I'm very sorry but I have been rather busy this weekend, I have several mathematical lectures to attend so I only have time to write one chapter today. I'll resume the two chapter per day update speed tomorrow.

And yes, several of the lines in the last chapter were copied from some of Catelyn's POVs in the books such as 'it hurts so much' and 'I have no sons but Robb', (Pleeaase don't sue me George. R. R. Martin) but mostly I came up with them myself. A few of the lines also came from the German movie Downfall and the Chinese novel 'The Yellow Storm.'

Chapter 15 Never Surrender

Winterfell's yard was hardly recognizable.

Trenches were dug on both sides, every building a stronghold, soldiers garrisoned everywhere. Blood drenched the gravel red, and flames burned all over. On the buildings to either side dozens of bodies were hanged, with crude signs hung to their necks: 'I side with the blonde beasts,' some of them wrote. 'I love Lannisters,' some said simply. Lord Jason Mallister decided that they must be unfortunate residents of Winterfell caught by the defenders trying to flee.

Stark soldiers were stationed in their defenses, starved men in ragged armour, spears and swords in hand, ready to throw back any Lannisters. The Southron knights were on their horses and armed with lance and spear, charging again and again.

Now the yard was quieter. Through an exchange of messengers an hour-long truce was agreed upon. Jason Mallister, along with two Stark guardsmen crossed through the war-ridden castle under a peace banner with a seven-pointed star. Lannister and Tyrell crossbowmen on the buildings to either side, pointing loaded bows at them warily. He felt uncomfortable.

He was sent as an envoy. After His Grace Robb Stark and his mother's horrifying deaths, according to his will Ser Brynden Tully had took over full control of the realm and commanded him to attempt to broker a peace with the Lannisters.

'My Lord. Do you think those Lannisters will agree to a peace?' One of the men accompanying him, a Northman by the name of Hallis Mollen asked him.

'We'll know soon,' he replied.

The Lannisters had set up a perimeter of wooden stakes around the South Gate as well, guarding their own camps. Several of those stakes were risen to allow them to pass. The center pavilion of the Lannisters was right out of the South Gate of Winterfell, a huge crimson monstrosity large as any hall, Lannister Household Guards in red cloaks and lion halfhelms guarding at the gate. He was halted with his men at the entrance. 'You shall wait.'

'I am an envoy, with a scheduled negotiation ahead.'

'They are busy. You shall wait.' A swaggering sellsword said uncourteously.

'And who are you to tell me what to do, sellsword?'

'Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, Lord of Stokeworth.' The man grinned.

Jason snorted. The Lannisters must be extremely shorthanded as to name a sellsword to a castle such as Stokeworth. After a short while, a command was barked from the inside of the pavilion. Jason recognized the smooth voice of the Kingslayer. 'Enter!'

Bronn of the Blackwater made way, allowing him to pass. He halted his two companions. 'You pass. They stay.' Jason Mallister felt insulted but managed to restrain himself.

Inside the pavilion the air was pleasantly warm. The pavilion was lavishly furnished, and a long table was set in the middle, with the Imp, the Kingslayer and Ser Daven Lannister sitting behind, drinking together. A pimply little squire attended them. The remains of a half-finished supper lay on the table, roasted aurochs, fresh trout and pease.

We are struggling to feed our soldiers and here the Lannisters are, gorging on the fat of our land, he thought bitterly.

The aurochs gave a pleasant aroma and Jason felt his mouth water. He had not had a strip of meat in a fortnight. All meat was given to the soldiers fighting at the front.

'Welcome, My Lord,' greeted Ser Jaime Lannister

Jason Mallister merely responded with a light bow of his head. He would not honor a company of these three with a salute.

'Sit, Lord Mallister,' Tyrion gestured as Lord Mallister sat down. 'I believe we have met.'

'Aye. I stayed at Casterly Rock for a fortnight during the Greyjoy Rebellion.' Lord Mallister sat down on a chair that squire had carried to him. The chair was cushioned, very soft, with a back designed to lean on. Jason sat with his back straight as a spear. He refused to relax in such a place.

'You know, cushions are meant to be leaned on, My Lord,' mocked Tyrion Lannister.

Jason ignored the quip. 'My condolences, My Lords.'

'Condolences for what?' Ser Daven Lannister demanded.

'You have lost the so-called Race for Winterfell. The Flowers boy breached first.'

Tyrion Lannister laughed. 'On the contrary, My Lord, we have won. We saved Flowers' life by charging into the yard where Stark assaulted him. He has yielded the victory to us. Ser Garlan has proved to be a true Reach gentleman.'

Jason had no knowledge of that. 'It makes no difference. None of you shall conquer the North.'

Tyrion Lannister laughed harder, as if he said something amusing. 'What news from inside the citadel, My Lord?' Ser Jaime Lannister asked him, ignoring his brother.

Jason Mallister sat straighter. 'I am here to inform you that our King, Robb Stark has just committed suicide, so has his mother, the Lady Catelyn, the Princes Brandon and Rickon and several other notable members of the Supreme Command.'

Tyrion Lannister stopped laughing and showed shock from his mismatched eyes, so did Ser Jaime and Ser Daven. They exchanged an uneasy glance.

'We… were aware of that,' claimed Tyrion Lannister. He stared at his brother and cousin, and gave a slight tilt of his head. Those two understood the hint and nodded in agreement.

Jason would've laughed if he could. That was too Lannister, claiming knowledge for something they knew not. 'That seems… unlikely, My Lord.'

'Anyhow, according to His Grace's will Ser Brynden Tully is now in full control of the kingdom until a suitable heir is found. The new government under him has given me permission, to broker a peace.' Jason produced a scroll of parchment from his belt, handing it to Tyrion Lannister.

Tyrion Lannister opened the scroll and went through it carefully.

'We have both suffered grievous losses in the war. We feel a ceasefire would be good for both of our kingdoms.' Jason Mallister looked as Tyrion Lannister slowly went through the terms.

'So then, you require us to retreat out of the North and the Trident, offer royal pardons for your Lords, and allow the North and the Trident to remain an independent kingdom under the rule of House Stark as a vassal of the Iron Throne. As repayment you will lay down arms and offer hostages.' Tyrion finished the long scroll of parchment. 'Tell me, Lord Mallister, if by some miracle you Starks managed to win the war, and it was you besieging King's Landing and we offered a similar pact, would you accept?'

'The question is invalid, thus has no meaningful answer.'

Tyrion rose an eyebrow, as if amused. The Kingslayer spoke. 'In that case, My Lord, you may inform Ser Brynden, your new ruler of the following: Winterfell has no choice but unconditional surrender. You shall disarm all the defenders of Winterfell as well as the loose resistance in the North. The Lords who have played parts in the rebellion shall hand themselves over as captives and be sent to King's Landing to await trial. No pardons shall be offered. Then we can talk.'

'The command will never agree to those terms.'

'Under the current circumstances, I fear you have no other alternative.' The Kingslayer said in tones of steel. From his perfect teeth issued out the death sentence of the North.

Jason Mallister could only fume at them.

'I hope you will excuse me,' he managed.

He walked back into Winterfell with a heavy heart. His escort knew what had happened with one look at his face. 'The Lannisters refused your offer?' asked Mollen.

'Refused my offer, and shredded it, and smeared it in my face.' Jason could felt his fingers itching. He wanted to kill someone. Especially a Lannister.

The walk back to the bunker was not long, but extremely difficult. Winterfell was reshaped by the fighting, existing paths being blockaded by rubble, new paths created out of topped buildings. The ceasefire was almost ended when they returned to the bunker complex.

The other lords were likewise furious when he informed them of the Lannister response. 'Unconditional surrender? NEVER!' the Greatjon roared furiously, 'that would be a disgrace!'

'I will never surrender, least of all to the Lannisters,' the Blackfish made his stance firm. 'I will defend Winterfell to my last breath. I fled from Riverrun, I will not flee and hide like a coward again. During the short span of time when I am still effective ruler of this kingdom, I will never agree to unconditional surrender to the Lannisters. Never!'

'We stand no chance! We will die!' protested Ser Edwyn Frey.

'If we rage on this war thousands of civilians shall die, we need to protect them!'

'King Robb commanded us to fight! We cannot defy his orders!' roared Edmure Tully.

'I am telling you, negotiations are the only way to get out of this mess!' someone shouted.

The Lords and knights in the room began shouting and screaming, arguing with each other, each one screaming to make themselves heard. The Greatjon was shouting how he would gut anyone who tried to surrender and Lord Flint was screeching that protecting the people of Winterfell ought to be the first priority. Jason noticed Ser Edwyn Frey had slipped out of the room in the confusion on the argument, looking suspicious. Jason followed.

'I repeat, My Lords. I SHALL NEVER SURRENDER!' He heard the Blackfish bellow behind him.

Ser Edwyn walked towards the exit of the bunker. Frey was fully garbed, and he grabbed a peace banner, the very same one Jason had used to travel under to the Lannister camps.

'What do you think you are doing?!' He showed himself and demanded to Frey.

Frey was shocked for a second, but soon overcame that shock. 'To offer capitulation to the Lannisters. We must surrender to the Iron Throne! There is no way we may defend Winterfell.'

Anger flowed through his heart like the tides. He felt a vein around his temple throbbing hard. Suddenly one hand was at the scabbard at his belt. He unsheathed his longsword, and pointed the tip at Ser Edwyn's thin throat. 'Then I'll kill you first!' He bellowed, 'King Robb had forbidden us to surrender!' He had noticed behind him Lord Edmure had joined him as well, him too sword in hand. Frey looked at them two, obviously scared.

Jason could not control himself. Heatedly, he flung himself at Ser Edwyn Frey and drew the tip of his longsword through his traitor's throat.