Author's note beforehand: The following details a major battle. I'm going to be jumping all over the place with different POV's to cover as much of the battle as possible. Also, I used the defense tactics that the Lannister's use, that were present in the books, albeit modified to adjust to an army of 30,000 like in the TV series, vs 20,000 in the books.
Lannister encampment.
Sunrise.
Tywin Lannister.
Lord Tywin trotted into the center of his reserves. Half an hour beforehand, he had been woken up by a messenger, warning him that Robb was attacking him. Now he sat atop his large white stallion, specifically bred for war. He was fully armed, with a great-sword edged with gold, and armoured. He was personally commanding the reserves. It served to both inspire his army, seeing their leader, however aged, fight alongside them, whilst staying in the safest spot.
By tonight, the Lion would dine on wolf.
The Stark's motto was '' Winter is Coming.'' In that case, Tywin was prepared to melt the snow before it got close.
'' My lord, everyone is in their formations.'' Tytos Brax told him.
'' Good. Let the wolf save us a lot of trouble, and launch itself into the lion's jaws.'' Tywin said. He had a habit of comparing attacking armies with animals launching themselves into a Lion's mouth.
'' Ser Addam is ready. If all else fails, his cavalry will crush the Stark's.'' Tytos reported.
Tywin nodded. His Iron fists were in place. Gregor on one side, Ser Addam on the other. To the center Ser Kevan. There stood 30,000 Redcloaks answering to the call of Casterly Rock, ready to crush the Young Wolf.
'' My lord!'' A solder ran towards him. '' Stark has archer's on the top of the hill, and I don't see the rest of his men!''
Well I suppose Stark has enough brains to not attack me head on afterall. '' Tell Ser Gregor to ride up the hill and scatter them.'' He ordered. You are not going to stop me, Stark. One way or another, you will never leave Green Fork alive.
Northern Stark Army at Green Fork.
Sunrise.
On top of hill facing Lannister encampment.
Robb Stark.
They were up at the top of the hill, most of his men slightly behind the top, hidden from the views of Tywin's host. Down below he saw a huge sea of Red. 30,000 Lannister troops. 20,000 infantry, 10,000 cavalry. An impenetrable force. Of course, there are more ways to penetrate rocks than to punch them with a bare fist.
'' Archers!'' He hollered.
1500 longbow archers stepped up an
Save
d fitted arrows into their bows. Robb looked down and saw the targets: formations of thousands of Pikemen and Swordsmen, surrounding Ser Kevan Lannister's heavy cavalry. This was nothing more than a painful distraction for the Lannister Giant host.
'' Fire!'' He yelled.
1500 arrows flew from their bows, and rained death on the Lannister front lines.
Ser Addam Marbrand.
Ser Addam of house Marbrand saw the arrows raining down on Ser Kevan's pikemen. The sound of shrill screaming faintly reached his ears.
No mercy. Lannister's pay their debts. They will not get away with that.
He signalled for his men to begin riding towards the large hill, to overtake the Stark host.
'' What the fuck?'' A shout reached him and soon the soldier was joined in voicing his surprise.
Dozens of pack horses carrying huge saddlebags had rushed into his army's formations, unmanned and probably strays.
'' See what those horses are carrying. '' He ordered, but he was cut off by several yelps of surprise. '' The saddlebags are leaking green liquid!'' Ser Flement Brax shouted towards him.
Green Liquid? Why would horses-?
The answer struck Ser Addam like a hammer blow. '' WILDFIRE!'' He hollered. Everyone, kill those pack horses, get away from them!''
This was already going badly for him. The horses had traveled deep into his cavalry formations before the wildfire had been discovered, meaning they would be disorganized trying to escape the wildfire.
'' Too late.'' A soldier announced, pointing up.
Ser Addam looked up and saw the worst thing he could have ever seen in that moment: hundreds of fire arrows, this time descending on his formations. He didn't have time to think about the situation.
'' Everyone, put your shields up! DO NOT let any of those arrows touch the ground!'' He bellowed at the top of his lungs.
The arrows struck. Luckily, his men had gotten their shields out in time and blocked most of the arrows. Only most. He saw several flaming arrows strike the left side of his cavalry-
He was blinded by a brilliant green flash of light, and the sound of the explosion almost deafened him. A wave of heat struck him int the face, but he was still on his horse. He and his men watched in horror as a massive fireball the colour of green engulfed a portion of their forces. Luckily, the blast was too far off.
'' LOOK OUT!'' He heard the man to his right scream. He spun 90 degrees to the right- just in time to see 2 fire-arrows hit a patch of wildfire soaked grass.
Ser Flement Brax was 10 feet away. '' FLEMENT!"' Addam hollered. '' Get DOWN!
The wildfire exploded, into an even larger fireball. Scores of his cavalry were engulfed instantly. Marbrand had no time to react, before the force of the blast struck him. He was propelled 150 feet across the field, before the blast reached him. Many of his men were not so lucky. Flement Brax was among those who had been disintegrated by the initial blast.
At an alarming rate, the two separate explosions of Wildfire burned their way through Ser Addam Marbrand's 7500 strong Cavalry. Nobel household knights, light cavalry and heavy cavalry alike were consumed by the blast.
Wildfire melts wood, leather and steal alike... and of course flesh.
Lord Tywin Lannister.
Lord Tywin was in the midst of giving orders for Ser Gregor Clegane and his brother Ser Kevan when he saw the blast.
Two gigantic fireballs, coloured a brilliant green, had erupted far away from his reserves, right in the middle of Ser Addam Marbrands Cavalry formations to the far right. The green hue gave away the cause: Wildfire.
Tywin was blinded for a few seconds, and when he looked back, he saw chaos and destruction.
Ser Addam's entire Cavalry flank had been wiped out, the few survivors scattered. In the blink of an eye, he had lost a quarter of his forces.
'' My lord, what are we to do?'' The messenger was still there, having recovered from his shock.
Tywin wanted to slap the man, but he was commander. He needed to see to it that the Young wolf was skinned and the Lions prospered. '' Tell Ser Gregor to take his 2500 riders and ride up the hills, assault Robb Stark's position there. Then order Ser Kevan to take his cavalry and infantry and ride around the hill and attack Stark from behind. Tell Tyrion to join him.''
'' Aye my lord.'' The messenger took off.
One of his personal guard, Tytos Brax shot him a look. '' They just used wildfire! We lost the majority of our cavalry right there.''
'' Stark can only play the trick once.''
'' Their up at the hills. They have arrows, spears, swords at high-ground, plus cavalry. Thousands will die!''
Tywin's jaw twitched. '' Thousands of ours. Tens of thousands of theirs.''
Tywin had lost his Iron fist, by which he had intended to use to rout Robb's forces. But he wasn't done yet.
Robb Stark.
Robb was impressed. It seemed that the Wildfire supplied by the Frey's had been a very good investment. It was sunrise but when the Wildfire exploded, it was bright as midday for a brief moment. Robb had taken 50 of his own horses, loaded them up with saddlebags full of the substance, and sent them running towards the Lannister host- primarily at the right wing, where the majority of the Lannister cavalry lay in wait.
When the green fireballs had consumed most of the right wing, Robb had failed to conceal the horror he had wraught. The screams of thousands of men and horses burning would never fade from his memory. The fireball settled, and he got a good look of the updated situation. With the wildfire concentrated on the Lannister's right wing, the Center, mostly comprised of infantry was mostly unscathed. The same were said for the Reserves and the left wing, which hadn't been touched at all. On a whole, the wildfire had only taken out a fraction of Tywin Lannister's host of 30,000 men.
'' My lord look to their left!'' Olyver Frey pointed towards the left wing of the Lannister host. Mostly mounted, the entire left wing was charging straight up at Robb's infantry on top of the hill. The sun was by now fully visible, though partially hidden by clouds. Among the tide of Red and gold charging at them, Robb could make out one figure in particular- he didn't wear the standard Lannister Red, but was clad entirely in black armor, and his silhouette was far larger.
'' Seven hells, if I'm correct, I believe Tywin has just arranged a playdate between you and the Mountain that Rides.'' Olyvar swore.
'' Archers fire again on the approaching wing!'' Robb commanded. Seconds later, a thousand bow-strings thrummed and a hail of arrows flew towards their targets. Robb saw several dozen cavalry and infantry go down to his arrows, but the Mountain didn't budge.
The left wing was rapidly approaching the hillside, and Robb wanted to be ready. '' Tell our pikemen and swordsmen to take the Archers place and meet Ser Gregor.'' He commanded his officers.
Ser Gregor Clegane.
Ser Gregor charged up the mountain, ahead of most of his men.
'' HEAR ME RIP AND TEAR!'' He hollored, as his spear skewered not one but two unlucky northmen. He dropped the spear and jumped off his horse. Drawing his Great-sword, he found himself surrounded by 15 northmen, all infantry.
'' Game on.'' He growled, and he hacked one of the soldier's in half. The rest attacked him, and Ser Gregor, the Mountain that now fought on a hill, literally made a killing.
Minutes later, he killed 13 out of the 15 northmen and sent the other two fleeing. '' Stand and fight!'' He taunted. He charged at a man wearing the Frey banner on his breastplate. '' Come fight me Frey!'' He roared.
Ser Ryman Frey paled. '' Kill him, please kill him, I command you!'' He squealed at two Frey Men-at-arms.
They valiantly charged at Ser Gregor and they valiantly died in two pieces- or three.
Ryman turned and ran, but slipped on some grass.
'' Where the FUCK do you think your going?'' Gregor asked as he split Ryman's skull in two.
He found himself with his friend Poliver. '' I'd say these northmen have no idea how to tell between a shovel and a sword.'' Poly sneered. Gregor nodded, and soon he and Poliver were fighting a dozen more northmen.
Dacey Mormont.
Dacey of house Mormont, eldest daughter of Lady Maege Mormont of Bear island, swung her flail and buried the spikes into the Westerlander's neck. Without a pause, she brutally yanked her flail out of his neck, blinking as blood sprayed at her face. One quick swipe of her sword and the man was down. He never had the chance to scream. Armed with a longsword in her right hand and a spiked Flail in her left, she went to work, cutting down several Red-cloaks who had scrambled their way up the hills. They all wore the same uniforms. Iron/Steel Armour, stained Red, red capes, golden lions on their chest-plates, and helmets with the edges crested gold.
She was fighting at the top of the hill. Because she was a woman, many of the Red-cloaks had underestimated her, as none of them had ever visited the North. On Bear Island, Dacey's home, woman were trained to fight alongside men, due to harsh circumstances. At the age most southern girls were given dolls, she was given a Morningstar. And quickly decided she didn't like the weapon, instead favoring two one-handed weapons in battle. A flail was a beautiful weapon in her opinion.
Lord Tywin's vanguard, along with some of the infantry from the very large Center, had rushed towards the hill and now fought the Northmen to the death to take the forested hill from them. They were halted by several elements however. First of all, the hill forced the attackers to climb or hike up the mountain, slowing them down considerably. Secondly, the heavily forested hill had further divided their forces. Dacey and thousands of Northern pike-men and swordsmen had hardly made the journey any smoother for the Red-cloaks. They made short work of disorganizing and slaughtering the Lannister cavalry. The infantry fared no better. The majority of the cavalry was forced to dismount where they fought to gain every inch of this hill.
Robb was off to the right of her, commanding the infantry. They were to hold the hill, as it was a strategic advantage to whoever held it in this battle. The high ground gave good view and a tactical advantage when it came to steel-on-steel.
Yet another spearman climbed up towards her, and thrust it right at her throat.
'' How dare you?'' Dacey asked. '' I'm only a woman.'' She deflected the mans spear with one sword stroke, and swung her Flail at his head. One fatal blow was all it took. A minute later, she was upon another Red-Cloak, bringing her flail down onto the side of his knee- where there was no protection. Blood sprayed out, and bone caved in, as the man screamed, falling to his knees. She finished him off with a slash to the throat. That was number 18. Or was it 19?
But more kept coming. How many men does Tywin have again? 30,000 at the Green Fork alone?
The Blackfish had been a great help in planning out the strategy. He knew the Riverlands from the inside out, and knew the physical layout of any part of the Trident like his favorite book. He had noted the large hills on the east bank of the river, and reasoned that they could be used to wear down the attacking Lannisters and then counterattack to hopefully smash the exhausted host.
For the next 15 minutes, she continued to cut down Red-cloak after another, oblivious to what was going on around her, only her own survival. She had technically been part of Robb Stark's personal guard but he was off to the right with over a dozen guards. He fought with such utter ferociousness, that he truly lived up to his Houses's sigil- the Direwolf. Dacey figured that he would be fine- she already had her plate full. Robb's orders were to hold the hill at all costs, and that was what she was going to do. Besides, she figured that he would feel a little awkward if he actually needed a woman to protect him.
That's when she heard a loud, ferocious shout: '' Where is the Stark Boy! Come fight me, boy!''
He had arrived at the top of the hill. Clad entirely in heavy black armor, he wielded a huge greatsword. The armor should have been far too heavy for any normal man to bear. But this man wore the armor as another might wear a leather vest. On his breastplate, were the three dogs of House Clegane. To crown it all, he wore a giant stuffy helm, with only tiny slits for his eyes. It was Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain that Rides.
If the Gods had thought to be merciful, he would have suffocated in that giant helm by now. Dacey thought. The Giant monster was only 20 feet away from her. Mormont cursed. Well the Old gods really have no mercy on the North. For Gods sake, did Tywin really need to be this unfair?
The rest of the Red-cloaks seemed to be moving away from Gregor, to continue their fights elsewhere. The Mountain paid no head.
1 northern soldier attempted to sneak up and attack the Mountain from behind. Gregor didn't seem to notice- until the last second. With astounding speed for such a man his size, he spun around and hacked the young man apart- literally. One stroke and the Northman was cut in half, his top half hitting the ground with a thud, intestines spilling onto the ground. His bottom half- his legs and part of his abdomen- followed one second later.
Dacey cursed. She had heard rumors that the Mountain was famous for cutting people in half in one stroke, but that was not a theory she had dreamed of seeing tested in action.
Gregor spat on the bisected corpse and looked around. '' Whose next?'' He challenged.
'' LAST HEARTH!'' Came a holler to Clegane's right side, and the Greatjon Umber was upon Gregor, swinging two axes at the surprised mountain. One clashed against Gregor's helm, the other struck a chink into his at the shoulder and bit deep. '' The Young Wolf is off to take your master's head, now be a good dog, and SIT!'' Umber bellowed.
Gregor sat- or at least crouched- and swung his sword and buried it in the Greatjons side.
'' Be careful who you tell to sit.'' He snarled, but was cut off as Umber yanked off his helm, revealing his very-unhandsome face, and knocked out several of his front teeth with a powerful punch to his jaw. Gregor snarled and grabbed his foe by the head, and with one twist, Greatjon's neck cracked and was still.
During their battle, Dacey had cautiously but quickly approached them, armed and ready. There was a small window of opportunity, as long as Gregor hadn't put his helm back on, he was no longer invincible.
Just as Clegane shoved the Greatjon's corpse away, Dacey had come right behind him, and with all her strength, swung her bloody flail at him.
Thunkcletch.
The spikes buried themselves in the Mountain's skull. '' Raaarrggh!"' He roared in pain. And then came the 'mercy'- Dacey thrust her sword into the back of his neck, right behind the jawline, and drove it all the way, shoving it through neck muscles, bone and brain stem, until it came out the other side- through his mouth. Blood started pooling all around her, as she yanked her Frail out of the Mountains's skull.
Dacey wasn't finished yet. She kicked his lying form, turning him on his backside, facing her. His mouth was gaping wide and full of blood, his tongue severed in half. The light in his eyes had already faded.
'' After all the woman you raped and butchered, I'd say its only fitting that a woman be the one to kill you.'' She said, and she swung her frail down on Gregor's face, shattering several more of his front teeth, and fracturing his skull. Finally, out of a desire to officially end it, she put down her sword for the moment, grabbed one of the Greatjon's axes, crouched beside the Mountain, and in two strokes, severed his head from his shoulders.
Her work finally done, she took a couple steps back, staring at what she had wrought. Then she walked right back at it, and after several tries, successfully kicked the headless Gregor Clegane down the sloped hill.
The Mountain that Rides? More like the Mountain that Slides.
15 minutes later, they were still fighting hard. The left wing was still throwing everything it had at them. But for now, the fighting had lulled in Dacey Mormont's area. '' Dacey.'' A voice to her right called. It was Robb Stark. He had taken a few wounds, but he looked alright. She smiled. '' I guess you didn't need too many guards afterall, Stark.'' She picked up the giant Steel helm that once belonged to the Mountain- which lay right beside his severed head- and casually held it under her arm. '' So who did you kill?'' She inquired.
Robb opened his mouth but never spoke- too stunned he was by the sight of what was left of the Mountain. Several other soldiers were just as shocked. Everyone seemed at a loss for words. He finally cleared his throat. '' Uhh, Dacey? That was Gregor Clegane. ''
She shrugged. '' He was a large man. So what?.'' She sheathed her sword. '' So what news of the battle so far?'' '' Both Wings have been routed. That leaves only the center and the reserves. ''
'' My lord!'' Robb's squire rushed foreword at them. '' Tywin's army has split again- the Center has broken off and has begun to flank around the hill to stab us from behind!''
'' Good.'' Was all Robb said. '' Tywin took the bait. Signal the cavalry to meet the Lannister center.''
1 minute later, the red tide of Lannister infantry- and cavalry- was met by a rush of Stark's own cavalry.
Ser Kevan Lannister.
'' Ser, their sending in Cavalry to take us by the flank!'' Ser Kevan's squire informed him. Kevan had only just started to spring the trap by which to take Stark's host out of the game for good. Gregor had been sent to wreak havoc and distract Rob, which was a success. The Mountain is just someone you don't ignore. Ser Kevan was springing part two, taking all his forces with him around the Hill, to put the Young wolf down for good.
He wasn't alone either. Tywin's son, Tyrion Lannister, had broken off from Ser Gregor's charge up the hill, taking his 2,000 men and 500 mountain clansmen and instead joining Ser Kevan's ambush.
Except Robb Stark had anticipated a possible flanking.
'' Halt! HALT!'' He shouted, and within seconds, all his infantry and Cavalry stopped in time.
'' Defensive formations, defend against their Cavalry coming from the left! Archers in front!'' 500 archers stepped out in front of the melee infantry lines and prepared to fire a hail of arrows.
They were lucky. Stark's Cavalry had hid themselves in the woods, and they were a good 120 yards away, though they were rapidly closing the gap.
'' Fire!'' Kevan yelled, and 500 arrows flew towards the Cavalry. Many struck their targets, and Kevan saw dozens of knights fall from their horses, or horses struck by arrows and taking their riders to the ground with them.
Unfortunately it was barely a dent: out of the 4000 Cavalry Robb had sent to intercept them, at most 200 were felled by the arrows. And now it was too late for a second volley.
'' Archers retreat. Pikemen, get ready. Swordsmen, stay at the Cavalry side!'' Kevan commanded. 2000 Pikemen stepped out, and prepared to go on anti-cavalry mode.
Seconds later, everything exploded into a storm of swords, blood, gore, and screaming.
By the time the Northern Cavalry realized they had run into a trap, it was too late for them to stop. The frontal cavalry met the spear wall, and horse and rider alike were skewered in masses, breaking the charge and bloodying the Northmen. With their work done, the pikemen wall scattered, now driving into the disorganized cavalry, allowing the thousands of Swordsmen to start carving into the Cavalry.
Cavalry is a strange enemy. Organized, they are your worst enemy in battle. Disorganized, and they are as easy to rout as infantry.A tide of Red soon threatened to swallow the Northern Grey tide.
Soon, Ser Kevan's own 1000 Heavy Cavalry charged in and finished splitting the Northern Cavalry in two. Now Robb Stark's Cavalry was split in half and slowly breaking.
'' Retreat! Fall back!'' He faintly heard a northern officer yell, and the majority of the Stark Cavalry suddenly peeled off and fled, leaving the Lannister's victorious.
'' Their not retreating they are regrouping!'' He heard Leo Lefford call out.
'' After them; don't let them regroup!'' Ser Kevan commanded.
All of his men gave pursued the fleeing Cavalry, closer and closer they went to the hill.
'' Oh Fuck! Infantry is pouring from the hills!" His squire yelled. Kevan glanced to his right and saw thousands of the very infantry he had planned to ambush, had fallen upon his men, taking them in the flank.
Northmen were cutting his men down by the scores, and soon were driving his pikemen and swordsmen back.
And just when his day couldn't get any better, he was greeted by the sounds of panic from his front. The northern Cavalry that he had been chasing just a minute ago, had turned around and were attacking his front with renewed force, this time carving into his front-lines.
He went to work, keeping his men organizing, directing the defense. It only served to delay the inevitable. He had 11,000 men with him, but most of them were completely unorganized. Still, they fought to free themselves of the trap Robb had set upon them. They bled the Starks, but for every 100 northmen his forces killed, 200 took their place. Kevan himself got down and dirty, cutting down all the northmen that had gotten close to him. Jaime Lannister is my bloody nephew, northmen. We Lannister's don't tend to use age as an excuse to walk with canes all the time.
I wonder if my brother will come to our rescue, or if he's already too busy dealing with more of Stark's men?
Despite his best efforts, he had failed. His infantry gradually eroded to the pressure of the Stark infantry and cavalry, and eventually routed entirely, leaving only his 1000 heavy cavalry and remains of the infantry against... 12, 15,000 northmen?
He directed his men to form a square, each side a phalanx of 250 men, and ordered them to hold. They were beyond any notion of shattering Robb's host now. All they could do was hold until the Starks were weakened enough, where they might just have an opportunity to make one last charge through the enemies lines, and perhaps be able to link up with Tywin's reserves.
So they fought to the bitter end, shedding their own blood and the enemies blood alike, mixing into giant puddles of crimson soaking the grass. For every Lannister knight that went down, he took 4-5 Northmen with him to the Seven Hells. Crimson was a Lannister color, but Stark blood runs just as red, though it chills the blade which is soaked on it.
Still, the northmen kept coming and Kevan Lannister found himself unhorsed. On the ground, he faced three northmen.
'' I'd hate to defile my conscience by killing an old man.'' One of them drawled. '' How about you surrender so we don't have to kill you?''
'' I disagree.'' And Kevan slew him with a quick thrust. He slew the second man as well, when the third soldier, wielding a small axe, swung down hard.
WHICKSSSHSH
Kevan could only stare in shock as his sword hand was severed off, 1 inch above the wrist, at the forearm. His hand hit the ground with a small thud, and blood began to leak out of the stump. He screamed.
The northman yanked off Ser Kevan's helm and started dragging him by his ear. '' Come along now, no use putting up more fuss. ''
Looking up, the man called out; '' I got him! Ser Kevan Lannister, I got him!''
The foolish soldier had neglected to see where Kevan's left had was.
Gultch.
Kevan had fumbled a dagger out with his left hand, and had now stabbed the soldier in the upper thigh. The man cried out in agony and fell. Soon Kevan was crawling on top of him, holding his bloody dagger over the man's face.
Kevan gritted his teeth, and stabbed. '' A Lannister'' Thrust '' Always.''Thrust. '' Pays his.'' Thrust.
'' Debts.'' Thrust.
The man who had cut off his hand, was now a bloody mess, more dead than last summer's grass. Kevan was exhausted now, and rapidly blood and consciousness. He collapsed right beside the dead northmen and fell unconscious. His last thought was; I hope my brother destroys this upjumped green wolf for what he has done.
Tywin Lannister.
The Battle was lost. Tywin learned of Gregor's defeat at the Hill, and his brother Kevan's defeat afterwards. At this point, Tywin had lost all of his men except for his own reserves, and he didn't want to chance them yet. He had no choice but to retreat from this disaster of a battle.
This isn't over. One day, I will pay off this debt with high interest.
And thus, is the alternate battle of Green Fork. I was considering different strategies for Robb, considering that Tywin is a much harder shell to crack than Jaime.
In the book version, Robb goes further than a sacrifice play with 2000 men as seen in the HBO adaption. Instead, he sends most of his infantry to attack Tywin, in the hopes of delaying his host. The battle was still a wash, as the infantry, commanded by Roose Bolton, made several mistakes when attacking Tywins larger, more armored host. One of them I believe was not holding the high ground and forcing the Lannister cavalry to come to them. Dissiplined infantry on high-ground have a very good tactical advantage over cavalry on low-ground.
Even so, Robb might still have lost this battle if it were not for his trick with the wildfire, wiping out the majority of the Lannister cavalry. And that still wasn't the fatal blow to the host. Tywin had been expecting a full on assault on his front lines. Instead, Robb forced him to split his host into smaller hosts and took them out separately.
( Edit) Note: I split this chapter in half. Part two has been edited and is now chapter three. )