Robb's POV
A week later he was still grieving, he could barely look at his younger brother Rickon. All he knew was that his mother wasn't coming back, he just kept screaming for his mother, he wouldn't sleep. Roslin had started taking care of him, looking out for young Rickon and going and comforting him when he wouldn't sleep. Both he and his father were grateful for her, Rickon need a women to look after him. His mother had been one of the people who could control him, now Roslin was taking over.
The funeral had had a large attendance of all nobles in the North who could make it in time; most of them had stayed for the wedding, while a few left to minor ones left to leads the troops to Torrhen Square ready for transport. He had given a speech at the funeral, Apologising to her for not being there to save her, and he thanked her for all she had taught him about what it meant to be a man and a Husband and hoped that he could do her proud.
The wedding had been a much needed distraction but he did struggle finding it in himself to enjoy the special occasion, considering the circumstances. He was glad he was finally married to his love and that all the guilt had now passed, but just wished it had come at a happier time.
2 days day after the wedding they had marched from Winterfell, with the remaining force there, but on a less joyous note, partly because they were heading off to war. The other part due to the raven they had received from Castle Black bearing grave news. Maester Aemon had reported that there had been no news from the Great Ranging led my Lord Commander Mormont, they all feared that everyone was lost, last news was they had been attacked on the Fist of first men by an unknown force, but no ravens had been received since then. They dared not send out any more ranging as they were short on experienced men. At least there were 60 or more men joining the Nights watch from the recent war, they would bring much needed battle experience to the weakening watch. There was also the news that his brother Jon was missing, there had been rumours from captured wildings that a crow matching Jon's description had joined Mance Rayder's forces, but it could all be a lie. He knew Jon, he was his brother, his friend, his brother in arms. He would never turn his cloak. Surely not he thought.
There was also no news of his Uncle Benjen, who had now been lost for over a year, they feared the worst and right so, no one had ever survived a lone ranging for that long. His father had told him of the rumours and the whispers of the White Walkers, and the hand that Ser Alliser Thorne had presented to King Renly and his father. It made him shiver, he was heading southwest to fight a war for the Iron Islands but should he have instead been heading North to fight a war to save the North and quite possibly Westeros. Only time would tell, his father had left orders with the Lords and Castellans of the Castles in the North to send men to help the Watch if aid was requested.
He put that at the back of his mind for now as they had just arrived at Torrhens Square, where there full force of around 14,000 men camped waiting for ships to come and collect them.
News of the war had reached them from King's Landing, Casterly Rock and Seagard. Seagard had been attacked but it had been taken back by the combined forces of his Uncle Edmure and Lord Jason Mallister but at the cost of lord Mallisters life, the Iron fleet had also been defeated. Edmure was now tasked with leading, Lord Mallister's fleet to meet with Paxter Redwyne who was currently smashing the remainder of the Iron Born Fleet, for the land Invasion. News had also reached them that some ships had turned sides, ships that were loyal to Baelor Blacktyde. Edmure had also sent word that ships were now heading to Torrhen Square to pick up the Northern host, while the Reach, Westerlands, and Dornish Forces had all arrived at Lannisport for transport to the Iron Islands.
The Iron men's days were numbered!
They had only waited a day before the ships had arrived to take them to the Iron Islands, most were Lannister ships, or transports form the Royal fleet and captured ships from the Iron Island fleets. It had taken 3 days on the cramped ships to reach the Iron Islands, now the fleet was splitting up. There ships hadn't met much resistance since Paxter and Edmure's fleet had already smashed through the forces, only a few ships remained in Iron Born control and they had fled back to the furthest island, the Lonely Light. A small part of the Paxter's fleet had already sailed after it to subdue it and take the Island. At this moment the ship he was on was sailing pass Great Wyk with the rest of the Northern fleet, heading to Pyke. The Reach forces had easily subdue Old Wyk and were now in the middle of assaulting the castles on Great Wyk, while some of their forces launched on Saltciffe. Blacktyde had already surrendered and had joined the Riverland and Crownlands forces invading Harlaw while the Lannister Army or what remained of it after the last war and the Stormlords sieged Oakmont. Pyke had been left till last for the Northern Army led by the Hand of the king, and the small Dornish force that had been sent. More forces would be joining them when the situation on their island became less dangerous.
AS he looked out over Great Wyk as they sailed passed it, he could see the banners of the Reach Lords waving in the wind as, attacked Pebbleton Tower, the seat of House Merlyn. He could see a couple of Siege towers and people scaling the wall on ladders. Footsteps came up behind him and he turned around to see his Lord Father standing there.
"IT'S going to be worse on Pyke, Great Wyk and the others will surrender first but Balon Greyjoy won't until I hold my sword to his throat," explained his father gravely, "He will think I will let him live this time, but no he has had his chance, the king has passes the sentence to me to carry out and I will swing the sword."
"I will be by your side father, leading the assault against the walls of Pyke."
"Aye you will be, but as the commander and Hand of the King I will be taking a more strategic command in this battle, you will lead the assault without me. You are ready, Here this is for you, I must go talk to the other lords," Eddard assured him, handing over a piece of parchment folded up.
He grasped hold of it looking at it quizzically, "What is it?"
"It is a letter for you, in case I die in this war, I need you to know this stuff, I have also sent 5 to Measter Luwin to keep for Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon and Jon. You never knew this but I did this every time I went to war and left you and your mother, I suggest you do the same. Only read it if I fall," with that he turned and left.
He wanted to tell his father something as walked away but didn't know what to say, so he just turned back to looking at the water.
His ship had just reached Lordsport, the only place to make Land safely on Pyke. Him and his troops launched themselves off the boat onto the pier under a torrent of arrows coming from the village just in front of them. More arrows were being fired from the square keep in Lordports that stood on top of the hill on the far side of the town.
As he ran down the wood planks, climbing the stairs to the harbour, an ironborn jumped at him from above with an axe swinging above his head, coming down right where he had been standing a moment before had a hand not pushed him forward. He swung around to stab the Ironborn, stunned to see him already lying on the floor with Jamie Lannister pulling his sword out of the man's gut. The blonde man looking and gave a sickly grin at him and continued forward following him as he ran up the steps into the town, ready to take the castle of House Botley.
More men fell behind him as they charged through the port, using the buildings as cover. More raiders charged down the hill but were dealt with quickly my sheer force of numbers.
In the last rebellion, the keep at Lordport fell quickly; he hoped it would be the same this time.
2 days later both Lordsport and Iron Holt had fallen, the latter being razed to the ground, the only remaining stronghold on the island was the castle of Pyke, which would be burned down after the war was over.. Most of the other islands had either been defeated or had surrendered. They now had around 30,000 men camped out benath the walls of Pyke ready to launch an attack the next morning. He was in the Commanders tent where they all stood around the table, all yelling out ideas, ignoring each other and arguing about the best and easiest way to storm Pyke.
He recognised a few of them, there was of course His Lord Father staying silent and listening intently, then to his right was Paxter Redwyne, fresh off his victory over the Iron Born fleet and conquering Old Wyk and Saltcliffe, Randyll Tarly was next to him standing tall and strong as ever, he had just finished pacifying Great Wyk. He saw Baelor Blacktyde wearing his sable cloak, whom his father had introduced him to earlier, he would become the new Lord of the Iron Islands. The 2 Dornish commanders, Lord Yronwood and Obara Sand; Oberyn's eldest bastard, were near the back of the group not offering many ideas but shouting downs others. His Uncle Edmure Tully was talking with Lady Maege Mormont, Master Galbert Glover, Ser Harrion Karstark and now Lord Patrek Mallister. He saw the new lord, had a looks in his eye of hatred and revenge, his left hand not letting go of his Houses new Valyrian steel sword, that his father had claimed by killing Harras Harlaw. Patrek had renamed it "Silver Talon", a good name for the House with its Sigel of an eagle. Standing directly behind his father were 2 members of the Kingsguard who had been sent to represent the king in battle, Ser Balon Swann and Ser Bryden Blackfish
Arguing with Lord Umber, was a man he did not recognise but by the look of him, he looked like a Lannister with long yellow hair, a thick moustache, sidewhiskers as thick as a hedgerow and a beard.
As he gazed around, he heard a few of the ideas and possible plans being shouted out.
"We should attack now when the least expect it," demanded Lord Mallister.
"We should use our ships catapults and ballista to tear the castle to the ground, no point storming it." Suggested Lord Redwyne.
"Use siege towers to knock down the wall and storm the castle, tower by tower, it worked last time, it will work again," Lord Umber bellowed deeply.
"They will be expecting that, use battering rams to force the gate open and storm the castle. A simple plan is the best," the Lannister who looked like a lion, roared back at Great Jon.
Then for some reason he spoke up, quite quietly at first. "I know what to do," he said, but no one stopped talking.
"I know what to do," he said again although this time louder and with more authority, everyone stopped and his father looked up from the head of the table, urging him to continue.
"We can't tear down the castle yet, we are not sure all will perish in it and we need to make sure Balon surrenders, otherwise some Ironborn may continue fighting on. They will expect a diversionary attack in the night at the south or north wall, while a small force climbs the opposite wall. The walls are stronger than last time they rebelled, so siege engines may take longer to knock down the wall. Battering rams on the gates are the best option to get a large force in, but they will be able to bottleneck us in that small hole," he explained, allowing it to sink in before continuing.
"Then what would you have us do?" demanded Randyll Tarly proudly, acting like he didn't believe anything this boy came out with.
"I would have us do what they expect us to do, cause a distraction while a small force sneaks in and captures Balon Greyjoy, drawing their focus from the main gate, the main force can get through the gate."
"But if they expect us to do that, how will it work, you just said they will be watching both sides of the walls," exclaimed the young Lord Mallister
"Exactly, the diversionary forces will attacks both walls and the main gate, all at once, making them think it is the full assault, which it could be, if our forces get through the gate or over the wall, don't let them stop. The small force will come from where they believe it is impossible to come from and could well be. From beneath the Sea Tower!"
At that there was an uproar, with shouts like, that's impossible, or madness or suicide.
"It's can't be done, no one can climb, it's too high," Lord Yronwood decided.
"No, 10 men, 10 of our best fighters led by me, roped together all with climbing spikes, My uncle Benjen, told me stories of wildings climbing the wall like that, and that is 4/5 times higher and in the freezing cold. It will work, if it doesn't you will only have lost 10 men, and the main assault will continue as normal," Robb declared looking at his father, waiting for him to yes.
"Enough, we will try this plan but volunteers only for the 10, anyone wishing to volunteer come see my son, he will choose the 10 if there are more volunteers. Lord Umber you will command the right flank, Lord Edmure, the Right flank, and Lord Tarly the centre, I will command the reserve, we will convene at first light then the attack will begin," Lord Eddard Stark announced powerfully and everyone left except for himself and his lord father.
When everyone had gone, his father spoke, "You know you don't have to do this son, someone else can lead the force, Ser Balon or Bryden. You have just been married and have a child on the way."
"Yes they could, but it was my idea, I must be with those who make the attempt or I will have no honour left if the mission fails without me. You taught me to take responsibility, I am doing this," he insisted and walked out to seek volunteers for his team, he already knew a few of whom he wanted.
His team was assembled, they were on one of Paxter's ships ready to be rowed to in silence at first light to the base of the most outer island stack, which held the Sea Tower, which contained Balon's solar. He had had quite few volunteers more than he was expecting. One he had turned away instantly because of his reputation for his cruelty in Dorne, Ser Gerold Dayne or Darkstar as he is known in Dorne. Obara Sand volunteered and he chose her for her skill with a whip and spear, as well as her strength. Next was Lord Garlan Tyrell, Garlan the Gallant who's skill with a sword was well known but not as legendary as his late brother Loras, as he was more concerned with skill in battle then tourney's for glory. Both his great Uncle Bryden and Ser Balon Swann of the kingsuard volunteer but he only chose Ser Balon, not because he didn't think his uncle couldn't make the climb, but he didn't want 2 members of the kingsguard to possibly fall to their death.
Next came Ser Jamie Lannister and Dacey Mormont and her betrothed Lord Patrek Mallister. He had worried whether it was wise bringing Patrek after he had just recently lost his father, but Patrek had insisted and wouldn't take no for an answer. Next was Thoros of Myr, who had distinguished himself in the last Greyjoy Rebellion. The next one was an odd choice but Ser Daven Lannister, the one who he thought looked like a lion earlier had recommended him, Bronn, a sellsword in service of Tyrion Lannister and who Lord Tyrion had sent to fight. Normally he wouldn't have chosen someone like Bronn but he had tested him, sparring against him, and he fought not with honour but with skill and smart and they may need that up there, outnumbered. The last 2 were Ser Hugo Vance and Ser Garth 'Greysteel' Hightower who had almost been selected for the Kingsguard. He had rejected Ser Harrion Karstark as he didn't want to risk Lord Karstark losing his last son.
As they approached the stack in their rowing boat, he could he the battle raging far above, so far no one had noticed their tiny boat, as they were all to focused on the main battle or the large ships firing the occasional catapult or ballista at the walls or the keeps.
He was the first to start climbing,, slamming his climbing axe in the rock, luckily it stuck. The rock was soft enough from the constant pounding of the water to dig in but still dense to grip onto the axe and not crumble. They began making their climb, making steady pace even with the cold wind and sea spray numbing their hands.
As the reached about halfway, he felt a tug on the rope and quickly dug his axe in and grabbed on using his right hand to hold himself onto the rock, he slowly looked down to see to his horror, Garth Hightower and Ser Hugo Vance swinging in mid-air, they were the bottom 2, the only thing stopping them from falling was the rope that they were all tied to. The issue was that he didn't have the strength to continue climbing and pulling them up as well. He looked down to see Ser Garth desperately trying to get his climbing spike into the wall, but the wind was to strong and the lower rock was crumbling from where his axe had been pulled out when the wind had gushed him aside. He yelled down to Bronn, who was closest to them, to try and help pulled them closer to the rock, but to no avail. It pulled on the rope even more, making himself, and Jamie whom was below him have to cling on even more or fall too, pulling everyone else with them.
Then he heard a yell that made a shiver go down his spine.
"Do it, you have to, complete the mission," yelled Greysteel.
Before he could answer back saying, not they would find another away, he saw them fall away from the cliff. Bronn had cut the rope!
"NOO!" he almost yelled, but then Ser Balon said something to stop.
"He had to, they would have taken all of us with them otherwise, keep moving, we need to be quicker."
By the time they reached the top he was still angry, with Bronn but also with himself his foolhardy mission had claimed 2 lives already and they had only just made it. They had managed to climb onto the walkway and into the Sea Tower dispatching the 2 guards guarding the door by hurling them of the walkway into sea, trying to keep silent. When they were inside, he whirled around and grabbed Bronn by the throat and forced him up against the wall.
"I did not give you the order to do that, we could have saved them," he cried.
"No we couldn't have you knew it, I knew, they knew it, everyone knew. I took the best option, it saved us and it saved the mission."
"'He's right lad," a hand when on his shoulder and he turned around to see Thoros standing there, "Come on, the longer we mess about the more likely we will be discovered and there sacrifice will have been for nothing."
"Fine," he sighed letting go of Bronn, "But we will discuss this later, Stay in a group we will search this tower then move on to the next and the next till, we find Balon. Capture if we can but kill him if we have to."
Room by room they cleared, not meeting much resistance, only a guard or soldier here and there, but eventually the alarm was raised and more guards began pouring down and up the stairs, catching them from both sides. Most of the though were unskilled or raiders who relied more on brute strength then skill, but they were outnumbered. He saw Jamie cut down 5 with ease, never letting them even get near him. Behind him Thoros of Myr had his flaming sword and was swinging it about wildly scaring the Iron men, as Bronn slashed the back of a man trying to get Ser Balon.
"Careful," Bronn quipped, "you don't want to get blood on that fancy white cloak of yours."
"Shut up sellsword," Balon grunted back.
"We need to keep moving, we are almost at Balon's solar, it is where he is most likely hiding and commanding from," thundered Robb over the clash of steel. He and Patrek pushed forward, carving a way through with their swords, heading for the double doors ahead of them, while Dacey and Obara guarded rear. Patrek had jested at her earlier saying she liked it in the rear, when she volunteered for that position, but one glare from his betrothed shut him up. Balon and Jamie used their strength to push through the door, revealing a thin man, with a gaunt and hard face, with black eyes and long grey hair going pass his back. One look from Thoros confirmed, to him that it was Balon. With him were 10 men, probably all commanders, they had been gathered around the table but now they had weapons in hands and we ready to battle to the death.
"Surrender now Balon, You have lost, our army is nearly in your castle. Surrender and preserve the lives of your men."
"Never, What is dead, may never die," he roared with insanity, and charged with his men.
He dodged through the blades, axes and maces heading for Lord Greyjoy himself.
Lord Greyjoy swung at him, with his double bladed axe it narrowly missed him, hitting his shield instead, sending splinters flying.
"This is for my son, whom you killed," yelled Balon, as he swung his axe at him again just missing his head, as he ducked.
"You son died saving my life, I didn't ask him to, he was like an older brother to me. He would be horrified to see what you do in his name," he hissed back Balon disgustedly, thrusting out his sword in his right hand and pushing Balon back with his shield.
"No you lie," Balon screamed ferociously at him and lost all sense to defend himself, as he charged wildly at him, with his axe above his head.
He simply sidestepped and slice through his belly drawing his guts, then swung again, letting the head fall from the neck.
The others stopped fighting when Balon's head was brought out, with Asha captured, Victarion and Aeron dead and Euron far far away, they no longer had any wish to die. He walked down the ramp from the first tower to the mainland, with his team behind him, all apart from his 2 casualties and Patrek and Dacey who had gone to spend some time together. He saw Ser Brynden stroll up to him, amongst the other soldiers taking away the Ironborn prisoners and weapons.
"Uncle, where is my father," he asked surprised that he wasn't here to greet him himself.
"I'm sorry Robb, we don't know how it happened," Brynden told him sadly.
"What, what are you talking about," he asked suddenly concerned, not sure what Brynden was saying.
"We found him in his tent, just now, he had gone back to get the documents for Balon to sign if you brought him out alive, and send some ravens, when we went to fetch him when the Ironborn stopped fighting. They found him with his throat slashed, we think it was an Ironborn raider. He somehow got passed our guards and patrols."
"NO, NO, We won, how did this happen," he howled, tears now coming to his eyes, he ran off to his father's tent not wanting to believe it.
There he was, he couldn't believe, as he pushed open the tent flap, he saw the blood all obey the table, then cried out when he saw his father slumped over the table. He could have been asleep had it not been for the blood. Something didn't add up though, how did an iron Born raider get pass the 4 guards stationed at the tent without killing them and not making a sound and how did he get out of camp without being seen.
As he stood taking in the scene of his father's corpse and the destroyed insides of the tent, he suddenly remembered the letter his father had given him. He had kept it on him since then; he never thought he would need to open it, he always looked at his Father as being so strong and powerful.
As he opened the parchment, tears again began forming in his eyes and streaking down his face, splashing the letter with wet marks.
Dear Robb, My son.
If you are reading this, it means that I didn't make it back. I regret leaving you and your brothers and sisters so soon. I wish it wasn't this way but I know you will all do me proud, as you have already. You have done and seen more than a man your age should have, but I suspect you will see more in the coming months.
You are now Warden of the North, it might not seem like much, but we guard against the thing from beyond the wall that children think are tales told to scare them. You must be vigilant and strong, trust in others, but most of all trust in yourself.
Finally look out for your sisters and younger brothers, they are growing up but they still need guidance and unfortunately that burden falls to you now. Find Bran, I know he is still alive, you must try and find him. Finally there is something you must know about me, something hat you may have wondered. I taught you since you were a boy about honour, but I wonder how many times did you think of asking why did I break my vow to your mother and lay with another women. I need you to know, so you don't think less of me. I never broke my vow to your mother. If you want more answers find my trusted friend Howland Reed and If Jon is still alive, make sure he gets my letter for him.
From your Loving Father
Eddard Stark
What was he talking about in this letter he wondered, more answers? If his father had never broken his vow, then who was Jon's parents, was he really his half-brother? That didn't matter now thought, as his father had said he had duties to perform, but he wished there was someone close he could talk to but everyone he would have gone to normally was now dead or far away. He did have 2 relatives here but he barely knew either of them and he had a few friends, amongst the young nobles but now where near closer enough to lay his burden on them. He was alone to grieve.
Authors note
Yes I'm sorry, but I needed it to be shock and unexpected. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter it was my longest yet. Please read and review. I am still looking for a beta reader. Also suggestions for names for Robb's and roslin's child please.