The air in the room was thick with tension. Everyone looked upon the table where a small model of Winterfell sat, pieces around it symbolizing the armies that arrived. Thomas stood next to Daenerys as they listened to Jon explain his plan to defend Winterfell and fight the dead.
Jon sighed as everyone stayed silent. "The fact is, we are out of time." Jon met the eyes of everyone in the room. "We will have to make our stand with what we have. Whoever isn't here now is a part of the night king's army. We have dragon glass, Valyrian steel and dragon fire. But it isn't enough. There are too many of them. Our enemy doesn't tire, doesn't stop, doesn't feel." Jon shook his head. "We can't beat them in a straight fight."
After a moment of silence, it was Theon Greyjoy who spoke. "So, what can we do?" the question that was on everyone's mind was finally voiced and now all eagerly awaited Jon's response. Thomas looked to Jorah who stood on the opposite side of Daenerys and noticed how he too seemed less than pleased about Jon Snow's plan.
"The night king made them all. They follow his command. If he falls, getting to him may be our best chance." Jon answered and Thomas shook his head.
"He will never expose himself like that." Thomas looked around. He was about to continue when another cut him off.
"Yes, he will."
All eyes turned to the back of the room where Brandon Stark sat in his chair. Thomas scowled at the boy.
"How do you know?" Thomas asked.
Brandon met his stare with his own blank one. "He'll come for me. He's tried before." His dead tone filled the silence. "Many times, with many three eyed ravens."
Sam asked the next question. "Why? What does he want?"
"An endless night." Bran looked towards the fat lord. "He wants to erase the world of men. And I am its memory." Everyone was silent for a bit taking this information in.
"Well, that's what death is isn't it?" Sam stated. "Forgetting. Being forgotten. If we forget where we've been and what we've done we're not men anymore. Just animals." Sam looked back to Bran. "Your memories don't come from books. Your stories aren't just stories. If I wanted to erase the world of men, I'd start with you."
"We will put you in the crypts where it is safe." Jon stated.
"No. We need to lure him into the open before his army destroys us all. I will wait for him in the gods wood." Bran explained his plan.
"You expect us to use you as bait?"
"We're not leaving you alone out there." Arya and Sansa spoke up.
Theon jumped in before any other could speak. "He won't be. I'll stay with him. The Iron born shall Protect him." He looked directly at Bran. "I once took this castle from you. Now let me defend you now."
"We will hold them off as long as we can then." Davos sighed.
"Stop." Thomas growled. "Enough with these three eyed raven nonsenses." Everyone looked at him and he noticed that the northerners were the most upset by his outburst. "I have seen things that shouldn't be possible." Thomas motioned towards Daenerys. "I saw a young woman walk out of a fire with three dragons and not be burned. I have seen mages in Quarth change their appearance and teleport. I am not one to scoff at the impossible. But to put everything on the line for one man who claims to be the history of everyone? That I have trouble accepting."
"You do not believe I am what I say I am?" Bran questioned.
"No." Thomas shook his head. "I doubt the plan That has been presented." Thomas motioned to the Table. "You north men have placed the Targaryen forces in the most vulnerable positions. We have committed everything to this fight." Everyone was silent as Thomas now slowly walked around the room. "We came here to help all of you survive. WE could have gone back to Dragon's Bay and ruled comfortably for the rest of our lives. Instead, we chose to help save you. Only to be met with hatred and distrust." Jon Snow looked away in shame while Sansa Stark met his glare with a condescending look of her own. "Looking at these plans the king in the North has set out, I am wondering if he is not just hoping we get wiped out by the dead so he can be rid of us."
"I would never do that to an ally." Jon interceded hotly.
Thomas smirked at him. "Yet you banish me from the North for fighting our war. A war that technically has nothing to do with you." Thomas held out his arms. "Tell me Jon Snow, what would you do with your enemies when they refuse to kneel? Hmm? Throw them in a dungeon until they change their mind?" Thomas scoffed. "It never works. But I am changing the subject. The fact is, we have been treated like the enemy since we arrived and now you wish us to sacrifice most of our forces on the belief that the night king is going to show himself at some point to kill your little brother."
"How would you defeat the night king then?" Sansa spat out. "We have but a few hours before he arrives and the troops are already getting into formation."
Thomas stared at her for a few moments, then smiled. "I'm glad you asked My lady. It is lady, right? Not Queen? Don't answer, it's not important." Thomas waved her answer away when she opened her mouth. "As you said we have no time to make proper changes. If only King Jon had asked us what our thoughts were. Regardless, we should move as many catapults and trebuchets into the castle walls. To have them in front of our infantry is ridiculous. They will be useless once the dead break through the Dothraki. I have already given this order. The Unsullied are taking care of it. Now the Dothraki, I have moved a portion of them into a new position. We are not fighting living men. They will not break and run. A cavalry charge right off the bat is suicidal. But as you said we only have a few hours and moving 90,000 Dothraki will take too long."
Thomas paused to gauge the room. Most seemed content to let him finish while others, mainly Sansa and Samwel looked annoyed.
"I have ordered 20,000 Dothraki to deploy behind Winterfell. When the time comes, they will split and charge around the castle to the back of the Whites and create a pincer movement. Jorah, you will go with them. Since the Dothraki have no dragon glass weapons you will have to kill whatever Walkers are back there. I will fly over you and lead your charge as the signal. The rest of the Dothraki will follow the original plan except they won't charge until the third volley of catapults are done. The catapults in the field that is. The ones in the castle we shall save until everyone has retreated into the castle. Now I shall take Rhaegal and lead that charge myself. Jon You are welcome to join me with Viserion. Dany, I know you want to be a part of this But You and Drogon hang back until Davos gives the signal to light the trench. Our dragons are the most essential recourse we have. They can kill hundreds in one swoop of fire. If Jon joins me in the charge, we will open up two avenues on each side of the enemy lines and the Dothraki will follow the holes we make then retreat to the back of the castle. The first stage of the battle after this is over. Now the Walkers are going to hit our infantry. Our biggest advantage with them is the shield wall. I know our Unsullied can do this so I have no changes for them. However, I haven't seen your forces with shields. I assume the majority don't have them?"
"No, they haven't been trained properly in the shield wall." Jon muttered. Thomas stared at him in disbelief.
"Moving on." Thomas muttered. "They will have to hold the shield wall as long as possible. While they are fighting, archers should fire over our lines the entire time. Grey Worm, I will leave the tactical retreat to your discretion. Keep in mind Jon and I will keep raining fire down upon them. Along with whatever catapults were able to get back inside the castle. Now Once the Walkers get to the wall, we will need everyone on the wall shooting arrows and keeping them off the walls. You have all said the women and children will be put in the crypts. I don't agree but they are not my people so I have not given them new orders. I am however ordering some Dothraki and unsullied to keep them company. They will make sure that any dead men will stay dead down there. Now hopefully by then we will know where the night king is and will be taken out shortly after. The goal of this fight is to kill the night king. Once he dies, we win. All we need to do is last long enough to find him and end him." Thomas had moved the pieces on the board as he talked. He stepped back with a pleased expression as everyone looked on.
Jon nodded as he took it all in. "Very well, whatever gives us time will work for me. And You already ordered your men anyway."
"Thought you would agree." Thomas grunted.
"What about Bran?" Sansa Asked.
"What about him?" Thomas wondered. "He was always going to be behind the walls. If he chooses to be in the gods wood, then I don't care. He will be fine so long as the walls aren't breached. But if the walls are breached, we lose anyway."
"The one thing I don't like however is the placement of the dragons." Jon spoke up again.
Thomas and Jorah both looked confused while Dany had an exasperated expression. "If the dragons are in the field, they aren't protecting Bran who we all agree is the main target. If they are in the field the night king won't show himself."
"I think you are missing the point Jon." Thomas muttered. "We need to last as long as possible and I am not pulling our best weapons off the front lines on the slim chance it will better protect your brother. One life isn't worth the thousands we would lose without them." Thomas saw Sansa glare at him and Arya's carefully blank face. "Since you seem so hesitant to bring out the dragons, you can stay back while I make sure our men don't get slaughtered." Jon sighed and looked away.
"If that is all, I suggest we get some rest while we can." Dany spoke up. She rubbed her swelling belly and shuffled uncomfortably.
Everyone nodded and agreed with the new plan and soon they were off. Each seeking their own comfort as night fell. The atmosphere in the castle and surrounding field was somber and tense.
Sometime later, Dany sat in the room provided for her as the fire blazed. Thomas walked in as the marching of troops filled the air. Orders had apparently been given and were now being followed.
"I'm scared Thomas." Dany muttered as he moved behind her and started rubbing her shoulders. "I don't want to die. I don't want to lose our babies." She gripped her belly.
Thomas kissed the crown of her head and wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her belly. "It would make me feel better to see you fly away." Dany shook her head at the suggestion. "But you are always so stubborn." They both chuckled lightly. "When this is over, I want you to head for Dragonstone. I don't want you up here alone while I gallivant across Westeros."
Dany leaned her head back and kissed his neck, feeling the stubble that had started to grow. "You will need a shave." She grinned up at him. "I will head south as soon as you leave. Hopefully they will wait for me to return home before coming into the world." Dany and Thomas shared a smile.
"Thought of any names?" Thomas asked.
"Hmm." Dany hummed. "I'm thinking Rhaella for a girl and Daemon for a boy." Dany's eyes shined as her thoughts went to her children. "What are your thoughts?"
Thomas smiled. "I love your choices. But for a girl, I like Rhaenyra and Visenya."
Dany sighed as she snuggled back. "I love them. Now your queen wants you to come cuddle with her."
Thomas laughed. "As my queen demands." The both snuggled together. Holding each other tight as the night got colder and the sky faded further and further to darkness. "You remember back in Meereen, when you asked me to write you a song?" Dany's face scrunched up in confusion but she nodded her head. "Well, I wrote one if you are interested. IT can help pass the time." Dany smiled softly and snuggled closer.
"Sing away my protector."
Hope can drown lost in thunderous sound
Fear can claim what little faith remains
But I carry strength from souls now gone
They won't let me give in
I will never surrender
We'll free the Earth and sky
Crush my heart into embers
And I will reignite...
I will reignite
Death will take those who fight alone
But united we can break a fate once set in stone
Just hold the line until the end
Cause we will give them hell
I will never surrender
We'll free the Earth and sky
Crush my heart into embers
And I will reignite...
I will reignite
Dany was quiet as his voice faded. She clutched him tighter as a few tears fell from her face. She wanted to say so much. To express how much, it meant to her but all she could do was hold him tighter. She buried the sobs that threatened to escape and instead buried her head into the crook of his neck. Thomas for his part held her tighter as he felt her shake silently. Soon he heard another voice sing and took in the words silently as he and Daenerys clung to each other like it was the last time they would hold each other. Both knew that it truly might be the last time they did this.
The sound of a horn woke them up later and they knew it was time. Both rushing as fast as possible to the dragons. Along the way they were joined by Jon as everyone rushed to their positions.
Mounting Rhaegal Thomas watched as Drogon flew off with Daenerys to overlook the battle. Turning to his right, he saw Jon struggle to mount Viserion before they both took to the skies. Flying over Winterfell they circled the castle as the last of the soldiers got into position. Across the field, the black forest sat, quiet and unmoving. Thomas was looking over the troop when he heard Rhaegal roar and Viserion call back. Looking he noticed Jon flying off towards Daenerys and scowled. Guess Jon decided to stick with his own plan after all.
Landing Rhaegal on a tower by the gate Thomas waited for Jorah's signal. Watching carefully, he noticed as a group of riders approached. Most seemed to be armored men but there was a woman in front. The woman seemed to speak to Jorah for a moment before approaching one of the Dothraki. She grasped his Arakh and soon every Dothraki had a flaming sword. Rhaegal, sensing his riders hope Roared his approval. A few nearby men at arms shifted nervously but otherwise held their ground. Looking back to the woman he noticed how she led her armored knights, who he was able to see were in blood red armor, towards the gates of Winterfell.
Men cheered as they beheld the flaming swords and Jorah drew a long sword from its sheath, preparing for their charge. The cheers soon quieted when screeches and guttural howling pierced the night. In the distance, little blue dots emerged from the forest. It was an eerie sight, all those blue eyes in the dark.
Thomas watched as the Dothraki started getting restless. They shouted and called out across the open plain. Thomas Looked down to Jorah and shouted above all others. "Loose!" The shout was repeated by many others as the catapults and trebuchets released their flaming payloads. Jorah waited as two more volleys were launched before he Raised his blade high and called the charge. Rhaegal let out one final fierce roar as he took to the sky. By the time they made it over the riders, another volley was on its way. The fires from the thrown rocks revealed how truly massive the army of the dead was and Thomas felt a flash of fear shoot threw him as he flew closer to them. He knew without Jon, that many of his riders would not make it. 'Of course, the best laid plans always fall apart.' Thomas thought as the Dothraki followed Rhaegal.
"Drakarys!" Thomas roared and Rhaegal let loose his flame, carving a path through the charging dead. The battle had truly begun. Flaming rocks flew over him as he looked back and saw a riderless Viserion swoop in, creating his own path. The right flank of their attack slowly pushing forward. Below him, scores of undead giants and men were vaporized as dragon fire thinned their ranks.
*Few moments before*
Viserion watched as his father flew towards their enemy. He called out to him asking why he wasn't following him and his rider. He could sense his rider wanted to be on the cliff, so why was father not coming. Calling out to his brother revealed that their father had a different plan than the Northern dragon wolf.
Growling in confusion he looked for mother. She would know what to do. Seeing her with Drogon he sensed and saw her confusion as his rider commanded him to land. Viserion quickly growled and threw Jon off himself before retaking flight and racing off after his brother and father. How dare that... that… that wolf abandon his father. HE roared in anger as he raced off hoping he wouldn't be too late.
*Present time*
Thomas cheered as his men cleared the side and started riding back towards the castle. He saw the other side looked worse for wear and had Rhaegal turn around to cover the retreat. By now the trebuchets and catapults had stopped firing to avoid hitting the dragons but once the Dothraki were clear, they would open up once more.
Rhaegal and Viserion both made a few more strafing runs before Thomas noticed something glint out of the corner of his eye. Turning he only just saw the spear as in impacted Rhaegal's chest. Exploding in blue light and causing the green dragon to fall. Thomas screamed as Rhaegal slammed into the ground. Thomas was thrown from his back and grunted at the impact. Getting up, he noticed Jorah had turned his men around and were now riding to protect him and Rhaegal. He saw Viserion flying overhead, no longer making strafing runs and instead looking for whatever took down Rhaegal. Looking towards his fallen son, Thomas barely held back a sob as Rhaegal gave a few panicked gurgles and blood poured out of his mouth. Thomas raced over, unconcerned about the hordes of undead descending upon them. All he could see was the panic and pain in the dragon's eyes. Running towards him he fell to his knees reaching for his quivering jaw. Rhaegal tried so hard to croon but all he did was gurgle one last time. Thomas cried out as he begged Rhaegal not to die. Begging him to not leave him and that he would be ok.
Rhaegal for his part kept his eyes on his rider. His father. The man who meant so much to him. From birth he had known this man would bring about great things. That he belonged to him. And now, he hoped his father would live through this terrible night. As his sight started to fade and his father's cries grew louder, he dreamt of the future. Of all the children and little dragons that his rider, his father, his heart, would bring to this world. With that dream, he let the darkness take him.
Thomas watched as the light faded from his son's eyes and screamed. Tears fell from his eyes as he held onto Rhaegal's head. Screams surrounded him as Jorah tried to hold back the hoard.
"Thomas, we have to go!" he yelled. But Thomas barely heard him, too consumed by the pain of losing his first son. "Thomas!" Jorah jumped from his horse and grabbed him. Dragging him back to the horse, he threw him over it and soon they were once again retreating. Viserion cried out in pain as he realized his brother was gone. Thomas saw him fly off towards Drogon. Boulders covered in fire once again filled the sky as the catapults and Trebuchets let loose once again. Jorah diverted his ride and dropped Thomas off in front of Grey worm who directed him back towards the gates. Jorah rode off to meet up with the remainder of the Dothraki behind Winterfell. Thomas stumbled back towards Winterfell and only glanced back when the Unsullied readied the shield wall. The dead had covered the field a lot quicker than he thought they would. Now running, he passed through the gates just as the undead smashed against the left and right flanks. He saw Sansa Stark making her way to the crypts, her face paler than usual. Rushing to the battlements, Thomas quickly started shouting orders to the Dothraki.
"All archers Fire!" He shouted and while the north men hesitated the Dothraki archers went to work immediately. Thomas now Stood next to Arya Stark as Arrows started raining down on the dead.
"They won't hold." He heard Arya mutter and when he looked at her, he noticed she was watching to two flanks. Both were swarming with dead while the center was holding rather well with the shield wall. Already he could see men from both flanks running back to the castle.
Thomas cursed. "They are running already." Arya nodded her head. "So much for the bravery of the North." He scoffed and she glanced at him. A quick glare before she moved away.
Thomas was approached then by Ser Davos, but before he could say anything a torrent of flame crashed down upon the army of the dead. Thomas smiled as he saw Viserion and Drogon enter the battle. Seeing this also caused the catapults and trebuchets to finally stop firing.
This lasted for a few more passes before Thomas saw a massive wall of snow approaching. Thomas had to admit that it was a beautiful sight, the torrents of flame backdropped by the wall of snow. Soon it covered the field of battle and the archers called out asking what to do as they could no longer tell if they were hitting the enemy or not.
Thomas shook his head. "Cease Fire! Cease fire!" Everyone stopped shooting arrows. And watched as more and more men ran towards the gate.
"Open the gates!" Thomas heard lady Mormont call and soon the crowd at the gate emptied into the castle.
"Retreat!"
"Retreat!"
"Pull back! Pull back!"
Thomas heard the call over the screams and wails of the men and soon the only ones standing their ground were the Unsullied. If he focused hard enough, he could hear the Dothraki horses as they reentered the fray. Unfortunately, Thomas couldn't see them to see how they were fairing.
"Fall back! Unsullied, fall back!" He heard Grey Worm Scream. With that final call, hundreds of men poured through the gate. Thomas watched as everyone ran through.
"My lord." Thomas turned and saw lady Melisandre and her red guards standing behind him. "Come with me." She turned and lead him down to the gate. Her Guards drew their swords and ran their hands down the blades, lighting them on fire.
"Light the trenches!" Davos yelled and Thomas watched Grey Worm pull a rope and the little bridge collapsed. Melisandre waited until the space outside the Gates cleared before her and her Guards walked out. Thomas followed and started cutting down the few undead who made it past the trench.
Hearing her chant, Thomas stepped back and watched as the trench burst aflame. Laughing as the field lit up and the army of the dead was stopped. Thomas jogged back into the castle and yelled up to the archers. "Archers! Keep firing! Take them out as they just stand there!" Arrows once again soared in the air and Drogon and Viserion poured fire down upon the dead.
Back behind the gate, Thomas took the moment of reprieve for what it was and rested. Hoping beyond hope that the night king would show his wretched face soon. Soon the call went out that everyone was running low on arrows and then out.
All was quiet in the castle as the dragons outside kept raining fire and the living watched as the dead stood behind the trench. Unmoving. Unblinking.
A loud broken screech tore through the night, breaking the relative peace. Everyone tensed and looked to the sky afraid of whatever made that sound. Thomas however knew exactly what that was and tears fell from his eyes at this revelation.
"Oh no." Was all he muttered before all hell broke loose once more.
"Man the wall!" Davos screamed and once again men were running around. Thomas however stood perfectly still, watching the sky for any sign of his fallen child.
Danerys was doing another strafing run when she saw it. Saw Rhaegal rise to the sky once more. His eyes a bright blue and on his back, the demon that brought all of this upon them. Rage filled her and her babies kicked in her stomach. Drogon growled as he saw his brother and Viserion roared his rage and charged him. Drogon followed suit and soon they were chasing him through the hail of snow.
Thomas watched as Viserion flew away and sent a silent prayer for his safety. Turning back to the burning trench, Thomas paled when he saw the undead walk into the fire. "Keep Firing!" He screamed as sections of the trench went out and scores of undead charged the wall.
"Man the wall!" Soon the call rang out and the archers were forced to step back and allow others to beat back the undead. Thomas drew Blackfyre and swung at any undead that were able to scale the wall. Soon even the gates were being pounded upon by the army of the dead. Thomas took a glance out into the field and saw two different groups of Dothraki riding to the back of the undead.
Stepping back to let an unsullied take his place, Thomas looked down into the courtyard. There he saw Melisandre staring at him. Her guard of red warriors standing beside her. With a wave of her hand half of them turned and left towards the god's wood. The other half positioned themselves around the gate, drawing their swords and running their hands over the blades. Fire erupted along them and they took their stances. Thomas looked back to Melisandre and noticed she was urging him to go to her. Looking back to the field, he cursed as more undead just kept coming. Wave after wave, a never-ending hoard it seemed.
Moving to the stairs Thomas saw a part of the wall, fall to the undead and noticed them jumping down into the courtyard. Cursing he rushed down and joining the few men fighting them. But deep down he knew that it was over. Especially when a loud bang brought his attention to the giant Running through the gate.
Thomas watched in muted fascination as Lady Mormont was swatted aside and the red guards rushed to intercept the beast. Thomas rushed over, hoping to help stem the tide of undead that were now charging through the broken gate. He changed course however, when he saw the young lady stand and run towards the giant. Axe in hand the lady bellowed a cry so fierce it sent a small chill down his spine. Thomas made a split-second decision and ran for her instead.
Scooping her up just before the Giant grabbed her, he swung his sword and cut off its hand. Running away, and screamed at and unsullied nearby who still had his spear. The man flung it with all his might and skewered the giants head, causing it to crumble.
"Fall back to the keep!" Thomas yelled out. Running towards the castle with the very injured girl in his arms. "The castle is breeched! Fall back to the keep!" Thomas shouted.
Bursting through a doorway, Thomas carried Lyanna further into the castle. A few unsullied and Dothraki behind him, followed and closed the doors, hoping to buy some time for them and screams and cries filled the castle.
It was getting harder to see again. Jorah cursed as he turned his company back around for another run. Already he had lost too many men but he had to keep fighting, keep searching for the actual walkers. Already Heartsbane was drenched in the blood of the dead. Now it sung for the flesh of the White walkers. He could see the dead scaling the walls and dread pooled in his stomach as he saw the gate fall.
That's also when he heard dragons roar above him and a jet of blue fire appeared in the sky. Jorah watched as Drogon and Viserion engaged a resurrected Rhaegal. It would have been beautiful if not for the pain he knew this caused Daenerys. A loud shout drew his attention back down to the field where he saw a few Dothraki moving further towards the forest and when he looked closer, he too saw the walkers. All of them rode their undead steeds with carrying weapons made of ice. Jorah snarled as dragon fire scorched the sky above them. Twirling Heartsbane, he roared out his orders and soon his company was moving to the Walkers. Of course, his charge didn't go unnoticed and soon part of the horde behind them turned back and started chasing them.
Jorah watched as the walkers got closer and closer, as the whites got closer and closer, and he knew deep down that he would not last the knight. He would not see the sun rise on tomorrow. He would not see the next generation of Targaryen's be born nor their inevitable rise to the Iron throne. Jorah closed his eyes as he heard the screams come from the back of the company and some form the front as the Walkers and Whites started carving him men to pieces.
When he opens his eyes, he moved his horse to close in on a nearby walker and engaged. It shattered as Heartsbane caved in its chest. Around them, the undead started falling randomly. The next two fell quickly as well and he could see more and more Whites break apart. Jorah smiled as hope filled his chest. Maybe he would see the next sunrise.
Another walker fell to his blade.
His Dothraki were having an easier time now as more and more Whites fell. Jorah laughed as he started thinking about Deanery's coronation. Of the birth of her children that he would serve with the same loyalty he served her with.
The next Walker was a little harder to take down, His horse just a tiny bit slower, his swing a little wilder. But still, the walker and more undead fell. Taking a moment to look around he noticed there were still 7 more Walkers slaughtering his Dothraki and further down the field he could see even more of the Horde break off and come racing back across the field.
Jorah Grunted as a blade pierced his side. Forcing himself to focus again, he killed the offending White and moved towards the next walker. More slashes and stabs littered his legs and sides. HE noted that the Whites were now mostly focusing on him. Even when some of the Walkers were forced to abandon their mounts and walk.
His horse screamed out as the undead cut its legs and He flew through the air. Landing hard Jorah struggled to stand while fighting off the undead that descended upon him. More blades pierced his flesh as he finally regained his footing. His breathing came in ragged gasps. His swings, wild and uncoordinated. His vision, tunneling and going black. The screams of the dying faded as blue and orange lit up the sky. The castle in the distance was just a small black dot on the horizon.
Then his eyes landed on a Walker. The unholy abomination that would destroy everything if given the chance. Those cursed blue eyes that were piercing his very soul. Jorah raised his blade to block the oncoming strike but gasped as a blade pierced his chest. His grip failed him and Heartsbane fell to the ground. All around him his men fell to the dead, every man woman and horse slaughtered. In the Sky Drogon was trying to get Rhaegal off of him. IN the distance he saw the undead pouring over the walls. Looking at all of this he realized that his hope was a lie. He was never going to get out of this alive. Nobody was going to get out of this alive. They had failed. Jorah took one last shuddering breath, before removing a dragon glass dagger he had in his blet and plunging it into the walkers unsuspecting chest. They had failed, but they could still take as many of them with them as they could. For the little dragons who had yet to be born, he would fight this unwinnable battle. He would take as many down with him as he could to give them the best chance at life. And as the walker shattered Jorah fell into darkness.
Dany Screamed as Drogon tore through the skies in pursuit of his fallen sibling. Her rage was so string she was seeing red. That undead bastard had taken her child from her. Had raised him from death into an abomination. Now he would die.
Easier said than done however. Dany watched as Viserion made another pass and grappled with Rhaegal. The two went at each other with claws teeth and flame. Blue and orange mixed in a beautiful display of power.
Roars of pain and anger sounded through the night. The two dragons plummeted before Viserion ripped off part of Rhaegal's face. Her fallen child ripped himself out of Viserion's grip and maneuvered himself towards Winterfell and Dany panicked. Sending Drogon forward, she prayed to every god who would listen to get there in time. It was not to be. With a jet of blue flame, the walls of Winterfell exploded inward.
Dany's heart clenched as she saw hoards of the dead pour into the castle. Tears fell down her face as she was struck silent by the devastation below her. SO focused on the battle below she was shocked when Drogon slammed into Rhaegal. The two dragons tumbled into the air before they slammed into the field outside Winterfell. Dany just barely managed to hang on and her stomach clenched in pain. Groaning she just got her bearings when Rhaegal took to the sky once more, this time without a rider. The undead dragon flew off spouting blue fire from the whole Viserion left in his face.
Looking down she saw the night king stand in the snow. Feeling anger encompass her soul she growled out her order. "Drakaris." Drogon growled his glee and unleashed a torrent of flame upon the undead abomination. Dany basked in the flames of her dragon but out of the corner of her eye she saw white running toward Drogon. And the closer they got and the longer the flame flew from his mouth, the more she realized that dragon fire couldn't kill him. Panicking slightly, she gripped his spines. "Fly Drogon, Fly!" Drogon stopped his unrelenting assault and started taking off. Dany looked down and saw the night king watching her. His eyes locked onto hers as he reached for a spear strapped to his back.
Drogon pitched once he gained enough altitude and Dany breathed a sigh of relief as the spear sailed right by Drogon's neck. Looking back as Drogon took her away from the battle she saw the night king Raising his arms and Jon Snow running towards him, sword drawn, face set in a snarl. Dany sent a silent prayer for him before pain once more ripped through her abdomen. Drogon sensing her distress started flying away from Winterfell and because of her pain, she was unable to get him to turn around.
Thomas watched as the wall imploded and the dead poured in. Him and 2 unsullied and one Dothraki had found some respite in someone's bedchambers. Lady Lyanna was laying in the bed trying to muffle her coughing. Resting from the injuries she received from the giant. Her eyes however stayed on the man who pulled her out of harms way.
"We can't stay here." She muttered though the pain.
Thomas looked back at her before returning to the window. "The battle is lost. The wall has been destroyed and soon the keep will be overrun." He sighed as he felt a very distinct pull in the back of his mind. Glancing to the sky he saw Rhaegal flop into the courtyard outside the gods wood, spouting blue fire and gurgling his roars in agony and rage.
His heart clenched at the sight and his fist tightened around the hilt of Blackfyre. He looked away to regain control of his emotions but the sudden silence from outside caused him to look outside once again. Everyone who had fallen stood once more, the few men still fighting outside stood frozen, and a feeling of hopelessness filled the castle as their ice blue eyes opened.
"I will not die laying in some bed." Lyanna coughed, unable to muffle it. Screeches filled the halls and the door started banging. The unsullied readied their short swords. And the Dothraki put himself between the door and Thomas. "We will die fighting, as is the way in the North." Lyana struggled to her feet and grabbed her axe.
Thomas smiled at the young woman, her strength and determination reminding him of Daenerys. Despite her clear dislike of him, she had earned his respect. "It will be an honor to die fighting beside you, my lady." Lyanna looked at him critically before nodding. Thomas was about to respond when he noticed the night king making his way to the gods wood, a few more Walkers following him. "But I have no intention of dying just yet." Thomas grabbed a chair nearby and flung it at the window. When the glass shattered, he pointed at it and shouted orders at his men. The unsullied didn't hesitate before jumping out and onto the roof of a lower floor. The Dothraki grabbed Lyanna before following them and Thomas was last out the window and soon the unsullied started fighting towards the god's wood. The Dothraki however, ran towards the crypts, ordered to take Lyanna there for safety.
Thomas heard the girl protest as they parted ways and laughed. She Was something else that one. As he and the unsullied jumped down to follow the Walkers, the fighting started to pick up again. Whites swarmed them and soon Thomas was forced to abandon the two Unsullied as they tried to hold off the swarm of undead. Thomas raced forward through the castle as fast as he could. He grimaced when he heard their dying screams. They would be avenged, he promised to himself. When he made it to the courtyard outside the Gods Wood, he noticed Rhaegal had pinned Jon Snow, who had somehow made it back to the keep, behind some fallen stone.
Thomas' heart wrenched at the sight of his little boy. Scales turned a sickly shade of green and eyes as blue as frost. His jaw and face a mangled mess of what it once was. Thomas closed his eyes and felt for the link they used to share. Finding nothing he cursed before running out.
"Hey! Rhaegal over here!" The dragon roared as he turned towards him and Jon watched as Thomas stood in the open, beckoning the dragon closer. "That's right focus on me!" Thomas flicked his eyes to Jon before motioning him to the god's wood.
Rhaegal's ice blue eyes locked onto Thomas. His snarl pierced the cool air and Thomas shuddered at the twisted noise. The bond he once felt with Rhaegal flared dimly in his head and Thomas grasped for it desperately. His dragon marched forward, closing the distance before roaring right into his face.
"Fight him boy." Thomas whispered. "You can do it. You know me." Rhaegal Rhaegal's eyes once again met his and Thomas could swear, he saw recognition and regret fill his cold orbs. "A dragon is not a slave, little one."
Rhaegal roared again this time shaking his head side to side before thrusting it next to Thomas and releasing a torrent of blue flame to the surrounding dead. Thomas ducked as he swiveled his head in a large arc in the courtyard.
When the fire dissipated, Rhaegal released a pained whine and laid his shredded head down before Thomas, occasional twitches shook his large broken body. Around him, the whites started falling, dead once and for all. The sounds of battle slowly fading and Thomas watched as his first child closed his eyes and released one final pained breath.
Tears sprang to his eyes as he realized they had won. It was finally over. Collapsing to his knees, he fell forward and wrapped his arms around Rhaegal's head and started sobbing.
I have to say I am sorry for the extremely long wait. Honestly, I just lost my motivation to write anything. This chapter isn't what I really wanted it to be, certainly not as long as what I was trying to do but I can't in good conscience keep it longer as I have nothing else to really add. I do hope you enjoy it especially since I don't think I have ever written a battle before. I did try something new for this story and hopefully it comes across the website correctly. So please let me know how you feel about it. I hope you are all staying safe throughout this pandemic. Thank you for still reading this story even with my really sporadic upload schedule. If you can call it a schedule. I am also upset about killing off one of the dragons. When I first saw Viserion die I said I wouldn't kill any of them in my story. Sadly, it turned out to be a false hope. Next time we see the aftermath of the battle and the changes I enacted. The song I used was Reignite by Malukah. Find her on the Tube. She is amazing!