The Eagles of the North - A Game of Thrones AAR {MASSIVE SPOILERS}

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This is a House Arryn AAR using the newest updates to the Game of Thrones Crusader Kings 2 Mod. I will be using the Feast for Crows Scenario because it is an awesome mess.

BE WARNED: THIS SCENARIO AND AAR CONTAIN MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS. PLEASE DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DON'T WANT THE ENTIRE STORY TO BE SPOILED FOR YOU.

Introduction - A Wolf in Bastard's Clothing


Part 1 - A Realm at War

Chapter 1 - The Targaryen Pretender

Chapter 2 - The Hard Headed Baratheon

Chapter 3 - The Wolf Returns to the North

Chapter 4 - A Caged Wolf

Chapter 5 - Lord Jon Arryn of Winterfell​

 

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Introduction - A Wolf in Bastard's Clothing

I am Ser Harrold Hardyng, or Harry the Heir as most call me. Most also know me as a brave and handsome knight, the exact opposite of the weak and mewling Lord Robert. Robert is the son of the late Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully. Lysa was recently murdered by her singer, and Lord Petyr Baelish, Littlefinger, has taken over has Lord Protector of the Vale. The Lords Declarant would see him removed by any means necessary. I, on the other hand, have Arryn blood in my veins from my mother’s side and stand to inherit the Vale should anything happen to Robert. Thus, I have taken to calling myself Harrold Arryn. This is the present state of the Vale and the following is an account of my life.

Lord Robert of the Vale

Littlefinger
​

In the very beginning of the 3rd century since Aegon’s Landing, I was approached by Littlefinger and his baseborn daughter, Alayne Stone. I was immediately struck with her beauty and manners as it seemed as if she was raised as a noble lady. Littlefinger intended the two of us to wed, an absurd request if not for the exquisiteness of his daughter. Also, I had little hope of actually ruling the Vale. Robert would most likely remain out of harm’s way, marry some highborn lady, and have a son or two to keep the Arryn bloodline alive. So I agreed to the betrothal and we planned a wedding for the turning of the New Year. Besides, I had already fathered a bastard daughter, it seemed fitting that I would marry a beautiful bastard daughter myself.

My Bastard Daughter, Irrina Stone
​

The months passed quickly as the Vale stayed mostly peaceful. Robert and Littlefinger stayed out of the many wars that plagued Westeros, among them Stannis’s War for the North and the Iron throne and the war started by a man from Essos claiming to be the son of Rhaegar Targaryen. The Lords Declarant continued their schemes and plots, seeking an end to Littlefinger’s power in the Vale. I spent a lot of time with my bride to be, Alayne, finding her to be excellent company. With each moment I spent with her, she seemed less and less like a bastard and more like a proper lady, a suitable wife for a noble knight like me.

It was at the end of these peaceful months that I received troubling news. It seemed that Lord Robert had taken to playing on the walls and parapets of the Eyrie, a foolish decision for such a weak child. It was during one of those playing sessions that Robert slipped and fell from the Eyrie, meeting the same fate as his mother. His bones were recovered quickly and all the lords of the realm attended the funeral. After his body was laid to rest, the Lords Declarant took action. They named me the Lord Paramount of the Vale, removing the title of Lord Protector from Littlefinger. However, my thoughts were not on the tediums of ruling. It was near the end of the year and it was time for my wedding to Alayne.

​

I stood excited and nervous at in the Sept, waiting for the arrival of my bride. I was wearing a white doublet with a blue cloak emblazoned with the Eagle of House Arryn. My bride would probably wear a self-designed cloak or perhaps a cloak with Littlefinger’s mockingbird sigil. My eyes darted around the room and spotted Littlefinger sitting in the front. He had a strange, knowing smirk on his face. I wondered if he had planned Robert’s death himself, so that his daughter would be Lady of the Vale. But, his smirk was less menacing than that. Then the doors of the sept opened and all eyes were drawn to my wife-to-be. She looked even more beautiful than the ever. As she moved closer to me, I noticed something odd about the wedding cloak that she had on. It was gray, and I had the feeling I had seen it somewhere before. It was the direwolf of House Stark! My mind worked overdrive as I worked to put the pieces together. Then it hit me.

​Sansa

​

Littlefinger had arranged a marriage between me and Lady Sansa of House Stark, daughter of the late Lord Eddard Stark, sister to King Robb the Young Wolf, and the rightful Lady of the Winterfell and the North. I smiled as I held Sansa’s hand and began to think of the possibilities.

 

[Deaghaidh]

All hail the Falconwolf! Also rightfully Fish after the Tully's get crushed by the Lannisters and Freys.

But remember. Don't. Trust. Littlefinger.

Has Stannis proclaimed Jon Snow LP of the North, or found Rickon? Might shape how you proceed.

 

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All coming up in the next update. But, Jon Snow turned down Stannis and I am pretty sure that they don't find Rickon. Also, Stannis is always pretty dumb in fighting his wars as an AI, at least for me. He takes is small army south and tries to win the Throne before the North.

P.S. That is always good advice

 

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Chapter 1 - The Targaryen Pretender

The wedding and bedding had come and gone, and I was now married to Sansa Stark. Even though she was still only the age of a child, the events of the past years had worn on her. Her experiences had made her an adult, and she was now ready to take her birthright back from the treacherous Boltons. Roose Bolton, that treacherous bastard, held the North. He was currently defending an attack from Stannis Baratheon, who hoped a new ruler in the North would support him in his war on the throne. Stannis had offered to legitimize Jon Snow of the Night’s Watch and win the North for him, but the bastard of Ned Stark still had his father’s honor. He chose to stay true to his vows with the Night’s Watch. I considered the possibility of joining Stannis in crushing the Boltons and taking the North for Sansa, but I didn’t want to her to be beholden to Stannis and his red god. So, I decided to wait and let the two of them fight and drag on their war for a few years, leaving the North ripe for the taking.

Roose Bolton

​

Instead I turned my attention to the South. Robert and his mother had kept the Vale untouched by the many wars plaguing the Iron Throne, and this meant prosperity for the Vale, but it also drew the ire of Kings Landing. I had received several ravens from Kings Landing requesting help against Stannis. But, the message I held in my hand drew my attention much more. It seems that the Golden Company had landed in Westeros, seizing Rain House and launching an attack on the Iron Throne. Their leader was a young boy named Aegon of Essos who claimed to be Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell. I knew from history lessons that Aegon was killed as a baby on the orders of Tywin Lannister. However, if this boy was a true Targaryen he could be a danger to the whole realm. The last true Lord of the Vale, Jon Arryn, went to war to remove the Targaryens from power, and I would not see them return to the throne on my watch even if it meant that a Lannister would stay on the Throne. I gave word to my Marshall, Yohn the Bronze of Runestone, to call my banners and assemble the men at the Bloody Gate. The Vale would march to meet this would-be king.

​

The march through the Riverlands was swift as we traveled down the Kingsroad. On the way we heard of a force of 7,000 Dornishmen who were trying to lay siege to Kings Landing. It seems that Prince Doran had taken up arms with the Targaryen. Before long, we met the Dornish outside the gates of Kings Landing in what would later be known as the Battle of Baelor. I was at the center of our 25,000 man force, with Ser Nestor of the Gates of the Moon on my right and Ser Jaden Darkholme on my left. Together we closed on the main ranks of the Dornish and cut through them like butter. 5 Dornishmen died for every Valeman that day, as the Dornish were left almost entirely broken. I had men chase the remaining force down in Edgerton and wipe them out completely. This eliminated the Dornish from the war and left only Aegon and the Golden Company.

​

We took a day’s rest outside of Kings Landing and then moved south to Greensward, where Jon Connington was leading the Golden Company against a strong force of Reachman. We joined the battle as it had already commenced and made short work of the exiles, outnumbering them 10 to 1. After the battle at Greensward I moved our forces south through the Stormlands with the intent of taking back Rain House from Aegon. The Stormlands were nominally held by Stannis Baratheon, but they were too fractured and destroyed by war to pose any threat.

​

On the way, ravens brought news from the North and the Riverlands. It seemed that Roose Bolton had been slain in personal combat against Lord Gilbert Farring. The North then passed to Ramsay Bolton, Roose’s legitimized bastard son. This was good news as the lunatic would never be able to hold the North for long. The second raven brought news of Littlefinger. The crown had won the siege of Riverrun and bestowed the title of Lord Paramount of the Riverlands to Petyr Baelish.

Roose's Death

Lord Paramount Littlefinger
​

Our force finally reached Rain House and immediately put the castle to siege. The siege did not last long as the castle only held women and children, as well as the remainders of Aegon’s Court. Aegon was still fighting in the field, but this would not last for long. In the beginning of the third year of the third century, Aegon Targaryen was defeated in his conquest and captured. As a captor in Kings Landing, he demanded a trial by combat. King Tommen agreed and chose Lord Commander Balon Swann of the Kingsguard as his champion. Aegon was a skilled commander on the field, but he was no match for the Lord Commander in personal combat. Aegon was slain during the battle, thus ending another Targaryen claim on the Iron Throne.

Aegon's Death

​

 

[BreakingBadger]

Best of luck with the AAR. Stannis is a non-threat all of the time due to the fact his AI was dropped on the head as a baby. And then again as a toddler. Then as a teen. And finally as an adult for good measure. Does the title perhaps hint to where good old Harry ends up

 

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Does the title perhaps hint to where good old Harry ends up

He's got some mopping up to do in the south, but eventually he heads up that way.

 

[coz1]

Harry the Heir will finally show us what Martin can't seem to finish. Excellent!

Just can't get rid of that Littlefinger.

 

[EtzelHoveri]

I'm looking forward to this AAR. It's nice to see AARs taking place in the Vale.

Also I'm glad that the Darkholme's were mentioned. They were one of the winners of the most recent AAR competition. The Badics' of Moonsgrey are my house. As this AAR progresses can you possibly keep me updated on them?

 

[Warlord Skorr]

Best of luck with the AAR. Stannis is a non-threat all of the time due to the fact his AI was dropped on the head as a baby. And then again as a toddler. Then as a teen. And finally as an adult for good measure. Does the title perhaps hint to where good old Harry ends up

So the AI fits his character perfectly then?

I wonder why Littlefinger had Sansa reveal herself at the wedding. Cersei is still convinced she had something to do with Joffrey's death and I can't imagine Littlefinger would endanger her like that while simultaneously giving away his claim to the North. Still, some back-room diplomacy might explain why he got offered the Riverlands.

 

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I'm looking forward to this AAR. It's nice to see AARs taking place in the Vale.

Also I'm glad that the Darkholme's were mentioned. They were one of the winners of the most recent AAR competition. The Badics' of Moonsgrey are my house. As this AAR progresses can you possibly keep me updated on them?

Not much has happened with them yet, I think they are just sitting around in Moonsgrey. I'll mention them if anything big happens; maybe I'll help them out a bit...

 

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Chapter 2 - The Hard Headed Baratheon

My men and I were resting outside of the gates of Rain House following our siege of the castle and the defeat of Aegon Targaryen. A raven from King Tommen Lannister reached us asking for our aid in defending the realm from Stannis Baratheon. Stannis, ever the stubborn ass, would let this war drag on for as long as possible. Therefore, I decided to help the boy king on our way home to the Vale as the war was mostly decided anyway. I marshaled the men and we marched on the nearby Lordship of Rainwood. Rainwood was held by Davos Seaworth, the former Hand of King Stannis. Davos was reportedly executed by the Manderlys, but many rumors circulated about his apparent survival. Nevertheless, he was not in the Rainwood. A token force of Baratheon men remained. We dispatched with the men quickly and moved north, leaving a small amount of men to hold the Rainwood until the war ended. Our host moved quickly through the Stormlands, Crownlands, and Riverlands, capturing a few castles still loyal to Stannis and eliminating any small forces of men still pledged to him.

Siege of Rainwood
​

Eventually, we finally returned to the Vale. It had been nearly two and a half years since we departed through the Bloody Gate to stop the Targaryens from retaking the throne. We had lost nearly 10,000 men during that time period. It was now time to recover from the war and leave the Lannisters to fight against the stubborn Baratheon.

I was quite happy to finally be reunited with my wife, Sansa. We had only been together for a few short months before I left for the war in the south. We spent as much time together as possible, and within a few months of my return, Sansa’s belly swelled with our first child. After this revelation, I looked to improving the defenses of the Eyrie as I would not have our children grow up in a world of fear and danger.

Near the end of the 5th year of the new century, our first child was born. It was a beautiful little girl, and Sansa and I decided on the name Perianne. After news of our child’s birth spread, small folk began to flock to the Eyrie, setting up private farms around the base of the great castle. It was also during this time that the Dornish saw an opportunity to fight for their independence. I decided that the best course would be to stay out of this conflict; I had already lost enough lives during our first march to the south. Also, I could’ve cared less if the Dornish were independent. If anything, the weaker the power of the Iron Throne the better for me.

Months later, a raven arrived from the North. It seemed that Ramsay Bolton, bastard son of the former Lord Paramount Roose Bolton, had choked to death on a piece of food. Many people in his court were suspicious of foul play, but it did not matter. The lordship of the North passed to a cousin of the Boltons, Lord Rodrik Flint. At this point, both the North and the Iron Throne were in conflict with Stannis Baratheon. Staying true to his character, Stannis had dragged both wars on as long as possible, even though he held no possible hope of being victorious. Perhaps it was his Red God that gave him hope in such hopeless circumstances.

Ramsay's Suspicious Death

Lord Paramount Rodrik Flint
​

Finally, around the time that Sansa became pregnant with our second child, Stannis was defeated by King Tommen. He was captured and brought before the boy-king. Tommen, or whoever was controlling him behind the scenes, stripped the Lordship of the Stormlands from Stannis and gave dominion of Storm’s End to his daughter Shireen. Tommen then threw Stannis back into the dungeons of the Red Keep. This proved too much for Stannis as he eventually died in his cell.

The dust had finally settled in the south and in the north. Stannis’s imprisonment ended his war for dominion over the north, and Rodrik Flint began to work on solidifying his power. The time to strike was almost at hand. Then, in the middle of the seventh year of the third century since Aegon’s Landing, a son was born to me and my beautiful wife Sansa. We named our son Jon, after the last legitimate Lord of the Vale and after Sansa’s late bastard brother, Lord Commander Jon Snow of the Night’s Watch. Now that Sansa and I had a secure heir, it was time to take back her birthright. I dispatched a raven from the Eyrie to inform Rodrik Flint that the Valemen were coming north, to take what is rightfully ours through blood and steel.

 

[Alex Borhild]

When I first saw the title I wondered who you would be playing as. It looks like the Vale and Arryns are doing well so far. Good luck in the North!

 

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Chapter 3 - The Wolf Returns to the North

Edwyn Frey proved to be a much easier person to deal with compared to his grandfather, the late Lord Walder. Whether it was simple respect for the Vale, guilt and shame felt because of the Red Wedding, or straight up terror from seeing a Stark at the head of an army, Edwyn let us through the Twins with no charge. I had brought Sansa along with the intent of leaving her to rule from Winterfell when we won this war. I had assembled a host nearing 30,000 Valemen and we were now marching through the swamps of the Neck. The force at Moat Cailin let us pass without fight as well, probably hoping for our victory. When we finally reached Winterfell we discovered that Rodrik was fighting a rebellion from the Northern Clans.

​

We continued our march to meet Rodrik on the field in Pinesend. We eventually caught up to him outside of the small village of Firmont. We had lost men during the hard march through the North, but we still outnumbered the Northmen 2 to 1. Ser Jaden led my right flank again as I took up our center column. I had chosen to place command of the left flank in the skilled but relatively inexperienced hands of Ser Henrey. The battle was won swiftly, the center holding strong while our flanks closed in for the killing blow. Nevertheless, Lord Rodrik escaped the field that day with around 4600 men retreating into the Wolfswood. As I looked over the battlefield with my war councilors, I reflected on the fact that before the age of thirty I would be a veteran of three wars. My experience in battle had made me a master of tactics indeed.

​

While we recovered in Firmont, we received word that the Dornish had agreed to end their rebellion, returning to the rank of vassal to the Iron Throne. After the men had recovered we pursued Lord Rodrik into the Wolfswood. Our forces again clashed at Blackgrove, where we won another crushing victory. During this battle we captured Lord Galbert Glover.

​

Without rest we chased down Rodrik’s remaining forces outside of Castle Cerwyn. In the midst of the battle, I found Lord Rodrik and challenged him to personal combat. The man was brave to fight me, but I was faster, stronger, and more skilled with the sword. The duel did not last very long and soon Rodrik lay at my feet yielding to me. I dragged him to the rear of the battle and had my personal guard clap him in irons.

​

The rest of the battle ended with another crushing victory for our army. The entire Northern host was either dead or scattered. Sansa and I sat in our tent, waiting for the guards to present our prisoner. Lord Rodrik was dragged before us in chains. Sansa decided to let him keep his lordship on Flint’s Finger if he yielded Winterfell and the North, allowing the North to finally rest from its constant wars. Rodrik agreed and was released to return to his home.

​

Our army turned to Winterfell where Sansa was welcomed home by its citizens. The great stronghold still bore the scars of war, but it was on the way to recover. Now that a Stark ruled from Winterfell, it was time to return home. I bid Sansa farewell and wished her luck in managing her new lands, as I was needed in my own.

​

We returned to the Eyrie with half of the men that departed with me from the Bloody Gate 2 years earlier. When I returned home I had received a raven from Kings Landing informing me that King Tommen had bestowed upon me the ancient title of Warden of the East, charging me with protection from foreign invaders from the East. A few months passed with little activity. The Mountain Clans had stepped up their raids again, so I ordered the construction of new patrol posts in order to contain the threat. It was then that I received a raven from Winterfell. Howland Reed had started a rebellion against Sansa, pressing the claim of “Arya Stark,” the former wife of Ramsay Bolton. Sansa informed me that the girl wasn’t even her sister and requested my assistance in defending her title.

​

So, I marshaled around 15,000 men, not the full force of the Vale but enough to take on the Reeds. Ser Jaden and Ser Henrey joined me again as we marched through the Twins. This time, a bolder Edwyn requested gold for our passage, which we reluctantly paid. Crannogmen still loyal to Sansa directed us to the seat of the Reeds, Greywater Watch. Once found, the castle was fairly simple to siege and we won the siege without many casualties.

​

We then moved north to Moat Cailin, where Howland’s main host was trapped between a Valemen army approaching from the south and Sansa’s Northern army approaching from the north. Howland’s army was crushed from both sides outside of the Children’s Tower and his rebellion ended soon after.

I took this opportunity to reunite with my wife, who informed me that both Bran and Rickon had been recovered from hiding now that she held the North. She even proposed a marriage between Rickon and my bastard daughter, Irinna. I saw this as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the houses of Arryn and Stark and agreed. We spent a few nights together and then I returned to the Vale.

​
​

Nearly a year of peace followed. My men had dealt with the threat of the Mountain Clans for now, though they would always be a thorn in my side. But the peace would not last. Lord Bayle of Rollingford had declared war against the Iron Throne with the hopes of placing Daenerys Targaryen on Throne. A few minor lords joined him in his seemingly foolhardy rebellion. Daenerys remained in Essos, probably never hearing of the rebellion. The Lords of the Westerlands, Dorne, Riverlands, and the Reach all declared for King Tommen. I thought that this rebellion would be short, and meaningless, but it turned out to be anything but. My wife Sansa had joined in the war on the side of the rebels…

​

 

[BreakingBadger]

And I thought Howland would be smarter than that. Not exactly sure what he had to gain by putting "Arya" in charge but whatever. Have fun murdering your wife

 

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Chapter 4 - A Caged Wolf

I don’t know what has gotten into my wife. Maybe her time with Joffrey in Kings Landing had more of a negative effect on her than I thought. First of all, why would she want a Targaryen on the Throne after what they had done to her family? It was a long time ago, but everyone in Westeros learns about the beginning of Robert’s Rebellion. Lyanna Stark was kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen and Eddard Stark’s father and brother were executed by the Mad King. Second, has she no military advisors? I tried to warn her to be prudent in this matter, but she is still choosing to rush into a war against the King and 4 of the most powerful Lords in Westeros with only a handful of allies.<br>

By the time Sansa could raise the remaining levies in the war-torn North, most of her allies in the South had been defeated. Lord Bayle of Rollingford, the leader of the rebellion, had all of his holdings seized by the King’s men. Still the Northern army headed south with Sansa at the head of the column. They reached the Crownlands and met a force nearly three times theirs in number and were utterly crushed. Sansa was imprisoned and sent to Kings Landing to face the Kings justice. I sent ravens with messages pleading with King Tommen to show mercy, and I made my way to Kings Landing with a handful of personal guards. When I arrived in the Throne Room, Sansa was in chains before King Tommen, not the first time she found herself at the mercy of a Lannister King. Tommen judged Sansa guilty of treason and stripped her of the North. He proclaimed his own “mercy” by allowing Sansa to retain the Lordship of Winterfell.<br>

At first I was glad, Sansa would be released without any real harm. I had taken the North with blood and steel before and I could do it again. But Tommen was not finished. He also judged that Sansa should take a naked walk of shame through the streets of Kings Landing and back to her cell, where Tommen would keep her until he deemed that she was “loyal enough to the crown.” I cursed Tommen’s name and returned to the Vale, vowing to one day take vengeance against that inbred son of a whore.

Two relatively quiet years pass before Tommen decides to give the North to one of his lackeys in the North, Lord Harmond Umber of Last Hearth. A year after that, Tommen declared war on the Iron King Quenton ‘The Kraken’ of the Iron Islands. He hoped to bring the Iron Islands back under his authority and finish the reunion of the Seven Kingdoms. I burned the raven’s message. I would never fight another war for that bastard.

In 316 AL, 4 years into Sansa’s imprisonment, my Septon suggested that I take a vow of celibacy in order to earn favor with the gods. I agreed, hoping that the gods would see fit to release Sansa from Tommen’s dungeon. I already had two children, Perianne and Jon. Jon was also turning into quite the swordsman under my tutelage. It wouldn’t be long before he surpassed me in skill with the sword.

In 317 AL, The Iron Throne defeated Iron King Quenton and subjugated him. The Seven Kingdoms were complete again.

I began looking for suitable mates for both my children. I wanted my children to have loving and happy marriages, but I was also looking for alliances. In the next few years I planned to at least go to war against the North, maybe even the Iron Throne. So, I betrothed my son Jon to the oldest daughter of Lord Willas Tyrell of the Reach, Lady Tania Tyrell. Tania was said to be a brave and diligent little girl, making her a suitable mate for Jon. In addition, the Reach could field one of the largest armies in Westeros; they could prove to be a powerful ally in the future.<br>

During my search for a husband for my daughter Perianne, I received a rare raven from Lord Petyr Baelish. It seemed that he desired a marriage between my daughter and his firstborn son and heir, Lord Corwyn. Littlefinger and I had known each other for a while, and an alliance with the Riverlands would prove quite useful.

Finally, in 320 AL and after 8 years of imprisonment, King Tommen released Sansa. Sansa returned straight to Winterfell, not stopping to see me in the Vale. This immediately tipped me off that there was something wrong. After making sure everything was in order in the Vale, I headed north with a small escort to visit Sansa at Winterfell. We heard disturbing reports of cruelty on the way north. The smallfolk had even began to refer to her as Lady Sansa ‘the Cruel.’ When we finally reached Winterfell, I found her to be colder than midwinter. She was noticeably thinner and her face was a deathly pale. My vow of celibacy did not help matters either. She was acting strict and dismissive with her court, sometimes even beating her handmaidens. Whatever happened to her while she was imprisoned had scarred her for life, and I feared that she would not last much longer.

​

I stayed in Winterfell for nearly a year, but was forced to return home in order to make arrangements for Jon and Tania’s wedding. Sansa refused to come, preferring to stay alone in the North. I bid her farewell and departed.

When I arrived back at the Eyrie, most of the preparations were already completed. Perianne was visiting from the Riverlands and was taking great joy in organizing her little brother’s wedding. Soon the Lords of the Reach arrived and the wedding was underway. It was a beautiful wedding, reminiscent of my own. The whole day was soured for me without my wife present.

A few years later, Jon came of age during the next Dornish rebellion. The Dornish and a few allies were fighting to lower crown authority. I would have joined them if I wasn’t so sure of their defeat. Besides, when I struck at Tommen Lannister, it would be for more than lowering his authority. Jon was considered a master strategist, his knowledge of war rivaling my own despite his lack of experience.

​

A year later, in 324 AL, with the Dornish rebellion still dragging on, I received a message from the North: Sansa had passed away due to health complications from her imprisonment. Her body was laid to rest in the crypt beneath Winterfell, her bones residing next to her father’s. I again cursed Tommen Lannister as Jon and I saddled our horses and began the trek north. We were going to pay our last respects, and my son was going to take his birthright.

​

 

[Herbert West]

There must always be a Stark in Winterfell

 

[OneiricRose]

There must always be a Stark in Winterfell

He is a Stark...sort of, a flying wolf maybe?
Anyway, great AAR I will be following. I hope you can help Jon (Arryn of course) take the North.

 

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Chapter 5 - Lord Jon Arryn of Winterfell

Thanks to everyone who is taking the time to read along! This chapter marks the end of part 1 so there will be a short break between updates. I will post an interlude similar in style to JimThePocket's from Release the Kraken later on tonight or tomorrow.

As most of the action is going on in the North, I switch the POV to Harrold's son Jon, now the Lord of Winterfell.

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My mother was finally able to rest. In death, I prayed she found peace that she was unable to find in life. Her bones now lay next to her father’s in the crypt beneath Winterfell. I am Jon Arryn, Lord of Winterfell and the rightful Lord of the North. My birthright was wrongly stripped from our family by the incestuous false King on the Iron Throne, Tommen Lannister. Now that I held Winterfell it was time to take back the North. To do this, I would need the support of the Lords of the North. Some of them longed for a Stark to lead them, and I have Stark blood in my veins. They were hesitant to follow an Arryn of the Vale, so I distanced myself from my father in this task. He would return to the Vale until the time was right.

I first set about rebuilding Winterfell. Though it had been almost a quarter century since the Sack of Winterfell, the great castle was still showing scars from the burning. Though I love my mother, she was a poor ruler in this regard. Many buildings needed repair, and the basic defenses of the castle still needed to be rebuilt. It was months before I could raise any sort of army from the surrounding areas.

I began looking to the neighboring lordships. The only lord in who recognized me as his liege was Lord Robett of Greywater Watch. The Lord of Castle Cerwyn, Theodan Moss, and the Lady of Dawn Forest and King’s Course, Lady Palla Mollen, were all direct vassals of Lord Paramount Wynton Umber. Wynton was the infantile grandson of Lord Paramount Harmond Umber. Castle Cerwyn and the King’s Course paid homage to Winterfell in the past, and they will do it again. I raised my standing army and marched south to Castle Cerwyn. If the Lords of the North would not respect my claim outright, I will earn their loyalty through blood and steel.

The lands around Castle Cerwyn had been drained throughout the many wars of the past quarter century. Thus, my small force from Winterfell still outnumbered those of Lord Theodan two to one. The battle ended rather quickly and it seemed that the war would be over soon.

​

However, Lord Theodan had ridden ahead of his army and gathered the support of Lord Rickard of Barrowton. I did not know this at the time, so I chased the fleeing men back to the Whitegate of Winterfell. Lord Robett’s forces from the south arrived at Castle Cerwyn to lay the castle to siege. At that moment Lord Rickard joined the war. His army moved in and attacked Lord Robett with a force that more than doubled his.

​

In Winterfell, my army wiped out the last remnants of Lord Theodan’s army as I received two ravens. One informed me that Lord Robett needed my assistance in the south with Lord Rickard. The other was from Lord Wynton. The advisors of the young Lord were ordering me to stand down and end my war, or risk being branded a traitor to the realm. Laughing to myself, I burned the message.

​

I ordered my army to double time it south, hoping to reach the battle before my forces were wiped out. We arrived just as Lord Robett’s men were retreating. I turned them back, leading a charge into the heart of our enemy’s forces. In the midst of the battle, I spotted Lord Theodan and charged after him. The coward tucked tail and ran from the field.

​

The battle and the war were now over. Lord Theodan was brought before me in chains. After he swore fealty to me, the true Lord of the North, I released him and left him to tend to his wounded people and land.

​

When I returned home to Winterfell, my wife had given birth to our first son whom we named Byron. I set out again at reinforcing and rebuilding Winterfell. King’s Course would be next, but we needed to rest and recover before marching to war again. After a few months of rest, a raven arrived from Kings Landing. Tommen Lannister was dead! The King had died in a suspicious accident that wasn’t specified. I was overjoyed that the bastard was dead, but disappointed that I didn’t take his life myself. His son, Lewys I, was now King. My father would certainly be invited to the coronation, but I was not powerful enough to warrant one, yet.

King Tommen's "Accidental Death"

​

Buoyed by this joyous news, I gathered my levies again and marched for Dawnforest, intent on wrestling control of the King’s Course from Lady Palla. We won a decisive victory at Glencastle, pursuing the remaining men to Castle Cerwyn. We received a raven from Lord Umber en route. The young lord wanted me to stand down again. I was already a traitor anyways, so I burned the message again.

We caught up with Lady Palla’s remaining forces and annihilated them. Lady Palla surrendered the King’s Course to me. I gave control of the land to a loyal courtier and returned to Winterfell.

​

A year later my wife gave birth to a stillborn daughter. As time went by, I gathered strength by rebuilding Winterfell and increasing the size of my levies. I even took it upon myself to start keeping the books for the castle.

After two more years of waiting, I sent ravens to my father in the Vale and my father-in-law Willas of the Reach. It was time to take back the North. Instead of raising my army only to be crushed by Lord Umber, I garrisoned the men in Winterfell awaiting the arrival of my allies.

​

During our time waiting in Winterfell, my wife gave birth to our second son, Randyll.

A few months into the war, the armies of the North laid siege to the King’s Course, believing they would not be able to take my stronghold. My father-in-law’s army arrived by fleet in Pinesend, laying siege to the current capital of the North. My father was leading a force through the Neck, looking to take the Northman army from the south. Eager to finally get involved, I rode out with 2,600 men to rally with the Reachman army at Pinesend.

​

After taking the capital, I lead the Reachman south to lift the siege at Castle Cerwyn. We arrived with a force near equal to the North’s. The battle was hard fought, but our superior tactics won out.

The Northmen retreated to King’s Course while we took back Castle Cerwyn. My father’s army finally reached King’s Course, taking the Northman by surprise. I led the Reachmen south to join in the battle, and together we crushed the remaining forces of Lord Umber. After the battle was over, we received a raven ordering me to stand down from King Lewys Lannister. Again, I enjoyed a good laugh and burned the message.

​

After the battle of Travelton, it was only a matter of mopping up the rest of the North’s scattered armies. Then, after warring for two years, the young Lord of the North requested an audience. He relinquished the North and recognized me as the true Lord of Winterfell and the North.

​
​

Over five years had passed since I laid my mother’s bones to rest in the crypt beneath Winterfell. I had been fighting almost exclusively since then, and I had finally regained what was stolen from my family. I prayed again that my mother found peace in the afterlife, and emerged from the crypt. There was much to be done, and I was now the Lord of the North.

 

[Herbert West]

Hmm, any way to relinquish the family of your father and adopt that of your mother? Would be a real shame if Sansa, of all people, turned out to be the last proper Stark.