Chapter 329 - My SI Stash #29 - Rise Of Jon Stark Targaryen by Y-T3cH (HarryPotterXGameofThrones) (1/2)

-Author released this new fic as the sequel to his Richard Hendricks SI fic~ It's quite fun if you're into the whole OP-MC shtick, and also the magic not being nerfed to death is great to see!

Synopsis: One day, during the morning jog at Potter Mannor, I came across a weird tree with a face carved on it. Next thing I knew, I was sitting on a table, gasping for breath, with a small cloth hiding my junk and a lot of deadly scars on my c_h_e_s_t. A sequel to Rise of Richard Hendricks. Self Insert. Jon X Dany

Rated: M

Words: 45K

Posted on: fanfiction.net/s/13608531/1/Rise-Of-Jon-Stark-Targaryen (Y-T3cH)

PS: If you're not able to copy/paste the link, you have everything in here to find it, by simply searching the author and the story title. It sucks that you can't copy links on mobile (´ー｀)

-I'll be putting the chapter ones of all the fanfics mentioned, to give you guys a sample if you wan't more please do go to the website and support the author! (And maybe even convince them to start uploading chapters in here as well!)

Chapter 1-3 (exceptional)

I wake up with a gasp and find myself lying on a wooden table, almost n_a_k_e_d with just a small cloth protecting my privates. I instantly get a migraine as clashing identities and knowledge settle into my mind.

I am Richard Hendricks. I am Chuck Bartowski. I am Shawn Spencer. I am Harry Potter. I am… I look around. And see, Ser F_u_c_k_i_n_g DAVOS looking at me as if he has seen a ghost. I realize that I am Jon Snow/ Targaryen.

This should not have happened. I wasn't brought here by the ASB. I knew that. I always recognized his special band of power.

Last I remember I was Harry Potter. I had barely been in the world of Harry Potter for two decades. Last I remember, I was at Potter Manor with my wife and children. I had just woken up in the morning and had gone on a run around the grounds like I always did. During that run, I saw a weird tree. A tree I had never seen before on Potter Grounds. A tree with red leaves and whitebark, with a face carved into the trunk of the tree. A face, whose eyes were bleeding red sap.

When I went for a closer look to investigate... For the lack of a better term, I was zapped. I was zapped from my current body and from the Harry Potter world as I had come to call it. And now I find myself here. In the ****, Murder, Kill world of Game of Thrones.

And if what I am guessing is correct then this is probably the worst time to enter the series. If Jon Snow aka ME, was just resurrected then I am probably at the start of season 6.

The war of five kings is over and much of the armies of North and Riverlands is exhausted. Winterfell is occupied by Boltons. Sansa is probably just escaped and is on her way here. And in Essos, Dany has been abducted by Dothraki.

I look around and see Ser Davos and my direwolf look at me in surprise and confusion. Then I look down at my n_a_k_e_d body and see c_h_e_s_t wounds. A lot of c_h_e_s_t wounds. That should have killed me. That did kill Jon Snow.

Gasping in panic, I try to get up and run but immediately stumble.

Fortunately, I am caught by Ser Davos before I hit the ground.

”Hey Easy, Easy, Easy.”, He says grabbing me before I fall. Then the Red Woman, Milasandre enters the room, looking shocked at my living breathing form.

”What do you remember?”, I hear Davos ask.

”Everything.”, Is my only reply.

Davos tries to comfort me by squeezing my shoulder. I look into Jons last memories as I continue.

”They stabbed me.

Olly…. Put a knife in my heart.

They… They betrayed me.

I shouldn't be here.” When I say the last part I mean literally. I shouldn't be here. I am supposed to be in HP universe right now.

”The Red Lady brought you back.”, Davos helpfully replies.

It seems that is the only prompting Red Lady requires as she glides through the room and falls to her knees as she nears me.

She takes my face in her hands and asks in a serious, curious and urgent tone, ”Your Eyes are Green and Glowing…!

Afterwards… What did you see? Where did you go?”

I think for a moment. This is a very important question. Obviously, I am shocked when she says the first part. I am pretty sure Jon Snow had brown eyes or according to the books, grey eyes. Green eyes belonged to Harry Potter aka ME, in my… I guess previous life. Wait! Does that mean, I can do magic here too?!

”Afterwards… What did you see? Where did you go?” She repeats the question. I need to play this carefully. And I need to experiment as soon as I am alone.

”I saw everything… I was everywhere and nowhere at once. I met the Gods. We talked. They sent me back. They said I have a destiny. I need to save the World.”, I said. Though I did realize, I was bullshitting for the sake of strengthening my position, I couldn't help but have a very strong suspicion that I was right and the Old Gods had somehow managed to hijack my last life and bring me here.

And looking at Melisandre's face, I can see it was everything she was hoping for.

”The Lord let you come back for a reason. Stannis was not the prince who was promised but someone has to be.”

”I am sorry to say My Lady, I was not your god that sent me back. I think it was mine. I think it was the Old Gods.”

It seems she did not like that statement, by the look on her face.

”Could you give us a moment?”, Davos asked her to leave not so politely. She complied but only because it seemed she needed to get her thoughts in order.

”You were dead. And now you are not. It is completely f_u_c_k_i_n_g mad, seems to me. I can only imagine what it seems to you.”, Davos said shaking his head with one hand squeezing my shoulder in sympathy.

”I did what I thought was right and this is how they repay me. Why?” Yes, I recalled what Jon Snow did. And as I recalled it I felt equal parts dread and equal parts exhilaration. The reason, not all things were like it seemed in the show. Unlike in the show when Jon only managed to get a few thousand Free Folk South of the Wall, here he succeeded in getting over 35 thousand wildlings down south of the wall, along with 3000 giants and thousands of Mammoths. Right now all of them were in a temporary camp in the Gift. I guess some had come to take over Castle Black to get revenge in my name.

”I don't know. Maybe we will never know. What does it matter? You go on. You fight for as long as you can. You clean up as much of the shit as you can.” Goddam man. That one hell of a motivational speech. And it is something I can get behind.

”I don't know how to do that. But I would appreciate any help and guidance you can give me.”, I told him with a small smile.

”I am not going anywhere Jon.” He replies with a smile and another reassuring shoulder squeeze.

He leaves the room to give me some time to change. As soon as he leaves the room, I sit down on the same table I woke up on in a lotus position and start mediating. Hoping and praying that my magical core is still there.

'YES!', I exclaim internally as I find my magical core almost immediately. Concentrating on it, c_a_r_e_s_sing it, channelling it, I gently push it down my right shoulder, through my arm, into my hand and at the tip of my index finger and mentally imagine a small lighter like flame. A bright orange though small flames ignite's itself on my index finger and it brings a smile to my face.

XxxxX

Sometime later as I walk out my solar, I see wildlings and some of my loyal Black brothers look at me in shock. It is understandable. Just over an hour ago, I was dead.

As I walk into the courtyard, the men part like the water had parted for Moses, as I see Tormund Giantsbane and it seems he is just as in as much shock as others are.

”They think you are some kind of god. The man who returned from the dead.”

”I am not a god. But if it helps I met one while I was on the other side.”

It seems to shock him but he soon gets a hold of himself after giving me a look that says, 'We are going to talk about that.'

”I know that you are not a god. I saw your pecker. What kind of God would have a pecker that small?” he says in a fake whisper that is loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear.

Then he laughs and hugs me. I hug him back. From Jons memories, he is a good, loyal friend. I am going to need those in the future.

I move toward my other friend Edison Tollet. He instantly hugs me. ”Your eyes are no longer brown. They are green. And they are glowing! Is that still you in there?” He asks only half-seriously.

”I think so. Hold off on burning my body for now.” We both laugh at little at that.

”That's funny. You are sure that still you in there.” Then both of us laugh a little louder this time. Though internally I was wincing as Edd was on the mark.

XxxxX

After that, I have all the Black brothers except the ones who have stabbed me released and granted mercy. They are of course released on the condition that they remain loyal this time, failing to do so would lose them their heads.

Then I head back to my Solar to plan. Since I have to execute the traitors anyways I decided that I might as well take a chance and try something that would, in turn, solve a lot of my future problems. I am of course talking about, proving to the Southern Lords that the Others are coming. And the best way to do that is to have wrights, to demonstrate.

So I order, arrangements to be made outside of the Wall near the forest for the men to be hanged. When doing so I make sure their hands and legs are triple bound, just in case my plan actually works and they do become wrights.

I execute them the next day. And leave them to hang in the open. Hoping against hope that they would turn into wrights.

The day after that, one Black Brother out of the two I had left to monitor them, comes running into Castle Black.

”The demons are alive. DEMONS! Their eyes have turned blue. They are alive again.”, as soon as he says that, most of the Black Bother's including me ride out the place they were hanged and see the now reborn, yet still hanging zombies, were trying to get free so that they could slaughter all people that still count as living surrounding them.

As I looked around I could see the horrified faces of the Black Brothers that were not at Hardholm and had temporarily sided with Throne when I was killed. I, on the other hand, was sporting a blinding grin.

”Told you so.”, Tomund Giants bane says in a huff. Feeling vindicated know that the truth is known by most of the black brotherhood.

”We need to kill them.” One of the Black Brothers says. ”Kill it with fire.” One other brother replies.

”We are not going to kill them, you idiots. We need them as proof if we want to convince the Lords in the South that the Dead are real, That the Wrights are Real, That the White Walkers and Night King are real. And most importantly the real war is coming for us. And if they don't help, we are all f_u_c_k_e_d.

Ed, get them boxed up and locked down tight and move them to Castle Black.”, I command and though everyone still seems horrified for a variety of reasons, no one objects.

Pretty soon they are boxed up and moved to the dungeons of Castle Black under constant guard of twenty to make sure they don't escape.

XxxxX

”I was with you at Hardhome. I saw what's out there. We know it's coming here. F_u_c_k a few days ago all the Black Brothers saw what is coming for us! Yet You are choosing to leave us, NOW?”, my Friend Edd says in frustration as he sees me packing up my shit in my room.

”I died Edd. I fulfilled my vows. Now my watch has ended. And don't forget we need to prepare the North and the rest of Westeros for the White Walkers. I can't do that from Castle Black. I need to go south. I need to retake Winterfell. I need to reunite the north and then convince the other realms to send help as well. Or we all die.” I told him.

”There has to be another way, Jon! We need you here! You are now the most respected and feared commander of the Night's Watch, Ever! We need you here, leading us if we want to have a chance to beat them!”, Edd said pleading.

I stopped packing for a second and faced one of my best friends from memories of Jon. I placed one hand on his cheek as I said.

”When the Walkers come. When the Real War is here. I will be here as well. Hopefully with an army of tens of thousands of soldiers and supplies that will be necessary to beat the Night King.

As you said Edd, you were with me at Hardholm. You saw Night King add over Seventy Thousand foot soldiers to his army. And I stress on the word ADDING, as Night King has had 8000 years to his army. An army's whose real size we have no idea about.

Edd you tell me, can Nights Watch, now numbering barely 600 with no more men or supplies coming from the South... Will it be able to stop the Night King?”, I left the question hanging and Edd's face scrunched up in contemplation, showing a lot of fear a few seconds later, as he shook his head in the negative.

So Edd finally realized, he didn't like what I had to do, but he understood it.

Then the horn blew and a distant shout of 'Open the gates was heard.'

I gave a small smile unseen by Ed, as we moved to see what the commotion was. Sansa was here.

XxxxX

Just like in the show, A bathed and fed Sansa sat in front of me.

”Your eyes changed.”, she said looking at me intriguingly as she sipped her bad ale.

”Aye.” I just replied smiling.

”Why did they change?”, she asked.

”I died and came back different. Came back more…”, I told her shrugging. Initially, when I told her I had died, she didn't believe it. What sane person would? Then I had shown her my scars. There was a lot a shock followed by crying when I showed her my b_a_r_e c_h_e_s_t. Finally, she had calmed down after assurances that I was fine.

”More?”, said asked in confusion. She looked really cute and beautiful when she did so. But I had already decided, that Dany was going to be the one for me. So as much as I wanted to start something with the beautiful redhead, who was my cousin and not my sister, in reality, I wouldn't.

”More.”, I replied igniting a small flame at the tip of my finger. Her expression was akin to a deer caught in headlights.

”HOW?!”, she all but exclaimed looking at me doing magic.

”Think of it as Old God's gift. We are going to need all the gifts and help if we want to fight the dead.”

”You really are telling the truth, aren't you? About the dead I mean.”, she said looking down.

”Yes.”

”Then we need to take back Winterfell and unite the North.”, she said with a hard face.

”Aye. We need to. Don't look so shocked. I am done with the Night's Watch. When I died, murdered by my sworn brothers, my watch ended. Even if you hadn't found me I would have found my way down South to rescue you.”

She gave me a warm smile at that, which as it went on, bordered on crying.

”But we need to make plans. If we want to reunite north and take back Winterfell, then we will need an army.” I said.

”How many wildlings did you save?”, she tried to nudge me in the right direction.

”35000 or so and 3000 giants. But I can't ask them to fight for me. They vowed to fight in the Long Night, not squabbles between Lords.”

”Do you think they will be safe under Boltons as the Wardens of the North. The moment they will be looking the other way, Boltons will come and kill every last one of them. The only choice we have to take the offensive.”

”Sansa since when did you start talking battle strategy?”

”Since I lost most of my family and lived through multiple wars.”, she said with a hardened face that promptly cracked and she started crying. I did not waste a moment going to hug her to try and console her.

XxxxX

”…. Return my wife to me or I will ride north and slaughter every wildling man, woman and babe. Then I will sack Castle Black and have the men in my army take turns raping your sister.

Ramsay Bolton,

Lord of Winterfell,

Warden of the North”, Sansa read the complete letter and even though I had only been in this body for two weeks I was still fiercely protective of any family I had. Unfortunately, I also knew, Rickon had to die or will die. I can't be crowned the king of the North and then eventually Westros otherwise.

Bolton was going to die and it would be just as painful as it was in cannon or even more so.

”Ramsay is now the Lord of Winterfell and not Roose. Ramsay killed him. Jon, we need to take back Winterfell.”

I just nod my head and look to Tormund, Giants Bane.

He looks in acceptance and asks his own question to Sansa. ”How many men does this Bolton have?”

”Five to Six thousand. I once heard him talking to his father about it.”, Sansa replied.

”How many men would be willing to fight for me Tormund.”, I asked my friend.

”Right now. Ready to march and fight. Three thousand. The rest either need to remain to protect the free folk or are children and old people.”

”That is more than I expected.” It really was more than it was in the show. If I remembered correctly it was 2000 men and 1 giant. The last surviving giant.

”I might also be able to convince a few dozen giants to help us.”, That was a shock and an obvious advantage.

”I appreciate it Tormund, I mean it.”

”Hah! Appreciate it he says. Little crow do you even know what my people think of you. They think you old god reborn the way you came back from the dead. And if that's not enough you did save them from dying and being brought back as wrights in Others army.

Don't worry your pretty little head little crow. We will fight for you and we will win for you.”, he said thumping my back. And they were smiles all around the table. But Sansa had a look in her eye that I could not decipher.

XxxxX

Chapter 2

JON

”We can't defend the north from walkers and the south from Boltons. To survive we need to take Winterfell and to take Winterfell we need more men.” I said throwing stones marked with Stark banner on the map of the north.

I and my impromptu council was sitting in one of the rooms of Caste Black discussing strategies to take back the North from Boltons.

Those attending this council included me, Sansa, Ser Davos, Lady Tarth and Tormund Giantsbane. But the last one was probably here just to creep Lady Brienne out, by continuously ogling her like she was a particularly appetizing piece of meat.

”Aside from Starks and Boltons, the most powerful houses in the North are Umbers, Karstarks and the Manderlys. The problem is the Umbers and the Karstarks have already declared for Boltons.”, Ser Davos analysed.

”The Umbers gave Rickon to our enemies. They can hang.”, Sansa said spitefully, and I had to agree with her internally.

”But the Karstarks declared for the Boltons without knowing that they had another choice.”, Sansa continued.

”The problem, Sansa, is that Robb chopped off Lord Karstarks head when they were campaign in the South. After that, I don't think they will ever kneel to the Starks willingly. The only way to bring them back into the fold would be to defeat them on the field.”, I said chiming in. And Ser Davos gave me a nod agreeing with my assessment.

”Jon how can you say that. You know Northerners are a different breed of men. More loyal. Suspicious of the outsiders.”, Sansa protested.

”Look, Sansa, I am not disagreeing with you. But how many rose up against Boltons when they took Winterfell? When you were forcefully married to a Bolton Bastard.

Sansa, men are all the same in every part of the world. As loyal as they might be, no man wants to fight for a lost cause if the consequence of it is getting his wife and children skinned and killed.”, I tried reasoning with her. That just made her angrier.

”So what? Do you want to give up? Leave the north under the thumb of Boltons?”

”I didn't say that Sansa. I am saying that so far they didn't have a cause to rally behind. Now we give them a cause.

Right now other houses except for Bolton vassals and Umbers and Karstarks might not have risen up in rebellion against the Boltons. But... But they have not committed their support to them either. There are over two dozen houses in the North. Most of them are waiting for a rallying cry. Waiting for someone to take up the cause and raise the banner so they could rally behind. We will give them that Sansa.”

When I told her that, not just her but everyone in the room seemed pleased with the reasoning.

”And it's not like we are going in this without any army our own. 3000 men and 30 giants can do a lot of damage.”, I continued.

”Yes but, Boltons, Karstarks and Umbers put together can pool around 11,000 men.”, Lady Tarth said trying to play the realist.

”Yes well, that just means we need more men, doesn't it. Time to start approaching the Northern Lords to get their help.”, I said with a shrug and a smile trying to cheer everyone up.

”I might have some news that might be helpful. Uncle Blackfish has reformed the Tully army and retaken Riverrun. If we ask they will back us to the bone.”, that got everyone's attention.

”Sansa… Just how did you come to know this information.”, I asked gently.

She obviously lied saying that Ramsay got a raven regarding that information before she escaped. Then it hit me. Sansa might be my cousin sister. And I might love her like a sister. But at the end of the day, even after all she has been through, she sees me as a tool to help her take back what is hers. She wants to be the queen of Winterfell and the North.

Well shit. I can't let that happen. I will have to control her impulses and actions. But I will also need to solidify my own position in the North and make it strong enough that Riverlands and Vale bend the knee to me before Dany arrives. When I go to negotiate with her, I will need to do it from a position of strength.

As the meeting was dismissed and everyone decided to pack as they needed to leave Castle Black to work on getting those alliances a

rudimentary yet very good plan started taking shape in my mind.

XxxxX

First stop to cement our alliance was to go to the wildlings camp and confirm with them that they would actually show up when we would need them.

It went pretty much as it did in the show. The only differences being that instead of 2000 we got 3000 men and 30 giants.

Then instead of going to Bear Island, I decided to first go to White Harbour. Along with Karstarks and Umbers, Manderlys were perhaps the most powerful house that could support us.

For the meeting with Manderlys, I had a three-point strategy. One was to take one of the Wights in the boxes with us to White Harbour, and do a live demo regarding how deep of a shit we are in. The second was to take 10 Giants with me as a pure intimidation tactic. The third was to fake a letter with Robb's writing, seal and ample compulsion charms that the letter was genuine and to do what the letter said.

Using additional compulsion charms, you would also convince the target aka Lord Manderly that he got the letter when Robb was alive and fighting in the South.

What is the letter you ask? Well, the letter was basically the last Will of Robb Stark, Legitimizing me as Jon Stark instead of Jon Snow and then making me the Heir to Winterfell and the King of the North. Also attached was a note for the Lord who possessed the letter to take it to Castle Black, where, as per the order in the Letter, I would be Honourably Discharged from the Night's Watch, and take my place as the King of The North and Lord Stark of Winterfell should Robb fall in battle.

So when I would ask for a private audience with Lord Manderly and hand him the letter, he would feel and remember as if he had a letter all along and it was his own cowardice for not wanting any more bloodshed that stopped him from acting on the letter. He would also feel an unbearable sense of shame that would compel him to beg for forgiveness, declare me the King of the North as per Robbs last Will and support my claim on Winterfell.

When I went to negotiate with Manderlys, I had purposefully sent Ser Davos and Sansa to talk and convince Lord Hornwood, who would likely say yes and pledge small force to our cause. The reason for not taking them was simple, I didn't want anyone to catch on to what I was up to, and since those two were the closest to me, it was very likely that without the use of spells they would soon come to suspect that something was off with the Manderlys.

XxxxX

When Wylis Manderley came to greet me and my Giant companions at the gates of White Harbour he was shocked. And as intended, very intimidated looking at the Giants.

When later in Manderly great hall in front of Lord Wyman Manderly, his family and the rest of his court, I told them the story of how I was killed and was resurrected by the Old Gods to save the world and defeat the White Walkers. They, of course, like any sane human would became suspicious and started scoffing at my claims.

That scoffing soon turned to horrified gasps and screams of shock when I showed them my scars and unveiled Wight Olly. When it almost bit off Lord Manderly's head before it was yanked back and put in the box, everyone was a believer.

Then I asked for a private audience with Lord Manderly. Once alone, I slipped him the letter and it took effect. Within seconds, he was doing his best to kneel with his over 200 kilograms of weight and asking for mercy and forgiveness. I finally felt satisfied.

Then I asked him to send a letter to all noble houses of the North telling them that - Robb, before he died, sent him a letter via a Rider that not only legitimized me aka Jon Stark. But also named me his Heir.

He had also wanted me released from the vows of the Night's Watch, in case he died, so that I could fulfil my duty to my house. It was only by the time letter reached him the red wedding had already happened and in the grief of losing his second son and believing the Stark cause a lost one, he decided to sit on the letter and not do anything. He would also proclaim in the letter to all northern lords that, House Manderly, Knew no other king but the king in the North and his Name was Jon Stark.

By the time I left White Harbour, I had accomplished several things. I had secured, 2000 Medium Sword Cavalry for the battle. I had ordered 30 sets of heavy armour, maces, shields, bows and arrows made for my Giants; which in medieval tactics would make them akin to walking tanks. I had also asked him to increase the size of his fishing and warship fleet as much as could.

By the time I met up with Sansa and Ser Davos, they had secured 200 Hornwood archers for us.

When I told them the ”Story” of how shocked I was when I found out that Lord Manderly had a letter which was basically Robb's last will that legitimized me and made me his Heir, both of them were shocked.

Though I was sure I could see a bit of jealousy in her eyes when I told her Lord Manderly proclaimed me the King in the North.

I wouldn't say that after White Harbour getting men from other houses became easy but it was at least better than it was in cannon. Thought some things still remained the same.

House Mormont still just sent 62 men. And Lady Mormont was still as badass and as cute as she was in the TV show. Seriously the first time I met her I felt like I was fanboying.

One of the more noted changes was that this time around Glovers did send some marginal support.

Finally, when I felt we couldn't delay any longer, I sent out the ravens for the troops to assemble at the same point where Stanis had rallied his troops before he attacked Winterfell. Just like in the TV show. Because it was really a good strategic location.

Covered on all 2 sides by hills forming natural barriers, with only two ways to go in and out.

”We have to march on Winterfell now, while we still can. The storms in this area are unpredictable. If it snows, we will be stalled, if we are stalled we will be f_u_c_k_e_d.”, I said as I, Sansa and Davos got off off our horses and started inspecting the camp where all the troops that were pledged to me, to take back Winterfell had gathered.

”3000 wildlings, 2000 Manderlys, 200 Hornwoods, 143 Mazins, 50 men from House Glover, 30 Giants….” Davos started counting our troops when Sansa sarcastically completed, ”Let's not forget the 62 Mormonts”.

”It's not what we hoped for…”, Davos stated lamely. Maybe we could have gotten more troops if we waited a little bit longer, went to more houses for help, or showed off the Wright more than the only one time we did it at Manderlys. But I didn't want to change cannon too much at this point and if we had gotten more troops that would have equalled Ramsay's forces then he might have changed his battle strategy. That would mean Ramsay could throw the idea of open battle out the window and instead decided to sit inside Winterfell Castle with high walls and strong gates. It would lead to siege battle and that is not something I was willing to risk right now. Plus I know I had a trump card. To be fair, Sansa had a trump card which she was hiding from me for some stupid convoluted reason like a jealous squirrel.

”Even if they have twice as many troops as us, we still have a chance. If we are careful and smart. Oh for f_u_c_k sakes…”, Ser Davos said as he went to break up a fight between a wildling and a Manderly, mid explanation.

”So he is your most trusted advisor now because he secured 62 men from a ten-year-old?”

With a chuckle, I tell her, ”Ser Davos is the reason, I am standing here talking to you and he had served Stannis for years.”

”Stannis, who lost the Backwater, who murdered his own brother and who does have a head anymore.”

”Well someone is being sassy.”

”What's sassy?”, she asked confused and a little offended. I chuckled and replied, ”Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

”You seem in an awfully good mood, considering that you might just die tomorrow in the battle.”

”What can I say, dying can bring into one's perspective of how pointless Brooding is. So I have made a vow to myself to enjoy the little things in life until I am still breathing.”

”I suppose that's one way to look at things.”, she said as we entered my command tent, which right now was empty. Then she finally snapped.

”Jon… It's NOT ENOUGH. WE NEED MORE MEN. They have twice the number of men we do. Even if we have Giants.”

I smile at her as I c_a_r_e_s_s her cheek with my right hand, that draws a faint blush from her.

”Sansa we have no time. I wasn't kidding about the storms. Now that the winter is here, there could be one at any moment. And if it snows right now, we will be f_u_c_k_e_d. Marching through the snow to reach Winterfell will be like marching through a white swamp. And all Ramsay will need to do to defeat us is sit in Winterfell and pick us off from the walls or if we have no option but to siege then see our army wither away in a week. Sansa, we have no supply lines. We cannot afford a siege. Our only hope of taking Winterfell is making Ramsay take the field against us in normal weather conditions.

And Sansa, I agree with you, we need more time and troops. But time is a luxury we do not have. But you are my sister. And I love you and trust you, so if you have a way to magic us some more troops before we march, I am willing to listen. If you have a better plan and reasoning to follow that plan, I am willing to listen.”, I say handing her a cup of Ale.

After the blush recedes from her face, she starts contemplating sneaking glances at me trying to judge whether to disclose the information about the Vale troops or not. Finally, she relents and makes up her mind.

”Jon I have something to confess to you…”

XxxxX

Chapter 3

JON

Davos, Sansa, Tormund, Lyanna Mormont, Wylis Manderly, me and some Stark bannermen sit on horseback, waiting. The reason there were no Giants here was that, so far news about Giants was only considered a rumour. And I wanted to keep it that way till they see them on the battlefield.

RAMSAY, HARALD KARSTARK, SMALLJON UMBER, and a group of Bolton soldiers approach on horseback. They come to a halt in front of me and my companions.

As they are doing so I tell Sansa, ”You don't have to be here.”

”Yes, I do.”, she replied primly.

”My beloved wife. I've missed you terribly.” The cruel monster that is Ramsay says with a fake benevolent smile.

Ramsay then turns his attention to me.

”Thank you for returning Lady Bolton safely. Now, dismount and kneel before me, surrender your army and proclaim me the true Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. I will pardon you for deserting the Night's Watch. I will pardon these treasonous lords for betraying my house. Come, bastard, you don't have the men, you don't have the horses and you don't have Winterfell. Why lead those pour souls into slaughter? There's no need for a battle. Get off your horse and kneel. I'm a man of mercy.

I scoffed and then started laughing. I laughed so loud and started thumping my t_h_i_g_h so hard as if I just heard the funniest joke in the world.

I laughed so hard that I managed to bring some tears into my eyes. My companions taking a cue from me also started laughing, though not as hard and Sansa didn't laugh at all.

All of this really pissed Ramsay and his companions off.

”What's so funny Bastard?”, Ramsay said hiding his anger behind his smile.

”It's funny you talk about mercy. The bastard who stabbed his father in Winterfell great hall when the Maester told them that Roose Boltons new wife had just born a son to him.

Then as if that wasn't enough, you fed the mother and the newborn to your hounds, just so that you can secure your succession to Lordship.

And if rumors are true, you had even poisoned Roose Boltons true born son Domenic so that Roose would have no choice to make you his heir. You have to admit it is pretty funny when a kin slayer of the highest order like you, talks about mercy.

And you, My Lords Umber and Karstark decided to side this piece of human filth. I am disappointed.” When I said that, Lord Karstark looked a little uncomfortable but Small Jon Umber was unfazed.

Likely because as in the show he had planned to kill his own father had he not died in the south. So he would have no problem with Kin Slaying. ”I will give you one chance right now, abandon the Kin Slayer, and bend your knee to me, Jon Stark.” My using Stark as a last name shocked them so I continued.

”Going by your expressions, I am sure Ramsay made it a point that both of you don't read the letter Lord Manderly dispatched to all houses of the North. But let me inform you anyway, Robb Stark had legitimized me before the Red Wedding and had sent the letter to Lord Manderly. Due to grief of his son's death, he decided to sit on the letter and do nothing as there was no one to rally behind. But now there is, so he sent the letter to everyone in the north. His son Wylis next to me can attest to that.” Wylis in turn just gave a curt nod with an emotionless mask to our enemies.

”And I guess you have a point. There's no need for a battle. Thousands of men don't need to die. Only one of us. Let's end this the old way. You against me.”