Chapter 28: Squids, wolves and moose

299 AC

Halys

He looked upon the grey granite walls of Winterfell as he passed through the main gate. Behind him rode the army returning from Hornwood, augmented with his own troops. They numbered six hundred men in total. They would group themselves here together with the Cerwyns, who would arrive soon under their new lord.

Cley Cerwyn was a young man, close to the age of his late son. Where he had lost his son in the Whispering Wood, Lord Cley had lost his father at the Green Fork. He looked forward to meeting the new lord, as fostering good relations with House Cerwyn might be important to his house.

As it stood now, they only had an alliance with House Manderly and House Tallhart. With his plans to make Larence his heir, they would lose the Manderlys by the next generation. If he wanted his son to reign safely and resist House Bolton, he would need to make friends for him. House Cerwyn was an ideal candidate for this.

The only benefit was that Larence would have the friendship of House Glover through his fostering. That would go a long way, but he would need friends closer at home. The Cerwyns and their close allies the Cassels could provide this in the future. During the battle and the following march he had become friends of some sort with Ser Rodrik, the head of House Cassel.

Maybe he could ask to foster the man's grandnephew at Hornwood after the war? It would also be a nephew of Lord Cley and could better their relations. He could also make use of it so that the Starks, Cerwyns and Manderlys would be willing to connect the Hornwood to their bettered infrastructure. This would bring much needed coin and prosperity to his lands.

As he rode into the inner courtyard, he saw that the Stark family had arrayed themself to greet him. He greatly appreciated the gesture and puffed his chest out a little. Next to him rode Ser Rodrik as he looked on stoically.

He looked over the people who had come to greet him. In the middle stood his Queen Alys Stark, formerly Karstark. He had to give it to old Rickard, the man had managed to accomplish much in his lifetime for his family. If not for Robb Stark, he might have tried to betroth her to Daryn. How fate can turn out in strange ways, he though as he looked upon the girl that was his Queen.

The Queen showed very visible signs of pregnancy and he was glad for it. Another Stark would always be welcomed in the North. At the Queen's right stood Lady Catelyn, always the gracious beauty and host.

Next to her stood her sons Rickon and Brandon, the latter being the King's heir for now. At the Queen's other side stood Ned's daughters. The eldest clearly resembling her mother, while the youngest made him think back to Lyanna Stark. He had once thought about asking for the youngest daughter's hand for Daryn but it had always been unlikely that Ned would accept. Now with Larence's bastardy he had no chance they would ever accept.

He would have to find his son a cousin from a lesser branch or the daughter of a masterly house. This would set his house back a bit, but it would at least legitimize their children in the eyes of the Northern nobility. Maybe his grandchildren could make more advantageous marriages than he or his son.

"Welcome Lord Halys and Ser Rodrik, we thank you for your valiant efforts in defending the North against the brigands that plagued it." Lady Catelyn stated politely. This surprised him.

Didn't everyone know it was the Boltons by now?

"Ha, brigands you say. Boltons I call them! I have the proof to back it up as well. We found many a Bolton livery after we raided their camp. I have even more, witnesses. Women, who have experienced unspeakable things, have testified to the leader of their culprits being named Ramsay Snow, or Ramsay Bolton as he styled himself. Lord Roose's bastard son that has created problems before." He stated loudly as he got of his horse. He wanted the North to know of the Bolton's treachery.

This clearly shocked the Stark family. The Queen seemed to believe him quickly enough, she was a Karstark after all. Her family was probably the only one that was confronted with the Bolton's acts as much as his own. Lady Catelyn looked unsure and she looked over to Ser Rodrik in confirmation. The man nodded stiffly, and he saw Ned's widow swallow heavily.

"Whatever the case, we thank you for defeating them in battle good Lord." the young Queen responded diplomatically. "We welcome you and your men to Winterfell. You, Ser Rodrik and your commanders are invited to dine at our hall tonight were a victory feast will be held in your honor. Meanwhile food and mead will be brought to your men as well."

"Thank you, Your Grace and my lady." he said sincerely as he bowed to Queen Alys and inclined his head to Lady Catelyn.

The night past in a blur. He talked a lot with both Lady Catelyn, as well as the young Queen. He had also spent some time with the young Stark children, wanting to measure them. They all seemed quite nice children. The youngest boy and girl clearly reminding him of late Brandon and Lyanna. He smiled at the thought of the Stark blood running strong in some of them.

The feast had been good. It had done wonders for the morale of his men. He himself yet again tried to regain the holdfast his grandfather had lost. This time he seemed to have more success. The holdfast now belonged to a house sworn to the Boltons and this seemed to work in his favor. Although he wasn't promised it back outright, his Queen promised to look into it. His other repeated requests of hunting rights and damming the White Knife were rejected, however.

All in all, he couldn't complain. As such he was in a fine mood when he entered the Stark solar the next morning. His mood wouldn't last though, as bad news was shared soon.

"We have had grave word from the front. It seems Benfred Tallhart, the foolhardy boy, had seen it fit on himself to go patrol the Stony Shore against the ironborn with his company of 'wild hares'. News came of his crushing defeat and death four days ago. The loss of manpower for the Tallharts means that Torrhen's Square is a lot more vulnerable now. Yesterday a call for aid came from Leobald Tallhart, requesting aid against the ironborn marching on his home." Lady Catelyn said from behind the desk.

He thought about the news. The ironborn winning a victory on the western coast wasn't good at all. It had already been underdefended, without the Tallhart the whole region could easily be terrorized by those squids.

The dead of Benfred did open some opportunities for his family though. Ser Helman Tallhart had no other sons and his brother Leobald was married to his sister. It was very likely that either his brother-in-law or his nephew Brandon would inherit Torrhen's Square and provide his house with a much-needed ally in the future. He did feel bad for Helman, no man deserved to lose a son so young. He had been a good boy too, but nothing could be done about that now. Just like nothing could ever be done about Daryn anymore.

Ser Rodrik replied "If Torrhen's Square is under attack we must answer, my lady. I have some two hundred men left from the battle at the Hornwood. if you give me a week's time, I can muster another four-hundred and fifty from Wintertown and the surrounding territory. I will deal with the treacherous Theon Greyjoy once and for all."

"We admire your courage and loyalty, Ser Rodrik, but do you think that will be enough? The ironborn number some five hundred men. You would only slightly outnumber them." Lady Catelyn asked, clearly worried.

"The ironborn's strength is on the seas, my lady. In the fields and forests of the North, our men have the clear advantage. I will not fail. Besides, I expect the new Lord Cerwyn to join me with additional men." the knight answered without hesitation.

"Aye, I must agree with Ser Rodrik, Lady Catelyn. However, before I state an alternative plan, I must ask you what news has come from Deepwood Motte." He said, thinking deeply about the military situation of the North.

"From what we know, they are still under siege, Lord Halys. They are holding steady, together with the forces they had intended to send south to Robb. The clans have answered and have said to start marching to break the siege. Lord Torrhen Little has sent a vanguard, under his son and heir Morgan, to harass the ironborn. They intend to stall the ironborn so the main force arrives in time to free Deepwood Motte." Lady Catlyn answered his question.

"Good, very good! That means that I will not be needed up there." he said, more to himself than to anyone else.

"Lord Halys? Aren't you planning to help the Mountain Clans anymore?" His young Queen asked him.

"By your leave, no Your Grace. Ser Rodrik's plan is sound, but it would leave Winterfell underdefended and I do not like that. Even if it's not under any immediate threat, it is a weak show of force to your bannermen. I would propose that Ser Rodrik leaves two hundred to two hundred fifty extra Stark men here and I will join him with my three hundred men. This will increase our numerical advantage against the ironborn, as well as its veterancy. Together with the troops of lord Cerwyn we will probably outnumber them two to one and as such we can limit our losses."

"Did you not want to free your … son, Lord Halys?" Lady Catelyn asked him.

"Aye, I did. However, if the Clans say they are marching and will free the Motte, then I'm reassured. Besides, my sister and two nephews are in Torrhen's Square right now. I have a duty to help them as well." He replied easily. It would be good to help his sister and her family, even more so when he still needed to tell him about his decision to make Larence heir.

"This will work, my lady. Together with Lord Halys and his veteran troops, we will be able to make short work of the ironborn." Ser Rodrik joined in, clearly liking the idea.

"Good, then that's decided." His Queen said simply. "When can you leave?"

"I expect we may be able to leave in four to five days, Your Grace. Most of the men are already gathered and they are being trained here at Winterfell. The Cerwyns are only one day marching away. We just need to give Lord Cley a few days to gather his men and provisions before joining us here." Ser Rodrik replied.

"Very well, I expect that the both of you will be able to take care of provisions yourself?" Lady Catelyn asked. He couldn't do anything but notice that there seemed to be some tension between the two women about who gave the orders. It didn't matter for now, as they had been able to make a sound plan and both seemed to agree, but he would need to keep an eye on that in the future. Internal strife within House Stark was nothing something the North needed right now.

"Aye" he simply replied, as Ser Rodrik nodded. "Good then you are dismissed. If any problems arise, I expect you to notify me immediately." Lady Catelyn said, again giving him the idea that some small power struggling was happening between the women.

He nodded his head to Lady Catelyn and made a small bow for his Queen and left the solar. He had a lot to do the upcoming days and needed to talk to Ser Rodrik and Winterfell's steward about the supply lines.


(Nine days later)

Arya

It was long past midnight and the castle was sleeping. She quickly and silently unbolted her door. After making sure the coast was clear, she slipped out of her room with Nymeria quick and silently on her heels.

"Nym, go to that side and listen if there are any guards coming." She whispered. The direwolf just turned around and silently stalked towards the edge of the corridor. Soon Lyanna came from behind her, as the two of them had been sharing a room for months now.

They quickly snuck towards their friends' room and after giving a silent knock on the door, it opened. Allara and Wylla were clearly ready and joined them. They had all planned to go on a mission tonight. After Ser Rodrik, Lord Halys and Cley had left Winterfell, one of the barracks lay empty. They had planned to scout out the empty guard's barrack tonight, as her mother had forbidden them from doing so the past few days.

They snuck through the family wing. They quickly passed by Alys and Bran's chamber and turned around the corner.

She immediately, by instinct, knew they had been caught. However, the eyes that stared her in the face, she had never expected. She looked long and hard in the face of the black-haired young man, before she recognized him. "Theon?" she stammered out.

Her father's former ward looked at her equally stunned, before regaining his composure. "Arya is that you? Come quickly here now and I promise you nothing will happen to you." he said.

What did that mean? What could ever happen to her here in Winterfell? She thought, just as Nymeria ran up next to her. Her direwolf was growling and bearing her teeth and only now she realized that there were over a dozen other men behind Theon. They all looked filthy and were brandishing weapons of all kinds. When she looked better, she saw how more of them were still coming in behind Theon.

"Arya run, quick! Those are ironborn!" Lyanna yelled, clearly knowing what she was talking about. Nymeria growled loudly and placed herself in front of her, while she and her friends got their daggers out. They had gotten used to carrying them in sheaths wrapped around their right legs all the time.

"Get away, Theon. Leave before the guards kill you all." She snapped.

"Arya for the last time, put down your dagger and stand that monster down. I don't want to hurt you!" Theon said.

"We should just kill them all and be done with it. We will lose the surprise!" An ironborn grunted.

"GUARDS, IRONBORN ARE IN THE CASTLE! EVERYONE TO THE STARK FAMILY WING! IRONBORN ARE IN THE CASTLE!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.

Theon cursed heavily and shouted. "Kill the beast and the other girls, but leave the one that shouted alive!"

Immediately over a dozen men ran at them. "GUARDS HELP!" She shouted another time, as Nymeria bit out the throat of the first ironborn. She growled viciously and snapped at another ironborn, who only just managed to avoid it. The man landed on his ass in the process. Allara quickly took advantage of it, as Nymeria kept most of the other ironborn at bay.

Her friend threw her dagger right into the man's neck and ran forward to grab his axe. Her friend, being an Umber, was far larger and stronger than a girl of eleven should ever be. She swung the axe at another ironborn, grazing his arm and a tidal wave of curses erupted from the man's mouth.

In the meantime, Nymeria had managed to rip the arm of another off. The blood flew through the room and some spatter landed on her face. She didn't care, as something gripped her. Something … almost wolf-like. She wiped away the blood and with her two remaining friends advanced on the two ironborn scum that had managed to get past Nym.

Her direwolf has sensed this however and immediately turned around. Her paw ripping open the last man's upper thigh. His friend, scared and surprised, turned around to face her companion and on instinct they all pounced on him. Their daggers rose and fell, stabbing at every weakness they could find in the man's leather armor.

Suddenly a mighty growl was heard, and she knew Nymeria was hurt before she looked over to her. She saw how a man had slashed at her with a vicious axe. Nymeria's fury was gruesome as she took the man apart limb by limb in a matter of seconds.

This distraction, however, lead to more and more ironborn streaming past her direwolf and she was soon surrounded. She growled and scratched at everyone furiously and kept them at bay, but it didn't look good.

She was so concerned with Nymeria that she hadn't seen the ironborn charging at her. Suddenly she was face to face with a man and she saw his sword lower towards her own face, only for it to stop halfway. The man screamed in pain, as Lyanna had pushed her dagger very deeply in the man's thigh. The wounded man lashed out and hit her friend hard in the face as she flew back across the corridor.

She acted out of instinct, acquired through all her dagger lessons, and ran at the man. She charged and pushed the dagger in his groin with all her might and the roar that came out of him gave her much satisfaction. She got the dagger out and slashed at the man's throat. Blood immediately covering her face.

"Arya, run!" Allara shouted. She looked to where the voice was coming from and saw how her friend was being cornered by three ironborn. Five more walked over to her, Wylla and Lyanna, who had managed to get up again. The latter's nose was bleeding, and one side of her face was turning a little purple, but she nodded that she was fine.

Just as she hardened herself for the clash. A growl came from behind her and a grey blur flew past her. It landed on three of the ironborn and started biting and scratching them wildly. She realized it was Lady. Sansa must have let her out of the room to help them. With renewed strength she ran over towards Lady and stabbed one of the ironborn that had been knocked over in the leg. The man had lost his weapon in his fall and Wylla quickly kicked him in the face, giving Lyanna the time to stab him in the chest.

She looked up and saw more ironborn come forward, among them Theon. Lady, occupied with holding of the remainder of the four ironborn, couldn't help them. She was doing a good job though, judging by the amount of blood on her hide and muzzle.

Soon she heard something behind her and saw how two guards made it around the corner. Two wouldn't be nearly enough and she wondered where the rest were. She welcomed them though, as they could use any help they could get.

She switched her dagger to her left and picked up the sharp blade from the fallen ironborn and waved it in front of her. She desperately tried to keep back the oncoming enemies, but they were too many. The two guards immediately got in front of them but were soon engaged by Theon and three of his followers.

She saw how Lyanna managed to wound another ironborn with a nasty little trick they had learned from Lady Jonelle. However, the next ironborn's blade cut through the air and hit her shoulder.

Then two ironborn came at her. One knocked her blade aside with a powerful stroke and the other stabbed her in her arm. She screamed from the pain as she fell on the ground. She looked helplessly from upon the ground how one of the guards was decapitated by a brutish looking ironborn with an axe.

Suddenly the growling grew louder. She saw Nymeria break through her encirclement as she growled and scratched around her, whilst charging. The direwolf charged at the two men that had attacked her and threw one aside as she bit apart the other one's leg. Not all was fine though, as she saw an arrow was loosely sticking out her companion and she was bleeding from multiple cuts.

Nymeria went in a defensive stance above her, shielding her from the oncoming ironborn. She growled heavily but to her it was clear that Nym was tired and in pain. Wylla ran behind Nymeria, as Theon cut open the last guard's throat. She also saw Allara go down seconds later, taking an ironborn with her in her fall. She could only look on in shock and hoped her friend would survive.

Finally, the sound of footsteps came from behind her and she saw half a dozen guards run in to the hallway. The men didn't seem properly armed, as most missed pieces of their armor and no one was wearing a helmet. The half-naked men threw themselves into battle and soon she saw men of both sides go down.

By now, Lady had managed to free herself from her attackers and she ran back to them. She pushed both friend and enemy to the ground in her aim to reach Nymeria. Both wolves were tired and panted heavily as they shielded her and Wylla.

Although a few ironborn had gone down, it was clear the guards were going to lose. She saw how Theon hamstrung a guard, before another ironborn finished him with a slash of his sword.

The two remaining guards were pushed back, and she shouted to Nymeria to help them. Both she and Lady stalked forward and snapped at the incoming ironborn. Just giving the guards the time to retreat behind them. This wasn't enough however, as one was hit by a throwing axe immediately after. The lack of armor made it a deadly throw.

Now Theon regrouped with the remaining dozen of his men. "Arya tell those beasts to stand down or you and all your friends will die like those guards." Theon said in a menacing tone.

"Fuck off Theon!" She managed to grunt out. He and his men had hurt her and her friends. She could see some of the cuts Nymeria had received from underneath her. She would rather die than forgive him that.

Theon didn't reply, as the ironborn just walked forward. The direwolves snarled at them and she saw Nymeria's muscles tense up more and more as the enemies came closer.

Suddenly the sound of dozens of footfalls was heard and soon many guards rounded the corner. She saw the fear in Theon's eyes at that. "Retreat men, we'll rejoin the others and beat those men with reinforcements."

The ironborn started falling back at that, as she was quickly surrounded by guardsmen. A few of them wanted to follow the ironborn but another, Donnel she immediately knew, shouted for them to get back and secure the royal family.

She saw how Nym relaxed and quickly collapsed beside her from wounds and exhaustion. She herself felt lightheaded too and suddenly all went dark, as she thought about what had happened to Allara and Lyanna.


(Three days later)

Alys Stark

She looked out of the window of her room to the men running around and the damaged stabbles. The fighting had been brutal and the damage huge. The ironborn had come at night with around one hundred and thirty men. Some had apparently climbed over the walls and swam the moat. Those ironborn had killed some of there guard by surprise and opened the gates for the others. She cursed that most of their guards had been new recruits. Most had only been at Winterfell for a few weeks. They probably slacked on their guard duty or didn't watch closely enough. She couldn't ask them, as the bodies of all the watchers on that part of wall had been found. Either their throats were slit or they had been picked off by arrows or throwing axes in the dark.

The ironborn had surprised parts of the garrison. Most of the three hundred men, that Ser Rodrik had left behind, had been those newly recruited guards and Theon had led his men to some of their barracks. Many of their number had been slaughtered, although fierce resistance had been put up.

Luckily a few dozen more experienced men had heard the commotion from a nearby barrack and organized a counterattack. They had rallied a lot of the new guards and a full out battle had ensued within Winterfell's yard and barracks. It had been tough, as most of their guards hadn't had the time to probably arm themselves. There had been many instances where their men just charged into battle wearing nothing more than a sword and undergarments.

All the while Theon and some twenty-five men had stalked into the castle, intent on capturing her and the rest of the Stark family. So, they had learned from an ironborn captive.

It had been unruly Arya, of all people, that had stopped him in his tracks with the help of her friends, Nymeria and later on Lady. Without them they would have probably been captured and the castle taken.

Still, the price had been heavy. Arya had been wounded and was bedridden. Her friend Lyanna had it even worse. Her shoulder had been severely cut by an ironborn blade. Maester Luwin said she would heal but it could take months.

Nymeria had faced many cuts and was bedridden too, next to Arya. Maester Luwin had said that it had been a miracle the direwolf had kept standing so long with all the wounds she received. Those beasts truly were powerful. She didn't doubt for a second that the Old Gods had sent them to protect her husband's family. Without them they would all be ironborn captives now. She made a mental note to again thank the Gods for their existence when she would go to pray tomorrow.

The worst loss had been Allara Umber. The girl had fought like a lion, or a giant, if you were to believe Wylla's testimony. She had been found on the ground by the guards as they secured the family wing. She had been dead already, stabbed multiple times and hit by an axe after or so she was told. She had had to write letters to Last Hearth and south to tell her family. Who knows how the Umbers would react to this news, or more accurately where they would turn their rage to. She just hoped it wasn't them. The rage of an Umber was nothing to laugh about.

Wylla Manderly had been inconsolable. She had been cursing non-stop and had apparently already written three letters to her father to send a force to destroy every ironborn on the continent. It was understandable, she had just lost her best friend who she had seen as a little sister. Her two other friends were also badly wounded and she seemed guilty about being the only one that was unhurt. Jonelle had taken her in, as the girl refused to sleep alone.

Lady Catelyn had been beside Arya for most of the time since the attack. This left her to take care of the castle. They had lost a hundred and eighty-seven men, with another forty-five heavily wounded. The ironborn's body count stood at one hundred and three, with twelve more captives.

After her family had been secured, the remainder of the guards and servants had been rallied by some more guards and had joined the fight. This had turned the tide and they had slowly been able to push out the ironborn. In their retreat, the ironborn had burned two of the guard barracks, as well as the smithy and part of the stables.

She sat down at her desk and looked at her notes once more. The remainder of the men had already buried their dead. They had stabilized the remainder of the stables and were now hard at work on the smithy. The barracks could wait, as they weren't all in use anyway. Later on, they could rebuild them and the part of the stables that had been destroyed.

She had wanted to send out men to capture the ironborn leader, Theon Greyjoy, but they just didn't have the forces. If you counted all the men who had only suffered light injuries, she had only sixty-eight of the three hundred men left that had been at Winterfell. This was barely enough to garrison the castle and she would only feel safe when Ser Rodrik returned.

House Cerwyn had promised to send a few dozen men and they were expected to arrive by nightfall. Still this wasn't enough to replace all the men they had lost. However, she did make a mental note of the House's loyalty.

First, Jonelle had helped Robb's sisters before marrying into House Cassel. Secondly, Lord Medger had joined Robb in his march south and had bravely fought under her father at the Green Fork. His important task had led him to be captured by the Lannisters and he had died in captivity there. Thirdly, the new Lord Cley had jumped at their command to join Ser Rodrik in freeing Torrhen's Square and now they would send additional men.

She would have to remind Robb to reward them after the war. No one deserved it more than them.

She had written to Robb and had made it clear that everyone else in the family, including the baby in her belly, was fine and that Arya would recover nicely. Knowing him, he would almost certainly want to march North immediately to protect them. He couldn't though. He had to win against the South for them to ever be safe again.

Last she had heard, he had been still been staying at the Crag. He had been wounded by an arrow but had written to her that everything was fine. Harry and Torr had backed this up, so she decided he would recover an she didn't have to worry. Jon would continue his campaign while he rested and recovered. She was glad for it. She didn't know Jon well, but Robb had always talked highly about him throughout the years.

She knew that Robb didn't see him as a bastard, but as his brother. She had long foregone every distrust aimed towards him. Everything she heard from Robb, first at Karhold and then later when they had been together or through letters send from campaign, showed he was loyal and capable. He could be a great asset for her husband's rule, and she was glad he had him despite all what Lady Catelyn said.

Besides, she had had her brothers and father check him. All they told her seemed to confirm her suspicion. He was honorable and loyal to the bone towards first his father and now his brother. Jon leading in Robb's absence would be best. He could make sure the campaign didn't lose momentum.

She hoped Robb and her brothers would be done soon in the Westerlands. Every day, since she had heard the news about Edd, she had feared for his life.

She stood up from her desk and made herself ready to leave. She was going to visit the widows and mothers of the men that had died in the attack. It was the least she could for them, after they gave their lives for her and her new family.

When enough guards had returned and the area was safe again, she would also tour the surrounding towns and villages as many had come from there as well. Until then, her showing at Wintertown would have to do.

She picked up her coat to leave her room when a knock was heard on the door. "Who is it?" she asked.

"It is Maester Luwin, Your Grace. A raven from Torrhen's Square has just arrived." the voice behind the door said. "Enter, Maester!" she replied.

The man came in and handed her the letter, after performing a respectful bow. She put her coat on her chair, sat down and started to read.

To Queen Alys and Lady Catelyn

The siege of Torrhen's Square is broken. We won a battle against the ironborn under its walls. We killed two thirds of their four hundred men, the remainder fled back to the Stony Shore. Our losses were minimal.

We will depart back to Winterfell in the morning. I have already sent scouts west and north to the Stony Shore and in to the Wolfwood to track the remaining ironborn. We should be back in less than a fortnight.

Ser Rodrik Cassel

This was good news. There was no way that Ser Rodrik could have already received the news of what had happened here. The fact he was still coming back to Winterfell proved he was a capable and patient commander. Many young hotheads like Ser Benfred would have chased the ironborn all across the shore, leaving their defenses weakened.

In less than a forthnight Winterfell would be secure again. They would even have a reasonable sized force to send out. Even if they keep all their Stark men in Winterfell, the Hornwoods and Cerwyns still command hundreds. The Manderlys, Lockes, Dustins, Tallharts and Flints had also been levying more men for Robb. They could be put to good use as well. She would have to discuss this with the commanders once they returned.

She thanked the Maester and picked up her coat again. Now, she really needed to leave for Wintertown. It was becoming more difficult to go to the town with her ever expanding belly. If she waited too long, she would postpone it. That wouldn't do. She just hoped that the baby wouldn't kick too much, but she doubted she would get her wish. This would be a long afternoon.


This is it for this chapter!

Halys and Ser Rodrik go deal with Dagmer Cleftjaw at Torrhen's Square while Theon attacks Winterfell. Here both ironborn forces are a lot bigger. This is because Balon trusts Theon more now. He escaped King's Landing with a few friends, stole a boat and came back to the Iron Islands on his own. 'He paid the iron price for his return', so to speak. He was also home a little sooner and had time to work himself in to the family more.

Theon would still attack Winterfell, as he would still want glory and to prove himself. Maybe even more so he would want revenge on Ned and 'House Stark' because they first sent Robb away from him and then sent him south to be scoffed at in King's Landing.

He fails in his plot, due to the thinking of Halys. Still, Winterfell is damaged and its garrison decimated. A lot of personal grief with Arya's and Lyanna's wounds. The death of Allara Umber will have an impact on House Umber, who will thirst for revenge.

There also is the building power struggle between Alys (the Queen, but underage) and Catelyn (the former lady of the castle for 15 years). This will be explored further on.

Thank you for the support!

Fannic


Reviews:

- Kuman: For now, Tyrion and Tywin haven't met. Tyrion never went to the Vale and came back to King's Landing immediately. Tywin fought in the Riverlands and is now in Harrenhall, while Tyrion fought and ruled in the capital. Tywin did send a relief force there and you can imagine he gave Tyrion the same power as in canon after the mess Cersei made. They send each other letters, but that's about it.

You do realize that the Wolfswood is huge right? Even now with modern technology and a high population Brazil isn't able to completely combat illegal cutting in the Amazon. Imagine a medieval population that is completely underpopulated trying to do so … Besides, there would be other smaller forsts along the Rills, Flint's Finger, … as well.

I think the ironborn might have perfected a way of doing so. Maybe they treat the wood before they sail back? Whatever the case, they either buy it or they steal it from the North.

- Jaimerey7000: Yes, Robb could do that but if he couldn't do it in canon why would he do it now? Militarily Robb had a very good education in canon, better is impossible. Also, the stragglers from Oxcross have already reached Lannisport by now.

In canon I think it says the Lannisters have a defensive fleet of 30-50 ships, although I can't find it anywhere. Doesn't really matter as they are no threat to the hundreds of ironborn ships, especially the Iron Fleet. Even so, Robb would have no sailors so impossible.

The Westerlings have a role to play, as you will see next chapter.

Jeyne would never know a secret entrance, if there is one. This has also never been stipulated and I would find it very cheap that they would find it after the Rock has never fallen for millennia.

- Force Smuggler: Yes! The Vale falls into chaos!

- Supremus85: It wasn't a lucky stroke, Moat Cailin is built to withstand armies from the south. Its other defenses have all been destroyed by the test of time. Besides that, none of the defenders were looking west or north as that is friendly territory.

People also forget how massive the ironfleet actually is.

I thought Theon's betrayal to be very logical for his charachter, although him taking Winterfell with less than 30 men always bothered me. Here he tries with 130+ and he fails.

- Kingmanaena: Thank you so much!

- Foxy-Floof: He can't do that … the ships would be sunk by the ironborn sadly. Although he had already done much by sending Halyd North with 800 men (300 died at Moat Cailin but they killed many times their number) and some died/stayed at Hornwood.

- Mike3455: Who knows? More on that next chapter!

- Greatazuredragon: Yes, chaos is running supreme! Thank you so much, to you too!

- The Prussian Gamer: Well, if you want to fear for Alys: the thing likely thing to kill women in this era is childbirth and she is almost at her due date …

- Poly19hum: Yes, what will Lysa do here? Thank you so much for the patience and support!

- Osterreicher97: Thank you!

- Anja Quickert9:

-Alfil94: Thank you! Subtle correction, Robb has control of most of the northern Westerlands, not yet of central (around Lannisport and that big valley) but it does lay open to attack. Even more detailed locations of the troops will be given in the next chapters.

There definitely is resistance, but most lords and knights are hiding it in their castles and holdfasts to protect their families. The West has no leadership to unite them for now and the northmen are moving quickly, scaring a lot of families. He only divided his force to harry/scout territories from families that were visibly weakened (part of Jaime's force for example) or to try to bait them into moving out of their keeps.

All three (and more) scenario's will be talked about in the next few chapters. Great observations!

Rebuilding some abandoned fortresses would help, but it would also take years. In addition, with 20k troops send south, the North can't man them right now. They might not even be able to man the whole west coast at full strength as many men would be needed in the towns and on the fields.

I completely agree with you on how it would work, but it would only help the next generation and not this war. Very interesting to explore though.

- Blob: Lol what? How would he have died at this point? I also don't just kill people because it would suit me. If I kill him now that would be the most unrealistic thing ever. Not saying that he won't die, but he still has a while to go. Maybe 15 chapters, maybe 40 years after the epilogue. You'll have to keep reading to see.

- Guest1: Parts of the Westerlands are fertile. Most of their wealth comes from mining and trade (Lannisport!), but they would still need to feed millions of people. Importing that is impossible. If you look at the geography of the Westerlands, it's all valleys and coastal areas between mountain ranges (and the sea). These valleys will definitely be fertile and most of the people will live here. This also corresponds with most of the known castles there.

- Guest2: Wow!

- Guest3: You're welcome! Thank you so much!

I'm looking into Dom and a few others. Dom is in the middle of a war and his father is cunning treacherous, who knows what'll happen with him.

It's possible, yes. The biggest question to ask here is would Robb have informed Edmure now yes or no? Because if it is no, canon is the most logical. If yes, there will be a campaign between Tywin and Robb.

I have planned a really big showdown in multiple parts, but you'll have to wait a bit more.

The ironborn have made their big moves now. They won Moat Cailin and are sieging Deepwood, but both with more losses than in canon. Winterfell and Torrhen's Square were lost. Now it will be the time for the North to counterattack.

Well Doran would wait. The more Tyrells, Lannisters, Baratheons and Starks exhaust themselves, the more he has to win. Oberyn is a hothead but will always listen to Doran. It is Doran's daughter Aryanne and the young lords and knights in her entourage that might be more difficult to placate. Also, the Lannisters have Lord Dayne in captivity. This will play a part with the Dornish. Oberyn and Ashara were close, he is her nephew.