The Winter King
Author Notes:
Chapter 10: Battle of Wolfswood
The rain has been pouring for days and the Iron Army, sworn to battle under King Joffrey march through it. They were getting closer to Wolfswood but no battle or sighting of the Northern Army has been sighted. Scouts reports came in that the few Northern Camps were quickly emptied as they fled Wolfswood.
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Jaime Lannister was sitting on his horse next to his son, whom he could never claim as his. He was watching the men march. His sister begged him to protect her son.
His younger brother, Tyrion Lannister was put in charge of Kings Landing until their return.
Sansa Stark had tears in her eyes, as she knew there was a high possibility that more of her family was going to die. The mere thought of that made Joffrey smile in a sick way.
Jaime Lannister sighs as he brought his mind away from those troubled thoughts. Instead over one hundred thousand men were summoned from all corners of the Seven Kingdoms.
All battle experts predicted either the Winter King would surrender or face annihilation.
"Ser Jaime, the Bolton and Karstarks have arrived." A Lannister scout reported.
"Good, have their lords meet with us in the command tent." Jaime Lannister said.
"Yes, sir."
Jaime Lannister said nothing as he turns his horse and marches to the command tent where everyone was starting to gather.
Harry enters his command tent and looks at his commanders.
"Well, things are about to get lively here." Harry said as he walks towards the end.
"Reports suggest they have over just over a hundred thousand men. From almost all corners of the Seven Kingdoms. The only ones not to answer the call are Dorne and the Iron Isles." Commander Sabas said.
"The Lannisters only have a force of forty thousand. The Tyrell's may have fifty thousand. Is this a joint effect from two regions?" Commander Brise asks.
"They are tapping every house and family. As well as the fact, they've hired almost every sellsword in their reach Just thirty thousand of them are sellswords."
"You mean thirty thousand of those men are Sellswords?" Harry said.
"At least." Commander Sabas said.
"Who are the commanders?" Harry asks.
"King Joffrey is Supreme Commander. The Hand of the King Tywin Lannister, Lord Commander Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard," Harry scoffs at the thought of the blond knight. "Lord Harrion Karstark for the Boltons and Karstarks, and Walder Rivers and Lothar Frey for House Frey."
"Who is representing High Garden? Who stands with the Reach?" Harry asks.
"Ser Loras Tyrell." Commander Sabas replies.
"If they attack us in waves we could be in big trouble." Commander Brise said as she looks at the map.
"They won't," Harry said calmly.
"How can you be sure?" Commander Cyrus asks.
"Because of whom leads them. Joffrey Lannister understands little of tactics and strategy. His father and grandfather sure, they're experienced men of battle. Joffrey is not. Joffrey will believe with numbers alone; the battle is already won. This will prove fatal to the Iron Throne Army. Numbers may help win battles, but they do not guarantee success. A good leader can make a hundred men feel like a thousand. Joffrey's inexperience is showing." Harry said with a smile.
"That is true…" Commander Cyrus said slowly.
"Because of his inexperience, he will not be cautious. He also believes that with a larger number will grant him victory. He will throw everything he has at us in an attempt to overwhelm us. This gives him a flaw, that Joffrey doesn't understand." Harry said.
"What do you think he'll do?" Commander Brise asks. "There is only one path that leads to our camp."
"When the scouts report our position, they'll march everyone in the forest. It will be a two-day journey for almost their entire force to enter the forest. Joffrey will be in the rear, as he's not the type to risk his own life in battle. I will take ten thousand men, and move down the river to attack their rear, cutting off their retreat." Harry said as he gestures his hand over the map. "Their large numbers are also a burden. Had them come at us with a hundred thousand they would have had a better chance. Commander Brise will lead the Rangers to attack with arrows on the hill. Commander Cyrus and Commander Gerrard will lead the attack against the army. Commander Cyrus will attack the head while Commander Gerrard will attack them from their flanks. We will not attack in a unit. Rather we'll form small groups to attack them all at once. By the time their commanders realize what has happened, there will be no escape." Harry said.
"This is…" Commander Cyrus said as he looks at the map as Harry moves the pieces around.
"It's a bit ingenious. To use the enemy's own numbers against them."
"Also, these southern cunts greatest strength is fighting in the fields. They cannot get into formation in the thicket of the forest. Meaning they'll be easy pickings. Our Rangers are trained to handle fighting in these environments. Not to mention we have Valyrian Steel armor and weapons. We have better train men and equipment. Victory is within our grasp. Soon they will regret challenging me." Harry said.
The rain continues to come down.
"When will it stop raining?" Joffrey demanded.
"This rain is a good thing. The enemy won't see or hear our approach as we head to their camp." Jaime Lannister said.
"The sooner they're defeated the better," Joffrey said.
"It will take three days to march through this forest," Jaime replies.
"I can't wait to see the Winter King. I'm going to put his head on a pike next to the rest of the traitors." Joffrey boasted greatly.
Jaime said nothing.
Joffrey orders all the men to attack the camp at once. Without sending scouts or skirmishers first, they had no knowledge of the Winter King's defensives. He tried to advise wisely to Joffrey but Joffrey wasn't hearing it. Joffrey was sending everyone to the Winter King's camp.
The days past as they walked through the forest. The rain had finally let up, and the sun was high.
Everyone was surprised that the army stops moving.
"Why have we stop?" Joffrey demanded.
"This is going to happen. Perhaps a tree got in the way and they have to move it. We'll be moving again shortly." Tywin Lannister says.
In the front of the army, the vanguard was marching carefully through the forest. The path was narrow only allowing two lines of men to form up. They passed a large tree only to see Stark bannermen in front of them.
"Attack!" The lead Lannister shouted as he draws out his sword.
At that moment men popped up from behind trees and shouted their battle cry as arrows flew down upon the army.
The Lannister men and their Sellswords fell as quickly as the arrows were fired upon them.
Lannister guardsmen fell as the arrows hit them.
Some guardsmen raised shields, but it proved to be ineffective as the arrows were coming from all sides.
Joffrey was seated down on his horse as he was growing impatient.
"Joffrey." A voice whispered in his ears. "I come for you Joffrey."
Joffrey looks around as he heard the voice yet no one else seemed to have heard it.
"You dare enter my domain. You dare seek to challenge me. Do you truly believe, that you can defeat me?"
Joffrey was beginning to panic. He looks all around him yet he could not find the source of the voice. By the looks of things, it was magic.
A Lannister Commander rides towards them.
"We're under attack!" He shouted. The men all look at each other.
Then the hills erupted with men and women. Arrows flew down upon them causing countless to drop to the ground.
"Defend your king!" Tywin Lannister shouted.
"Behind!" A guardsman shouted.
Tywin and Joffrey along with Jaime look behind them to see Stark Bannermen had arrived and were attacking their rear.
A figure was walking with black plate armor. A dark hood was over his face, create a deep shadow, preventing anyone from seeing who he was. However, the air suddenly lost all warmth and feeling. It felt as if the air itself froze by his presence.
"The Winter King." Jaime Lannister said as he pulls out a dagger and stabs a Lannister Guardsmen in the neck who tried to attack him.
The Winter King throws his dagger into another Lannister who falls down. He brings up his bow and grabs an arrow. He releases killing a Kingsguard.
"Go, go." Jaime Lannister shouted as he urges his horse down the tree off the main road.
The Winter King jumps down with his bow and fires another shot. Another Kingsguard falls to the ground with the arrow in the back of his skull.
The Kings Bannermen road through the forest. Arrows hitting them one by one.
Then the horses reared back rearing as a group of Direwolves suddenly appeared snarling their fangs at them. A few Direwolves were able to leap and bite the arms of the Lannister Guardsmen and Kingsguard.
"Go!" Jaime Lannister shouted as he urges Joffrey's horse to take off.
An arrow appeared killing the Kingsguardsmen next to Jaime.
It was an intense race as the Direwolves gave chase. The Winter King was running through the woods firing arrows as he did so. Each arrow found its mark against the guardsmen.
"Keep riding!" Jaime shouted as they finally made it out of the woods.
Jaime didn't bother looking back. He just kept riding.
Joffrey suddenly cried out causing everyone to look at him. An arrow had found its mark and had puncture itself in his back. His armor mostly saved his life, but he would need immediate attention by the maesters.
The Winter King stood at the edge of the forest watching them ride off.
Harry lowers his bow, despite the fact he killed several Kingsguard and Lannister Commanders Joffrey still manage to escape.
Harry slowly walks back to the battle where Lannister Guardsmen and their allies were getting cut down.
Harry pulls back his bow and fires arrows killing the few men who manage to escape.
Harry brings out his wand and waves it. Clearing the mist immediately. It was at this point the Iron Thone had lost.
Harry sighs as he sits down. He expected the battle to last much longer. Instead, it was over the moment it began. The Lannisters walk right into the trap just as he was expecting them too. In battles, you must make sure every advantage is yours. It's just not about having the right equipment and gear. Knowing the terrain, as well as having morale on your side.
Joffrey's inexperience showed greatly before the battle. He only had a couple of scout reports and decide to send his full strength at him before understanding the terrain first. He was sure if it was Tywin or Jaime Lannister, then they would have been more cautious approaching a dangerous forest.
Joffrey should have known from the start he was in enemy territory, therefore should have been more cautious. He was truly ignorant and bathe in it daily. The comfort of the Red Keep was getting to him.
Harry thought Joffrey wasn't as stupid or as mad as he first thought. He never expected Joffrey to execute Ned Stark. If had known, he would have broken Ned Stark out of prison when he had the chance. He honestly expected that Joffrey would strip Ned Stark of titles, and send him to the wall. Harry was sure he would intercept the Kingsguard escorting him and break him free. They would fight a few battles and strike a deal with the Iron Throne to end the war.
Instead, things became much worse.
Ned Stark was executed.
Theon Greyjoy turn traitor; resulting in the second Greyjoy rebellion against the Seven Kingdoms.
Then the Red Wedding.
House Frey was demanding the Houses of the Riverlands to support them with their war with the Tully's. however, not one house would back up the Frey's. a few were in fact in open rebellion against the Frey's for their traitorous action.
House Bolton had to be sweating.
The only house that was supporting them, was the Karstarks. The others refuse to bend their knees to a house of traitors.
With the latest battle, the Bolton's no longer had the strength to muster their rule. Their only hope was to have a trump card to restrain him.
The screaming stop as did the sound of battle. Harry looks up to see his men walking over the corpses.
Several men were pleading for their lives as his men pierce them with their swords.
Commander Brise walks forward.
"This battle was too easy," Harry said as she stood in front of him.
"It was, I expected greater resistance. They all lost all confidence the moment they saw their comrades die around them. Though we suspect a few manage to escape."
"It doesn't matter. This battle will be sung throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Everyone will know that the Winter King isn't just some up starter looking to challenge the Iron Throne. He's a real usurper, one that is capable of challenge the Iron Throne and even taking it. The Lannisters have to be sweating bullets right now." Harry said.
"Bullets?" Brise said in confusion.
"I guess the right term would be sweating like arrows," Harry said with a smile.
"Will we be moving south soon? It's a good time to attack King Landing." Commander Brise said.
Harry paused as he thought about that. It was true, he could attack King's Landing. However, the problem with that is as soon as he did, he would have to march his army north again.
"No, Roose Bolton wasn't here as I expected. Nor was his bastard son. If the Bolton's refuse to return the North to the Starks, then I will continue the war against them. A wounded beast is still dangerous." Harry said.
"Understood."
Harry stood up and looks at his men. As expected few were hurt, though many did have blood on their armor.
"If this is what the Iron Throne can throw at us, then they're real talent must be in politics. However, the real threat… is Tywin Lannister. He has years of battle experience and is an expert in politics. He's quite ruthless too. However, if Tywin Lannister dies, then House Lannister will suffer a severe blow that they won't be able to recover from."
"The Twins could be a problem." Commander Brise replies.
"The twins, Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Cersei is just as cruel in politics as her father. However, she doesn't have his influence. Most people only respect her out of fear of her father. With him gone, she will find little support behind her. She will also find her reign starting to be challenged more and more. Jaime Lannister finds politics boring. As he tends to doze off instead of focusing on the issues at hand. However, he is an experienced battle commander. This showed in this battle when he led Joffrey and his father out of danger." Harry said slowly.
"So we have to watch them."
"So it would seem so. They're getting ready for a royal wedding. See if we can get our men to kill them during the wedding. I get the feeling things are moving more dangerous around this wedding. Let's make sure we have enough eyes to know what is going on." Harry said.
It took only a day, for the news to reach the Seven Kingdoms. However, when it did everyone was shocked to hear the army of the Iron Throne was defeated in less than a day.
The Southern Kingdoms felt a new wave of fear like never before. The Winter King was winning the war.