53 - ||

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Finally, the frightful blizzard began to lessen, and after a week of tolerating the cold, the march continued; the storm was unrelenting, and the army had used a great deal of provisions, but still, they continued fortunately for Tullys the knights of Vale did not want to surrender or retreat because of a mere storm.

Their pride as knights did not allow them to leave without fighting on the battlefield ... Which was fortuitous for the Tullys' crusade.

Until finally, after two more agonizing weeks, Catelyn could perceive it in the distance, Winterfell, the castle that had been her home since the end of the Rebellion, the inheritance of her children and that had been sacked by the Ironborn and give to a family of traitors was finally in sight with its thick walls covered with snow. Still, it was not only adorned with snow but banners as well.

The Flayed Man of House Bolton and A crowned black stag within a flaming red heart on a bright yellow field, the personal heraldry of Stannis Baratheon.

"I can't believe it ... That priest's words are true ..." Stammered Edmure, who was shocked to see with his own eyes the veracity of the visions in the flames of Thoros of Myr.

Seeing the impending battle Lord Royce who was appointed as the marshal of Vale's forces, cleared his throat, and his powerful voice was heard by all present.

"Well, we are here ... However, I do not think that joining the fray directly is a good idea ... Roose Bolton may have set a trap ... It would be best to flank the flayed fucks to prevent their flight," Said the old Knight while stroking his beard.

With those words, Catelyn beckoned to her Uncle, and he nodded.

"In that case, Lord Royce, I propose to invade the East Gate of Winterfell, the bulk of Bolton's army is on the walls, so that must be almost unguarded or unprotected ... If we seize it, we can take Winterfell from the inside ..." Said Brynden remembering what his niece knew about the ancient Stark fortress and Lord Royce seemed to meditate for a few minutes on her Uncles words and finally nodded.

"Very in that case that we will do, Lord Stannis will attack them from the front and we from behind assuming that we have no problems that way we will expel them from Winterfell." Knights of Vale!" With that cry, all fell silent and nought was heard save for the howling winds.

"I know that this is not our conflict, and I know that many of us who are here come to fight for their own glory, but none of that matters now, we will go into battle, and it saddens me to say that many will not return, although that will not weaken our determination. .. On that battlefield are contending Lord Stannis and the forces of Roose Bolton who obtained his titles and position by betraying his King Robb Stark, nephew of Lady Lysa and nephew of Lord Jon as well as the cousin of Lord Robert ... Who helped Lord Stannis discover that half of Westeros knelt before abominations born of incest ... Let us fight now, for the memory of our Lord who was killed to stop their crimes from coming to light and to avenge Lord Robert's cousin ... Charge! " Lord Royce bellowed his voice like a clap of thunder.

Lord Royce drew the Valyrian sword of his house; it was called Lamentation, and it glittered in the sun, and soon he set off thundering towards the eastern gate followed by the Knights of the Vale who cried "FOR THE VALE AND FOR GOOD KING ROBB" as they charged.

Seeing that the battle was imminent, Catelyn realized that her Uncle was approaching her.

"Cat ... Stay far from the field, if possible seek shelter ..." Said the Blackfish, as he drew his sword.

Catelyn saw Vale's men marching against the Boltons with great satisfaction and nodded.

"I shall uncle, take care of yourselves, both of you..." Catelyn said, looking at her brother and Uncle.

"We will, sister," Edmure said.

"Then come on, boy ... This has just begun," Said the Blackfish starting his ride being followed by his nephew.

------------------------

For Stannis Baratheon, the time had finally come to face those shifters; he had come to the North advised by Davos and Melisandre, who counselled him to help the night watchmen despite his precarious situation, that advice proved to be a good idea.

Since now, he had not only saved the Wall and captured Mance Raider, but he had followed the advice of Benjen Stark, whom he wished to make Lord of Winterfell and add another house to his cause.

Originally Stannis intended to march with the savages who had joined him towards The Dreadfort, as Ramsay Bolton had marched south to Moat Cailin and his supposed ally Arnolf Karstark who had been given to the Red God suggested attacking the Bolton ancestral settlement; however, Benjen Stark warned him that it was impossible.

In The Dreadfort, they would learn of his advance long before he could even glimpse the castle, and Moat Cailin would soon fall, meaning that Roose Bolton's bastard son Ramsay and Roose himself would have been free to march against him with full force. Furthermore, according to Benjen Stark, marching with the savages would only have served to turn the Northerners against him. So instead, Ned Stark's younger brother proposed that he visit the mountain clans, including the Pedernales, Wulls, Norreys and Liddle, and it went rather well.

Finally, Benjen Stark suggested that instead of attacking the Dreadfort, he should march into the Wolfswood and expel the Ironborn. In return, the savages would remain at the Wall with the Night's Watch, who would decide how best to handle them.

It was clear that despite his oaths, Benjen Stark had not forgotten the family that had raised him, and it was clear that he craved revenge for both his older brother and his nephews.

Stannis followed the advice of the First Ranger. They quickly began to win allies in the North such as the Glover, the Mormonts and half of the Umber in addition to discovering the treachery of Arnolf Karstark, having captured the children of Balon Greyjoy Theon and Asha; unfortunately, Stannis had little time to ponder his alliances as he girded himself for war.

They had to defeat the Boltons before they consolidated their control over the North... That blizzard was of great aid to him.

That stupid Hosteen Frey took it upon himself to decimate his army and diminish the Bolton forces by falling into a trap, Stannis set for him in a frozen lake:

He prepared a false village on a lake completely frozen by the blizzard, and when Hosteen Frey and his men went to look for them, he guided them to the centre of the lake, and due to the vast numbers of men, armour and weapons, the ice soon broke, and Hosteen Frey and his men fell into the frozen water.

Many of his men tried to flee, but he had placed his soldiers on the shore of the lake, and they executed all who escaped from the lake; in a short time, Stannis had bled the Boltons of two thousand men and numerous knights at the cost of two scouts.

Not to mention, he now also has the support of the Iron Bank of Braavos to hire mercenaries if necessary.

He had sent Davos, his right hand, to negotiate with Lord Wyman Manderly the Lord of White Harbor to propose an alliance against the Boltons, but it seems that "The Lord Too Fat to Travel on Horseback" denied his loyalty to the Starks and joined his enemy in addition to executing Davos.

"If I get out of this alive, the first thing I'll do is burn that whale alive," Stannis thought spitefully as he gnashed his teeth.

But now ... Now begins ... His battle, a battle that he did not know if he would win ... But for his kingdom and his subjects, he must try, for he is a Baratheon.

That's when he took a look at his men.

At the head were marching the men of the mountain clans; With the chiefs and champions on the backs of Percherons, with their brave men trotting after them, wrapped in furs, with hardened leather and old chain mail. Some painted their faces brown and green and had branches tied to their foreheads to hide in the vegetation.

While the southern Knights accompanying Stannis, they were a pitiful sight.

They struggled to survive by walking in the snow in heavy armour, while clansmen wore so-called bear claws, elongated snowshoes made of bentwood and leather straps, as footwear.

Rudimentary but effective.

Since they are tied to the soles of the boots, they allow them to walk on the snow without breaking the crust of it and sinking down to the hamstrings. Some have bear claws for horses, and the little Percherons wore them as quickly as other mounts carry horseshoes.

There is no doubt that the winter warriors are much fiercer than the southerners ... Now he hopes that is enough.

"It's like you told me, Davos ... I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne ... Stannis thought with some remorse.

The last of the Baratheon drew Light Bringer, and like a beacon amid the storm, the gleaming sword acted as the signal to attack.

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At that moment, Stannis Baratheon's infantry faced the walls of Winterfell, where there were already a dozen archers on the battlements.

The banners of both Lords fluttered in the breeze, the shouts of anger, and the bows being drawn with flying arrows were heard throughout the snow-filled field.

The infantry of both armies clashed swords like men possessed; the Bolton infantry was superior in arms, but their enemies were much more ferocious and using their iron and bone weapons, they tore through the Bolton spearmen with savagery more akin to wolves than men.

Benjen Stark had told him that the Mountain Clans were celebrated and fierce warriors ... and it seems he spoke truly.

Clan champions fought with massive axes while common men sling stones with extraordinary precision, knocking many a Bolton knight from the saddle; the mountain warriors wielded axes and ashen spears, and each time they struck down a flayed man, they roared in a fury.

Although unfortunately, given their homeland, those clans do not have a strong tradition of chivalry ... That was beginning to be noticed as the Bolton commanders began to direct their spearmen to the more seasoned Westerosi, leaving the cavalry to deal with the unarmoured clan's men.

It was a horrid display of blood and death as neither army wanted to give ground, although the Boltons had the advantage of being able to retreat into Winterfell.

Stannis's men began to pressure the Boltons until they revealed their plan the hammer and anvil.

This wouldn't have been an issue had Stannis had a more seasoned army, but he had too few Knights and spearmen to repel the Boltons, and they would be surrounded and slaughtered should the plan succeed.

Stannis had claimed the lives of many a foolhardy Bolton with Light Bringer the flaming sword cleaved through plate and flesh as though it were mere parchment, alas the battle was turning against them ... Stannis Baratheon realized that the only way to win this fight was to cut off the head of the snake ... Roose Bolton must die.

"I must slay Roose Bolton to end this battle" Alas, Stannis musing, was cut short when he felt a painful prick in his neck, and suddenly he was gasping for air.

-----------------------------

They rode for several minutes while listening to the sounds of bloody fighting until they finally reached the East Gate of Winterfell, where to their shock, it had a large garrison of men guarding it.

It was a formidable force whose heraldry they knew well A white merman with dark green hair, beard and tail, carrying a black trident, over a blue-green field.

House Manderly ... Had joined the Boltons.

"By the Seven hells", Brynden thought as he trotted alongside Edmure, Lord Royce and Lyn Corbay.

The Manderly knights were surprised to see them, all the more surprised when they saw the emblem of House Arryn alongside that of other renowned Houses in the Vale.

At that moment, one of the knights raised his helmet and rode his horse towards them.

He was well over six feet tall and quite stout. The Knight had a grey beard and slate-grey eyes. He wore ornate silver armour with niello engravings meant to look like flowing seaweed. His helm is modelled after the head of the Merling King, having a crown of mother-of-pearl and a beard of jet and jade.

At that moment, Brynden remembered who it was, Marlon Manderly, Lord Manderly's cousin, who was now approaching him.

"Blackfish ... I can't scarcely believe you're here ... Especially with the army of the Vale at your back ..." said the Knight Manderly in a haughty voice, raising an eyebrow.

Brynden just looked a few moments and sighed.

"I can't believe that you, House Manderly, have thrown your lot in with the Boltons; they betrayed your King and were also accomplices of the Red Wedding where Lord Manderly's youngest son died," Brynden said with disappointment, and at that moment Marlon's eyes hardened resembling beaten steel.

"Mind your words, Trout, things are not as you imagine, My Lord ... My cousin is not the useless fat man everyone thinks him to be; I assume you are here to reclaim Winterfell?" Said the old Knight.

"The thought had entered my mind," Brynden said with a shrug.

"In that case, we can come to an agreement ... We will let them pass undisturbed ..." Marlon Manderly said to Brynden's surprise.

"Is it some trick?" Lord Hoster's brother growled.

"No Ser Blackfish; my cousin has not betrayed the Starks ... In fact quite the opposite, but he needs to keep up his deception for the moment, the truth is that Lord Stannis attacked Winterfell too soon we hadn't time to prepare our ruse, and that is why we feign loyalty to Roose Bolton and his Bastard... But your appearance is rather fortuitous; we may claim victory now," Marlon said with.

"Is Lord Manderly planning something to get rid of the Boltons?" Brynden asked, doubtful.

"Yes... But Lord Stannis's attack has hindered my cousins' plans... We expected this battle in two or three more weeks... But it seems Lord Stannis's reputation is well deserved; not even this foul storm could deter him," Marlon Manderly said with surprise in his voice.

"In that case, let me pass Ser ... We shall purge Winterfell of those monstrous cunts", Brynden said, gesturing for the soldiers to get ready.

"As you say, Ser Brynden, however a word of warning, Roose Bolton and his bastard are within these walls, They must not escape ..." Marlon said with hatred in his voice.

"You don't have to tell me, I know very well, what I would like to know is about the youngest daughter of my niece Catelyn, the sister of my king Robb Stark ... Arya Stark, I understand that she was forced to marry the bastard Ramsay Snow .. "Brynden said sternly, but Marlon Manderly shook his head.

"We do not know anything about the girl; it seems that she escaped somehow ... Roose Bolton had ordered that they search for her, but the battle with Lord Stannis has diverted his attention ..." Said the Knight without care.

"Damn, Cat is not going to like this, but she will be relieved that her daughter is no longer in the hands of that Bastard... Well, now I have to worry about other matters," Brynden thought.

"I understand ... So ... Shall we start?" Brynden asked, eager to slay Boltons, and with a gesture from the Manderly cavalry, they began to clear the way for them.

"The knights of House Manderly will be by his side in the fight, but Roose Bolton will soon discover what is happening and when he does, Lord Manderly's life will be in danger. So now I will go together with some of my best knights and secure our Lord," Marlon said with a grimace which caused Brynden to suppress a laugh.

"May fortune favour you, Merman; it is fortunate that we mustn't face each other on this day; it does my heart good to know that my niece is no longer in the hands of that Bastard... But I'm freezing, and I greatly desire to see the heads of both Boltons on lances before the days end. "Brynden said, starting to get impatient.

"Be well, Blackfish and may your blade be wetted with the blood of many Boltons", Marlon Manderly said, taking a dozen knights while the rest joined the Vale's lines.

... Well, it's time to clean Winterfell of that scum ... Brynden thought as he drew his sword and with a shout, the army of Vale, together with the Manderly cavalry, began their plunder of Winterfell.

---------------------------

The battle of Winterfell has practically decided from the moment that Vale's knights entered Winterfell; they quickly slaughtered all who stood before them, whether Bolton, Frey or Karstark.

Apparently, Roose Bolton sent Freys men and the soldiers of Houses Ryswell and Dustin to the vanguard, preferring that his men remain safe behind the walls of Winterfell.

It was what everyone who came to that conclusion thought at the same time; however, despite the large number of soldiers within Winterfell, the charge of the Vale and Manderly took the Boltons by surprise, and many had fled.

They must seize control of the Castle lest the Boltons form a proper resistance.

Brynden, Edmure, along with Lyn Corbray, Benedar Belmore and several dozen other Lord went into the castle and killed all in their path; Brynden had ordered that they spare the lives of women and children Although it seemed that there were no children and very few women no doubt because of the Bastards fearsome reputation.

They head to the inner castle, the fortress within the fortress ... Knowing the selfish character of Roose Bolton, he will have taken shelter there by now ... And hopefully his Bastard too.

They continued fighting through the courtyard until they finally managed to break through to the inner castle using the covered bridge that led to the armoury; fortunately, the Bolton were relatively poor bowmen and picked off two men while the bridge provided needed cover from their enemies.

With Brynden's gesture, they all began to move the vast iron and oak doors, and with a great effort on their part, they were finally able to see the interior of the Great Hall of Winterfell that was nothing like Riverrun's.

Inside it can hold eight long rows of trestle tables, four to each side of the central aisle, There is a raised platform for noble guests, and the walls are covered with banners. The hall contains the high seat of the old Kings in the North. The seat's cold stone has been polished by the many lords who have sat upon it, and its massive arms are decorated with the carved heads of snarling direwolves, which were covered with flags of the flayed man.

It was a magnificent throne room, only the floor was littered with several corpses, including several Manderly knights; thankfully, Lord Manderly was not among the dead.

"Praise the gods; his men made it," Brynden thought before he gazed upon Roose Bolton.

Roose Bolton, the bloody Lord, sat upon the throne, his pale face stained with blood; he was surrounded by knights watching them enter with an absent look with his cold and cruel eyes, he wore a suit of dark grey plate armour over a quilted tunic of blood-red leather. Its rondels are shaped like human heads whose mouths are open in agony; he also wore a pink woollen cloak embroidered with droplets of blood.

To his right was a young man who was clearly his bastard son. He was big-boned and slope-shouldered, with a fleshiness indicating he will be fat later in life. Ramsay's skin is pink and blotchy, his nose broad, his hair long and dark and dry. Although his mouth is small, his lips are wide and meaty, wormy looking, and he smiles a wet-lipped smile. His distinctive eyes resemble Roose's - small, close-set, and oddly pale, like two chips of dirty ice.

He wore dark armour with a red helmet and a pale pink cape. His rounded helmet and gorget resemble the face and shoulders of a bloodied, skinless man whose mouth is open in a silent scream.

Although the most striking thing was the insane and anxious look he had on his face together with a horrible smile ... And he had a cut on his left cheek ... He looked like a dog desperate to launch the attack and seemed willing to throw himself against them despite his situation but was stopped by his father who stood up.

"I see you have come this far... Apparently, the loyalty of the Manderly was an act; they allowed you to pass through the East Gate, correct?" He said in his soft, low, pasty voice.

"That's right ... Lord Bolton, since I discovered of your support in the Red Wedding, I had hoped to be alone with you .. Lord Wyman's forces have graced me with good fortune, it seems," Brynden snarled.

"Heh, that damn walrus... He fled like a coward when we discovered his betrayal; his guts will feed our captives for months... But, with his skin, I will make a cape .." said the Bastard with a look of glee, and his father gave him a stare of reproach.

"Enough Ramsay .... Ser Brynden Tully, I knew it would be a problem, later on, leaving him looking after Riverrun was the only sensible decision his nephew made during their war ... Although I must admit that I never thought you would rally the Knight of the Vale to your cause how did you convince your niece? " Roose Bolton asked in the same tone of voice.

"She came to her senses ..." The bitterness of the lie felt like poison on his tongue.

"Hehe ... So that bitch from the Vale took sides in the end, when we finish with you, we will pay her a visit ..." The Bastard Bolton said with a disgusting smile as the Tullys and the Vale knights looked at him with contempt, and Edmure pointed his sword towards him.

"I'm going to cut your tongue out, you bastard .." Edmure said, spitting at Ramsey.

Hearing the word "bastard", Ramsay Bolton's smile faded, and he quickly drew his weapon ... a skinning knife.

"When the Trout are cooked, they are cleaned by removing the scales and then the intestines ... I will do that with you, and then I will throw you, my girls... They are always hungry .. Fucking fish .." Said the Bastard with a sick look.

"Edmure touched a nerve ... Brynden thought with amusement, but Roose Bolton just sighed wearily.

"Not even now at this moment do you understand Ramsay ..." Roose Bolton said, standing up.

"He knows it's all over for them ... And yet he's so calm? .. What a cold man, he is frightening to behold," Brynden thought, now understanding the danger that Roose Bolton indeed posed.

And with that in mind, the legendary Knight decided to put an end to that miserable house that had plagued the Starks for many centuries.

For his nephew Robb and the Northmen, Brynden drew his sword and pointed it at Roose Bolton.

"My Lord... It's all over, for you and your House, Lord Stannis had beaten your armies in the field, and we have the entire might of the Vale outside none will ride to your aid, and you shall not escape your line ends here Let's not delay this any longer ... The souls of those who died betrayed will finally find some peace," Brynden said.

"As I wish to be ..." Roose Bolton said in his distinctive whisper, drawing his sword.

The battle in the Great Hall of Winterfell did not wait ... The Boltons were finished, and they knew it, which left the question of why Roose Bolton was so calm ... Well, it really did not matter.

Brynden with his nephew and the Vale knights launched themselves against the Boltons, and the few men who were with them in the room began to fight fiercely, the Blackfish fought against the Lord of The Dread, and they were even, there was no doubt that Bolton was a splendid warrior despite his cold demeanour.

The sword dance between the two intensified more and more, and Brynden understood that a mistake would cost him dearly; of course, the Boltons were defeated, but Brynden wanted to live to savour his victory; he was not interested in dying like a martyr, and so when he opened his defences, and Roose took the bait Brynden sidestepped his strike and punched him in the face the sickening crack told Brynden he had broken Lord Bolton's nose. The man collapsed without waiting for him to rise Brynden drew his hunting knife and cut the man's throat ear to ear.

The look in Roose Bolton's eyes was one of surprise .. Really... As far as Brynden knew that man had no feelings, it was rather amusing to think the man showed no emotion till he was choking on his own blood.

At that moment, Brynden heard a deranged scream and was surprised when she saw the Bastard son of Roose Bolton kneeling on the ground while crying and saw a pool of blood flow from the stump where his right hand used to be ... which was on the ground in a pool of blood.

In front of him was his nephew Edmure, and Lyn Corbray wielded Lady Forlorn, stained in blood.

"DAMN .. DAMN!" The Bastard cried, and when Edmure was about to kill him, a booming voice echoed in the hall "STOP, LORD EDMURE!" They all turned to see a wounded and bloodstained Marlon Manderly, who arrived with his sword drawn.

"Why do you halt my vengeance?" Edmure asked, annoyed.

"That Bastard is responsible for countless crimes in the North... His death cannot be quick; it has to be ... Painful and slow," Said the Knight Manderly looking at a tearful Ramsay on the ground crying for his hand.

Edmure nodded and lowered his sword while Lyn Corbray, fed up with Ramsay's crying, kicked him to silence him.

"Sease your weeping, you fucking mongrel", Lyn snarled in disgust.

"How is the battle going?" Brynden asked suddenly.

"The inner keep of Winterfell has already been taken... Bolton's men could not counter us in time, we had casualties, but they were insignificant; now comes the battle outside the walls. Although knowing Stannis, he has already smashed their lines," answered Lord Royce, who suddenly entered the room.

Brynden nodded.

"This is not over yet ... The battle must be ended in the bud ... All enemies must be dealt with," Brynden said.

They all nodded as they looked at Ramsay on the ground, still bleeding.

"Take him to the maester and have staunch the bleeding. He must be ready for his own execution ... Ser Lyn act as his guard if he tries to escape cut his throat." Brynden ordered while Corbay looked rather annoyed as he considered the task beneath him.

"Come on ... There is a battle to be won ..." Said the Blackfish as he looked at the Great Hall of Winterfell and ripped down the Flayed Banner to reveal the Wolf of Stark proud once again.

"Now this place can go back to what it was ... You just have to find Cat's daughter," Brynden thought.

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The battle was soon defined ... To everyone's surprise, the gates of Winterfell opened. The look of relief in the eyes of the soldiers supporting the Boltons turned to horror as they realized that those who rode out bore the Merman of Manderly and the Falcon of Arryn, and so they charged into the rear of the Bolton and Frey soldiers trampling all underfoot, thus ending the Battle of Winterfell and the Boltons' brief rise to power, with their Lord slay his heir soon to follow and his wife missing.

However, the victory did not come without a price ... Stannis Baratheon fell, an arrow piercing his throat; he lay next to a pile of those he had slain nearly a dozen Boltons had met their end by his hand; indeed, he was a worthy king.

Now the last of Steffon Baratheon's sons shall find their reward or punishment in the lands far west and live in peace and plenty under clear blue skies for the rest of their days.

Songs would be sung for many generations of the fiery Stag who marched beyond hope to the den of wolves to see it freed from the savage flayed men and the place where he fell would blossom into a great Weirwood many years later called the Stags tree.

Let no one doubt Stannis's prowess as a general because if fate had not intervened, that battle would have indeed been won by the Lord of Dragonstone.

-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ---

After the battle, it took about a few hours until the last of the enemies surrendered and were taken to the dungeons, including Barbrey Dustin, who was caught hiding in the crypts of Winterfell with a dozen men. The miserable woman was discovered and brought to trial by Lords of the North for her treason by siding with the Boltons; meanwhile, the Bolton flags were placed on a pyre and burned.

"Winterfell may have been recovered from the Boltons, but for whom? ... There are no Starks in Winterfell anymore ... Lord Rickard Stark had a sister who married one of Lord Raymar Royce's youngest sons. They had three daughters, and all three married lesser lords from the Vale. One with a Waynwood and one with a Corbray, I'm sure of those. The smallest It may have been with a Templeton, but the Lords of the Vale know nothing of the North," Catelyn thought sadly.

Catelyn, disguised as a maid, watched everything that transpired with a feeling of satisfaction and pain on her face, she was upset that she could not kill Roose Bolton herself as she had done with Littlefinger, but her Uncle told her that it was better for that man to die swiftly lest he causes more anguish.

Besides, they still had to take care of the Bastard son of Roose Bolton ... That would be the only satisfaction she would get from all this, but Cat still remembered Thoros vision... So who were the wolves that would come? One from the North and two from the West with a litter of wolves.

"Sister?"

Edmure's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she watched her brother with an anxious expression.

"What's going on?" Cat asked, confused.

"There is a Council in the Great Hall ... Lord Manderly says he has something to share with us concerning the future of Winterfell," Edmure said, still covered in mud and blood.

"Didn't you know that Lord Manderly was already fine?" Catelyn asked without being very interested.

Apparently, the Manderly had received a visit from Frey messengers to ensure their loyalty to King Tommen by sealing it with marriage to Lord Wyman's granddaughters, Wynafryd and Wylla, but apparently, those Freys disappeared on the way to Winterfell.

Due to the fierce snowstorm, Aenys and Hosteen accused Lord Manderly of being responsible for the disappearance of their relatives, but Lord Wyman pleaded ignorance. But due to the mounting tension, Lord Wyman insulted House Frey, causing an enraged Hosteen Frey to attack Lord Wyman. Lord Manderly's throat was nearly open, but his knights intervened, and Maester Medrick was treating Lord Wyman's wounds.

Later during the battle, Lord Wyman's knights rescued him from the Boltons when the steadfast loyalty of the Manderlys was revealed, and since then, the Lord of White Harbor remained in hiding while he recovered.

"What is so important that Lord Manderly wants to tell us despite his injuries?" Catelyn wondered.

"Come then, Edmure ... Let's see what the Lord of White Harbor wants to tell us ..." Catelyn said, and Edmure nodded.

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When they finally reached the Great Hall, they saw that it was full of people, some surviving Stannis Baratheon commanders, leaders of the Mountain Clans, Lord Yohn Royce, Lyn Corbray, Mychel Redfort, Lord Benedar Belmore, among others at the forefront of all this was her Uncle Brynden.

While from the North were Mors Umber, some warriors with the emblem of House Mormont and of course sitting with a bandage around his neck and with the Master still looking after him, Lord Wyman immensely obese with fingers the size of sausages and dressed in elegant clothes, a blue-green velvet doublet embroidered with gold thread. A golden trident fastens a sea-green cloak to his shoulder.

Lord Wyman struggled to stay awake while sweating and beside him was a tall man with a deeply lined face and brown-grey hair. He wears mail beneath a red surcoat, and his scarlet cloak is clasped with a silver brooch in the shape of a mailed fist; he was Robbet Glover, Lord Galbart Glover's brother.

"Lord Manderly has not recovered ... He makes a great effort to be here ... Catelyn thought, intrigued.

The Great Hall doors closed, and thus began the council of the North.

At that moment, Lord Wyman cleared his voice.

"Ser Brynden and Lord Edmure as well as my Lords of Vale, on behalf of the North, I thank you for your help in finally destroying this House of Monsters and Oathbreakers ... As well as Lord Stannis's men who came to our aid, the North is in your debt… "He said with an effort.

"Lord Manderly, for the sake of your constitution, get to the point, we are weary from battle, and there are many things to discuss, such as deciding the fate of Ramsay Bolton.. Or rather his manner of execution also it seems you need to rest as well" Yohn Royce grumbled.

"Hahaha ... I know Royce, believe me, but the news I must give you cannot wait ... Especially Lord Edmure and Ser Brynden who will be happy to hear it," Lord Wyman said with a smile.

That piqued the interest of the three Tullys.

"Speak plainly, Wyman?" Brynden said with annoyance.

"How much do you truly know of the Ironborns attack on Winterfell?" Lord Wyman said in a deep voice.

That instantly confused Catelyn; why was he asking that? .. And what does it have to do with Winterfell's future?

"I think we all know… Theon Greyjoy, Lord Stark's ward, captured Winterfell, killed Lord Stark's two young sons and nailed their heads on pikes to the castle wall, in full view of all. Then, when the Northerners attacked him, he put the entire castle to the sword, down to the last child, before he was killed by Roose Bolton's bastard son… "Lord Royce said.

"He did not kill him. Instead, he seized him and took him to Dreadfort. The Bastard has been skinning him for over a year, "Glover said.

"We have already heard that story, Lord Royce, although, in truth, it is a story with more lies than words. The one who put all of Winterfell to the sword was the Bastard of Bolton, who was then called Ramsay Snow, although now the boy king has given him the surname of Bolton. And Snow did not kill them all: he left the women alive, tied them together and made them walk to Dreadfort to practice his favourite sport," Lord Manderly said in disgust as a sound of surprise was heard throughout the hall.

"Was Ramsay Bolton responsible for the murders? ... Catelyn thought, surprised.

"His sport?" Mychael Redfort asked with curiosity before Lyn smacked him on the head.

"Yes, he is a great hunter, and women are his favourite prey. He likes to strip them naked and set them loose in the woods, giving them a half-day head start before heading out to hunt them with dogs and horns. From time to time, someone escapes alive and can tell about it; few are so lucky. When Ramsay Snow captures them, he rapes them, skins them, throws the corpse to the dogs, and takes the skin to Dreadfort as a trophy. If they have given you a good hunt, cut their throats before raping them if not, the other way around," Lord Manderly said in disgust.

A sentiment that ran through the Great Hall as the Lords of the Vale and Stormlands wore an expression of horror.

"By the gods ... how can anyone ...?" Lord Royce asked.

"Evil runs through his veins, my Lord, that Bastard is the fruit of rape. He's a Snow, whatever the boy king says, "Glover said.

"When has snow been seen so black? Ramsay Snow seized Lord Homwood's lands, forcing his widow to marry him, then locked her in a tower and forgot about her. The poor woman is said to have eaten her own fingers. And what is the King's justice according to the Lannisters? Reward the murderer with Ned Stark's daughter," Said Lord Wyman, who unknowingly caused Catelyn a feeling of terror.

At that moment, she felt her brother Edmure's reassuring hand on one of her shoulders and took it gently.

"The Boltons have always been as cruel as they are cunning, but this one looks more like a beast in man's skin," Said a soldier from House Mormont.

"The Freys aren't much better ... They keep talking about skin-changers, and they say it was Robb Stark who killed my Wendel. They are arrogant fuckers pardon my language...! They hardly expected the North to believe their lies, but we do pretend to believe them so as not to die. Roose Bolton lied about his participation in the Red Wedding and his Bastard, about the fall of Winterfell. And while they had Wylis in their power, I had no choice but to eat all that shit and praise its good taste ... But thanks to the gods and their help, my Lords, all that is behind us.

"Theon Greyjoy contrived to flee from Winterfell and is now a prisoner with his sister Asha in Lord Stannis's camp ... But he has not been questioned due to preparations for a battle with them, is Arya Stark," Said one of the soldiers.

Catelyn only cried with happiness, knowing that her youngest daughter was safe when her Uncle Brynden stepped forward with a glass of wine and bowed.

"Lord Manderly, your tale is truly fascinating, especially now that we know the whereabouts of one of my niece's daughters ... But it still doesn't seem important enough to risk your health; the Boltons have already been defeated, although the Bastard still needs to be punished; go and rest," Brynden replied and offered the wine glass to Lord Manderly, who graciously accepted it by taking a quick sip.

"I know, and I do not want to delay because I do not know when my strength fails, so I will continue ... During the fall of Winterfell, Theon Greyjoy had a squire named Wex, a mute boy of fifteen namedays who could neither read nor write, except "Yes" or "no". So we may never really know what transpired in Winterfell when Ser Rodrik Cassel tried to take back the castle from the Ironborn; the Bolton Bastard swore that Greyjoy killed Ser Rodrik during the negotiations. But that boy, Wex, denies it, but we won't know the whole truth until he learns more words," Lord Wyman said.

"Roose Bolton's bastard son killed Ser Rodrik and Winterfell's men ... He also killed Theon Greyjoy's troops. Wex saw them being murdered when they tried to surrender. Then, when we asked him how he managed to escape, he took the plaster and drew a tree with a face, "Glover said.

"Did he climb a tree?" Asked his Uncle Brynden with a hand on his chin.

"He climbed the heart tree and hid among the branches where he saw firsthand the full extent of Bolton's betrayal. Bolton's men searched the Godswood twice and killed every man they found, but none of them thought of climbing trees.

"The boy stayed a long time in the top of the tree and slept in the branches because he did not dare to go down; at last, he heard voices below, "Glover said.

"The voices of the dead," Wyman Manderly said happily.

"The voices of the dead?" Lord Royce asked, confused.

"Yes, there were six," Glover said.

"And two of them were the murdered sons of Lord Eddard Stark," Lord Manderly said before the shocked hall.

A deathly silence spread throughout the room as Catelyn let out a low groan as tears of happiness spilt from her eyes.

"My children ... My children Bran and Rickon ... They are alive ... As Catelyn suppressed her crying of happiness.

"Is Lord Manderly completely sure?" Edmure asked.

"Yes, the boy drew two wolves with them," Said the Lord of White Harbour.

"The mute boy is a Kraken", so he preferred not to be seen, and so none of the six stayed in the ruins of Winterfell. So instead, four went one way north, and two went another Wex followed those two, a woman and a little boy. He was always upwind so the wolf wouldn't smell him, "Glover said.

"Do you know where they went?" Asked her Uncle Brynden giving a discreet glance at his address with a smile.

"We must recover the boys and his wolf, the wolf, is essential as it would demonstrate that the boy is who we say he is and silence those who would call him an imposter," Lord Manderly replied.

"Where is my nephew?" Edmure asked, approaching Lord Wyman.

"On the Isle of Skagos" was Lord Manderly's reply.

The happiness Catelyn had experienced upon discovering her children's survival turned to fear upon hearing that her youngest son was on an island with a terrible reputation, with unicorns and cannibals.

."How can I get my son back from that horrible island? ... thought a terrified Catelyn.

"Don't worry so much, my Lords. I have already put in place a plan to bring our young Lord back to Winterfell", Lord Manderly said, and Catelyn was tempted to reveal her identity and ask the Lord of White Harbor as Lady of Winterfell how he planned to recover her son.

"It's not the time yet ... Catelyn thought sadly.

"What are you planning, Merman?" Lord Royce asked.

"The right hand of Lord Stannis ... Davos Seaworth" The Knight of the Onion "passed through White Harbour to request my help for Stannis Baratheon... However, he did it at a bad time; a group of Freys had come to demand that I will bow the knee before the Iron Throne with the threat of killing my son if I don't ... But the arrival of Lord Davos provided me with a way to demonstrate "my loyalty" towards the Lannisters ... "Lord Wyman said with a smile.

"What did they do to Lord Davos?" asked one of Stannis's men about to draw his sword.

"Nothing, we threw him into a velvet cell with comforts and an excellent meal while we executed a common criminal in his place we covered him well with tar, of course, and the onion we put between his teeth disfigured his features. Ser Bartimus, one of my jailers, closed the fingers of his left hand," Lord Manderly said.

"They went to a lot of trouble," said her Uncle Brynden.

"It was necessary; I have plenty of merchants and navigators, excellent in their trade but never left the White Knife... But to arrive and discreetly leave Skagos, I needed a man who has sailed through dark waters and knows chart a course to pass through danger unseen ... Someone like Lord Davos," Lord Manderly said, asking for more wine.

"Lord Davos left for Skagos a few weeks ago, and we have already sent messengers telling the outcome of this battle if Lord Davos was successful, they will be arriving in White Harbor right now, and when the messengers deliver their news ... I have no doubt my men will escort Lord Eddard's youngest son back to Winterfell ... It's only a matter of time," Glover said, also taking a glass of wine.

Catelyn just breathed easy and thanked the gods for their mercy.

"Now only Bran is missing ... But it seems that he went to the North, to the Wall... Maybe with his Uncle Benjen?" Catelyn thought with some hope.

At that moment, Catelyn remembered Thoros's words about a wolf returning from the North.

... If the words of Thoros de Myr are true, I should not worry ... Bran will return ... I must prepare everything for when my children return ... Catelyn thought happily.

Now he only needed to take care of one last thing ...

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During the following days, Winterfell had been purged of all Bolton influence and again, the direwolf banner flying proudly on the walls of Winterfell, the corpses were brought to be burned, and Bolton sympathizers such as Barbrey Dustin were thrown into dungeons to ensure their Houses loyalty.

However, something happened in the courtyard that everyone had wanted for a long time ...

Ramsay Snow, sometimes called Ramsay Bolton, was placed on a wooden cross after being whipped, cut, starved for days.

The monstrous Bastard had tried to escape and killed a knight of Royce charged with guarding him... In retaliation, Lord Royce, in a great display of strength, hoisted the Bolton over his head and snapped his spine on his knee. The cries of pain from the bastard Bolton were a pleasant sound for Northerners who lived in terror of him for years, especially those who lost daughters, sisters, cousins , and partners to that monster.

But his real punishment was another ... Catelyn watched silently from the servants' place as this unfolded.

Ramsay Bolton had been nailed to wooden planks and taken to the centre of the courtyard, where a great audience had gathered to witness his torment.

"Aaah... Damn you! ... I am the Lord of Winterfell ... I will skin you for this. HEAR ME!" Ramsay screamed between tears and spit.

"Shut your mouth, you bastard .." Edmure said, walloping him and breaking his jaw.

"Aaagh ... Damn Trout... Damn your mother and your fucking sister, the Freys told me they had fun with her and that they did not enjoy it at all! .." Shouted the bastard Bolton.

Edmure had to be stopped by his Uncle Brynden lest he quickly kills Ramsay Bolton.

"Nephew enought? ... This Bastard will die ... But not by your hand. That's what he wants, not to suffer anymore .." The Blackfish rebuked his nephew, who nodded while looking with hatred at the monstrous Bastard.

"Very well, Uncle, but let us hurry ... I can't bear to listen to this monster anymore ..." Edmure said, and to Catelyn's surprise, Brynden agreed.

"Very good ..." He said, gesturing to a group of Vale knights who brought various tools that Ramsay Snow recognized instantly.

Several remarkably sharp carving knives.

"Do you like to torture Bastard? .. Do you like skinning your enemies? ... Do you?" Asked the Blackfish looking at Ramsay Snow with disgust.

"It's going to be ...! ..." He couldn't speak because Edmure hit him, breaking his jaw.

"Enough already... I can't bear the screams of this monster that desecrated the home of my sister and nephews ... Lord Royce, you may begin," Edmure ordered Lord Royce, who nodded and gestured to the Knights of the Vale, who produced several skinning knives and began peeling his flesh off slowly.

Due to the hate that the North felt towards this Bastard for his crimes against its population, his execution was prolonged, his skin was slowly peeled off.

It was quite clever that a Bolton was skinned ... It was poetic for the monster who took such glee in the suffering of others now wailed in misery; it seems he was but a coward, his eyes full of hatred, probably the Bastard believed he would escape.

Only to discover that it would not be so ... Ramsay Bolton's torturous death lasted three long hours as the Knights of the Vale gutted him like a hog, yet in the end, few had the stomach to bear the screams and many left.

But not Catelyn or her family, who watched everything from beginning to end, that Bastard had caused her family.

In the end, with Ramsay Bolton's bleeding muscles exposed and almost dead, they put his own cut skin through his mouth piece by piece, forcing him to eat it until he choked ... Where, unfortunately, everyone who witnessed his death saw when he shit himself and so ended Ramsay Bolton skinned and covered in shit.

"Revenge at last" Edmure said in disgust, covering his nose to avoid the foul smell of Ramsay Bolton's excrement.

"Yes, now we just have to wait for the men of White Harbour ..." began his Uncle Brynden.

At that moment, they heard the Doors of Winterfell open and everyone was shocked.

Catelyn, in particular, ran out with her heart about to explode from her chest until she reached the entrance and saw an entourage bearing the heraldry of the Merman.

There was a caravan headed by a few travellers; one was a thin elderly man with brown eyes and a familiar face weathered by the elements. His beard and sparse brown hair were speckled with grey.

The second was a tall, slim woman, a head taller than Robb; she had a rugged face, messy brown hair and a flat chest, and her body is heavily scarred.

But everything was forgotten when she saw a boy and a great wolf beside the caravan.

He was taller than she remembered; he looked like a Tully with reddish-brown hair and blue eyes, but longer and messier; he also had an outfit worthy of a little Lord.

Her youngest son Rickon was now within her grasp ... Catelyn was crying with happiness.

She was going to meet his son, but at that moment, a group of men were frantic next to his Uncle Brynden.

"A group of men from the Night's Watch led by Benjen Stark are heading here ... And with them, you won't believe it, my lord, it's a miracle ..." Said one of the men before rushing off.

Despite wanting to hug her son Rickon, something prompted her to go with her Uncle to see Ned's brother ...

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Since King Robert and the royal family visited Winterfell to ask her husband Ned to be their Hand of the King, Catelyn had not seen her good brother... But although older, he looked exactly the same ... Benjen Stark has a haggard appearance with sharp features and blue-grey eyes, in which there is often a hint of laughter when happy. In addition, the slim ranger has long legs.

Benjen, like his black brothers, was dressed in black, as befits a man of the Night's Watch ... But that did not attract Catelyn's attention, no matter how much she wanted to greet her husband's brother.

What caught her attention left her breathless and tears in her eyes.

Three children and a red-haired woman.

Catelyn knew she must be Stannis red witch; she was a beautiful woman. She had long hair the colour of deep burnished copper, unsettling red eyes, and pale, unblemished skin. The priestess is slender, graceful, and taller than most knights; she had full breasts, a narrow waist, and a heart-shaped face.

Melisandre of Asshai looked as if she had seen death or the Red God had abandoned her.

The children were clearly crannogmen, the girl was short and thin, had long brown hair tied behind her head, green eyes and small breasts, while the boy was just a teenager, he was short and thin, with unusually deep green eyes, and he wore dirty and worn green clothes.

Also with them was a man who is over seven feet tall, with brown eyes, a brown beard, and thick brown hair all over his body. It was Hodor, their servant.

But Catelyn's eyes filled with tears as she saw the last member of the entourage.

He was a Tully child very similar to Rickon, only older, and in his eyes, there was a wisdom that he could not understand; he was wrapped in furs and seemed to be gazing into the heavens.

Beside him was a great silver-grey wolf with yellow eyes.

Her beloved son Bran had returned to Winterfell at the same time as his brother Rickon.

"Praise the gods ... My children have returned even though they still can't see me, not like this ... Besides, Sansa is still lost, and Arya has not yet returned from Stannis Baratheon's camp, alas Robb and my dear Ned shall never return," thought a tearful Catelyn.

At that moment, her Uncle Brynden approached her husband's brother.

"Benjen Stark .." He said, offering his hand to Benjen, who bowed.

"Blackfish ... I see that the rumours were true ... I never thought I found you here. I thank you for saving our home," Benjen said.

"The moment your brother and my niece got married, we became family ... You don't have to thank me ... I see you also found one of Ned and Cat's children ..." Said his Uncle Brynden while eyes of Benjen widened in surprise.

"Also? ... I see that the powers of Bran and his friend were true ..." She said in a whisper but that she and her Uncle heard.

"Powers?" His Uncle asked, intrigued.

"It's a long story, but if what you're saying is true ... I'd like to see my other nephew ..." Benjen said pleadingly, and after a moment, her Uncle Brynden nodded.

Catelyn just watched silently with her face covered, and that was when she realized that Bran, her son, was staring at her.

At that moment, Hodor carried Bran in his arms and placed him face to face with a tearful Catelyn and smiled to his surprise.

"Mother ... I know it's you ... I've seen you die ... And come back to life, I won't say who you are until you show yourself and I know that Rickon is here. That's why I asked Uncle Benjen To bring us back; I know everything that happened here… "Bran whispered.

As far as everyone knew, she was a trusted maid to her brother Edmure and her Uncle Brynden.

"Then I will tell you everything that has happened since you left the South But now we must prepare ourselves ... The darkness has arrived in Westeros ... A dark dragon has come from the east, and under his yoke, all will suffer until hope comes from the West," Bran said in a dark tone, surprising his mother, who did not believe or understand what her son just told her.

"A dragon came to the Stormlands? ... What does that mean that hope will come from the West? ... Catelyn thought, confused but enormously happy to have two of her children back and hopefully another would soon be found.

Notes:

Thanks to Great_red