief in the eyes of the soldiers supporting the Boltons turned to horror as they realized that those who rode out bore the Merman of Manderly and the Falcon of Arryn, and so they charged into the rear of the Bolton and Frey soldiers trampling all underfoot, thus ending the Battle of Winterfell and the Boltons' brief rise to power, with their Lord slay his heir soon to follow and his wife missing.

However, the victory did not come without a price ... Stannis Baratheon fell, an arrow piercing his throat; he lay next to a pile of those he had slain nearly a dozen Boltons had met their end by his hand; indeed, he was a worthy king.

Now the last of Steffon Baratheon's sons shall find their reward or punishment in the lands far west and live in peace and plenty under clear blue skies for the rest of their days.

Songs would be sung for many generations of the fiery Stag who marched beyond hope to the den of wolves to see it freed from the savage flayed men and the place where he fell would blossom into a great Weirwood many years later called the Stags tree.

Let no one doubt Stannis's prowess as a general because if fate had not intervened, that battle would have indeed been won by the Lord of Dragonstone.

After the battle, it took about a few hours until the last of the enemies surrendered and were taken to the dungeons, including Barbrey Dustin, who was caught hiding in the crypts of Winterfell with a dozen men. The miserable woman was discovered and brought to trial by Lords of the North for her treason by siding with the Boltons; meanwhile, the Bolton flags were placed on a pyre and burned.

"Winterfell may have been recovered from the Boltons, but for whom? ... There are no Starks in Winterfell anymore ... Lord Rickard Stark had a sister who married one of Lord Raymar Royce's youngest sons. They had three daughters, and all three married lesser lords from the Vale. One with a Waynwood and one with a Corbray, I'm sure of those. The smallest It may have been with a Templeton, but the Lords of the Vale know nothing of the North," Catelyn thought sadly.

Catelyn, disguised as a maid, watched everything that transpired with a feeling of satisfaction and pain on her face, she was upset that she could not kill Roose Bolton herself as she had done with Littlefinger, but her Uncle told her that it was better for that man to die swiftly lest he causes more anguish.

Besides, they still had to take care of the Bastard son of Roose Bolton ... That would be the only satisfaction she would get from all this, but Cat still remembered Thoros vision... So who were the wolves that would come? One from the North and two from the West with a litter of wolves.

"Sister?"

Edmure's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she watched her brother with an anxious expression.

"What's going on?" Cat asked, confused.

"There is a Council in the Great Hall ... Lord Manderly says he has something to share with us concerning the future of Winterfell," Edmure said, still covered in mud and blood.

"Didn't you know that Lord Manderly was already fine?" Catelyn asked without being very interested.

Apparently, the Manderly had received a visit from Frey messengers to ensure their loyalty to King Tommen by sealing it with marriage to Lord Wyman's granddaughters, Wynafryd and Wylla, but apparently, those Freys disappeared on the way to Winterfell.

Due to the fierce snowstorm, Aenys and Hosteen accused Lord Manderly of being responsible for the disappearance of their relatives, but Lord Wyman pleaded ignorance. But due to the mounting tension, Lord Wyman insulted House Frey, causing an enraged Hosteen Frey to attack Lord Wyman. Lord Manderly's throat was nearly open, but his knights intervened, and Maester Medrick was treating Lord Wyman's wounds.

Later during the battle, Lord Wyman's knights rescued him from the Boltons when the steadfast loyalty of the Manderlys was revealed, and since then, the Lord of White Harbor remained in hiding while he recovered.

"What is so important that Lord Manderly wants to tell us despite his injuries?" Catelyn wondered.

"Come then, Edmure ... Let's see what the Lord of White Harbor wants to tell us ..." Catelyn said, and Edmure nodded.

When they finally reached the Great Hall, they saw that it was full of people, some surviving Stannis Baratheon commanders, leaders of the Mountain Clans, Lord Yohn Royce, Lyn Corbray, Mychel Redfort, Lord Benedar Belmore, among others at the forefront of all this was her Uncle Brynden.

While from the North were Mors Umber, some warriors with the emblem of House Mormont and of course sitting with a bandage around his neck and with the Master still looking after him, Lord Wyman immensely obese with fingers the size of sausages and dressed in elegant clothes, a blue-green velvet doublet embroidered with gold thread. A golden trident fastens a sea-green cloak to his shoulder.

Lord Wyman struggled to stay awake while sweating and beside him was a tall man with a deeply lined face and brown-grey hair. He wears mail beneath a red surcoat, and his scarlet cloak is clasped with a silver brooch in the shape of a mailed fist; he was Robbet Glover, Lord Galbart Glover's brother.

"Lord Manderly has not recovered ... He makes a great effort to be here ... Catelyn thought, intrigued.

The Great Hall doors closed, and thus began the council of the North.

At that moment, Lord Wyman cleared his voice.

"Ser Brynden and Lord Edmure as well as my Lords of Vale, on behalf of the North, I thank you for your help in finally destroying this House of Monsters and Oathbreakers ... As well as Lord Stannis's men who came to our aid, the North is in your debt… "He said with an effort.

"Lord Manderly, for the sake of your constitution, get to the point, we are weary from battle, and there are many things to discuss, such as deciding the fate of Ramsay Bolton.. Or rather his manner of execution also it seems you need to rest as well" Yohn Royce grumbled.

"Hahaha ... I know Royce, believe me, but the news I must give you cannot wait ... Especially Lord Edmure and Ser Brynden who will be happy to hear it," Lord Wyman said with a smile.

That piqued the interest of the three Tullys.

"Speak plainly, Wyman?" Brynden said with annoyance.

"How much do you truly know of the Ironborns attack on Winterfell?" Lord Wyman said in a deep voice.

That instantly confused Catelyn; why was he asking that? .. And what does it have to do with Winterfell's future?

"I think we all know… Theon Greyjoy, Lord Stark's ward, captured Winterfell, killed Lord Stark's two young sons and nailed their heads on pikes to the castle wall, in full view of all. Then, when the Northerners attacked him, he put the entire castle to the sword, down to the last child, before he was killed by Roose Bolton's bastard son… "Lord Royce said.

"He did not kill him. Instead, he seized him and took him to Dreadfort. The Bastard has been skinning him for over a year, "Glover said.

"We have already heard that story, Lord Royce, although, in truth, it is a story with more lies than words. The one who put all of Winterfell to the sword was the Bastard of Bolton, who was then called Ramsay Snow, although now the boy king has given him the surname of Bolton. And Snow did not kill them all: he left the women alive, tied them together and made them walk to Dreadfort to hone his hunting skills," Lord Manderly said in disgust as a sound of surprise was heard throughout the hall.

"Was Ramsay Bolton responsible for the murders? ... Catelyn thought, surprised.

"His sport?" Mychael Redfort asked with curiosity before Lyn smacked him on the head.

"Yes, he is a great hunter, and women are his favourite prey. He likes to strip them naked and set them loose in the woods, giving them a half-day head start before heading out to hunt them with dogs and horns. From time to time, someone escapes alive and can tell about it; few are so lucky. When Ramsay Snow captures them, he rapes them, skins them, throws the corpse to the dogs, and takes the skin to Dreadfort as a trophy. If they have given you a good hunt, cut their throats before raping them if not, the other way around," Lord Manderly said in disgust.

A sentiment that ran through the Great Hall as the Lords of the Vale and Stormlands wore an expression of horror.

"By the gods ... how can anyone ...?" Lord Royce asked.

"Evil runs through his veins, my Lord, that Bastard is the fruit of rape. He's a Snow, whatever the boy king says, "Glover said.

"When has snow been seen so black? Ramsay Snow seized Lord Homwood's lands, forcing his widow to marry him, then locked her in a tower and forgot about her. The poor woman is said to have eaten her own fingers. And what is the King's justice according to the Lannisters? Reward the murderer with Ned Stark's daughter," Said Lord Wyman, who unknowingly caused Catelyn a feeling of terror.

At that moment, she felt her brother Edmure's reassuring hand on one of her shoulders and took it gently.

"The Boltons have always been as cruel as they are cunning, but this one looks more like a beast in man's skin," Said a soldier from House Mormont.

"The Freys aren't much better ... They keep talking about skin-changers, and they say it was Robb Stark who killed my Wendel. They are arrogant fuckers pardon my language...! They hardly expected the North to believe their lies, but we do pretend to believe them so as not to die. Roose Bolton lied about his participation in the Red Wedding and his Bastard, about the fall of Winterfell. And while they had Wylis in their power, I had no choice but to eat all that shit and praise its good taste ... But thanks to the gods and their help, my Lords, all that is behind us.

"Theon Greyjoy contrived to flee from Winterfell and is now a prisoner with his sister Asha in Lord Stannis's camp ... But he has not been questioned due to preparations for a battle with them, is Arya Stark," Said one of the soldiers.

Catelyn only cried with happiness, knowing that her youngest daughter was safe when her Uncle Brynden stepped forward with a glass of wine and bowed.

"Lord Manderly, your tale is truly fascinating, especially now that we know the whereabouts of one of my niece's daughters ... But it still doesn't seem important enough to risk your health; the Boltons have already been defeated, although the Bastard still needs to be punished; go and rest," Brynden replied and offered the wine glass to Lord Manderly, who graciously accepted it by taking a quick sip.

"I know, and I do not want to delay because I do not know when my strength fails, so I will continue ... During the fall of Winterfell, Theon Greyjoy had a squire named Wex, a mute boy of fifteen namedays who could neither read nor write, except "Yes" or "no". So we may never really know what transpired in Winterfell when Ser Rodrik Cassel tried to take back the castle from the Ironborn; the Bolton Bastard swore that Greyjoy killed Ser Rodrik during the negotiations. But that boy, Wex, denies it, but we won't know the whole truth until he learns more words," Lord Wyman said.

"Roose Bolton's bastard son killed Ser Rodrik and Winterfell's men ... He also killed Theon Greyjoy's troops. Wex saw them being murdered when they tried to surrender. Then, when we asked him how he managed to escape, he took the plaster and drew a tree with a face, "Glover said.

"Did he climb a tree?" Asked his Uncle Brynden with a hand on his chin.

"He climbed the heart tree and hid among the branches where he saw firsthand the full extent of Bolton's betrayal. Bolton's men searched the Godswood twice and killed every man they found, but none of them thought of climbing trees.

"The boy stayed a long time in the top of the tree and slept in the branches because he did not dare to go down; at last, he heard voices below, "Glover said.

"The voices of the dead," Wyman Manderly said happily.

"The voices of the dead?" Lord Royce asked, confused.

"Yes, there were six," Glover said.

"And two of them were the murdered sons of Lord Eddard Stark," Lord Manderly said before the shocked hall.

A deathly silence spread throughout the room as Catelyn let out a low groan as tears of happiness spilt from her eyes.

"My children ... My children Bran and Rickon ... They are alive ... As Catelyn suppressed her crying of happiness.

"Is Lord Manderly completely sure?" Edmure asked.

"Yes, the boy drew two wolves with them," Said the Lord of White Harbour.

"The mute boy is a Kraken", so he preferred not to be seen, and so none of the six stayed in the ruins of Winterfell. So instead, four went one way north, and two went another Wex followed those two, a woman and a little boy. He was always upwind so the wolf wouldn't smell him, "Glover said.

"Do you know where they went?" Asked her Uncle Brynden giving a discreet glance at his address with a smile.

"We must recover the boys and his wolf, the wolf, is essential as it would demonstrate that the boy is who we say he is and silence those who would call him an imposter," Lord Manderly replied.

"Where is my nephew?" Edmure asked, approaching Lord Wyman.

"On the Isle of Skagos" was Lord Manderly's reply.

The happiness Catelyn had experienced upon discovering her children's survival turned to fear upon hearing that her youngest son was on an island with a terrible reputation, with unicorns and cannibals.

."How can I get my son back from that horrible island? ... thought a terrified Catelyn.

"Don't worry so much, my Lords. I have already put in place a plan to bring our young Lord back to Winterfell", Lord Manderly said, and Catelyn was tempted to reveal her identity and ask the Lord of White Harbor as Lady of Winterfell how he planned to recover her son.

"It's not the time yet ... Catelyn thought sadly.

"What are you planning, Merman?" Lord Royce asked.

"The right hand of Lord Stannis ... Davos Seaworth" The Knight of the Onion "passed through White Harbour to request my help for Stannis Baratheon... However, he did it at a bad time; a group of Freys had come to demand that I will bow the knee before the Iron Throne with the threat of killing my son if I don't ... But the arrival of Lord Davos provided me with a way to demonstrate "my loyalty" towards the Lannisters ... "Lord Wyman said with a smile.

"What did they do to Lord Davos?" asked one of Stannis's men about to draw his sword.

"Nothing, we threw him into a velvet cell with comforts and an excellent meal while we executed a common criminal in his place we covered him well with tar, of course, and the onion we put between his teeth disfigured his features. Ser Bartimus, one of my jailers, closed the fingers of his left hand," Lord Manderly said.

"They went to a lot of trouble," said her Uncle Brynden.

"It was necessary; I have plenty of merchants and navigators, excellent in their trade but never left the White Knife... But to arrive and discreetly leave Skagos, I needed a man who has sailed through dark waters and knows chart a course to pass through danger unseen ... Someone like Lord Davos," Lord Manderly said, asking for more wine.

"Lord Davos left for Skagos a few weeks ago, and we have already sent messengers telling the outcome of this battle if Lord Davos was successful, they will be arriving in White Harbor right now, and when the messengers deliver their news ... I have no doubt my men will escort Lord Eddard's youngest son back to Winterfell ... It's only a matter of time," Glover said, also taking a glass of wine.

Catelyn just breathed easy and thanked the gods for their mercy.

"Now only Bran is missing ... But it seems that he went to the North, to the Wall... Maybe with his Uncle Benjen?" Catelyn thought with some hope.

At that moment, Catelyn remembered Thoros's words about a wolf returning from the North.

... If the words of Thoros de Myr are true, I should not worry ... Bran will return ... I must prepare everything for when my children return ... Catelyn thought happily.

Now he only needed to take care of one last thing ...

During the following days, Winterfell had been purged of all Bolton influence and again, the direwolf banner flying proudly on the walls of Winterfell, the corpses were brought to be burned, and Bolton sympathizers such as Barbrey Dustin were thrown into dungeons to ensure their Houses loyalty.

However, something happened in the courtyard that everyone had wanted for a long time ...

Ramsay Snow, sometimes called Ramsay Bolton, was placed on a wooden cross after being whipped, cut, starved for days.

The monstrous Bastard had tried to escape and killed a knight of Royce charged with guarding him... In retaliation, Lord Royce, in a great display of strength, hoisted the Bolton over his head and snapped his spine on his knee. The cries of pain from the bastard Bolton were a pleasant sound for Northerners who lived in terror of him for years, especially those who lost daughters, sisters, cousins , and partners to that monster.

But his real punishment was another ... Catelyn watched silently from the servants' place as this unfolded.

Ramsay Bolton had been nailed to wooden planks and taken to the centre of the courtyard, where a great audience had gathered to witness his torment.

"Aaah... Damn you! ... I am the Lord of Winterfell ... I will skin you for this. HEAR ME!" Ramsay screamed between tears and spit.

"Shut your mouth, you bastard .." Edmure said, walloping him and breaking his jaw.

"Aaagh ... Damn Trout... Damn your mother and your fucking sister, the Freys told me they had fun with her and that they did not enjoy it at all! .." Shouted the bastard Bolton.

Edmure had to be stopped by his Uncle Brynden lest he quickly kills Ramsay Bolton.

"Nephew enought? ... This Bastard will die ... But not by your hand. That's what he wants, not to suffer anymore .." The Blackfish rebuked his nephew, who nodded while looking with hatred at the monstrous Bastard.

"Very well, Uncle, but let us hurry ... I can't bear to listen to this monster anymore ..." Edmure said, and to Catelyn's surprise, Brynden agreed.

"Very good ..." He said, gesturing to a group of Vale knights who brought various tools that Ramsay Snow recognized instantly.

Several remarkably sharp carving knives.

"Do you like to torture Bastard? .. Do you like skinning your enemies? ... Do you?" Asked the Blackfish looking at Ramsay Snow with disgust.

"It's going to be ...! ..." He couldn't speak because Edmure hit him, breaking his jaw.

"Enough already... I can't bear the screams of this monster that desecrated the home of my sister and nephews ... Lord Royce, you may begin," Edmure ordered Lord Royce, who nodded and gestured to the Knights of the Vale, who produced several skinning knives and began peeling his flesh off slowly.

Due to the hate that the North felt towards this Bastard for his crimes against its population, his execution was prolonged, his skin was slowly peeled off.

It was quite clever that a Bolton was skinned ... It was poetic for the monster who took such glee in the suffering of others now wailed in misery; it seems he was but a coward, his eyes full of hatred, probably the Bastard believed he would escape.

Only to discover that it would not be so ... Ramsay Bolton's torturous death lasted three long hours as the Knights of the Vale gutted him like a hog, yet in the end, few had the stomach to bear the screams and many left.

But not Catelyn or her family, who watched everything from beginning to end, that Bastard had caused her family.

In the end, with Ramsay Bolton's bleeding muscles exposed and almost dead, they put his own cut skin through his mouth piece by piece, forcing him to eat it until he choked ... Where, unfortunately, everyone who witnessed his death saw when he shit himself and so ended Ramsay Bolton skinned and covered in shit.

"Revenge at last" Edmure said in disgust, covering his nose to avoid the foul smell of Ramsay Bolton's excrement.

"Yes, now we just have to wait for the men of White Harbour ..." began his Uncle Brynden.

At that moment, they heard the Doors of Winterfell open and everyone was shocked.

Catelyn, in particular, ran out with her heart about to explode from her chest until she reached the entrance and saw an entourage bearing the heraldry of the Merman.

There was a caravan headed by a few travellers; one was a thin elderly man with brown eyes and a familiar face weathered by the elements. His beard and sparse brown hair were speckled with grey.

The second was a tall, slim woman, a head taller than Robb; she had a rugged face, messy brown hair and a flat chest, and her body is heavily scarred.

But everything was forgotten when she saw a boy and a great wolf beside the caravan.

He was taller than she remembered; he looked like a Tully with reddish-brown hair and blue eyes, but longer and messier; he also had an outfit worthy of a little Lord.

Her youngest son Rickon was now within her grasp ... Catelyn was crying with happiness.

She was going to meet his son, but at that moment, a group of men were frantic next to his Uncle Brynden.

"A group of men from the Night's Watch led by Benjen Stark are heading here ... And with them, you won't believe it, my lord, it's a miracle ..." Said one of the men before rushing off.

Despite wanting to hug her son Rickon, something prompted her to go with her Uncle to see Ned's brother ...

Since King Robert and the royal family visited Winterfell to ask her husband Ned to be their Hand of the King, Catelyn had not seen her good brother... But although older, he looked exactly the same ... Benjen Stark has a haggard appearance with sharp features and blue-grey eyes, in which there is often a hint of laughter when happy. In addition, the slim ranger has long legs.

Benjen, like his black brothers, was dressed in black, as befits a man of the Night's Watch ... But that did not attract Catelyn's attention, no matter how much she wanted to greet her husband's brother.

What caught her attention left her breathless and tears in her eyes.

Three children and a red-haired woman.

Catelyn knew she must be Stannis red witch; she was a beautiful woman. She had long hair the colour of deep burnished copper, unsettling red eyes, and pale, unblemished skin. The priestess is slender, graceful, and taller than most knights; she had full breasts, a narrow waist, and a heart-shaped face.

Melisandre of Asshai looked as if she had seen death or the Red God had abandoned her.

The children were clearly crannogmen, the girl was short and thin, had long brown hair tied behind her head, green eyes and small breasts, while the boy was just a teenager, he was short and thin, with unusually deep green eyes, and he wore dirty and worn green clothes.

Also with them was a man who is over seven feet tall, with brown eyes, a brown beard, and thick brown hair all over his body. It was Hodor, their servant.

But Catelyn's eyes filled with tears as she saw the last member of the entourage.

He was a Tully child very similar to Rickon, only older, and in his eyes, there was a wisdom that he could not understand; he was wrapped in furs and seemed to be gazing into the heavens.

Beside him was a great silver-grey wolf with yellow eyes.

Her beloved son Bran had returned to Winterfell at the same time as his brother Rickon.

"Praise the gods ... My children have returned even though they still can't see me, not like this ... Besides, Sansa is still lost, and Arya has not yet returned from Stannis Baratheon's camp, alas Robb and my dear Ned shall never return," thought a tearful Catelyn.

At that moment, her Uncle Brynden approached her husband's brother.

"Benjen Stark .." He said, offering his hand to Benjen, who bowed.

"Blackfish ... I see that the rumours were true ... I never thought I found you here. I thank you for saving our home," Benjen said.

"The moment your brother and my niece got married, we became family ... You don't have to thank me ... I see you also found one of Ned and Cat's children ..." Said his Uncle Brynden while eyes of Benjen widened in surprise.

"Also? ... I see that the powers of Bran and his friend were true ..." She said in a whisper but that she and her Uncle heard.

"Powers?" His Uncle asked, intrigued.

"It's a long story, but if what you're saying is true ... I'd like to see my other nephew ..." Benjen said pleadingly, and after a moment, her Uncle Brynden nodded.

Catelyn just watched silently with her face covered, and that was when she realized that Bran, her son, was staring at her.

At that moment, Hodor carried Bran in his arms and placed him face to face with a tearful Catelyn and smiled to his surprise.

"Mother ... I know it's you ... I've seen you die ... And come back to life, I won't say who you are until you show yourself and I know that Rickon is here. That's why I asked Uncle Benjen To bring us back; I know everything that happened here… "Bran whispered.

As far as everyone knew, she was a trusted maid to her brother Edmure and her Uncle Brynden.

"Then I will tell you everything that has happened since you left the South But now we must prepare ourselves ... The darkness has arrived in Westeros ... A dark dragon has come from the east, and under his yoke, all will suffer until hope comes from the West," Bran said in a dark tone, surprising his mother, who did not believe or understand what her son just told her.

"A dragon came to the Stormlands? ... What does that mean that hope will come from the West? ... Catelyn thought, confused but enormously happy to have two of her children back and hopeful soon to one of her daughters.