46 5 Battles, 1 Sennight

The Battle for Bear Island

Joron Blacktyde, the last of his family, took every able bodies of his island and every ship for this raid. He still remembers their rebellion, when the Starks butchered his island. At Orkmont, only the soldiers were put to death and Harlaw surrendered but Blacktyde was butchered.

When he came back to the island with his father after their defeat against Stannis he was horrified when he saw what happened and even more so when he saw the state of his mother and sister.

During the occupation of the islands by Bolton soldiers, they have been gang-raped over and over again. When his father asked them what was going home they only responded what their tormentors said to them, that they were now salt wives of northmen.

And when they heard the news of Balon's attack on the North again, Joron found them hanged, they had chosen to kill themselves than to suffer an another northern invasion.

~

Arya came back to Bear Island a couple of days ago and learned that the Mormont fleet was helping the Glovers and their bannermen in cleaning the few Ironborn still in the mainland. They received information from a warg that several ships with Blacktyde flag were about to attack the island.

Maege and Jorah called everyone and started to discuss about the plan. They were about 700 Ironborn coming while they were thrice more. More than half of House Mormont's forces where still with the Glovers under Alysanne Mormont's command.

Jory and Lyra both propose to destroy them face on, knowing the cowardly Ironborn, they will run away when they see the numbers.

"No." said Arya. "It is House Blacktyde. They come here for revenge and won't run away. Why should we waste lives fighting wrathful foes when we can use that wrath?"

Maege smirked and told her to continue. Arya nodded and pointed at the map and smiled "How about we do this..."

~

The Ironborn arrived at night without any opposition and they walked nearly a mile before they saw a village. They continued to walk discretely and when they saw the gate open they ran and screamed war cries, they were ready to cut anyone inside the village but soon they realized that no one was there, they looked around until they heard a wolf's howl resonated through the island before the sky was covered in arrows.

~

Atop a hill Arya was watching her plan fold perfectly. Even she was surprised how easily it worked. Behind her Lyra Mormont looked shocked at what she saw.

"I know that anger can turn people foolish but what an idiot."

Arya chuckled and nodded to Nymeria who howled.

~

More than two third of his army was obliterated after the trap and the second volley of arrows killed half his remaining troops. Less than a hundred were still and then he heard the hooves of horses approaching. Before he could even muster any defenses he was knocked down and he was his troops get massacred. He could only curse. Curse the Starks. Curse the extinct Boltons. Curse the Mormont. And for the first time curse Balon Greyjoy.

~

Maege was laughing when she saw her ward plan's conclusion. Her pride was through the roof. She couldn't wait to tell the story. Only the Blacktyde survived their trap. Jorah was going to bring him in chains.

She heard her Lyra say to Arya "That plan would never have worked with anyone who possess half a brain but it was a good plan for the situation as the Ironborn are brainless."

That made everyone laugh and Lyra continued "I mean seriously the Reach and the Westerlands are fighting wars in the Riverlands and in the Stormlands. Yet those morons attack us. Did you know that Rodrik Harlaw read 3 books in his life and everyone on the Iron Islands started calling him 'The Reader'?"

Maege smirked and shook her head at her daughter's antics. She then saw her nephew bring the Blacktyde and pushed him on his knees. He started to curse everyone and rambling about the destruction that Lord Stark brought to his island and of the fate of his mother and daughter but stopped when he heard her daughter Jorelle chuckling.

She threw her arms in the air but continued to smile "Apologies I couldn't help myself. You are basically saying that you reaped what you sowed when the word of your Liege Lord House is 'We do not sow'"

Everyone once again laughed while Jorah beheaded the dumbstruck Blacktyde with a smile. He then said "Lord Stark will be happy, one of the House he despised the most in the Seven Kingdoms is now extinct."

Arya tilted her head and asked why Aryan hated the Blacktydes and Jorah told her that it was because not only were the Blacktydes Ironborn but they also were seven-worshipping mongrels.

~

The Battle of the Wolfswood

Ludd Whitehill was waiting for this moment since the day that Aryan Stark purged the faith. He still remembers with hatred when he was forced to hang the septons and septas in his service.

He wanted to spit on the Manderlys for abandoning the faith as easily as this. Wylis' daughter grew up worshipping the Old Gods like their mother so he could not blame them. But Wyman, Wylis and Wendel were scums. He always knew that the Manderlys only used the Faith for connection in the South.

His second son Ebbert return from the Citadel a moon ago but not alone. He came with a septon from the Starry Sept and 1200 Warrior's son. With his men under Harys' command he had 2000 men. No way near enough to make any noise in the North nowadays but his plan was simple.

Take Lady Stark hostage and negotiate for the Faith of the Seven. With the love that Lord Stark has for her, he would have no choice but to comply.

In the night Ludd, his four sons, septon Bernard and his 2000 were marching to Winterfell but to avoid suspicions they were in groups of fifty and they weren't wearing Whitehill livery except the group with Ludd and his sons.

~

Ludd and his troops conveyed one last time in the wolfswood the night before entering the Heart of the North. Only Septon Bernard took six men with him and went to the city earlier this day.

He entered his tent and then something hit the back of his head. When he woke up, he thought he was in the Seven Hells. His soldiers and his sons were all dead. And so was all the Warrior's sons, a third of them were hanged with their own entrails.

He couldn't believe it. So shocked that he neither screamed nor cried. He just couldn't believe it.

"What a tragedy." He heard a voice and footsteps, he turned and saw a pregnant woman, he realized that it was Lady Stark. He looked around and saw that he was surrounded by thousands of Stark soldiers.

"A noble House, loyal to the Starks of Winterfell massacred in their sleeps by Warrior's sons because they refuses to continue to worship the Seven. Thankfully, House Stark avenged them." She looked him in the eyes "At least, it is what history will say."

Ludd looked at his trembling hands and tears started to fall from his eyes.

"I have to thank you Lord Whitehill for this opportunity. You see, even now there are still some people that still believe in the Seven and disagree with my husband's actions to purge them. They do not have the courage to say it but we know that they exist. But after this, no one will ever worship the Faith in the North." She tilted her head "Well maybe one."

"And do not worry about Gwyn. Nothing will happen to her. She will mourn you all but she will move on with her husband. The man with whom she started to sleep." She then smirk at him "Asher Forrester."

He wanted to scream and curse but he couldn't as his throat was slit.

~

The Battle for Oldstones

Aryan couldn't help but chuckle at his aunt throwing a fit at him "Why are you complaining to me? It's not my fault that you were at Wolf's Bay when Sea Dragon Point was attacked and that Wolf Bay's was attacked when you went to fight a Sea Dragon Point."

He turned to the man who came with her to Fairmarket "Tormund, tell your daughter that she is not reasonable."

And what a surprise that was to learn who was Madge's daughters father. As much of a surprise to learn that Mors Umber's daughter Rowan was still alive and a mother of two. One of them was even stolen by Jon.

Those relationships brought the Northeners and the Free Folk even closer.

He returned to his conversation "Who was the girl that went to the Reach with Samwell Tarly and a child?"

"Gilly, the only one of Craster's daughter to have fled." Tormund said

"Oh? Is the child Sam's."

Tormund shook his head "No, Craster is the father."

"Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations here. This is not King's Landing."

Aryan had still a few problems with House Whitehill in the North and the House sworn to House Frey, Houses Nayland, Vypren, Charlton, Erenford and Haigh.

But now he couldn't help but smile knowing that House Whitehill will soon be destroyed and that the Houses sworn to Frey paid him to be allowed to join Emmon Frey in the West. He was sure that all those Houses were threatened by Tywin. It will add nearly 2000 men to Emmon Frey's forces.

He should be bothered by that number but Tywin is not stupid and Emmon is a coward.

He also learned that Lord Lucias Vypren wants to sack Oldstones as retaliation for killing his son Damon at the Twins.

He decided to send 2000 men as well as the two crazy father and daughter who are complaining to him that they haven't killed anybody.

When he told them they started to smile and Tormund said "Good, been dying to show you southerners what a proper son of the First men can do! These stupid Andals will shit themselves when they see me coming"

Aryan smirked "Well, you are an ugly fuck Tormund."

Dacey laughed at that and Tormund glared at the two of them and said "I don't need to look as pretty as you Magnar. All I need is open my breeches and let lasses take a look at me member. Twas all it took for me to get your mother dripping, cub."

Aryan nearly choked in laughter in his drink while Dacey stood up with her mace in her hands and Aryan wondered if his aunt will turn into a kinslayer.

~

The battle if it can even be called that ended with Dacey's mace bashing the Vypren Lord's head while Tormund and her army butchered the rest.

Tormund was right, when the Vypren men saw the northern soldiers they decided to run but as they were already surrounded, they were easy pickings for the northern soldiers.

"Old Gods, these southerners are weak!" Tormund screamed.

~

The battle of Tumbler's Fall

Kevan Lannister was leading 15000 westerman to face the 20000 rivermen under Brynden Tully's command. They needed to go to the Westerlands as Edmure Tully and his 8000 men was raiding and burning the lands just as they did in the Riverlands. And with news of the Ironborn defeat North and longships sighted near Faircastle, they had to protect their homeland.

He was going to face the Blackfish near the Goldroad while hoping that his brother Tygett and his 4000 men could ambush their rear.

~

He was supposed to ambush the Riverlords but unfortunately he himself got attacked by Valemen cavalry under the Young Falcon, they numbered 6000. He fought for a long time but he knew they were losing.

He killed several valemen before one of them started to give a challenge. But the youngster overreached and Tygett plunged his sword in his neck.

"WAYMAR!" He turned to see who screamed and saw a sandy blonde man with a crown atop his head, the King of Mountain and Vale's horse kicked him and broke his arm and when he stood up, the Young Falcon beheaded him.

~

Kevan was waiting at the rear, the battle started but casualties were few as both armies were passive. The Rivermen were obviously defending and waiting for the Westermen to attack more fiercely to break them and be allowed to go West but Kevan was waiting.

And then a horn was blown everyone looked as valemen were arriving at the right of the Lannisters and near the valemen a head was on spike for everyone to see, Tygett Lannister's head.

Kevan gritted his teeth in hatred but decided to order a retreat to the Crownlands and was surprised that his rear wasn't attacked.

~

"Is it wise, your Grace?" asked Lord Belmore

"Yes, we are spent, let them return to the Crownlands while Edmure continue to raid the West unpunished."

~

The return of the Storm

"Ours is the Fury!" screamed Stannis as he beheaded a Merryweather knight and his men attacked with him

Stannis could taste it the smell of victory as his army was destroying the Reachmen during the Storm and he revealed in it.

He looked to his left and he couldn't help but be surprise for a moment. Even during this enormous storm, the Lord of Blackhaven and his friend Thoros of Myr's swords were still burning as they reaped the lives of his enemies.

As he saw the leader of that army, Orton Merryweather who signaled retreat of his army, he knew the day was his and so did his men as they chanted for him

"Storm King!"

"Storm King!"

"Storm King!"