50 Plans and preparation

Living in the Riverrun is another experience that I'm currently having And it's been a month. The hospitality is good And the responsibility of the troops I hand it over to Lord Arryn and my subordinates. Though I did sometimes hang out with the soldiers and cheer them up.

I'm currently free from all of my duty, Thus with the free time in my hand, I took my guitar and asked a servant to show me a place where I could find some peace. But one thing that is disturbing that I haven't seen Lady Caitlyn or Lysa, nor they come to see me. Why am I thinking about them anyway?

wait !!! if the timeline is correct then Lord Hoster Tully forced Lysa an abortion. Because she's gotten pregnant by Baelish. And that explains everything. Lysa is currently in a traumatic situation, And her sister is taking care of her. And I believe petyr baeilish is already exiled from this castle.

Lord Hoster Tully may seem to be a nice and kind-looking uncle at first glance. But Lord Hoster is more ambitious than Rickard stark.

Seriously, He wanted to take over two more kingdoms through his daughters.

I kinda feel bad for Lysa Tully for having a father like that. It makes sense why she's going to become a crazy woman. Her father doesn't actually care about her wishes. Well, That is the reason Ser Brynden Blackfish more of a father to her.

ahh... too much thinking, I need a peaceful place. So I walked to the battlements of the castle.

And damn, it's a fine place indeed. Here I can watch the rows of tents and soldiers, horses and smallfolk running around. At last some peace !!! Then I started to play my guitar.

I was soo... Lost in my music, that I didn't sense that a person is standing near me. And it's none other than the young Lord Eddard Stark.

I stopped playing, And a long silence descends upon us. And then things become really awkward. what should I say to the man?

And to my great relief, he spoke first" Did I disturbed you Ser Winters ? If so then I will be taking my leave". Well, Always as

Well, here goes nothing "No, My Lord of Stark thou shalt not need to leave. It is the home of your fiance, I mean betrothed. And If someone should leave, then It would be me. And please forgive my rudeness I was just surprised that's all. Oh..... and I'm truly sorry about the loss of your family My Lord. I never had the chance to express my condolences."

Mentioning his family was a bad idea. Because of how sad it made him. Damn... this guy is truly pitiful... Now I'm truly feeling sorry for him.

Then he replied with a sad tone " Thank you Sir, and please, call me Eddard or Ned if you prefer."

"I can't do that, Lord Stark. Your a Lord paramount Now. If I do so, You'll lose respect from other Lords. And respect is what you currently need. But you can call me Alan though Lord Robert prefers to call me just Winters. And congratulation for getting a beautiful fiance.." Is he blushing? Well, this is the first time we are having a conversation this long. But the Stoic face returned in an instant.

"That's not fair trade good Ser. But you can still call me by my name in private. And thank you Ser, Yas my betrothed is beautiful" He replied. Well, good for him.

"Tell me Sir Alan can we really win this war ?" He asked me with great concern.

"Well, my Lord I do not know. But I believe we have to win or there won't be any future for any of us." it's the best answer I could give. Then we both look at the distant tents.

"My father once told me to stay out of a fight. But if I have to fight, then I should win," he told me in his same sad tone.

"Yes, a piece of great advice. But fear not my Lord all these lords and knights and soldiers are here to help you win this war. And you are forgetting that I'm also fighting this war too. What were your house words again? ah yes... 'Winter is coming! Well, I'm here So have some faith." I just wanted to boost some morale, Though he looked a little confused at first. Then he chuckled at my jokes.

"Well, Ser Alan it's true that all these good men are coming here to fight, but the odds are against us very high. We can't win against their forces with numbers this small. And The Ironborns and The Lannisters still did not answer either the Rebellion or the loyalist. We are still uncertain about lots of things." Well, he's not wrong. Theoretically, it's true, If Tywin Lannister attacks us now then the Rebellion is finished, the casualties will force us to retreat in the North and the Vale.

"Well My Lord, Numbers don't always help you win the war. We may be small in numbers, But we have experienced commanders and soldiers. I believe the foot soldiers from the Vale are from the land of house Waynwood. Then Tully forces are also have fought some battles. And the northern forces are tougher than everyone. And the five thousand men I brought also gained a good amount of experience and With all these facts I believe that it will make up for the numbers." Maybe this answer will cheer him up. But before he could reply, someone came at the right moment to disturb us.

"What is it, Howland? " Lord Stark asked his friend and loyal bannermen. Who is in panic mode?

"My Lord, A Reven arrived from the Stony Sept. Lord Baratheon is hiding in that town. And the New hand of the King John Connington with the Royal army is in pursuit. And Lord Arryn is called for another meeting." The small Lord finished his report.

"Well, let us not keep John waiting then. " Then he looked at me "Ser Alan !"

I gave him a nod, Then we arrived at the meeting. Lord Arryn and other Lords are already there.

Lord Arryn spoke from his seat. "Ah... Ned, And Ser Alan it's good that you both joined us. come and have a seat."

And the meeting started and some heated discussion began. And I just sat there with my eyes closed.

After an hour Lord Arryn looked in my direction " Ser Alan what do you think about the current situation? Tell us ser, I believe that your experience might help us. We won every battle that you participated so your opinion should be noted."

I stood up " Thank you my Lord for the praise." Then I looked at everyone "Well, my Lords and knight's if we leave this place with all the soldiers we have, We will lose the strategic footings. And we would not make there in time to save Lord Baratheon." Then took a glass of water "We must also worry about the Westerland, So we must make some defense preparation against them." I got Lots of Nods and support from the Vale lords and Some Riverlords.

" And the Royalist forces led by John Connington are not more than 20 thousand. I am confident that we can defeat them Because they won't know what is coming." Everyone approved.

Thus a new strategy is formed.

The New strategy is, We will take the Cavalry forces and ride fast to Stony Sept and rescue Our Rebel King.

We currently have 15 thousand of them.

Seven thousand from the Vale, Five thousand from the Riverland, and most notably house Mallister and Bracken. And Three thousand Northern cavalry as well. And they are from house Ryswell, Bolton, and Manderly.

Lord Hoster Tully will personally lead his forces.

Eddard Stark will lead his forces.

And the Vale forces will be lead by John Arryns current hair Ser Denys Arryn. Though the handsome knight wanted me to be in charge because I'm more experienced, But I declined because of reasons.

And rest of the 20 thousand troops will keep an eye on the west and they will respond if Tywin Lannister makes any moves.

After that, we started our preparation, and the very next we mounted our horses.

For some reason, I asked my horse " You ready old friend ?" I can clearly hear that he sighed... Oh, I get it because his relaxing has ended. And the hard work is beginning. "Don't worry pal, you'll get plenty of rest after this battle". he just rolled his eyes like saying 'ya right !!! Well, it's feels wired talking to my horse, But I can feel that he understands everything.

We rode fast towerds the Stony Sept. Time is against us, So we need to use our time productively.

The battle of the Bells. A good name for a great battle.