A.N. Hello my readers I have got to say that the last episode was very well done. I really hope they make a season 2, and if there is news of something like that, please tell me. Now, onto the Stat Chart:
Reviewers:
randomdude24 (I corrected the mistake, and thanks for pointing it out. For me, Roylands betrayal was a connection to me, since I appreciate warriors and soldiers, and honor my veterans as well. Since it was Royland on my playthrough I feel that he betrayed his duty and honor (traitor, turn coat, etc.), something that is not taken very lightly)
King James10158 (Thank you)
Blood on my Machete (Yup, they are indeed her bastards. Bet you didn't see that coming)
Guest #1 (Yup)
Direwolf94 (Thanks for that bit of information, and I'm glad you like the story)
Guest #2 (You're right, I didn't, but I did manage to complete the game with all blue lettering [unwavering conviction])
Guest #3 (You are good)
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The smallfolk of Ironwrath awaited the return of their lord with what they hoped to be an army that would out match the Whitehills. The Winter soldiers were outstanding, but it wouldn't take much for three Whitehills to overwhelm one soldier that could get seperated from the others. A Forrester soldier spotted the convoy returning, and helped in opening the gates.
The returning soldiers, and lord, rode or walked in and were welcomed by all. Rodrik, Asher, Beskha, and Melissa dismounted and took a few steps forward as Lady Forrester, Elaena, and Talia nearly ran to them.
"Asher, you're home" Lady Forrester says with a smile on her face
"Hello mother, it is good to see you"
Lady Forrester wraps her arms around her second-born son in a brief but heart warming hug. Even though he was exiled, Asher was still a Forrester child in the lady's eyes.
"Hold on a second, where's James?" Talia says, noticing that he wasn't amongst the crowd and would have already embraced her by now. She began to feel nervous as Rodrik and Asher exchanged a concerned look at each other.
"What is it?"
Rodrik looked at Talia with sadness in his eyes as he says, "He didn't make it Talia. He saved us, but couldn't make it out himself"
"What!" Talia yells, "No, he can't be gone. Did you see him fall?"
"Not exactly..."
"Then there's a chance he's still alive! How could you leave him!" Talia yells before running back into the keep
"I'll see to her. You'd better inform everyone about what had transpired." Melissa says before walking off
Inside Talia ran to her room and collapsed on her bed in tears. Realistically speaking she knew what happened, but she couldn't help but feel James is still alive. She hardly took notice when the door opened.
"I share your grief, but am able to conceal it much better"
"Oh, Melissa...I'm sorry you have to see me in this state."
"It's no trouble at all. I know you had feelings for my brother, and if pains me to see his own love suffer like this."
The two girls talked some more before Rodrik came into the room with news that a plan would need to be made in order to protect the keep. Melissa left Talia, who had calmed down considerably well, and followed Rodrik into the Great Hall where the other leaders were waiting.
"Let us begin" Rodrik says as he takes a seat at the head of the table.
"I was brought here to fight, but even I know that there will be no fight, only a massacre!" The black skinned woman says, who Melissa remembers as Amaya
"I sent an owl to my father requesting aid, and he hasn't responded yet." Melissa says
"Well what are we going to do right now! The Whitehill soldiers are already gathering out there, and this "keep" won't last long. It's made of wood!"
"Rodrik, what if we use that old hunting trail?" Asher suggests
"Right, we could flank the Whitehills at night, and possibly rescue Ryon as well. Good idea brother"
"That's my little brother, of course he is missing one important part of the plan," Beskha says, "If either of you are spotted behind these walls, you'll be dead within seconds."
"So in other words, we'd need to be stealthy. Thank you for your input."
A Forrester Guard burst into the hall and said a quick apology before informing everyone that the Whitehills had arrived. They all headed outside to see a massive army outside the walls. As Rodrik approached the gate Ludd came ridding forward on a horse with his son and Ryon, being guarded of course.
"Rodrik, I'm surprised to still see you. My son was suppose to get rid of Asher, but obviously failed." Ludd says with a disappointed glare at Gryff
"I struck down the Winter bastard. Isn't that good enough!"
"We'll discuss this later. We came by to give you an offer. Become one of my bannermen and continue making Ironwood, under supervision of course. We would seal this agreement with a marriage between Asher...and my daughter Gwyn."
Rodrik's eyebrow raised at that as Asher's face turned into one of surprise.
"Why would you make us this offer after attempting to kill my brother, my own blood."
"It wasn't my idea, I can assure you of that, but my daughter still believes we can make peace. I can at least humor my daughter."
"Give us time to think this over."
"You have until tomorrow...oh, and we have something for the Lady Winter."
Melissa stepped forward until she was a foot away from Rodrik. Ludd signalled to Gryff, who pulled out a pike, with James' head adorning the tip. Melissa gripped the hilt of her sword tightly with a rageful expression on her face while everyone else flinched in shock. Ludd then took his leave as they left the pike inpaled in the ground.
"Get the head, quickly." Melissa says
"Why? What are you going to do?" Rodrik asks
"I need a place where I won't be bothered, and maybe, just maybe, I can bring my brother back."
Melissa quickly rushes out to get the pike and head, and brings them both inside the walls.
"How? You're not a witch are you?" Lady Foresster asks
"Of course not, but with the help of the Gods, I will be able to restore him to his body."
"She can use the grove." Talia says, "Where we buried Father and Ethan."
"That should work, but I still wonder how you're going to do this." Rodrik says
"Well, you're welcome to watch."
Intrigued, the small group follow Melissa to the grove, where she places the head on the ground. She has a Winter Soldier hand her a glowing light blue crystal. She placed the gem inside James' mouth and starts chanting.
"Qardaşım hörmətli , mənə qaytarın. Başqa döyüş yaxın gəlir. Siz mübarizə bilər bizə qayıtmaq və başqa gecə üçün bir daha sevgi."
A glow enveloped James' head as it expanded into a bright light. After a bright flash, a pile of snow was left where the head was. The Foressters were about to fear the worst, but the now shifted, and revealed a fully armored James Winter back from the dead. He cracked a few bones as he looked at his sister.
"Took you long enough." James says, before looking at Talia
She was smilling with a bright glow on her face, and ran to James and jumped into her arms. Talia didn't give a damn if she wasn't acting like a lady, and continue to hug her love with a fierce passion.
"I missed you, my love." James says, returning the hug
"I-I saw your head...and no body, it was disgusting."
"I'm not that bad looking am I?"
Talia gives a small chuckle as tears poured from her eyes. Melissa and Rodrik gathered everyone away to give them their moment.
"Talia, a battle is coming, and I don't want you in the middle of it."
"Don't you start. I can fight, you know I can."
"I do know, but can you kill? That's the most important question you have to ask yourself when going into battle."
The two stay silent for a moment longer before heading back into the keep. James leaves Talia in her room asleep before making his way to Rodrik's quarters. Upon arriving, he knocks on the door and waits for a few seconds before it opens.
"I thought I could talk to you about something, my lord." James says
"Alright." Rodrik responds, opening the door wider so James could enter. When he does so, James closes the door for privacy.
"I came here to talk to you about something important."
"And that would be?"
"My death. Now, the death of Lord Winter's son will reach him, and when it does..."
"He'll come here looking for revenge."
"Exactly. Of course, my father knows that my sister would restore me to my body, but he'll still want his revenge."
"Then we should fortify our defenses and hold out as long as we can until the reinforcements arrive."
(A.N. I did have a letter planned, but stupid website logged me out so I lost some work.)
Further South Lord Marcus Winter finished preparing for battle. He planned to ride North and slaughter the Whitehills, but changed his mind after recieveing a message from Cersei Lannister. She had informed him that a message had been sent to Roose Bolton basically stating that if he couldn't stop the houses under his control from fighting then the king might not have use for him. Lifting up his war axe, Marcus signalled for them to move forward. Behind his 3,000 men was seige weapons and extra weapons that would be used.
It took a good two days, but they eventually made it. Marcus had his men set up camp and scout the area. When the scouts returned, they reported around 500 Whitehill soldiers camping a few miles over the ridge. Marcus walked up to a highpoint and saw the encampment.
It looked small compared to his own, but had men stationed on the ridge to keep watch. Things were going well, but it only took one moment for something to go wrong.
Marcus returned to the camp, where he went inside his tent to rest, wondering what happened while he was traveling with his men.
[One Day Ago]
"Ludd has agreed to meet two days from now. We can get everyone into position by then?" Rodrik asks his small council
"Yes, I also came up with a plan to use more soldiers." Melissa says
"What might that be?"
"We can make small pit under the floor where 4 or 5 soldiers can wait in a few groups. Then, we can have more fighting power when the ambush begins."
"Good idea, I'll have someone get to work on that."
With that the meeting was ended, and Rodrik had some smallfolk work on hollowing out some of the pits. James went to Talia's Room, where the girl herself was waiting. The two sat down next to each other and talked about their plans. Not the battle plans, the plans of what they would do after the war ended. Talia came up with the idea of making a small house inbetween Ironrath and the Wolfswood. It would be nearby both Winter and Foresster castles, so they would be close to home.
Soon night gathered in the sky, and the pits were made and the floor re-sanded to make it look like nothing was out of the ordinary. Food and other supplies were put down in case someone actually saw them and asked. The handle was put on the inside, but the space between the planks could easily be shifted to allow access.
James had gifted Talia with a Valyrian Steel Shortsword. It was one of the many heirlooms that the Winter Family had left, and Talia saw it as an honor. James just wanted to give his love something nice. The sword was named Chill, due to it's cold feel and use in many area.
James and Talia spent the night resting with each other, with both of them hoping for the best in the future.
A.N. That's it folks. Next chapter shall be the grande finale! I hope you're all ready, because it's going to be a wild ride. Also, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has read my story and reviewed. It means a lot and helps give me inspiration to write
Reviews would be appreciated
Anyways stay awesome guys and gals of the world, and I'll see you next chapter
