Chapter Text
Chapter 7
Targaryen Army Encampment Moat Cailin
We rode back to camp. Dany struck up a conversation with Rhaneys as we rode back. Ghost and Summer stuck close to us as we rode. Our aunt was a beautiful woman, a true Valyrian beauty.
I was still a man, and I wasn't blind. She had to be one of the most beautiful women after Rhae; maybe that was my biased option on that front. She was tiny even compared to me, who wasn't the tallest of people. She was a good seven inches shorter than I was.
What she lacked in height, she made up for with her fiery persona. She and Arya would get along well, I had no doubt.
Ser Davos met us when we rode into camp.
"Ser Davos, what seems to be the problem?" I asked.
"The Vale Lords are up in arms that Lord Baelish is imprisoned—not only that, but the Freefolk being here and a part of your army." I rolled my eyes. For fuck sake we had important things to deal with with the then-squabbling lords.
"Tell them to meet me in the war tent."
"Of course, your grace," Ser Davos bowed, leaving us.
"Ah, fucking Southerens. Gods it was easier to be beyond the wall. I sighed. One of the drawbacks of being king "Dany, you and Rhae can join me; we're having a war council meeting. You have brought your armies to help us. It's only right that you have input into the upcoming battle." I dismounted, handing the reins of my new war horse a gift from House Manderly.
The Lords were still squabbling as I made my way to the war tent.
"How long have they been arguing?" I asked Sansa.
"Good, half an hour."
"Right. SHUT UP THE FUCKING LOT OF YOU!" I yelled, which seemed to get their attention.
"I demand to know why you arrested Lord Baelish and what charges." The Lord Yohn Royce, Sansa, told me his name was demanded.
"I was led to believe you are not a fan of Petyr Baelish Lord Royce. That is your grace to you. Lord Baelish is charged with several charges of high treason. The murder of Lady Lysa Tully-Arryn, accessory after the fact for the murder of Lord Jon Arryn, and Ser Hugh of the Vale, just for a start.
I'm sure there are countless other murders and plots he's had his fingers in. Then there's the face he sold my cousin to Ramsay Bolton, knowing full well what sort of animal he is." I say not breaking eye contact.
"They are very serious charges, Your Grace. When will he be put on trial?"
"After we retake Winterfell," I answer the Lord of Runestone. "There was something else you wished to talk about, wasn't there, Lord Royce? The bulk of my forces are made up of free folk. That seems to be a problem for you and the Vale Lords, but not for the Northern Lord."
"The Knights of the Vale will not fight alongside savages like these."
"Who are you calling a savage kneeler?" Tormound stood up, his axe in hand.
"Tormund," I shot him a glance. "Then you and the Knights of Vale are more than welcome to leave. I have more than enough men to retake Winterfell without you. My aunt Daenerys's armies will arrive within the next few days. So we do not need you or your men."
"The Mad King's Daughter"
"Aye, who happens to be my grandfather as well, Lord Royce? A word of advice to all of you: I don't take kindly to insults leveled at my family. So be warned." I glared at Lord Royce.
Lord Royce and the Knights of the Vale left, unsurprisingly. We didn't need them; we had more than enough men to retake Winterfell once Dany's armies arrived.
Targaryen Army Encampment Moat Cailin
Tyrion rode at the front of the army, which swelled with the ranks of well over a hundred and twenty thousand men, Dothraki and Unsullied. The commander of the Queen's armies, Grey Worm, rode sullenly at the front.
The unsullied commander only really smiled for the Queen's translator, closest friend, and confident Missandie. The poor girl was still shivering under all those furs. Tyrion was much warmer.
It hadn't been near this cold the last time he'd been in the North. Granted, it was now winter. It was always winter in the North.
They crested a hill. Below, at the bottom of the hill, sat a large army encampment. The banners of every Northern house were there, except for House Dustin, Umber, Bolton, and Karstark. House Dayne and Velaryon.
To the west of the camp, there were not three but four dragons. Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen really had a dragon of his own. He was three times bigger than Drogon, black as night, and had green eyes.
There was only one dragon that was black and had green eyes. Cannibal.
"The Queen's nephew has assembled quite an army." Missandie spared a glance at Tyrion.
"At least ten thousand or more strong," Tyrion answered
They began to ride down the hill towards the encampment. A group of horsemen greeted them as they got halfway to the encampment. Ser Barristan was one of them. Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen was no longer the green boy he'd ridden to the Wall with all those years ago.
Here stood a man, now a King. King of the Seven Kingdoms Tyrion chuckled to himself, if only his sister and brother knew the boy they thought to be the bastard son of the late Eddard Stark was the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and his second wife Lyanna Stark.
The rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms he looked every inch at the King in his armor and sat in the saddle on top of his war horse. Two swords were strapped to his sides. One with a snarling wolf on the pumple and one with a dragon on the hilt.
"The dwarf of Casterly Rock," Aegon said, bemused.
"Ah, the bastard of Winterfell. It has been a long time, your grace. We've both changed and have scars to prove it." Tyrion replied. "Ser Barristan, I see you and our Queen arrived safely."
"The Queen is well; she is back at the encampment with Princess Rhaneys." The queen's hand answered.
"Ah, where are my manners? King Aegon, this is Grey Worm Commander of Queen Daenerys Armies, her most trusted blood riders, Raekho and Maezzo, and last but not least, this is Missandei of Naath, Queen Daenerys most trusted advisor, friend, and translator." Tyrion made the introduction.
"Welcome to the north. I am his grace, King Aegon's hand, Ser Davos. We'll escort you to the main encampment." Aegon's hand introduced himself.
Missandei shirked a little as a great white wolf; it was far larger than any Missandei had ever seen appear. It was almost as big as Queen Daenerys's nephew's horse. Its blood-red eyes unsettled her.
"There's no need to be alarmed, Missandei of Naath; this is my direwolf Ghost; he means you no harm." The beast, known as Ghost tongue lulled to one side as King Aegon scratched the Great Beast behind his ears.
"Gods, he's grown."
"He was but a pup when you saw him last, Lord Tyrion. Come, let's head back to camp. I'm sure my aunt will be most anxious to see you all again. Aegon turned his horse around, heading back for the encampment.
"Tell me, how is your cousin, my wife? I was relieved to hear that she still lives."
"Sansa's fine. As are Arya and Bran. They've all grown up in the years since," Aegon grunted.
"Lady Stark Gods rest, her soul would be pleased to know her daughters and son live. Young Rickon, he perished."
'No, he still lives. A prisoner of Ramsay Bolton," Aegon answered as they rode back to the encampment.
Daenerys and several others were waiting for them when they rode into camp. The three Stark children had certainly grown up. Sansa had grown into quite a beautiful woman, and Arya Stark looked much the same; she hadn't grown much taller in the years since.
Bran Stark sat stoically in his wheelchair. It was Gods will that the boy, now a man, had survived the fall he had when he was ten-name days old.
The woman standing beside Daenerys, one could say, was the spitting image of Elia Martell; the only difference was the purple eyes she shared with her aunt. Rhaneys Targaryen, alive and very much in the flesh.
And well with the child going by the state of her expanding stomach. Tyrion should have said he wasn't surprised who the father was of Rhaenys Targareyn's unborn babe.
Winterfell, the North
Parely with Bolton Forces.
It had taken us some days to march from Moat Cailin to Winterfell. The weather had been slightly kinder to us on the march North. Our forces numbered one hundred and thirty thousand.
We outnumbered the Bolton forces almost tenfold. Our battle plans were solid. Every man knew what to do. We had a plan to get Rickon out before the battle. Myself, Tormund, Ser Davos, Lord Glover, Lord Reed, Lady Mormont, Rhaeyns, Arya, and even Bran, Dany, and Ser Barristan came to the parley.
"You don't have to be here," I say to Sanas, who sat beside me on her gray mare.
"Yes, I do. I have to face him, Aegon."
The wesled-faced man, riding in the middle, I took to be Ramsay Snow/Bolton.
"My beloved wife. I've missed you terribly." Sparing a glance to my right, Sansa was shaking terribly. "Thank you for returning Lady Bolton to me." I only smirked.
"Now dismount and kneel before me. Surrender your armies and proclaim me the true Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. I will pardon you for deserting the night's watch." I merely snorted with laughter.
"What's so funny, bastard?"
"You're outnumbered Snow. We have ten times as many men as you do. Maybe you should get off your horse and kneel before me. I am the rightful king in the North. Ser Davos," I glanced over my shoulder to my Lord Hand.
'I Robb Stark First of My Name King in the North do hereby write the following Royal Decree.
I name and legitimize my brother Jon Snow, to be known as Jon Stark. As my heir till I have a son of my own. I hereby release him from his vows from the Night Watch.
Witnessed and signed by Robb Stark King in the North, Lady Meage Mormont, Lord of Bear Island, Lord Jason Mallister, Lord of Seagard, Lord Galbart Glover, Lord of Deepwood Motte, and Lord Jon Umber, Lord of Last Heath.'
Ser Davos finished reading Robb's will.
"I have the whole of the Northern Houses behind me, House Dayne and Velaryon," I say
"Come, bastard, we both know you're lying. You don't have the men or the horse." Rasmay seemed to think I was lying.
I just smirked at him and said, "You still think you can win."
'Now Syndro'
"What the fuck are you smiling about, bastard?"
"What the fuck is that?" Syndro came diving out of the sky. Letting out a thunderous roar.
"Fucking hell, it's a dragon." One of the Bolton soldiers cried, failing miserably to stay on his horse, which took off running back to Winterfell as Syndro circled.
"What do you think you're a Targaryen now, Bastard?"
I just laughed. "You trying to intimate us is clearly pathetic, Ramsay."
"Hmm, you sure have some interesting friends there, Snow. A real Valaryian Bueaty. The Dragon Queen herself Daenerys Targaryen. Tell me, bastard, how does one such as you get such a beauty of a woman like that?"
"Your business is with me, Ramsay, not Daenerys."
"Tha mad King's Daughter. You spit on your father's memory, Snow. Or did you forget what her father and brother did to your family?" Lord Umber spat.
"What of yours, Lord Umber? Your father wrote the very decree that named me King. What would he say if he could see you now?" I retorted.
"And what your father would of you, 'Jon Stark' letting Wildings South of the Wall." Umber glared at Tormund, who glared right back at him.
"It's funny that you call them savages. They have far more honor and are truer Northern than you, Lord Umber."
"What of your little brother? Are you prepared to let him die? Because you were too proud to surrender. I have ten thousand men, what do you have half, three quarters that" Ramsay tried to get a rise out of me.
"You will see how many men we have tomorrow, Ramsay. Or we could just forget the battle and settle this right here, right now. Of course, that is if you're not afraid."
"I've heard stories about you, bastard. They say you are just as good as Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, was in his day. Maybe you are that good, maybe you aren't; I know one thing: my army will beat yours."
"How do we even know you have him?" Umber threw the severed head of Shaggy Dog onto the ground. Fuck.
"Sleep well, while you still can tonight, Bolton? Tomorrow, you and the treacherous dogs that follow you will pay. Winter is coming for House Bolton, Umber, and all those that fight for you." With Fire and Blood, I add under my breath.
"Sleep well, Lord Bolton; tomorrow you will die." Sansa turned her horse around, heading back to camp. Several others went with her.
"She's a fine woman, your sister. I look forward to having her back in my bed." He turned his weary eyes to the others still with me. "You all look like fine meals for my hounds. I haven't fed them for seven days."
"Dragons eat hounds to Bolton. Till tomorrow" The parley was over, and we rode back to camp.
Targaryen Encamped, Winterfell
Preparation for the battle tomorrow is underway. The trenches I wanted dug were being prepared, as were the stakes. The plan was simple enough to draw out the bulk of Ramsay’s forces. Encircle them with dragon fire.
Let the Dothraki, Unsullied, and our armies tear them to shreds if all goes as planned. Ramsay would have no bargaining chip once we got Rickon out of Winterfell. That was to be done tonight.
Without Rickon, Ramsay had no barging chips or any plays to kill Rickon to draw us out.
The people going on that particular mission to get Rickon back were Grey Worm, myself, Ayra, and Gendry. Four people were more than enough to get into Winterfell and out, hopefully undetected.
“You know you could send someone else to go with Grey Worm, Arya, and Gendry; it doesn’t have to be you, Aegon,” Rhaenys said as she laid back against the pillows on the bed in our tent.
"Aye, I know. But I have to; he's one of my cousins, Rhae. You would have done the same if it were me being held prisoner. I remarked, pulling off my shirt and getting another one from the chest.
“I know; just be careful. This little one and I need you, Aegon. So heroic, tonight and tomorrow.”
“I’ll be as careful as I can," I reply, kissing her.
"Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt." We looked up as Dany stood slightly awkwardly in the entry to our tent.
“You weren’t interrupting anything, Dany. I was getting changed.” I didn’t fail to notice her eyeing the scars on my chest from the mutiny at Castle Black.
“I’ll be back later,” I say, strapping my sword belt into place, grabbing a black cloak, and leaving the tent.
We took our horses, going the long way around to the Godswoods. Bran had said there were tunnels from the canyons leading into the Godswoods. Those lead to other secret passages throughout the castle.
Making our way through the tunnels to the crypts. The Crypts were mostly untouched during the Iron Born sacking.
“There’s only two places they could keep Rickon. The Dungeons or the Kennels. Let’s split up, Grey Worm, and I will take the Dungeon. Arya, you and Gendry take the kennels.”
I hoped like hell that the passage we followed led to the Dungeons. The trap door creaked and groaned as we pushed it open.
“Hold on a minute. Bolton soldier, let him pass. Dead bodies raise too much suspicion. Come on, let’s go.”
We encountered a few more Bolton soldiers on the way to the Dungeons. We let them pass, and we made our way to the dungeons.
“Rickon, Rickon,” I called out to him, barely above a whisper.
"Jo, is that you?" Rickon appeared, coming to the bars of his cell. He was older and taller now. God, has it really been five years since I last saw him? He was now one and ten. Almost a man fully grown.
“Aye, little brother, it’s me. We’ve come to get you out.” Grey Worm appeared seconds later with the key. Thankfully, the jailer could sleep through the dead.
Rickon rushed into my arms as soon as the cell door was opened. "Come, we have to be quick. Grey Worm, put the keys back. Let’s get out of here.”
“Is Sansa with you? Ramsay Bolton talked about her and Theon escaping.”
“Aye, she's back at camp with Bran, and Arya is searching the castle for you,” I say as we make our way back to the passage, we’d come from the Crypts.
“Bran and Arya are alive. "Are Mother and Robb here?”
"Rickon, your mother, and Robb have sadly passed on. Their with father now.” I tried to break it to him as gently as I could.
“They killed Shaggy and Osha.”
“Bran told us, I say as we enter the Cypts, just as Arya and Gendry join us.
“Rickon.”
“Arya” The two siblings were reunited after five years apart.
We made our way back through the tunnels to the Godswoods, where our horses waited. I hoisted Rickon up in front of me on the ride back to camp.
Targaryen Encamped, Winterfell
Sansa waited anxiously for Aegon, Arya, Gendry, and Greyworm to return with Rickon. There was shouting coming from the camp. She’s been waiting in a tent with Bran, Rhaenys and Dany.
“The King’s back. He has Prince Rickon with him." Some Northerners cried as they rode into camp.
“Rickon”
The Stark siblings were reunited after so many years, and tragedies kept them apart.
The morning of the Battle of the Bastards
Winterfell.
I knew it would be a lost cause to ask Rhaenys to sit out the battle today. Whether she is pregnant or not, she is still going to fight. Gendry had made an alteration to her armor to accommodate her swelling belly.
Gendry had fitted a fourth set of dragon armor for Drogon, Dany’s dragon, and a matching set of armor.
“You be careful up there," I say. Rhae and Dany would fly on Rhaegal, and Drongon while Syndro, and Viserion would be without riders.
“And you as well, my love." Rhaenys kissed me back before she climbed onto the back of Rhaegal, and the four dragons took off with a roar.
“Your Grace, it’s time." Ser Davos appeared with Ser Barrisan, both wearing their new armor made by Gendry.
“Aye, it’s time.” I mounted my horse, riding to the front of our army.
“Brave men of the North and those who come to fight with us. If you are afraid of death, then run. But years from now, when you are lying on your deathbed when you are old and weak, and you close your eyes,
You will regret not being a part of this Great Battle. For there is no doubt we will be victorious today. And the courage and sacrifice that you show today will be etched forever in the pages of history.
The Fate of the North is in your hands. So I ask you. Will you run in fear? OR FIGHT FOR GLORY FOR THE NORTH, FOR HOUSE STARK!” I yell, unsheathing and raising Longclaw, spurring my horse to rear.
Our army responded, yelling back enthusiastically. ‘For the North, For House Stark. For King Robb.’The cries came back.
The commanders yelled at their men to get into position. Every man knew his job; not everyone would see daylight. But those who survived had helped free the North from the Boltons.
The cavalry and archeries moved into the trees. The Infantry moved up with the Unsullied and the Spears of House Dayne.
The Unsullied and Spearmen of House Dayne lay in wait. The small number of infantry that would be used as bait stood waiting on top of the trenches. I could have laughed as it began to snow; maybe the Gods were smiling at us today.
“Wait for my command," I ordered
Bolton had taken the bait, it seemed. He charged at us, both cavalry and infantry.
"Hold, wait for my command." The thundering of hooves grew closer and louder with each passing second.
The men held their nerves till the Bolton Cavalry and Infantry got close enough.
“Now Spears and Stakes": We retreated into the trenches. Just as the cavalry hit us, they were met by a wall of stakes and spears.
'Now, Syndro, light up the pitch’ I ordered through my mind. Syndro roared, shooting his black and green flame, lighting up the pitch we had poured last night to cut off their retreat back to Winterfell.
The three other dragons lit up the pitch. The Bolton, Umber, Karastark, and Dustin Soldiers were trapped between us and the wall of flame, cutting off their escape.
A horn blared from the woods. The cavalry charged out of the woods with the Dothraki. There was no escape for the enemy. The sound of the battlefield was filled with cries of dying horses and men.
The clash of swords on swords arrows rained down on them from the woods. I’d sent a dispatch of Calvary to deal with the Bolton Archers. The battle turned into a blur.
The enemy was butchered by our own men. The Dothraki didn’t take prisoners; there would be no quarter given to any Bolton soldier. Ramsay, ever the coward, tried to escape. He was willing to let his men die and try to save his own neck.
Fucking coward. I found a spare horse loose. Climbing into the saddle, I took off after him. He managed to escape the burning flames, heading for Winterfell. Urging my horse on faster, I caught him up riding alongside him.
Just as I was about to jump and tackle him from his horse, I heard a roar overhead. Rhaneys flew over us on Rhaegal. With a spear in hand, she threw it toward Ramsay’s horse. I moved my horse out of the way.
The spear hit true, hitting Ramsay’s horse in the chest. Somersaulting the horse forward, Ramsay, unfortunately, was thrown clear and not crushed by his now-dead horse.
Ramsay tried to crawl away. His leg was clearly broken after being thrown from his horse. I dismounted. He tried crawling as fast as he could with a busted leg.
“Give it up, Ramsay; it’s over.” I kicked in his broken leg.
“What are you going to do? Feed me to your dragon bastard,” he coughed.
“The only bastard here is you. Ramsay Snow. You’ll pay for all you have done. It’s a shame you killed your father, Ramsay. You’ll both pay and burn in the Seven Hells for all you have done.
“What will you burn me to?”
"No, Sansa will deal with you, Ramsay. You are her’s to kill." I shoved him to his feet.
“My wife will never harm me.”
"Oh, she’s not the scared little wife of yours anymore, Ramsay. She is a wolf. She’ll deal with you,” I say as my blood riders, Jhaerlo and Jhovo, come riding over. Dany’s Dothraki had adopted me as their Khal.The Dothraki respected strength, I won them over showing my strength as a man, warrior and as a King or Khal if you will.
“Khal Aegon, what do you want done with this one?”
“Take him to Winterfell, lock him in the kennels, and drag him if need be." Jhaerlo and Jhovo grinned, tying Ramsay’s hands together with a length of rope. Taking off to Winterfell at a gallop
“Your Grace Winterfell is ours." Ser Barristana and Davos joined me.
“Good have the Bolton banners torn down and burned. Get the wounded into the castle. Have the dead gathered and given proper burials.” I say that as the dragons landed, Ghost and Summer joined us. Their muzzles were thickly covered in blood.
"Aegon, where is he?” Sansa asked as she and others joined us.
"Winterfell dragged there if need be. If he’s still breathing, you can do with him as you see fit. He’s yours to kill.”
“Thank you, Aegon,” Sansa thanked me before riding off.
“Aegon” Rhaenys cried, making her way as quickly as she could, being as far as with child as she was.
“I’m ok, Rhae. This isn’t my blood,” I reassured, hugging and kissing her.
“That was a clever idea with the pitch, Aegon. Cut off their escape,” Dany proclaimed as she joined us.
“Aye, it worked, which is the main thing. Hopefully, our losses aren’t too high. We need every man we can get to fight the next two wars.”
I smiled, looking at Winterfell as the Bolton banners were torn down. The banners of House Stark were once again where they belonged. Winterfell was once again ours. The North was free of the Boltons once and for all.