It was barely 5am when Jon woke them all to gather for the meeting. Davos and Melisandre had decided to join them today, their gazes full of shame when Brienne would look in their direction, forcing them to glance away. Brienne had no guilt in killing Stannis, it was his final redemption arch, and it was Renly's retribution. The wannabe king used blood magic to kill his own younger brother, simply because he knew he couldn't win the future battle; he sacrificed his own daughter in the flames for power and yet what good did that do him? He committed the unthinkable, yet in the end he had nothing.

They all sat around the table that was becoming steadily familiar to them, each still drifting in and out of consciousness.

"Thank you everyone for meeting this early in the morning, but today is the day we are going ahead with the first step of the plan."

It was Davos that spoke up afterwards, the Onion Knight, so he was titled. "And what is this plan? Or are we going in blind?"

"No, of course not. Everything Brienne stated yesterday was correct; if we meet Ramsay for this 'trade' then he most probably will bring Rickon with him. That gives us the only time we have to get Rickon back to safety and therefore means in the end run- Ramsay won't be holding anything over us."

A gruff, stern voice made itself known, "Except a fucking large army." The voice sent shivers up Brienne's spine- she didn't even have to look at the red head to know his ponderous eyes bore into her.

"One thing at a time. Our main priority is getting Rickon back with us."

"So what's the plan?"

The previous lord commander towered over the map as Westeros, "I've sent a raven to Lord Bolton telling him we will meet today for the 'trade', and we will have to set off in a couple of hours. We will acquire two small groups of men, one shall bombard Ramsay's men who hold Rickon and the others will be the distraction. I've been up all night planning this through and hopefully if everything goes to plan, we will be the victorious ones."

Tormund scratched his beard thoughtfully, "I really doubt it'll be that easy, Snow. He'll know something is up, or something will happen- so he's gonna bring plenty of men."

"Yeah, I don't doubt that. That's why I want two small groups of our most powerful men- it's not going to be easy."

Having enough of hearing about these 'powerful men', Brienne made her voice clear, "If it may be with permission from Lady Sansa, I would like to provide my services to this mission."

Sansa grew concerned, "Lady Brienne, are you sure?"

"Lady Sansa is onto something, maybe you sure stay here..." Melisandre whispered from the edge of the room.

That was it, Brienne the Beauty stood, bold and forceful. "I am sure; I can take care of myself. Besides it wouldn't be the first time I've been in a fight and won: Stannis Baratheon, The Hound, even a bear."

The heir of Winterfell placed her delicate hand upon a more calloused one, "Then I support your wish, Lady Brienne."

"A bear, you say lass?"

Changing the subject from bears to battle, Jon questioned those he trusted most, "So the two groups will separate before getting near Winterfell, one will take the path throughout the forest and the other will go the common path. The group meeting with Ramsay will be as casual as to avoid suspicion and when I give the noise- both groups head into action. Those getting Ramsay's other men will strike and slaughter them all, and those with Ramsay will save Rickon. Does anyone have any questions?"

The others shared a chorus of 'no's' and the plan was set.

Within the time that had been spent gathering the necessary equipment, gathering the horses , getting fed and dressed, it was time to round up the men going and head off.

Jon Snow formed a huddle of everyone staying at Castle Black in order to let everyone know what was about to happen.

"Right, listen up. I want two small groups to be formed- one will be meeting with Ramsay Bolton to get my brother, Rickon; and the other will be our distraction, killing Ramsay's extra men. Yes, this mission will be dangerous, some of you who volunteer might not come back; but please, think about what you would do if it was your family in trouble? So, who will join us?"

Brienne, Edd, Tormund, Davos and Jon himself were the first to step forward. As Pod went to step forward, Brienne pushed him back and spoke softly, "I don't think so Pod, you have only just started getting lessons to fight, it won't be safe for you. Stay here, and if you really want to protect someone- protect Lady Sansa whilst I'm away, she may need a friend."

Pod nodded thankfully and stood back with those staying.

It was surprisingly really, even taking into consideration that there wasn't many Night's Watch members left, nearly every other man who volunteer their life to save Rickon Stark was one of the free folk- loyalty was truly unbreakable, even in the most bleak of times.

Tormund came to stand beside Brienne once more; she could feel the heat that she was quickly becoming accustomed to. "Scared, lass?"

"Not in the slightest." She firmly spoke, her head held high. It was the truth; she couldn't ever recall a situation except for the bear in which she had sincerely been afraid in. "Let's go."

Just as she turned to mount her horse, she felt an extremely immense, muscular hand brace itself on her broad shoulder. "What are you doing, ser?" She bore a warning look that could instantly give the message to back off, if they knew what was good for them.

The red haired wildling had the cheek to wink, "Just wishing you luck is all." He then patted her shoulder and mounted his own horse, "Besides lass, you shouldn't worry. I'll be right at your side; I'm in your little group after all."

"Brilliant, just brilliant..."