Chapter 20

Author note: this is chapter 20 yeah!

If you wanna read ahead go to my patreón where you can read as of now up to seven chapters ahead!

https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

Anyway enjoy

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In the end I had to stay another month in the iron islands before leaving to Winterfell, I had to ensure all the iron islands started fishing, and collecting pears, as I commissioned alcohol factories to the islands.

After everything was ready, with the factories being designed and the ironborn fishing I took off with some of my men to Winterfell, I left the majority of my men behind to ensure they fixed some stuff in the castle.

As I sailed, I couldn't help but wonder if I should take Pyke as my main seat, or keep it on Bear island.

"We'll be in Winterfell in a fortnight my lord," One of the ironborn said, as we took off.

"Perfect," I nodded as I went to my cabin to sleep, something I haven't done properly in a while.

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[Catelyn Stark POV]

Ned refused to break the betrothal, why couldn't he see what I saw?

Ronard Mormont was reckless, and didn't think things through, he might have won the war against the iron islands, but what if he starts another war brings our end?!

"Ned, I beg you, please… consider this.." I pleaded.

"Cat, I know what you feel, but I gave my word, he did what he did to protect Sansa…and I think Sansa loves him, I can't break her heart," Ned said, standing his ground.

"Theon is the rightful heir of the iron islands, he won't standby and let him take it," I said as I took my leave.

"He can't take anything, without men," Ned muttered as he sighed.

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[Sansa Stark POV]

Ronard had won, it's been months since I last saw him, and I can't help but feel happy he won, that he is safe, that he is coming back to me.

Maybe I am in love? I don't know. But the thought of him dying was painful, I prayed to the gods he would survive, I prayed for his victory.

I miss our dates, the way he laughs, how carefree he is, how charming his smile is.

I miss kissing him, I simply miss him

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[2 WEEKS LATER - Ronard Mormont POV]

I was finally seeing the Gates of Winterfell from afar, two weeks of sea and months of fight and war were really taxing, but I had won, and that's all it mattered.

I was now the high lord of the iron islands and the bear island, that was loyal to house Stark.

Though I knew many lords in the north would fear this new political power I had acquired, and would want to marry me to the north, to ensure my loyalty.

If Lord Stark broke my betrothal it would be a political suicide, I was the biggest taxable income in the north, and now I was a military threat.

But even if he didn't care about that, his honor would bound him to keep my betrothal, because I had kept my word, I had made Sansa as happy as I could and I had protected her.

"We are here my lord," one of my newly acquired men said snapping me out of my reverie.

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Inside I was greeted by Lord Stark and his children once again, Sansa this time was smiling at me, as if eager to run out of her family formation and hug me.

That was new.

"Lord Stark," I greeted, but unlike last time I was here I didn't bow to him.

"Lord Mormont," Lord Stark offered me a handshake.

"My lady," I approached Sansa kissing her hand.

"My lord, I prayed to the gods you would come back to me," Sansa said with a sweet smile, raising an army of red flags.

Perhaps it was a bad idea to make everyone believe I started the war for her, I didn't expect her to…. fall for me this fast.

"Then your prayers have been answered," I smiled back, putting a mental note to deal with this later.

"Lady Stark," I greeted, and if eyes could kill, she would have my head on a spear.

"Lord Mormont," Catelyn Stark practically hissed.

I eyed her carefully for a minute, wondering what the hell was her problem, but I stopped my quest for an answer when I realized I don't care.

"Robb, good to see you," I smiled, noticing he had conflicting feelings about me, for one he was happy, and at the same time mad I took what was supposed to belong to his friend Theon.

"I'm glad you came back," Robb said with a serious look.

"May we speak in private Lord Mormont?" Lord Stark requested.

"As you wish," I nodded following him to his solar.

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Inside of his solar Lord Stark sighed as he served two cups of rum and sighed.

"Do you have any idea how many problems you caused?" Ned Stark rubbing his temples.

"I do, but I assure you, the list of problems I took care of is infinitely bigger than the one I generated," I nodded.

"My wife wants to break the betrothal," Ned Stark admitted.

"I got that vibe when she stabbed me with her eyes, quite a dangerous glare she has," I chuckled.

To my surprise this made Ned Stark laugh, "Aye, she can do that,"

"I did what had to be done, they were a disease spreading and destroying everything in their way," I said with a cold tone, "I had taken control over the disease, and I will cure it, no more old way,"

Ned Stark eyed me curiously before he sighed, "Perhaps it was for the best,"

"It was," I nodded, without the ironborn doing what they used to do, I would ensure a safer north as a whole, and I would also erase a threat in the map.

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[Theon Greyjoy POV]

The man that destroyed my life was here, the man that took everything from me was here, this was my chance, he would die!

He would pay the iron price, I would make sure of it.

I would avenge my father and sister, and all my fallen brothers!

I would claim his head, and the salt throne as it was my right!

"Theon, think this through…" Robb said with a worried look.

"He will die by my sword, Robb, one way or another, but he will die today!" I growled as I put on my armor, and got ready to challenge the bastard to a duel.

Unbeknownst to them a Raven was carefully listening to their conversation and flew to warn his master, *Caw caw cawught you bitches!*