The Winter King
Chapter 17: Wolf, Stag, Traitor
Harry made sure the lands the Free Folk settled in lands that were unoccupied. He did warn them not to get in trouble with the locals, but they were free to hunt any wild game they could find.
In the meantime, he was out with his Rangers, tracking Stannis Baratheon and the Bolton's. He made sure to keep his distance. Only watching from afar.
The previous night some Bolton's at least twenty of them, snuck into Stannis's camp and set fire and sabotage their siege weapons and supplies. This was a fatal mistake as Stannis didn't understand the terrain as the Northerners did. He did choose well in his location to make camp, but his guards position themselves poorly as sentries. Harry and the Rangers watched as the Baratheon camp was lit aflame.
When morning broke they had their breakfast and marched to Winterfell.
Harry made sure to stick to the shadows of the forest as he and his men follow Stannis army. This was the first chance in a long time to see just how strong the Bolton's and Karstarks really are. Harry knew their combine forces alone gave them twelve thousand men. They had at least six months of provisions to last. Harry knew this because he has choked the supply lines to Winterfell. Every time the Bolton's would venture out for food, his Rangers would hunt them down and kill them.
"Your Grace," Brise said in a low voice pointing to the hill not far from them. A person wearing a red armor of some kind and he was watching the Stannis army marching before he takes off and disappears between the trees.
"If he's with the Bolton's he would have vast amounts of information. Let's intercept him before he rejoins the Bolton's in Winterfell." Harry said as the Rangers all move silently through the trees to intercept the lone scout.
The thing about being a Ranger was the tracking skills required to find people even in the thick snow. However, Rangers were trained to track people in the North and in mountains. Finding him wasn't so difficult. He apparently was talking to a tall blonde figure wearing black armor. The figure turns to leave but Harry's Rangers stepped out in front of them and points their bows at the pair. The tall blonde figure reaches for her sword but quickly looks around to realize she was outnumbered as Rangers appeared in the forest around them pointing their bows at them.
"What is a Bolton doing out here?" Brise asked as she steps forward.
"I'm not a Bolton." The woman said.
"She's not," Harry said stepping forward. "I recognize you. Brienne of Tarth. You were once charged with the care of Lady Catelyn Stark."
"I was. And I recognize you as well. Harry Stark. The adoptive son of Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn Stark. Brother to King Robb Stark." Brienne said.
"I should execute you for your treason against House Stark," Harry said as his Rangers holds their arrows tightly waiting to let loose.
"I follow my orders. Lady Catelyn Stark wished for me to protect her daughter. That's why I'm here." Brienne said.
"Sansa and Arya have vanished. They're nowhere to be found." Harry replies.
"I have found Sansa Stark," Brienne said. "She has returned to Winterfell."
"Sansa in Winterfell?" Harry said in surprise. He then rushes past her to see Winterfell in the distances.
"What is she doing back home?" Brise asked.
"She has not return willingly. Brienne Tarth I want you to tell me everything. In the meantime, follow me and watch this battle."
"Are you the Winter King?" Brienne's male companion asked.
Harry turns to look at him.
"I am. But now is not the time for questions."
"You're not going to help out in this battle. This is your home." Brienne of Tarth asked in surprise.
"If Winterfell could be captured so easily I would have laid siege to it two years ago," Harry said as he walks over to the hill to see Stannis getting his men set up for the siege.
"Stannis army is a lot smaller than what it was a month ago," Brise said.
"Looks like men deserted Stannis. Most likely in the thousands. He once had forty thousand men under him. Now it looks like he barely has ten thousand left. He does not have what it takes to retake Winterfell. The Bolton's know this. They're going to meet him in battle and not give him any time to regroup and lay a siege." Harry said.
True to Harry's words. The Bolton's and Karstark's all rode out to meet Stannis. The flag of the Bolton's was waving in the air as they rushed off to meet Stannis army.
It was already over before it began. The Bolton's had a much larger attack force and were riding horses. There were no trenches to protect their flanks. Many men in Stannis army began to retreat while other stood in their last stand.
"There is the chance some Bolton's will discover us. Let's fall back and keep our distance. We do not have the army out here to fight them." Harry said.
They did so. His Rangers slipping into the forest with ease. Their dark green tunics allowed them to blend in perfectly. Harry leads them to a safer point as he knows the lands around Winterfell quite well.
"Brise, how many Rangers do we have in the area?" Harry asked.
"At least a thousand. Not enough to fight a battle." Brise said.
"No, but enough to skirmish the enemy. We'll keep our eyes open and wait for our window of opportunity. The moment the battle is over, we'll hit the Bolton's who are on cleanup detail. Hit a sweep, then disappear into the woods. We'll regroup back at Stannis camp." Harry said.
Brise nods her head and turns to her Rangers who nod their heads and disappear into the woods. Harry draws and arrow and watches. The battle was turning into a mess for Stannis. The rear was the only non-attacked place they had and many were attempting to make a break for it.
Harry watch carefully as the battle rage on. It took about thirty minutes before it showed signs of dying. The majority of the Bolton's were near the Winterfell, but the battle did enter the forest. Harry and his Rangers moved in silently through the woods. Looking for Bolton's to kill.
Brienne of Tarth walks forward to where Stannis was fighting two Bolton's as he killed them. However, he got wounded in the process. He was sitting down with his back to the tree trying to regroup.
Brienne of Tarth moves forward to kill Stannis.
"Brienne of Tarth stay your blade," Harry said as she unsheathes her sword. Harry walks forward and looks at Stannis Baratheon. "I wish to speak to the man."
"The Winter King. What do you wish to say to me?" Stannis asked.
"That you've been a fool," Harry said as he kneels before Stannis. "You made so many mistakes in this war that I knew siding with you wouldn't be a smart move at all. First, you killed your brother Renly, instead of trying to align with him. He may have called himself King but you should have waited before attacking your brother. This hurt the North greatly as Renly was aligned with us. Second, you tried to fight in the North Civil War ill equip and ill-advised. Your men aren't trained to fight in this weather or this terrain. The odds were against you from the very start. Thirdly, you failed to listen to me, I who am a Northerner and know these lands better than you. If Winterfell could besiege upon, I would have laid siege upon it already. The trick is to lure the Bolton's out from Winterfell or to starve them. In your arrogance and stupidity, you've lost your war to claim the Iron Throne because you were hasty and a fool. Had you been patient and listen to proper advice you would have triumph but you didn't."
Stannis looks down as he takes this in. He was slowly realizing what a fool he was. He nods his head in understanding.
"Brienne, you may carry out your duty," Harry said as he gets up and walks away.
Brienne holds up her sword and speaks to Stannis about who she was and what she knew he did. Stannis admitted it before Brienne slices his head and beheads him. If he was at Hogwarts, he would have been able to join Nearly Headless Nick.
Harry looks around him to see his Rangers killing the Bolton's in the forest. It would take some time before the Bolton's realized what happen to their men. They would assume they simply just perish in battle and wouldn't care.
Harry stood as he Brienne walks up to him. Harry turns to look at her sword carefully.
"That sword, where did you get it?" Harry asked.
"Jaime Lannister gave it to me to protect Sansa." Brienne said.
"That sword belongs to House Stark," Harry said.
"It was never House Stark to own," Brienne argued.
"Yes, it was. That sword was originally a great sword." Harry said as he unsheathes his own sword. "I had my men smuggle this sword from King's Landing because the Lannister's have no claim over it. The second sword I couldn't get as Jaime Lannister had it. These two swords were once whole. The sword name was Ice. A great sword that has been in the Stark's family for generations. Until Tywin Lannister broke the sword and smelted it down into two swords."
Brienne of Tarth seemed to have realized the truth in Harry's words. She reaches down and unstraps her belt and hands the sword to Harry.
"You are right. This sword belongs to House Stark. I have no right nor a claim over this sword." Brienne said.
"Do you wish to serve House Stark?" Harry asked.
"I enter the service of Lady Catelyn Stark. I will not abandon my oath." Brienne said.
"Swear your oath to me. Enter the service of House Stark and I will allow you to keep your sword." Harry said.
Brienne nods her head. Takes her sword and unsheathes it. Placing it at Harry's feet.
"Lord Harry Stark, I offer my services to your cause. I offer my life, my duty, my honor and my sword to you. I will shield your back and keep your counsel, and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the old gods and the new."
"And I vow that you should always have a place by my hearth and meat and mead at my table. And I pledge to ask no service of you that will bring you dishonor. I swear it by the old gods and the new. Arise, Brienne of Tarth." Harry said.
Brienne picks up her sword and stands before Harry.
"Tell me what has transpired with Sansa," Harry said.
Brienne told him. How she was traveling in Petyr Baelish and how she was married to Ramsay Bolton so Roose Bolton could have an alliance with the Knights of the Vale. Brienne told Harry everything she could.
"Sansa would not do this willingly. She would not marry the traitor's son who murders her brother. Brienne, I want you to continue to watch the Bolton's and Winterfell. If Sansa's make a break for it, protect her. I'll have my Rangers in place to continue to watch the Bolton's. If you do get Sansa, head to Castle Black. Jon will look after her and he will send word to me." Harry said.
"Understood," Brienne said.
"Brise, give Brienne a dozen Rangers to support her. We must ride to Mole's Town. Make sure our supplies are in stock." Harry said as he mounts his horse he rides off with many of his Rangers as Brise follows him.
Harry first went to Stannis Camp and saw many tents were still up.
"Send word to Commander Cyrus, Have his place forty thousand men here. We must get ready for the Battle of Winterfell." Harry said.
A Ranger takes off to Mole's Town as soon as Harry finished.
"Spread out, see what supplies you can find," Harry called out.
Harry looks around goes into some tents. They were badly managed. His men would have their work cut out for them when they get here. Harry remembers when they first set up tents in the snow, how hard it was for them. Until he showed them. Just as Lord Eddard Stark showed him.
Brise walks up to him and gives her report. Tents in bad shape with ice and snow inside. Most tents destroyed by the Bolton's night attack.
The day had passed by as the Rangers were getting to work on what supplies they could use. That was until when a Ranger rides in.
"Your Grace! Your Grace!" he shouted as he rides in.
"Take a breath then tell me what's happen," Harry said as the Ranger was out of breath.
"Yes, Your Grace." He said as he jumps from his horse and breathes slowly. "Urgent news from Castle Black."
"What does Jon want?" Harry asked.
"That's the thing, Your Grace. There was a mutiny. Ser Alliser killed him, Your Grace."
Harry felt his blood dropped to freezing temperature. It felt as if everything had stopped for him. He lost Robb during the Red Wedding. Now he's lost Jon too.
"Ser Alliser is going to pay for this. Get what horses we can. We ride for Castle Black." Harry orders.
Harry climbs on his horse and heads out. His Rangers all got on their horses and took off after Harry.
Ser Alliser Thorne knocks on the door and speaks. "Ser Davos, it is nightfall. It's time. Open the door, and the men inside can rejoin their brothers in peace. We'll even set the wolf free north of the Wall where it belongs. Nobody needs to die tonight."
Inside the Lord Commander's office, the Night's Watch brother and Ser Davos grab their weapons and prepare for battle.
When there was no answer or motion for the door to be unlocked, Ser Alliser Thorne signals for the guy with the hammer to break down the door. He did so several times, get the door to show a small hole in it. When suddenly the gates suddenly exploded with such force the pieces of wood hit several members of the Night's Watch throwing them on their backs and dropping some of their weapons.
Harry charges in on his horse with his Rangers and the Free Folk behind them. They came pouring in as Harry slides off his horse and draws his sword.
"Attack!" Ser Alliser shouted as he draws his sword and comes down to the ground. Only a couple men attacked. Harry easily best his attacker as Tormund cuts his down. His Rangers all had their arrows nock and ready to fire. The Free Folk all had their weapons drawn and a couple of giants were inside ready to start a fight. "Fight you, cowards!" Ser Alliser shouted.
Seeing Ser Alliser getting so close to the front lines Harry steps forward intent on killing the man who killed his brother. Harry raises his sword with two hands and attacks Ser Alliser. Ser Alliser could see he was the primary target at once and raises his sword to block Harry's. He holds it straight up to block the blow that would have decapitated him. Harry didn't stop with the blow. Moving as swiftly as possible, Harry gives a hard low kick to the back of Ser Alliser knee causing him to stumble forward as Harry slices Ser Alliser arm.
Ser Alliser jumps away holding his arm as it started bleeding badly. Harry didn't give him time to recover, he went back on the attack, giving a straight forward thrust to Ser Alliser gut, who parries Harry's attack. Harry spins his sword as he brings his sword up and Ser Alliser blocks it as he struggles to keep up with Harry's speed. Harry then swings his sword down cutting Ser Alliser thigh causing the man to fall back some more.
Ser Alliser spun around once and tried to regroup. He already knew immediately, that Harry was a far better fighter than he was. Harry raises his sword again and attacks, hitting Ser Alliser sword before knocking it out of his hands. Ser Alliser tried to step away but Harry gives a side kick and kicks Ser Alliser in the chest causing him to fly backward.
Ser Alliser sits up and tries to get back to his feet slowly. The problem was, his sword was at Harry's feet. He was now defenseless.
Harry places his foot underneath the sword and kicks it to Ser Alliser. The sword rolls on the ground before stopping near Ser Alliser's hand. He grabs the sword slowly, looking at Harry's furious face as he does so. He uses the sword like a cane and hosts himself up back to his feet. His thigh was starting to give way to his mobility. He stands back up and swings with a hard thrust downward. Hoping to slice Harry through his torso and cut. Harry calmly sidesteps the attack and brings his sword up holding it reversal as Ser Alliser tried to slice him in half as he swings his sword vertical. Harry wasn't even phase nor was he impress. He shoves his sword handle into Ser Alliser's chest causing the man to fly backward a bit before landing on his back coughing for air.
The boy Ollie screams and charges forward. Holding his sword up high as he screams. Harry turns but the boy falls to the ground, an arrow in his thigh as he holds it in pain. His sword laying on the ground forgotten.
"Arrest the traitors and put them in chains." Harry orders as he lowers his sword. The Night's Watch looks at each slowly as if they were unsure what do to do. This caused Harry to snap. "I will not say it again. Put them in chains." Harry shouted.
This caused several brothers of the Night's Watch to follow Harry's orders. They grab Ser Alliser, Ollie, and the other traitors before taking them to the pins.
Harry looks up to see Ser Davos and several brothers from the Night's Watch coming out from the Lord Commander's Office. Harry walks up, sheathing his sword as he does so. Tormund follows as did Edd.
Harry looks at Jon's body as it laid there and took note how many knives wounds he had.
Harry's hands form a fist as he began to shake with anger. He was going to torture Ser Alliser and his mutineers for days before he kills them. This his swore on everything he knew. He would make them pay.
Author Notes: Well here a fine lesson not to mess with the Starks. Not even if the person is a bastard of the Starks. Dark days lie ahead and the war for the North is about to pick up. Soon the Bolton's and the Stark's will meet in full out war.