The Winter King
Chapter 19: Hear my Name
The first place they went to visit Free Folk. They still camp south of the wall. And many of them stuck together in groups. Many clans gathered in one place. There was no real leader. Each clan governs and watch over their own but they did have a strong voice in fairness.
Hard to believe it was only eight months since they went south of the Wall.
Tormund jumps from his horse as many of the Free Folk gathered around.
"Gather the elder and leaders. We need to talk." Tormund said.
The leaders did come. They stretch for a good three miles but they came. Took some time for them to come but they did.
"I know many of you are wondering why we are here," Harry said as he began the talks. "So, I'll say it. Remember how I told you the North is currently locked in a civil war. Well, that war is reaching its climax. I wish I could leave you out of it but I cannot. I'm here to ask for your support in our war against the Bolton's." Harry said.
"We agreed to fight when the time comes to fight the real enemy. We meant it. However, these aren't white walkers. This isn't the army of the dead. This isn't our fight." A red beard man, Dim Dalba said.
"If it weren't for him, none of us would be here. All of you would be worse than dead and be meat in the Night King's army." Tormund argued. "And I'd be a pile of charred bones just like Mance."
"Remember Mance's camp? It stretched all the way to the horizon. Now, look at us. Look what's left of us. And if we lose this, we're gone. Dozens of tribes, hundreds of generations, be like we were never there at all. We'll be the last of the Free Folk." Dim Dalba said.
"Something worse will happen to you if we lose," Jon said. The Free Folk all turn to look at him. "The Bolton, the Karstarks, and the Umbers they know you're here. They know that more than half of you are woman and children. After they finish with us, they'll come for you. You're right. But you're also wrong. This isn't your fight. But they're making it your fight. I know it's not the deal we made but I need you with me to beat them and we need to beat them if you're going to survive." Jon said.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
Tormund stands up straight and speaks to add support. "The crows kill him because he spoke for the Free Folk when no other southerners would. He died for us. If we're not willing to do the same for him, we're cowards. And if that's what we are, we deserve to be the last of the Free Folk."
A giant stood up and spoke. "Snow."
Others began to nod their head in approval. Dim Dalba walks up to Jon and looks at him in the eye. He offers him his hand and Jon shakes it. He offers Harry his hand and Harry shakes it.
"I need a squad of Rangers to lead them to our camp," Harry said. "Pack your things, it's going to be dangerous to leave you up here. My Rangers will lead you to our camp and to safety. If you need gear and equipment, speak to the Rangers and they'll give them to you." Harry said.
Karsi walks forward and looks at Harry carefully in the eye. "Why do you do this for us? Why do you repeatedly help us? You're a southerner. We're from the North. Why do you help us?"
"These lands are called 'the North'. You know what I think. That our people were once one. Your ancestors just had the misfortune of being trapped on the other side of the wall when it was built. But as time pass on, we both forgot that we were once one. The North needs to be unity. Both by the Free Folk, and the Northerners. We must become one once again. Also, I don't hate you for being a Free Folk." Harry said as she looks at him carefully. "I believe a person should be judged by their deeds, not where they're from. When we win this battle, the North will recognize you as citizens of the Northern Realm." Harry said.
She nods her head.
Ygritte walks forward holding a makeshift bow and she walks towards Jon. She said something to him and the two walks off to talk for a bit.
"This went rather well," Harry said as he turns to Sansa as Karsi turns to gather her people and get them ready for battle.
"Where to next?" Brise asks as she holds the horses.
"Bear Island," Jon said as he came back looking a bit flushed. He looked at Harry and knew he was going to regret letting Ygritte talk to him. Harry was going to tease him relentlessly.
"Lady Mormont did claim she would only support the Starks," Harry said as he remembers her letter to Stannis.
It took two days to ride to Bear Island. Also due to the fact that Bear Island was, in fact, an island on the west coast near the Wall. It a large island as well. Larger than the Iron Isles. The only reason why the Iron Isles weren't a part of the Riverlands was that they were too far away from the Riverlands. Bear Island also was home to many bears. They weren't aggressive, but it they was a common sight.
They get off the ship and the first thing Harry notice next to the castle was the waterfall. It looked so beautiful in the snow. There wasn't any ice yet. But the area was indeed beautiful.
Harry gets off the ship and immediately leads the way to the castle. He stops short of the guards posted by the gate.
"Would you please inform Lady Mormont that the Starks are here to speak to her," Harry said
They look at each other before nodding. They walked inside and disappeared through the gates for a while.
After several minutes passed by, the guards came back.
"Lady Mormont will see you." The guards said as they turn to lead the way. Harry nods his head and follows them. He knows they wouldn't do anything to him or his siblings as Lady Mormont would honor the rules of Guest Rights. However, that didn't mean she would side with them. Let us pray she was loyal as she said in her letter.
The guards open the door and Harry looks to a see Lady Mormont, a ten-year-old child left in charge due to the loss of her mother at the Red Wedding. Harry quickly scans around the room and could see Shields with a bear standing up all around the room. They walked in and stop short before her.
"Lady Mormont," Jon said as he greets the leader of the Mormont's. Harry, Jon, Brise, Sansa and Ser Davos bow their heads in respect.
"Welcome to Bear Island." She said.
Jon looks at Harry and Sansa as he wasn't sure how to start.
"I remember when you were born, my lady. You were named for my aunt Lyanna. It was said she was a great beauty. I'm sure you will be, too." Sansa said.
"I doubt it. My mother wasn't a great beauty or any kind of beauty. She was a great warrior though. She died fighting for your brother Robb." Lady Mormont said in a high tone that told them she was in charge.
"The Red Wedding. I wish to apologize for the loss of your mother and the loss of men you lost that day my lady." Harry said.
Lady Mormont said nothing. She looks at Harry with a hard, calculating look.
"I served under your uncle at Castle Black, Lady Lyanna. He was also a great warrior and an honorable man. I was his steward. In fact–"
"I think we've had enough small talk. Why are you here?" Lady Mormont said.
That put a damper on things. Maybe they wouldn't get the support they need. Harry knew it was best to come out with the truth.
"Stannis Baratheon garrisoned at Castle Black before he marched on Winterfell and was killed. He showed me the letter you wrote to him when he petitioned for men. It said –"
"I remember what it said. 'Bear Island knows no King, but the King in the North whose name is Stark'." Lady Mormont said.
"Robb is gone, but House Stark is not. And it needs your support now more than ever. I've come with my brother and my sister to ask for House Mormont's allegiance and support." Jon said.
"Brother?" Lady Mormont said.
"I'm Harry Stark, Lady Mormont. The adoptive son of Lord Eddard and Catelyn Stark. I may not be a true-born Stark, but make no mistake I am a Stark." Harry said.
Lady Mormont turns to her Maester and begins to speak with him in a low voice. After a few seconds, Lady Mormont turns back to them.
"As far as I know, you're a Snow, your brother is neither a trueborn Stark and Lady Sansa is a Bolton. Or is she a Lannister? I've heard conflicting reports." Lady Mormont said.
"I did what I had to do to survive, my lady," Sansa said. "But I am a Stark. I will always be Stark."
"If you say so. In any case, you don't just want my allegiance. You want my fighting men." Lady Mormont said.
"Ramsay Bolton cannot be allowed to keep Winterfell, my lady," Jon said. "It is our duty to stop him. Even more so, because he holds our brother Rickon Stark as a prisoner." Jon took a deep breath knowing this was getting a bit emotional. "What you have to understand my lady, is that –"
"I understand that I'm responsible for Bear Island and all who live here. So why should I sacrifice one more Mormont's life for someone else's war?" Lady Mormont asked.
This was not going to be easy. Neither, Jon, Sansa or Harry could answer. Harry was trying think of something to say to respond to her words. To find some way to get House Mormont's support.
"If it please, my lady, I understand how you feel." Ser Davos said as he takes a step forward to speak.
"I don't know you, Ser…?" Lady Mormont said.
"Davos, my lady, of House Seaworth. You needn't ask your master about my house." Ser Davos said as Lady Mormont turns to her Maester to learn more. "It's rather new."
Lady Mormont sits back straight in her chair. Harry could tell she would be a fine leader one day. She leads, but also knew when to look for advice.
"All right, Ser Davos of House Seaworth. How is it that you understand how I feel?" Lady Mormont asks.
"You never thought you'd find yourself in your position. Being responsible for so many lives at such a young age. I never thought I'd be in my position. I was a crabber's son, then I was a smuggler. And now I find myself addressing the lady of a great house in a time of war. But I'm here because this isn't someone else's war. It's our war." Ser Davos said.
"Go on, Ser Davos." Lady Mormont said.
"Your uncle, Lord Commander Mormont, made that man his steward. He chose Jon to be his successor because he knew he had the courage to do what was right, even if it meant giving his life. Because Lord Commander Mormont and Jon Snow both knew that the real war isn't between a few squabbling houses. It's between the living and the dead. And make no mistake, my lady, the dead are coming." Ser Davos said.
"Is this true?" Lady Mormont asks.
Jon nods his head. "Your uncle fought them at the Fist of the First Men. My brother and I fought them at Hardhome. We both lost."
"As long as the Bolton's hold Winterfell, the North is divided. And a divided North won't stand a chance against the Night King. You want to protect your people, my lady, I understand. But there's no hiding from this. We have to fight, and we need to do it together." Ser Davos said.
"My lady," Harry said as he steps forward. "Ser Davos speaks the truth. You know as well as I do, that if the North is ever able to be safe. It's if we're united. The Bolton's are usurpers and have seized power from the Starks. However, while they've gotten a couple of houses to fight for them, you and I know they're not going to be fair and just in their rule as the Starks. They intend to rule through fear. I know you've heard the reports on what Ramsay Bolton has been doing to the other houses. The only way, the North is truly safe, is if we fight as one. The Lannister's want us to be divided because they know a United North is a North that can threaten them. I know we're asking much for you. Asking your house to join a fight you don't want to be in. However, we would not be asking this, if the North future was at stake. I was there with Robb Stark. I was there since the beginning. I know this made you happy when you heard it. For two years the Northern Army under Robb Stark won victory after victory. We were winning the war. Robb Stark was fighting for your future as well as he was for all ours. It took deception and betrayal to bring our army down. I'm asking you not to fight just for House Stark. But to avenge your fallen at the Red Wedding from the Bolton's betrayal." Harry said.
Lady Mormont maester leans forward to speak to her but she holds her hand up to prevent him from speaking.
"House Mormont has kept faith with House Stark for over a thousand years. We will not break that faith today." Lady Mormont said.
Jon steps forward. "Thank you, my lady. How many fighting men can we expect?" Jon asks.
Lady Mormont turns to her Captain of the Guards and speaks to him. She turns back to him.
"Sixty-two." She said.
"It's better than nothing," Harry said as he walks forward. "My lady, it's time you learn the truth. We withheld this information to see if you would keep faith with House Stark. You see, this battle is going to end in our favor. You see, I am the Winter King."
"You?" Lady Mormont said in surprise. She turns to her captain and he speaks to her. She sits back up before speaking again. "Reports have come in that the Winter King army has marched south."
"Yes, that is true. That was only half my army. Fifty thousand men strong heading south to support House Starks allies, the Tully's. I have kept the remaining fifty thousand men, hidden in the forests to make sure that the Bolton's don't know we're still in the North. Your men will be taken well care of, and we will not send them to certain death. I swear it."
"Please understand my lady. We weren't sure who supports the Bolton's and who supports the Starks. We have to be cautious about this information." Jon said.
Lady Mormont nods her head in understanding.
Author Notes: Not much action, but the war is going to end for the North.