Chapter 7: Cleansing of the Iron Island Part 2

So, before the chapter begins, I just wanted to share that I had been thinking about this fanfic a lot, regarding where this is heading and whether it is worth continuing. Also, I began to realize that it can't really be a story which encompasses the entire life of Thalion as Númenórean lifespan is rather long. I would have to use time jumps.

So, in light of it I decided that this fanfic will be about the establishment of the Númenórean Kingdom in Westeros and all that is connected with it. Some imminent consequences, conflicts, establishments of cities and castles, cultural clashes. There will of course be conflict with the Targaryens and other kingdoms so no peace for a time being and I also decided that some names of the cities and castles will be directly taken from middle-earth as in this timeline these won't be built there, rather in Westeros. When it comes to the name of the new kingdom I chose to go with the name of the northern Kingdom Arnor, which when translated means land of the king.

Anyway I will just call it the first arc. Whether it will end there… I am not sure. Númenóreans in Westeros is something with a lot of storytelling potential to be sure, however not something easy to write. In any case that would be enough from me, enjoy the chapter.

The great eagles, Númenóreans call them heralds of Manwë, one of their so-called gods. The people of Westeros who saw them in battle call them terror birds. Needless to say, that statement is no exaggeration as those creatures can indeed cause mayhem on the battlefield.

Though no one should mistake them for something they are not. Several of my colleagues who had a chance to have a look at them confirmed it is indeed just a very large Eagle, granted they can talk but in the end, it is just an overgrown bird of prey.

Nevertheless we can assume that their agility was really something which gave Targaryens a lot of trouble. Those large talons and beaks are most likely very dangerous and deadly even to dragons.

Maester Galador in the book: Númenorean Invasion and Founding of the Kingdom of Arnor

XXX

When Thalion saw the Castle of Pyke he wasn't sure what to think about it. It had five different sections which were located on the remnants of the stone cliff.

Practically each tower and keep were standing on the small stone island and the only connection between them were stone bridges or worse only ones made of rope.

"How hideous…." Minlubên described the Castle rather fittingly.

"Indeed. Even if we break through that gatehouse we will have to fight in the narrow space of those bridges….. This is getting better and better." Thalion answered and quickly checked the wall's layout.

"Alternatively we could just destroy those bridges and let them die of starvation…." Isildur suggested.

Thalion nodded. "We could do that as they are probably not prepared for it. However, we don't have time to spare. We will have to storm the castle once we breach the walls, so we can get to other Islands as fast as possible."

After estimating the weaker spots in the walls, Thalion pointed each out as he instructed Engineers how to set up the trebuchets. "I want trebuchet to destroy the walls there, there and there. Plus one should also destroy their fortifications above the gate, once those breaches are created we are going to attack."

Then Thalion turned to one of his lords. "Lord Harnoron."

Bulky lord eagerly stepped forward. "Yes, your highness?"

"I want your axemen to lead the charge through the gaps, are you feeling up to it?"

Harnoron smirked. "My axe thirst for their blood already, just give the order and I will be the first through the breach. They won't know what hit them."

Harnoron used to be one of the lords who had their fief in the province of Hyarrostar, part of Númenor best known for its extensive tree plantations and forests. The people of the province were renown for the skill of wielding an axe to the point when a large contingent of Hyarrostar axemen began to serve in the Númenórean armies, where they were known for their courage and deadly efficiency as an elite shock troops, rivalling even Númenórean Swordmasters.

"Good. I also want our men to dig up trenches for the archers. If any of the enemies pokes their head from behind that wall, to have a look, he must receive an arrow for their efforts." Then Thalion turned to the captain of his rangers. "Abrazîr."

"Yes, my king?"

"I want your rangers to set up the perimeter around the castle. You know the drill, I don't want any surprising sorties."

"It will be done."

"Very well let's get this siege going so we are not stuck here for long." With that the siege of Pyke began, though history will remember it as a breaking of Pyke.

XXX

Vickon Greyjoy was standing on top of the largest part of his castle, Great Keep of Pyke. He cursed again as he watched the siege camp begin to take shape in front of his castle while Dalton Wynch stood next to him. "Who the hells are those cunts? Banners of the white tree, are they from the North?"

"How can I know, Wynch? I only know they took the Lords Port by surprise and now they are here and we are totally unprepared for siege, while our king is sitting in his new castle in the green lands. Damned idiot"

"Careful my Lord. He might not be here but those are still traitorous words." Dalton Wynch said with a sly tone, he regretted it immediately.

Vickon Greyjoy just turned to him angry and with his iron grip took the lord of Iron Holt by the neck. "You know, maybe I should just toss you from this wall to spare myself future troubles, hmm? Would you like that?"

"No my Lord…"

"You are sworn to me not House Hoare, do not forget that. In any case we should concentrate on surviving this siege…. We are in this together, Wynch." Greyjoy let go of his vassal neck and growled.

After coughing up Lord Wynch quickly adjusted himself. "Do we have a plan, my Lord?"

"Plan? What the fuck do mean? We simply had to hold this castle. There is nothing else we can do. Now move your ass to the gatehouse and organize defenses there. I am going to go and prepare every able man to fight."

Lord Wynch bowed and did as he was ordered. Alas when he stood on the battlements of the gatehouse he was getting a bad feeling that perhaps this is going to be his last battle. "How is the situation?"

"It seems they are setting up the siege engines and trenches for archers, though I think they have rocks in their heads. To set bowmen at this distance…. they are way out of range, Lord Wynch." Said young son of Lord Wickon, Goren Greyjoy.

Lord of Ironholt agreed with the claim made by an Heir of Pyke, while having a look outside the walls. Alas they were both proven wrong at once as a black feathered arrow pierced Lord Wynch's head right through the eye.

"Hells! Take cover! Those fuckers can shoot at us!" Goren shouted and practically jumped behind the battlements. Still it wasn't fast enough and few more defenders fell to the arrows.

"Dammit who the hell are these people?"

XXX

"Everything is set up, engineers will work in shifts through the night assembling those trebuchets. Archers also took down a few targets. Alas from that point onward the enemies are laying low." Minlubên finished the report while Thalion was hovering over the map of Westeros in his tent.

"Very good, thank you. Now go get some rest and that is an order."

"As you command, my king." Minlubên bowed and left the tent.

Thalion continued to study the map and was deep in thoughts about the world he was now in. "No orcs, dwarfs and no Elves. Just a bunch of human kingdoms fighting for dominance. For what purpose did Eru send us here?"

Thalion was interrupted from his musing by Isildur. "My king. May have a word."

"Of course, come in." Thalion gestured but didn't look away from the map.

"You seem troubled…"

"That is a rather big understatement at this point, don't you think?" Thalion said and turned his gaze to Isildur. "Anyway the reason I am troubled is that I was just wondering about the reason Eru would send us here. I mean this world seems to be vast but also inhabited by many different people. I am starting to realize more and more that if we are to make a new home here… it will have to be by force."

Isildur shrugged. "Hmm, hardly a unique opinion, your highness. This sentiment has already taken root among our people. Afterall the first contact with the locals is violent."

"Indeed. And I am once again on the battlefield and thrust into the unknown. It makes me ponder whether I should rather choose to go to Middle-earth where our people were already established to the certain decree…."

Isildur nodded in understanding. "Hmmm I can see why that would be in your thoughts. Do you regret the choice you made?"

"Partially, perhaps. Truth is that my desire to see Sauron finally punished by the Valar played a major role in my decision. As a matter of fact, Middle-earth is probably a better place right now, because of my choice, even if it is without me being there."

"Be that as it may, you didn't come here to listen to my rumblings, Lord Isildur. So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Well, first of all I wanted to congratulate you on your betrothal to my sister. The announcement caused quite a ruckus, especially amongst the nobility."

Thalion just smiled a little at that. "They can complain all they want. Me and Eleniel chose to promise to each other a long time ago. It just wasn't public knowledge, however your father insisted that for him to agree to the betrothal it must be properly announced, so here we are."

"I see. I am happy for you all the same."

"Thank you, sincerely. Was there anything else?"

Isildur nodded. "You said that after this siege is done our forces will be split to take down the rest of the island. I want to ask if you grant me the honour of leading one of them."

Thalion's frowned. "Sure I can. Though I was planning to give command of one of our forces to your father. Are you certain that you wouldn't prefer to accompany him, rather than leading on your own?"

"Absolutely. Because truth be told I want to lead outside of my father's shadow for once. No offense or disrespect to him of course."

"I can respect that. So be it." Thalion said and pointed to the map. "Here this island is called Old Wyk. It is the smallest of the bunch, however according to interrogated prisoners it belongs to house Drumm. One of them was the so-called Lord Hilmar Drumm who attacked your ship. In my opinion it is rather fitting that you ought to be the one invading that particular island. Wouldn't you say, Lord Isildur?"

Isildur didn't wait long to answer. "It will be done, in your name my king."

"Good. That will come later. Go get some rest, there we have a battle to fight tomorrow." Isildur bowed and left the tent.

XXX

Vickon Greyjoy couldn't really sleep with the hostile army at his doorstep, he tried to organize a night sortie but as soon as they got out of the gate, arrows flew at them. "Dammed fuckers it looks like they are prepared for anything." Now he resigned himself to waiting.

"Father, don't worry you sent the raven to other lords, they will come to our aid, right?" Goren said like he was trying to convince himself of that.

"Don't be naive, boy. The Drowned god will sooner show to our aid than those cunts… They will gladly watch our power disappear rather than to help us… only one who could save us is our king. Unfortunately he is too busy with keeping the riverlanders off his back plus there is another invasion in the Blackwater Bay, if the rumours are true.

"Another one? By whom, the Storm King?"

"No, you know about that raven from Aegon Targaryen like he is proclaiming himself the King of Westeros, right?" Goren nodded. "As it turned out, he finally made his move and landed in Blackwater Bay, between Stormlands and the Trident."

"Oh, interesting or foolish, now both our king and Argilac can attack him from both sides, no?"

"Perhaps or perhaps not, all will depend on the fact whether Aegon truly has dragons. But given how boldly he landed there. I would say it is very likely as he has clearly no fear. Either way, we are on our own in this mess."

Before conversation could continue a loud noise of stone being hit, resonated through the castle, then another and another. A man burst into the room with a panicked expression. "My lords, they are bombarding the walls of the gatehouse, the walls are cracking."

"What! Damm it. Then what are you waiting for? Call all the men to arms!"

XXX

Goren was filled with untold horror when watching defenders fall down the walls with the black feathered arrows stuck in them. "Our enemies are using their archers to cover their possible approach, father. What are we going to do?"

Wickon Greyjoy growled in frustration. "We will hold them here and make them bleed for every inch. Once we can't, we retreat to another section where we are going to take advantage of the bridge and short distance so our own archers can finally do something. Archers! Fall back, you are no use if dead!"

As soon as the Lord of Pyke finished the order the walls began crumbling down on several places under the fire of trebuchets. Some ironborn began to fall with them and died under the rubble.

"Alright get ready Ironborn! Form the lines! We will hold this castle for the glory of my house! House Greyjoy! We Do Not Sow!" No matter how dire the situation seemed to be, the words of their house and seemingly fearlessness in which Wickon Greyjoy spoke, lifted the spirits of his men.

Soon the Ironborn finally had a close look at their enemies. Tall men, clad in shining armour and winged helmets armed with two-handed axes, attacked through breaches in the wall and with surprisingly disciplined efficiency began to cut down the defenders.

Despite initial lifting of spirits, Greyjoy defenders soon realized how outclassed they are. Their armour and shield being cut through as axemen of Hyarrostar were making stable and bloody progress.

In front was Lord Harnoron leading his ranks, cutting down Ironborn by the dozens and what's more with the smile on his face as he enjoyed the battle. Which seemed rather one sided. Although after some struggle Ironborn managed to form the line with the help of Lord Greyjoy and his heir who both fought side by side.

After half an hour however, defenses quickly faltered and collapsed when a horn sounded and a fresh Númenórean force entered the battle. As Thalion led the charge of the royal guard, Elendil, Isildur, Anárion and Minlubên by his side..

In a matter of minutes Ironborn ranks were shattered and Wickon Greyjoy began sounding the retreat. "Fallback! Fallback! Hurry, we will hold them behind the first bridge!" Retreat was so chaotic that Wickon didn't even notice that his son fell behind.

Goren turned to retreat but when he turned away he was kicked in the back and fell down on the ground when he turned to face the attacker. It was the Axemen who now smiled at him in complete contrast to his raised weapon. "Well now, if you have any last words now it's the time."

"Wait, don't kill me! I am the son of Lord Greyjoy. He will pay you a ransom if you don't harm me!"

"And? Why should I care?"

Just when Goren Grejoy's life was about to end he could only close his eyes and whisper. "What is dead may never die." A different voice halted the death blow.

"Wait, Lord Harnoron! Don't kill this one."

Harnoron shrugged. "As you wish, my King."

Thalion pointed to Goren with Aranrúth. "Are you truly the son of the lord of this castle?"

"Yes I am."

"Then I suppose we will find out how much your father values your life." Then Thalion gestured to two of his guards who quickly restrained Goren dragging him behind their king.

When Wickon finally realized Goren was missing he already saw him being dragged to the bridge. Lord of Pyke had to be restrained by his own men not to save his son. To his surprise one of the invaders called towards him and his Ironborn.

"This man claims to be the son of your lord is that true!?"

Wickon Greyjoy calmed slightly and stepped on the other side of the bridge, despite the protest from his men. "Yes, he is my son. I am Lord Wickon Greyjoy! Who are you and what do you want!?"

"I am Thalion, King of the Númenóreans. As to what I want, isn't it obvious? To take these islands and currently this castle."

"Who the seven hells are the Númenóreans? I never heard of them!"

"Let's just say we come from far away lands! But that is not important now. I am offering you the chance to surrender, do so and I will spare your lives."

Wickon Greyjoy laughed at that. "We are the Ironborn, we do not surrender, you will have to kill us all!"

"That can be arranged of course! But let me ask you this. Should I start with your son?" Thalion said and put Aranrúth's blade against Goren Greyjoy's throat. "I mean I usually do not negotiate with the likes of you but storming the rest of your castle would be bothersome, so let me reiterate this! Surrender or your son is dead! I have no qualms with killing pirates!"

Wickon gritted his teeth and clenched fingers around his sword but after a long pause he let out a resigned sigh and threw his weapon away. After a while his men followed suit and the siege was over.