The Winter King
Chapter 22: Return of the Northern Kingdom
A week had passed since the battle. Winterfell was finally Starks again. Signs of life and improvement were showing. The villagers were returning. Winterfell was becoming whole once again.
Harry and Jon were inside the dining hall at the main table where they would think back to memory lane. They had such happy memories in these halls.
It was also where Harry would annoy Sansa, and impress Bran, Arya, and Rickon with his apparition ability. He remembers when they told him they wished to learn that just to annoy their older sister.
"Do you remember when we had feasts, our family would sit up here and we would sit down there," Jon said pointing to the other side of the room.
"Seems like ages ago since our family was together," Harry said.
"Could have been worse, you had a family. You had feasts." Lady Melisandre said.
Jon smiles at her words.
"Aye, you're right. I was luckier than most." Jon said.
"We both were. We had a good family." Harry said.
Ser Davos came in looking very upset. Brise places her hand on her sword worrying this may be an attack. Instead, he tosses something to Lady Melisandre and she looks at it in her hands. Harry and Jon look at it and could see it was a burn wooden stag toy.
"What is that?" Jon asked.
"Tell them." Ser Davos said. Melisandre was at a loss for words. "Tell them who it belonged to."
"The Princess Shireen," Melisandre said.
"Tell them what you did to her." Ser Davos demanded. "Tell them!"
Melisandre lip trembled before she found her strength to answer. "We burned her at the stake."
Harry knew Stannis would burn people at the stake but he didn't think he would do it to his own daughter. Harry felt his stomach take a nasty turn from the inside out.
"Why?" Ser Davos demanded.
"The army was trapped. The horses were dying. It was the only way." Lady Melisandre said.
"You burned a little girl alive!" Ser Davos shouted.
"I only do what my Lord commands." Lady Melisandre protested.
"If he commands you to burn children, your Lord is evil." Ser Davos shouted.
"We are standing here because of him. Jon Snow is alive because the Lord willed it." Lady Melisandre said.
"I love that little girl like she was my own. She was good, she was kind. And you killed her!" Ser Davos shouted.
"So did her father." Lady Melisandre replies. "So did her mother." Ser Davos look like he was going to break down. "Her own blood knew it was the only way."
"The only way for what? They all died anyway. You told everyone Stannis was the one. You had him believing it, all of them fooled. And you lied." Ser Davos said in a loud voice.
"I didn't lie," Lady Melisandre said. "I was wrong."
"Aye, you were wrong. How many died because you were wrong." Ser Davos demanded. Lady Melisandre had no answer. "I ask your leave to execute this woman for murder. She admits to the crime. Ser Davos said.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Jon asked.
"I've been ready to die for many years. If the Lord was done with me, so be it, but he's not. You've seen the Night King, Jon Snow. You know the Great War is still to come. You know the army of the dead will be upon us soon. And you know, both of you know, that I can help you win that war."
"Ser Davos," Harry said as Jon looks at him. "While it is true her crimes are hideous and she should be punished. We, however, don't have the right nor authority to punish her for what she did in Stannis Baratheon's service. She served another King, therefore it should be that King who should punish her. Stannis Baratheon was the one who issued the order and he paid for it with his life."
"Your Grace, I demand justice." Ser Davos begged in a loud voice. Harry holds up his hand to stop Ser Davos from speaking. He does so, listening carefully.
"However, Lady Melisandre, you will find burning people at the stake and human sacrifices will not be tolerated here in the North. You speak the truth, I know you will be able to assist us in the Great War to come. So, therefore, this is your final and only warning. The only one you're going to get. If we find out you're continuing to burn people at the stake, you will be executed for murder. If you can't accept that, I suggest you leave." Harry said.
Lady Melisandre nods her head in understanding. She looked a bit sad and her eyes were a bit puffy.
"If you step out of line again, I'll kill you myself." Ser Davos threaten.
"Ser Davos, remove your gloves and show me your right hand," Harry said.
Ser Davos did so.
"Commander Brise, please cut off Ser Davos hand," Harry said.
Commander Brise looked somewhat distorted at her command.
"What sort of treachery is this?" Ser Davos demands as he uses his left hand to reach for his sword.
"No treachery," Harry said as Jon was giving him a hard look as well. "I need you to be able to use both hands. Your right hand has been crippled. I'm going to replace it with a new hand." Harry began.
"How can you do that?" Ser Davos asked still not convinced. He said so in his voice.
"Perhaps I can show you," Harry said as he pulls out his wand and waves it. He remembers the spell Voldemort used to create Wormtails new hand. He looked up the spell upon his return in his fifth year because he was interested in it. A silver hand appears in midair.
"This hand is a liquid metal. Solid as flesh, but not so much like so. I would cast this over your hand but there is the risk of your hand becoming infected. Removing your hand would be the safest course as it would allow me to place your new hand over your wounded." Harry explains.
"Why do you want me to remove my hand?" Ser Davos asked.
"Because I need you to use two hands. You have proven to be loyal to a cause worthy of fighting. Not to mention, I know I'm going to need you at one hundred percent to fight the Night King and not with one hand. Best you have two hands you can use, instead of just one. This is a reward for your valet service in the Northern Kingdom's army." Harry said.
Ser Davos nods his head and rolls up his sleeves as he holds his arm out. Commander Brise walks forward and unsheathes one of her long knives. She walks up and levels her long knife to Ser Davos wrist. She holds it up and cuts cleaning, severing Ser Davos hand. Ser Davos holds his now bloody stump close to his chest.
Harry pulls out a potion and offers it to Ser Davos. "Here," Harry said. "drink this."
Ser Davos does so and drinks.
He then offers his stump to Harry as Harry waves his wand and the new silver hand attaches itself to Ser Davos right wrist.
Ser Davos flexes his new hand and looks at it. A smile was brought to his face.
"We have called upon the Lords of the North to speak about the North's future. Tonight, I want you both to attend." Harry said.
Harry and Jon head out the dining hall and head to the south balcony where Sansa was standing. Both Harry and Jon had their cloaks over their armor. For Harry, it felt good to have his Stark cloak back on him. He was happy he was back.
Sansa gives Jon and Harry a smile before she looks out to watch the snow fall.
"I'm having the Lord's chamber prepared for you," Jon said.
"Mother and Father's room? You should take it. If not, let Harry take it." Sansa said.
"I'm not a Stark," Jon replies.
"You are to me. To us." Sansa said.
"You're the Lady of Winterfell. You deserve it. We're standing here because of you." Jon said.
"My intelligence said the Knights of the Vale allied with the Bolton's. Why did they betray them?" Harry asked. "Why would Lord Baelish do that? After he sold you to the Bolton's."
"He did," Sansa said.
"Do you trust him?" Jon asks.
"Only a fool would trust Littlefinger," Sansa said. Harry and Jon looked at her. "I should have told you about him, about the Knights of the Vale. I'm sorry."
"We need to trust each other. We can't fight a war amongst ourselves. We already have too many enemies from all corners in the Seven Kingdoms." Jon said.
"Sansa, remember what mother and father taught you. What they taught us. No matter what happens, no matter what people say. You can always trust and count on family. No matter how much we bicker we must rely upon each other. We're family. Mother and father would want to see us stand together rather than have us at each other's throat. Trust your brothers Sansa. We will always look out for you and in turn, I know you'll look out for us." Harry said.
Sansa nods her head as Jon embraces her and kisses her on her forehead. Harry does the same before he and Jon walked off.
"Harry, Jon. A raven came from the Citadel. A white raven. Winter is here." Sansa said.
"Remember our saying, Sansa. Winter is Coming. We always knew it would come." Harry said. Jon smiles as he looks up to the snow.
"Well, father always promised, didn't he?" Jon said.
"Sansa, do not trust Littlefinger. He will do his best to divide us and destroy us from within. We have to be strong together. At this meeting, I'll put him in his place. End his threat to the Stark family once and for all." Harry said.
Sansa nods her head in understanding.
One by one, the Lords of the North arrived. News of the battle reached far and wide. Harry, however, knew the real challenge to get these many Lords, many of them who remain neutral for the past three years to again align with House Stark.
Harry was sitting on Jon's left as Sansa was sitting to Jon's right. Commander Brise was to Harry's left standing guard. Melisandre was by the door watching with interest.
"You can't expect the Knights of the Vale to side with Wildling invaders." Ser Yohn Royce said.
"We didn't invade. We were invited." Tormund said.
"Not by me." Ser Yohn Royce said as he sits back down.
Jon stands up immediately. "The Free Folk, the Northerners, and the Knights of the Vale fought bravely, fought together and we won," Jon said bringing silence to the room. "My father used to say, we find our true friends on the battlefield."
Cley Cerwyn stands up. "The Bolton's are defeated. The war is over. Winter has come. If the maesters are right, it'll be the coldest one in a thousand years. We should ride home, and wait out the coming storms."
"The war is far from over," Jon said. "The true war has only begun. Unlike you, Lord Cerwyn, the true enemy won't wait out the storm. He'll bring the storm." This caused Lord Cerwyn to sit back down as the room began to talk once again.
Harry stands up. "The White Walkers are awake and active once more. It won't be long until we are forced to fight in the Great War for all of us to survive. The only thing that is saving us, is a seven-hundred-foot wall prevent them from coming down up upon us. We also have another enemy in Cersei Lannister. The moment she hears the Starks have regained power and have defeated the Bolton's she will send her army here to crush us. She's not going to stop at just House Stark. All Northern houses will be under threat of attack by her fury." In saying that the room begins to talk once more.
Harry's eyes dart to Petyr Baelish who was leaning with his back against the wall. He has yet to say anything but he was watching with great interest.
After a couple of minutes of the Lords just talking to one another, Lady Mormont stands up.
"Your son was butchered at the Red Wedding, Lord Manderly." Lady Mormont said in a loud voice. This caused all chatter to stop. "but you refused the call." Lady Mormont turns to Lord Glover. "You swore allegiance to House Stark, Lord Glover, but in their hour of greatest need, you refused the call. And you, Lord Cerwyn, your father was skinned alive by Ramsay Bolton. Still, you refused the call." Lady Mormont said in a loud voice. This caused Lord Cerwyn to bow his head down in shame. "But House Mormont remembers. The North remembers. We know no King, but a King in the North whose name is Stark." Lady Mormont said in a very loud voice. This caused several lords to nod their heads in agreement. These words cause Sansa to smile as well. Jon and Harry look on. "I don't care if he's a bastard. Ned Stark's blood runs through his veins. He's my King, from this day until his last day." Lady Mormont declares.
Silence filled the chamber as Lady Mormont sits back down.
With a heavy sigh, Lord Manderly stands up. "Lady Mormont speaks harshly, and truly." Lord Wyman Manderly said. "My son died for Robb Stark, the Young Wolf. I didn't think we find another King in my lifetime. I didn't commit my men to your cause because I didn't want more Manderly's dying for nothing." He said as he gives Jon Snow a hard look. "But I was wrong." As silence filled the room as everyone was watching and listening to Lord Wyman Manderly. "Jon Snow avenged the Red Wedding. He is the White Wolf." He said as he draws his sword. "The King in the North." In saying that, he places his sword downwards and kneels before Jon.
Lord Glover stands up and he looks very sorry indeed. An apologetic look appeared on his face as he looks at Jon, Harry, and Sansa. "I did not fight beside you on the field and I will regret that until my dying day. A man can only admit when he was wrong and ask for forgiveness."
Harry looks at Jon knowing it was up to him to forgive the man. Everyone turns to look at Jon to see and hear what he would say.
"There's nothing to forgive, my Lord," Jon said.
"There will be more fights to come. House Glover will stand behind House Stark as we have for a thousand years. And I will stand behind Jon Snow." Lord Robett Glover said as he draws his sword and holds it up high. "The King in the North!" he said as he bends the knee besides Lord Manderly.
"The King in the North!" Other Bannerman said.
Soon the room was filled with chants of "The King in the North!"
Harry and Jon stand up. They look at Sansa and she gives them a warm smile.
Harry brings his hands up to call for silence. It took a few moments for the chants to die down.
"This is very interesting. Jon, you have been declared the King in the North by the Lords of the North. However, my own men have hailed me as King in the North as well. I rather for us not to fight each other over who is King and who is not." Harry said.
"I know you won't challenge me. So, what do you propose?" Jon asked. Everyone was silent as they listen.
"I have a question. Jon, do you want to sit on the Iron Throne?" Harry asked.
Jon gives Harry a smile. "Unfortunately, I have no desire to sit on the Iron Throne."
"Even though it's your birthright?" Harry said.
Jon looks at Harry in confusion.
"I'm a bastard remember. I'm Ned Stark's bastard son. It's not my birthright." Jon said.
Harry sighs. "I guess the time has come, for you to know the truth, Jon," Harry said.
"What truth?"
"The truth Ned Stark kept from you. I know he wanted to be the one to tell you but he never got the chance. You see Jon, you are not Ned Stark's son." Harry said. Jon gives Harry a strong look as the Lords all look on.
"You're lying. Father told me himself I have his blood running through his veins." Jon replies.
"I have two things to say to that. One is that Ned Stark was telling you the truth." Harry began slowly. "The other is that Ned Stark was also lying to you."
"Harry you're not making any sense. How does Jon not have Ned Stark's blood but also have it?" Sansa asked.
"All this time Jon, all these years. Robb, Sansa, Bran, Arya, and Rickon were not your half-siblings you were led to believe. In truth, they were your cousins. You and Sansa are really cousins, not siblings." Harry said.
"I don't understand. How could I be their cousin? Uncle Benjen doesn't have any children. So how could I be their cousin?"
"Because you were born from another Stark. Your mother is a Stark, Jon." Harry said as the room was silent. "Your mother's name is Lyanna Stark." Silence filled the room as everyone took this in. Harry turns to Lady Mormont and looks at her very carefully. "Lady Mormont. It was you who declared Jon Snow your King. However, what you didn't know was, how very true those words are. Jon Snow is King. He should be sitting on the Iron Throne because it is his birthright. His mother was Lyanna Stark. His father, on the other hand, was Crown Prince… Rhaegar… Targaryen. Which means, Jon is to next in line for the Iron Throne. His claim is more legitimate than his aunt Daenerys Targaryen."
"I don't understand. Why didn't father tell me this?" Jon said.
"For the same reason why he passes you off as his bastard son. To protect you. You see Jon if Robert Baratheon discovered who you really were. He would have killed you the moment you were born. Your mother knew at once you would be in grave danger. In her dying breath, she begged her brother, Lord Eddard Stark to protect you no matter what. Which is why, to keep you hidden and safe, he proclaimed you as his bastard son."
"How do we know this is true?" Yohn Royce asked.
"Many of you in this room, knew Lord Eddard Stark. You know he was an honorable man. As I got to know him both as a father and as a person I immediately became suspicious about Jon's true lineage. I began to suspect it was a lie before I confronted him about it. Ned Stark, shaming and dishonoring himself by cheating on his wife by sleeping with a tavern girl? That would have never happened. Ned Stark wasn't that weak willed. He was faithful to his wife even if he was thousands of miles away from her. I grew suspicious. Began to look at records and dates of the war. Specifically, the death of Lyanna Stark and the birth of Jon Snow. I immediately took note that Lyanna Stark died during the final stages of Robert's Rebellion and at that exact same time, Jon Snow was born. It didn't take me long to figure out the truth. I confronted Lord Eddard Stark about the truth and he admitted it but swore me to secrecy for fear if Robert Baratheon would find out he would kill Jon. Lord Eddard Stark plan was to tell Jon after Robert Baratheon had died. When it would be safe to tell him and possibly put him on the Iron Throne. However, you all know what happened and he never got the chance to complete the chance. He did die knowing that Jon Snow was safe." Harry said.
"Can anyone confirm your story?" Lord Glover asked.
Harry looks up to Howland Reed.
"Howland Reed can. He was there when Jon was born. He survived his battle against Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Gerold Hightower. I even suspect former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy knows as well. If not, he suspects the truth."
"How do you know this?" Howland Reed asked with suspicion.
"Ned Stark praised me for my intelligence and figuring out things. It's why he legitimizes me as his son in the capital. He didn't want my future to be dark and uncertain. He wanted to give me a good future. I know you were sworn to secrecy but now is not the time for that. The time for the truth must be told. Robert Baratheon is dead. The Baratheon's are dead. Jon has his right to the Iron Throne and you know it."
Howland Reed nods his head in understanding.
"He speaks the truth. Lyanna Stark died from childbirth. My liege, Lord Ned Stark swore me to secrecy to protect his nephew from Robert Baratheon. He told me to never speak of the matter to anyone. I guess he didn't suspect, someone to figure out the truth." Howland Reed said.
"So, it brings me back to my question, Jon. Do you want to rule the Iron Throne?" Harry asks turning to his brother.
Jon swallows his throat as he thinks carefully.
"It may be my birthright to rule the Seven Kingdoms. But no, I do not want to rule the Iron Throne. I will continue to do what my father taught me and rule the North to the best of my ability." Jon said.
"Then I accept you as King in the North. You see Jon you may not want to sit on the Iron Throne, but I do. The Seven Kingdoms needs a strong ruler who can be both wise yet kind. The last hundred years we've seen madness and stupidity in our rulers. We've got the Mad King, who wanted to burn everyone around him, both his supporters and enemies. Then we got Robert Baratheon. A drunk and a fool. Next was Joffrey Lannister. A boy who loved to torture others for his own amusement. Then there is Tommen Lannister. A weak-willed boy who allows others to control him. No, new leadership is needed to regain control of the Seven Kingdoms and bring peace to the realm." Harry said.
Jon looks at Harry very carefully. Then he slowly nods his head in understanding and support.
"Good, now onto final business," Harry said. His guards walk up and grab Petyr Baelish by his arms before presenting him to Harry, Jon, and Sansa. They kick the back of his knee forcing him down onto his knees before one grabs his head back and the other pulls a dagger to his throat. Harry stands up and walks around the table to Petyr Baelish. "Of all the people, I wanted to get my hands on in the Seven Kingdoms. You were number two Lord Baelish. Right behind Cersei Lannister. Did you really think you could return to the North after what you've done and expect to walk free?"
"If I recall correctly, I gave you aid during the Battle for Winterfell." Lord Baelish said.
"I'm not talking about that. You have commit crimes against the North. First, you betrayed Lord Eddard Stark that resulted in his death. You know as well as I do that Lord Stark was declared by Robert Baratheon to be the Protector of the Realm. You had the City Watch cut down the Northerners and your betrayal led to Lord Stark's death. Your second offense is that you gave Sansa to the Bolton's. Who became enemies of the North when they betrayed our house. You did this, to gain their allegiance. Yet as we've seen with you, you do not hesitate to betray others. So, tell me, why should I let you live, when I should just kill you instead." Harry said.
"I have recognized my mistake and I tried to make up for it." Petyr Baelish said as he tried to breathe. He was not in a good position and he was trying to talk his way out of it.
"What did you hope would happen? That you would appear as the hero who saved the day and the North would forgive you. Unfortunately for you Petyr Baelish, the North remembers. And we do not forgive so easily." Harry said.
"I have the Vale. The Vale is now a part of the North. I can still be of service." He said.
"Service to whom?" Harry asked. At these words, Petyr Baelish eyes move to his right and Harry follows his gaze. It suddenly down upon Harry what Petyr Baelish was really after. Harry backhands Petyr Baelish in the face causing his head to snap sides. Blood was coming down his face as a nasty cut appeared by his nose. "Do you really think I would allow you to be near my sister after what you did to her?" Harry said. "Kill him." Harry orders.
"I have information." Petyr Baelish shouted in desperation. His guards, who were about to slice his throat, stop. They look at Harry to see what he wanted to do.
"What kind of information?" Harry said.
Petyr Baelish lips tremble a bit before he spoke. "I have a vast network of spies. I can be of great service to the Northern cause. I can easily get information to you faster than most people can." He said.
"The problem with you Lord Baelish is that you're untrustworthy. You'll be in a position to control that information. I need insurance to know you won't betray us." Harry said.
"I'll swears oaths." He said. Harry gives him a hard cold look as he tries to smile but suddenly groans as his guards tighten their grip.
Harry, however, was remembered one oath that was dangerous. He never performed it, but in this situation, he had no choice.
"Let him go," Harry said. His guards let him go. "Stand Lord Baelish and give me your right hand," Harry said. Petyr Baelish did so and grasp Harry's forearm as Harry grasps his. "Do you swear to serve the Northern Kingdom, to provide information and protect the Starks from harm. And that you'll never hurt any house in the Northern Kingdom or allied to the Starks, directly or indirectly." Harry said.
"I swear it. By the old gods and the new." Petyr Baelish said.
"Good," Harry said as figure eight appears on Baelish arm. He looks at it carefully before looking back at Harry.
"What did you do?" Jon asked.
"I am taking no chances with Petyr Baelish. He's as slippery as they come with no true allegiance to any house other than his own skin. If he should break his oath, this time… he will die. The oath I had him performed is called the Unbreakable Vow." Harry said.
"What does it do?" Sansa asked.
"It's a magical spell that binds you to the oath you take. If he does break his oath then the spell will activate instantly and kill him." Harry said.
Sansa looks at him carefully as does everyone else. Harry gives a sigh before responding. "I don't trust Petyr Baelish. Unless I had insurance that he won't betray us then I won't work with him. This will ensure his loyalty to the North is real. Even if he doesn't want it to be."
Sansa nods her head in understanding.
Several of his guards walked in holding a letter in their hands. "Your Grace." They said handing the letter to him. Harry takes it and unrolls it. He reads carefully.
"What is it?" Jon asked.
"Daenerys Targaryen is preparing for her invasion of Westeros's. She has assembled eighty thousand Unsullied, one hundred thousand Dothraki, and two thousand Second Sons. Along with three dragons. She could be setting sail as we speak from Meereen. She has finally set her sights on Westeros." Harry said. Everyone was stunned by the news. "Furthermore, it seems Cersei has gone mad. She burned the Great Sept of Baelor with wildfire, killing all her enemies and family. She and Jaime Lannister are the only two Lannister's remaining."
No one said a word. They look at Harry carefully.
"Bring me a map of the Seven Kingdoms," Harry said. He waves his wand and the tables disappear. The Lords and Ladies quickly land on their feet as Harry waves his wand again allow a large round table to appear. Several guards came in carrying maps. Harry again worked his magic as he implants the maps designs into the table.
"What are you doing?" Jon asked.
"Planning our attack," Harry said.
"The North, counting my men alone is at a hundred thousand strong. The Northern Lords combined might would be around fifteen thousand strong. Tormund, will the Free Folk continue to fight alongside us?" Harry asked looking at Tormund.
"We have to discuss it amongst ourselves. But just by the recent battle, I would say the Free Folk will continue to side with King Jon Snow." Tormund responds.
"You have at least thirty thousand men left correct?" Harry said.
"I'm not good with counting," Tormund replies.
"The Knights of the Vale have forty thousand men. And the Riverlands have ten thousand men. The first thing we must do is take vengeance for the Red Wedding. We have to march upon the Twins. Kill the Frey's for their betrayal to the North. However, this possesses a great risk to our homes in the North. The moment the Iron Isles, hear we're back in the Riverlands and waging war against the Lannister's they will attack our homes to conquer them. That is why we have to attack the Iron Isle in full force. Destroy their ships and their men before they can rebel again."
"Are you sure that is wise?" Jon asked.
"Aye, I was there when Theon Greyjoy betrayed our family and started his father's crusade to take our homes from us. It nearly crippled us as we couldn't venture back to the North to retake them. If we did the Lannister's would have marched all of the Tully forces and the battle would have been bloody. It put Robb in a difficult position. We need to destroy the Iron Isles before their Ironborn can sack the North again. Now that the Vale has joined the Northern Kingdom, I can easily send ships from the Northern Fleet to attack the Iron Isles. We already have the manpower, we just have to get the Iron Isles and destroy them as soon as we can." Harry said.
"Then we have our objectives. What of Daenerys Targaryen?" Jon asked.
"Your aunt? She's a wild card in all of this. We know she seeks the Iron Throne, but what we don't know is if she will support her family or herself. Hopefully, we can make her see reason and join forces. Otherwise, we'll be facing a very large battle with her. Let us pray she is wise and joins forces with the North instead of fighting the North. Otherwise, we'll be looking at a very large battle." Harry said.
Jon nods his head.
"Harry, you have a keen insight into battles and strategies. What do you advise?" Jon said.
Harry places his elbows on the table with his hands forming underneath him to allow his chin to rest upon his hands. He was thinking hard.
"The Free Folk will need to get training. If we march them with them the way they are they're just going to get slaughter. They fight bravely, but they die quickly. If it wasn't for our strategies, the forty thousand men would have been decreased a possible five thousand in that one afternoon. They also use no equipment and poor weapons. They need better gear and training." Harry said.
"How do you know what the Free Folk need?" Tormund asked.
"I have seen your people fight. Both at Castle Black. When Stannis Baratheon broke your army. Then again at Hardhome. I also was observing the Free Folk during the Battle for Winterfell. Your people succumb to injury and death much faster than any of the soldiers or house in the North. Your people wear no armor. We wear armor to protect ourselves from getting injured. Our weapons are far better than yours. Believe me, when I say this if you want your people to survive in the wars to come, you're going to need training."
"Is that wise, to train Wildlings invaders in our way?" Lord Yohn Royce asked.
"Lord Royce, I understand for many years we've had problems with Wildlings invading. However, Jon and I were faced with a choice. Leave them north of the Wall to a fate worth than death. Or make peace and have them join the North. They're not like the Hill Tribes in the Vale. It will take some time, but they will be a part of the North. They are citizens of the North. In time, they will become true Northerners like us. Trust us on this, they mean us no harm. I remember my father telling me, you'll always find your true friends on the battlefield. This is true. As the Free Folk have fought for a free and independent North." Harry said.
Lord Yohn Royce nods his head in understanding.
"Also with training and gear, we'll have an incredible army," Jon said.
Harry turns to the Free Folk.
"There are many Lords here who will be happy to welcome you into their castles. If your clans agree to serve under them. Your people are more than welcome to join any of their houses. We've gotten past the point where there is no distrust between us." Harry said.
"Aye, they'll need training. They also need to understand military strategy." Jon said.
"Let's get ready. The war is going to get ugly and but we know who our enemies are. The time has come, for the North to truly show the Seven Kingdoms, who we really are." Harry said.
Every nods their heads and said Lords and Bannermen shouted, "For the North!"
Author Notes: The stage has been set. The Return of the Northern Kingdom. The war against the Lannisters has begun once again. The sacking of the twins will happen tomorow.