Iron From Ice

Chapter 21

Edmund Blackwood ~ Ironrath ~ Great Hall

"Lord Rodrik!" Ramsay says as he approaches the group. From behind him multiple Bolton men accompany him. "You've been busy. Your whole family is marrying, and I wasn't invited! I thought I drop by," he says cheerily, but the way he said it was disturbing. In a wrong and twisted way. Edmund does not like it as his hand is kept near the handle of his sword.

"Lord Ramsay, welcome to Ironrath. The events are a private affair. What can we do for you?" Rodrik says. Edmund stands up from his chair as he walks to the side of Rodrik. His intense gaze fixated on Ramsay.

"My, my, who do we have here! I heard about you," Ramsay says with a twisted smile, walking around the hall. "My father told me about your brother. He said he died during the wedding! Must have been awful for you," he says with a chuckle. Edmund anger grows by the second as he gritted his teeth.

"Lord Ramsay, what made you come here?" Rodrik asks again. "I'll tell you why, Rodrik. Lord Whitehill is mourning his son. I couldn't care less about the idiot, but my father insisted I came here to find out the truth! But first, I saw those men in your keep. What's that about?" Ramsay says as he paces around the room. His voice is laced with accusation and discontent. "It's almost as if you're going to war. Perhaps against the Whitehills? The Boltons?"

Rodrik was about to answer, but a hand from Edmund stops him. "Lord Snow, the men are with me. I don't feel safe with men that... have fleeting loyalties. And I rather keep my dear future wife safe from all the troubles in this fine part of Westeros," Edmund says to Ramsay.

A twitch of anger and irritation made their way through Ramsay's face. "It's Lord Bolton now. If you're so afraid of danger this far north, why come here? I heard that things have settled down in the Riverlands," Ramsay says with slight irritation. Edmund shrugs. "Family is family, Lord Snow. Oh, sorry, Lord Bolton. Excuse me, habits die hard."

"Habits..." Ramsay says with growing frustrations. "You didn't answer my question. I know what you want, Rodrik. Your forest. The Whitehills gone. I was generous by letting you keep half your forest. But you disobeyed me. You killed Gryff who I assigned to this shitstain place you call a holdfast. That won't do," Ramsay says, walking in front of Rodrik and Edmund with threatening footsteps.

The rest look wearily from their seats towards the interaction. Only Esther looks ready to jump into action, her hand close to her own sword. Edmund in the meantime looks to his own guard that are placed along the entrance and walls. It would be an even fight, he thinks to himself.

"Gryff went-" Rodrik was about to say. Ramsay cut him off as he points towards him. "I couldn't give a lick about that cunt. You on the other hand must pay for your disobedience. My father and I cannot afford such disloyalty," Ramsay says.

"You think you have any power here, boy?" Edmund says, taking confident steps towards Ramsay. He looks with narrowed eyes at Edmund. "You have no men to spare to defeat us. Your father is a coward. Filth that you scrape of your boot. And you, you are a lunatic," Edmund spits angrily at him. He looks down at him with eyes that contain fury and hatred.

"You shouldn't have said that..." Ramsay seethes out, his hand swiftly taking his dagger out to penetrate Edmund's neck. Similarly to how he killed Ethan. Only this time, with lighting reflexes, Edmund's hand takes hold of the wrist of Ramsay, crushing it in his grip. A few gasps of surprise leave from Elissa and Rodrik, and the others.

"Foolish boy. You'll pay for all those that died. Your father will not even see your body," Edmund says with a deep and low voice, forcing the dagger towards Ramsay's chest. Ramsay sweats profusely as he sees the dagger inching towards him. His men unsure about what to do as they draw their swords, only to be met by the men under Edmund's command.

"Die, Bastard. Burn in hell," Edmund seethes out as he pushes harder. The blade slowly piercing the skin of Ramsay's chest as pained noises leave him. "You'll all die for this!" Ramsay spits out. "I don't think so, little boy. Now, die." The blade fully pierced the chest as Edmund pushes Ramsay to the floor.

He spits on Ramsay before he looks at the Bolton men. They look utterly shell shocked at what happened. "Surrender or die," Edmund says with a hardened gaze. They look at each other unsure at first, but quickly drop their weapons. "Lock them up in the dungeon," Edmund commands. His men move to the Boltens and drag them out. "My Lord, I'm sorry. But it had to done," Edmund says to Rodrik.

"Edmund, I understand why... But killing him won't end well. Roose Bolton will want our heads!" Rodrik says, still quite shocked at what happened. "Quite so. But he won't be able to. His meagre army does not have the potential to deal with us. His hold on the North in unstable, and with his creature dead. It shows weakness, the North will turn against him. It's as they say... The North Remembers."

Just as he finishes speaking, the maester walks in with a scroll. "My Lords, I have... oh, gods! Oh my..." the maester says as he looks wide eyed at Ramsay's dead body. "I'll clean it up personally. It's my fault this happened," Edmund says.

Elissa sighs deeply. "At least he payed for his crimes, I suppose that counts for something. I hope you're right, my lord. About Roose Bolton," she says from behind Rodrik. Edmund glances at Mira and the women couple. Mira looks disturbed by the event as if she is going to be sick. Esther and Talia seem worried but pleased. Edmund thinks they have a similar hate for the low life called Ramsay.

"I- ahem, I have a scroll that may interest you, my lord. It's from House Stark," he says trying to get his composure back. Almost all look surprised and shocked. "House Stark!? These raven scrolls are getting more and more special by the day. From who is this?" Rodrik asks. The maester holds out the scroll to Rodrik. "From Castle Black, Sansa Stark and Jon Snow have been sighted there. I suppose they want our support," he explains. Rodrik eyebrows are furrowed as he takes the scroll to read it.

A few moments pass as all look to Rodrik in anticipation, eager to hear what it says. "They're planning to retake Winterfell... they ask for our support. Jon and Sansa will even be visiting soon," he says with his own surprise about it.

Edmund smiles at the news. "Our course is clear. We'll kick the Boltons out!" Edmund says confidently. Rodrik sighs deeply. "They'll arrive within the week. After they've visited House Glover..." he says. Rodrik looks to his family.

"Are we united behind this? Does everyone agree?" he asks them. "I support House Stark, but I won't go against your wishes, Rodrik," Edmund says. Mira sighs deeply. "I stand with Edmund," she says. Esther looks to Talia. "I'll follow you, my love. What do you think?" Esther asks her. Talia nods. "I support House Stark too," she says. Rodrik sighs as he looks at the the scroll again.

"The North crowned Robb Stark King in The North. I joined their cheer when it happened. With conviction I called him my King. House Stark stood with our House for more than a thousand years. It's time we stand by our vows and oaths. Edmund, Ser Royland, prepare the men. It's time we rally to our new King."