The Winter King
Author Notes: I did some editing to my previous chapters. Fixes and corrections that needed to be made. Feel free to check on them to see the story as it is.
Chapter 13: The Long Night
Harry wasn't the type to sit back and let others do the fighting for him. Which is why, when he took his Northern Rangers and went to Castle Black, leaving Commander Cyrus in charge of the army to provide backup the day when the Wildlings, or Free Folk as they call themselves to attack. Messengers would be sent three times a day. One in the morning, one at noon and one at evening. Harry did this because he needed to be in constant communication with his army. His army themselves were only an hour away from Castle Black. So, help would arrive with just a moment's notice.
Harry stood in front of Castle Black's southern gates as the horn blew once. The gates open as Harry led his men inside. They weren't on horses, as horseback could be problematic in a fight. They also didn't have the food to feed the horses. So, they walked to castle black. The helmets they all had on was light weight. It covered their head and they all had an edge that curved backward from the middle upwards. Officers, such as Harry and Brise had black plume hanging from the back of the blade hanging downwards. The sides also tipped out. Almost making it appeared dragonish.
Harry walks towards where Jon Snow was residing. Ser Alliser Thorne, he looked at Harry with a malice look in his eyes. However, he knew better than to start a fight. He was badly outnumbered. Castle Black only had a fighting force over two hundred people, Harry had a thousand at his back. Ser Alliser Thorne may not like Harry or Jon, but he wasn't a fool to directly challenge them. Not with a well-armed and trained army at Harry's back.
Janos Slynt stood next to Ser Alliser with a hard look on his face. He was speaking to the Acting Lord Commander who didn't say a word to what Janos Slynt was saying but keeping a careful eye on Harry and the Northern Rangers.
"Harry, I didn't think you would be coming." Jon Snow said as he makes his way towards Harry.
"I'm not the type to sit idly by when there is danger. Especially when it's family. You know this about me, Jon." Harry said.
Jon smiles.
"I once told Mance Rayder we had over a thousand men at Castle Black alone. Now because of you, we do. We have a chance." Jon said.
"We need a war council," Harry said.
Brise turns to the Rangers who were coming in. "Fall in and make preparations for battle." She orders. She then turns to follow Harry and Jon inside the mess hall as many brothers of the Night's Watch walked inside. Ser Allister and Janos Slynt walks in where Harry sat at the Lord Commander's Seat.
"Bring me a map of Castle Black and its area," Harry shouted. Several men, stewards by the looks of it, immediately took off towards what appeared to be the library.
It took several minutes before a large guy walks forward holding some maps. "Here." He said.
"Thanks, Sam," Jon said.
"Jon, you know Castle Black defensives and layout better than I do. What do you advise?" Harry asks.
"I am acting Lord Commander here." Ser Alliser snarls. "You will follow my orders."
"When I want a fool to speak I will ask for the fool to speak," Harry said.
Ser Alliser Thorne tried to look threatening as a nasty look on his face erupted.
"They have the numbers, we have the defenses. A hundred thousand are coming in from the North, while a hundred wildlings attack us from the south. We need men up top with good archery skills." Jon said.
"What about the tunnel?" Brise said.
"I did suggest to seal it shut but Ser Alliser was against it," Jon said.
Harry sits down and thinks carefully. He slowly tried to think of how to fight the oncoming hundred thousand wildlings. His mind slowly went back a historic battle that took place in his own world. The infamous last stand. Where a group of three hundred warriors, held off the fighting force of a hundred thousand.
"No. Jon, we'll let them breach the tunnels," Harry said.
"Unthinkable. Castle Black has never been breached. You want them to through the tunnel. He's lost his mind." Ser Alliser shouted.
"Why would you do that!" A Night's Watch shouted. Other began to shout their disapproval as well.
"Enough!" Jon shouted after several intense moments of shouting. The room falls silent. Jon turns to Harry. "Harry, I know you well enough to know you wouldn't do this without good reason. Explain why you want them through the tunnels." Jon said.
"Who ever said I would simply let them through the tunnels," Harry said as he looks at Jon. "I said we would let them breach the tunnels. I didn't say they would run through it. Their advantage is their numbers. Our advantage is our defensives. In the open, they would overwhelm us very easily. However, it is a very different story inside a tunnel. A small force can keep a larger force at bay inside a narrow corridor. Once there inside the tunnel, their numbers will count for nothing. I can leave five hundred men at the inner gate to hold them back. Because those who are defending inside a narrow corridor, have the advantage over the attackers." Harry said.
"How do you know this?" Jon asks.
"Because it has worked before. All they have are numbers. They do not have the equipment nor the training my men have. The moment they enter the gate, they'll be lambs to the slaughter. When the dead pile, they will retreat. They will not get past the inner gate." Harry said.
"Once they breached the gate, they'll just pour in." Commander Brise said.
"They won't breach the gate. It's imperative that that gate remains undamaged. We'll open it for them. The fools will walk right into it without realizing the dangers they're getting themselves into."
"What will they need to hold the gate?" Commander Brise said.
Harry leans forward and places his chin on top of his hands.
"Two hundred spears and shields. The rest will be archers. The shields and spears will form a wall inside the gate. Preventing anyone from getting through."
Brise turns to one of her rangers who nods his head before departing.
"So, half our force will be inside the tunnels to repel the main invasion force. What about the other half?" Brise asks.
"Two hundred men will assist the Night's Watch on top of the wall. The rest, three hundred will remain down here on the ground to repel the Wildlings coming from the South Gate. With over a hundred Wildlings, once they breach the gate, they're numbers could be problematic. We need to make sure our numbers are greater than theirs." Harry said.
"If we can hold out until our main forces arrive, we should easily overwhelm them," Brise said.
"Where is your army residing right now?" Jon asks.
"In Mole's Town. The residents are either dead or have fled. It's been abandon. Also, the Wildlings will not dare attack it again after they ransack it. Even if they do, they will just meet an army ready for battle. Even a hundred wildlings cannot attack a force over ninety thousand." Brise said.
"Jon, you will take my two hundred men on top of the wall and command them. I know you'll lead them well. Brise and I will stay down here to contain the fighting." Harry said.
Jon looks at Brise who nods her head.
"I don't think we've been introduced before. I'm Jon Snow."
"I know. Harry's speak highly of you. I'm First Ranger of the Northern Army." Brise said introducing herself to Jon.
"First Ranger?" Jon said.
"I sort of adapted some of the Night's Watch Hierarchy into my army. There is a First Ranger, First Watch, First Commander and a First Steward." Harry said.
"Want to explain how that works?" Jon asks. Harry took note that Ser Alliser Thorne and Janos Slynt were listening with great interest.
"The First Commander is as you would guess, the leading Commander of all my Commanders. He works as Second in Command you would say. A First Watch oversees mostly sentry duties and defensives. Keeping watch over thousands of men is a responsibly only a few men who are truly capable of performing. First Ranger, oversee the Northern Rangers. They do many things, such as scouting and tracking. First Steward, oversee rations and making sure the army is well fed and taken care of. I do have other commanders, but they hold no special title." Harry explains.
The room was silent for a while.
"We face another problem. The timing of the attack could be trouble. Unless we know exactly when they're going to attack they could catch us off guard." Brise said.
"Mance Rayder said it would be the greatest fire the North as ever seen," Jon said.
"What do you think? A day attack, or…" Brise said slowly.
"A day attack would mean black smoke. However, that could easily be waved off. I think we could be facing a night attack. As a fire in the middle of the night would emit an orange glow in the night sky that the Wildlings could see over the wall. Also, those attacking from the South can move in the cover of darkness unlike during the day." Harry said.
"I'll make sure the men get the rest they need. In the meantime, we should make final preparations. This attack could happen any day now." Brise said.
"Divide the men up the best you can. And get as much rest as you can." Harry said as he stands up.
Brise nods her head before walking out the door towards the men. Harry sits back and sighs.
"Strength and Honor," Harry said to Jon as he grasps his forearm.
"Strength and Honor," Jon said.
Harry was resting on the balcony with his back down on the wooden floor. The Night's Watch had just over a hundred men in Castle Black alone. They lost over four hundred when the previous Lord Commander Jeor Mormont went out on his expedition North of the Wall.
Once the shields and spears arrived, his five hundred men went into the tunnel to rest inside. Harry made sure to give them specific orders not to venture past the inner gate even if the Wildling Army breaks and runs away. His two hundred men were resting up north of the wall. With enough provision to last them a couple of days.
The rest of the men were down below. Taking defensives stances and moving in groups. Many of them were resting. Brise herself was sleeping. Being a battle commander, meant having to sleep lightly.
How so much has changed since they left Winterfell. It's been over four years since Harry last set foot inside Winterfell. He so wished he could eat and dine and walk with his surrogate family. They were everything he ever wanted in life. Robb, Jon, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon were all the siblings he has long sought for and wanted his entire life. Then there was Lord Eddard 'Ned' Stark and his wonderful wife Lady Catelyn Stark. Who treated him as if he was their own son. Lady Catelyn took a year before she did warm up to him. It didn't take Harry long to realized she was beginning to see him as her own son as well.
How he wished he could turn back time and undo everything. There was so much he would change. Things he would try to prevent from happening. He only wished he had a time turner on him. He could stop the war from ever happening.
A sudden horn blow erupted from on top of the wall. Harry sits up as another sound could be heard before a third follows. Harry gets up and puts his helmet back on. He jumps down as his men and the remaining Night's Watch began to mobilize. The horn continues to bellow all around them.
Harry walks backward as he looks up to the wall and could see the light glow of orange emitting over the wall.
"Battle positions," Harry shouted. "Send riders to Mole Town immediately. Have my army ready to advance immediately."
Four men got onto horses and prepared to ride out.
His three hundred men all got up as quick as they can and put out the fires that were keeping them warm. They were all grabbing their bows and quivers.
Brise walks over to him holding her helm in her hands.
"What do you think of the Night's Watch?" Harry asked.
"Half these boys don't know a thing about fighting a war. They're scared. Many of them are shaking they can't move properly. I don't think many of them will survive the night." Brise said.
Harry looks up towards the wall and sees several torches falling. They land on the ground as they bounce high before settling down in the snow.
"Open the Outer and Inner Gate," Harry shouted.
The Night's Watch did as they were told and open the outer and inner gate inside the tunnel.
North of the Wall, the Free Folk watched in amazement as the outer gate opens upward. The gate opens wide enough to allow them passage inside.
"Incoming." A sentry shouted as the sentries above the wall started opening firing. By the horn, the Night's Watch blew his horn to signal the attack at the Southern Gate was happening.
"Rangers, prepare for battle," Harry shouted. They all stood, grabbing their bows and nock their arrows.
The elevator came down and Ser Alliser comes out speaking in a loud voice. Speaking of who was attacking them and promising them that Castle Black will stand.
The gate began to crack and break before it falls down revealing several wildlings.
"Loose," Brise shouted. The Rangers let loose a volley of arrows and they hit their targets. The wildlings first wave fell down with ease. TheRangerss quickly nock their arrows again and release their second volley killing more wildlings. "Swords," Brise calls out as Rangers draw out their swords just as the wildlings were charging in.
The Ranger charged forward as Ser Allister charged forward. Several of his Rangers remain on high ground to continue to fire arrows down upon the wildlings. Harry fires his arrows at a rapid pace. Firing at least twelve shots a second. Could be more. He wasn't keeping count. He was doing all he could to bring the wildlings down as fast as he could. They also weren't discouraged. They just kept charging in screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs.
Harry puts his bow back on his strap before drawing his long knives. He ducks the incoming wildling attack as he slices though the wildling gut in one swift motion. Harry walks forward and sees another wildling preparing to attack him. Commander Brise was taking on three wildlings at once. She was defending herself well. However, she couldn't really attack. Harry stabs his long knives into the ground before grabbing his quiver and drawing back his bowstring with an arrow. He aims and releases, killing the first wildling before he pulls back again and releases the second arrow. Killing the third wildling. Brise parries the blow that would have slicer her torso to her abdomen. She was quick as she swings her sword cutting the man's throat. She didn't even look to see who saved her. It didn't matter, the battle was still raging.
Harry turns to see a wildling attacking him. He ducks and grabs his long knife before shoving it upwards through the man's skull.
Harry gathers his equipment and walks up the stairs near the elevator. He sets his bow and fires shot after shot. Killing wildlings with each shot.
Harry looks around and could see even with their numbers dwindling, they were still pressing the attack. Believing they had a chance to win. They were fighting bravely. Yet foolishly. They had no real strategy, fighting more as brawlers more than soldiers. His men were easily overwhelming the Wildling attack force. It was like they couldn't realize they were outnumbered three to one.
Harry scans the battlefield carefully. A sudden cry of "Hold the Fucking Gates" caused Harry to turn to see Ser Alliser was carrying a bad wound in his leg and several of his goons were carrying him away to safety. Only a couple of wildlings seems to pose any real danger. The red beard with the bronze sword was attacking like a wild animal. Killing many brothers of the Night's Watch. His men, with Valyrian steel armor and weapons, could take the blunt of the attacks and keep fighting. Only a few of his men fell mostly with wounds to their legs and or arms.
Harry turns to see a fat boy, Sam if he remembers correctly, coming up to him.
"I need to see Jon." He said.
"Go to him," Harry said as he pulls back his arrow and fires another shot. This one went straight through the wildlings heart dropping him dead. Sam nods his head and climbs inside the elevator. Harry pulls back another arrow and fires, killing a wildling as his arrow went through his throat. Harry saw a bald man with strange facial markings killing and fighting savage like. Harry pulls back his bowstring, and releases, however, this one missed as it sails past him and hits another wildling.
Harry cursed under his breath as he pulls back his string to aim again. However, the man disappeared behind the forge and did not reemerge. Harry knew he couldn't waste time hoping for that wildling Thenn to appear again. He would get another chance. He turns his attention to the battlefield and fires his arrow into another wildling. Their numbers were seriously dwindling now. It appeared the wildlings had about fifty men left.
Harry looks back up to see the elevator coming back down with Jon inside of it.
A sudden shout took Harry to see a couple wildling heading straight for him with another coming in from his blind side.
Harry sets his bow down before grabbing his long knives. The wildling was holding an axe and swings it at Harry. Harry calmly parries it with his left, bring it down away from him as Harry brings his right blade up and swings, cutting the man through the neck. He staggers before he falls to the ground dead. Harry brings his swords up to block a haymaker attack. He knew this was merely to keep his attention on the wilding as the one in the back attempts to stab him.
To his delight that brought a smile to face, Jon did as Harry expected, jumping down from the elevator and blocking the blow meant for Harry. Jon kicks the wildling before slicing his torso open. He falls to the ground as Harry takes a step back and drags his swords down to his right causing the wildling to stumble forward as Harry stabs him straight through the gut.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked as he turns to Jon.
"Ser Alliser has fallen. There is no one in command here." Jon said as the elevator touches the ground as more brothers of the Night's Watch rejoins Jon.
"I have this battle under complete control," Harry said.
"I know you do. But this is Castle Black and the Night's Watch need to have a commanding officer down here." Jon said.
"Do what you do best, I'll cover for you," Harry said as he stabs his sword in the plank before picking up his bow again.
"Come, brothers, fight with me," Jon said as he leads them down to the fight and quickly joins the mayhem. Harry pulls back his arrow and lets it fly. Killing a wildling that was running up the stairs.
A sudden movement flicker out of the corner of his eye and he turns to see an arrow flying straight towards him. He spins his bow in his hands and deflects the arrow that would have hit him. He looks up at the eastern balcony to see a girl with red hair holding a bow looking at him. For a moment, they simply stared at each other.
Both quickly reached for their arrow and nock it back on their bow. They both raised it, and aim. Harry was quicker, he fires just a split second before she did. She rolls out the way as Harry side steps the arrow.
Harry grabs his long knives then disapparates. Vanishing from sight just as the girl takes aim again. She looked for a moment surprised as Harry's sudden disappearance. Harry reappears next to her and swings his blade to decapitate her head. She leans back to avoid the blow but Harry gives a strong front kick, hitting her directly in the stomach causing her to stumble backward. She still had an arrow in her bowstring, she pulls back and fires. Harry swings his sword, deflecting the shot.
It was child's play to him. He's seen spells launch faster at him during the Battle of Hogwarts then the fastest arrow here could do. He actually deflected those shots when they came to him as fast as lightning. So deflecting an arrow at nearly point blank was nothing for him. He could see the pathway perfect, and he had the speed and reflexes to deflect the arrow.
The girl backs up a bit, clearly not comfortable with getting in a close quarters confrontation with Harry. She turns and jumps off the balcony landing on the shed roof before rolling and landing on the ground.
Harry straightens up and brings up his bow. He pulls back, and fires. Killing a wildling at once.
Then something caught his eye.
He saw Jon fighting the facial marked Thenn who was wielding a heavy two hand battle axe. Harry knew Jon was more than capable of handling himself. However, he would take no chances. He lost Robb, and he wasn't there for him to protect him. He would not lose Jon too. He pulls back his arrow and fires.
The Thenn took a step back to avoid Jon's swing, showing he was an experienced fighter and knew what he was doing. He brings his battle axe up and prepares to smash it down upon Jon's head. Just as he did, Harry's hit the battle ax. The momentum of the arrow caused the Thenn to lose it as it fell out of his hands and onto the ground. Jon wasted no time and shoves his sword through the man's gut killing him as he did.
Jon looks up and nods his thanks to Harry. Jon turns to the side and could see the girl holding an arrow at Jon. The same girl who managed to escape Harry just moments ago.
Harry pulls back his arrow and watched. For a strange reason, she did not fire her arrow. Her face also showed to be very emotional. Mostly of frustration. Taking no chances, Harry fires his arrow. She didn't even see it coming. It sailed and nicked her bow, causing it to fly out of her hands. The arrow was released and sailed over head, passing Jon.
A sudden war horn could be heard. Harry's ears perked up as he knows that war horn sound. The Northern Army had finally arrived. They went through the gates and started to attack the wildlings.
It was over the moment they arrived. The numbers were simply too much for the Wildlings to handle. His reinforce men went through them like lambs to the slaughter.
When it was over, only a few wildlings were left. The girl surrenders without a fight but kept her eyes on Jon Snow as she was bound. Jon bows his head and walks away. Straight towards the beard red-haired wildling who had two arrows in his back and was staggering to stand on his feet. Brothers of the Night's Watch and his Rangers surrounded the man. He swung his sword at them like a madman. Shouting like one as well.
Jon wasn't intimated. He walks forward.
"Tormund." Jon said. The wildling known as Tormund staggers back a bit before looking at Jon carefully. "It's over. Let it end."
"No. This is how a man ends." Tormund said. He charges forward and swings wildly. Jon wasn't even phased by the attack and grabs a crossbow from one of the Brothers and shoots it in Tormund's leg. Causing him to yelp and dropped the sword as he holds his leg. Jon walks forward and kicks him down.
"Put him in chains," Jon said. Two Night's Watch moves forward to obey Jon's orders. "We'll question him later."
As he was being dragged away Tormund shouted. "I should have thrown you, from the top of the Wall, boy!"
Jon hands the crossbow back to his brother as he walks away.
"Aye, you should have," Jon said.
"Commander Cyrus take Commander Tarik with you and go through the tunnel. Push the wildling army back if you must but do not pursue them. We don't know what kind of traps they have in the forest and the darkness is our disadvantage."
"Yes, Your Grace." He said as he urges his horse forward.
"Commander Chrestan, have your men looked after the wounded and gather the dead." Harry orders.
"Yes, Your Grace." Commander Chrestan said.
"Jon," Harry called out. Jon walks to him. "We need to talk," Harry said in simple words.
Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoys. A bit sooner than I was planning but I thought everyone ought to enjoy this chapter. No matter what your numbers are, people will not fight well against a well train fighting force. Especially when the numbers are even. I'll be posting more chapters up soon on season five and six.