End Game// Tormund Giantsbane (3)

29. Make Him Bleed

"We can't defend the north from the walkers and the south from the Boltons. If we want to survive, we need Winterfell and to take Winterfell, we need more men. "

"Aside from the Starks and the Boltons, the most powerful houses in the North are the Umbers, the Karstarks, and the Manderlys." Davos remarked.

"The Umbers and the Karstarks have already declared for the Boltons, so we're not doing so well there." Jon reminded them. 

 "The Umbers gave Rickon to our enemies. They can hang." Caro declared venom on her tongue, darkness in her eyes.

"But the Karstarks declared for Ramsay without knowing they had another choice." Sansa offered

"I beg your pardon, my lady, but they know that a Stark beheaded their father. I don't think we can count on them either." Davos remarked.

"And the lannisters beheaded Ned, Boltons are all awful tortured and imprisoned my family, Freys are monsters as well, dont get me started on greyjoys. I think the Stark name is still very upstanding compared to the rest." Caro declared. "So tell me how well do you know the North, Davos?"

"Precious little, my lady. My father always said Northerners are different. More loyal, more suspicious of outsiders." Daovs offered.

"Thats true." Caro agreed. 

 "They may well be loyal, but how many rose up against the Boltons when they betrayed your family? I may not know the North, but I know men." Davos declared. "They're more or less the same in any corner of the world and even the bravest of them don't want to see their wives and children skinned for a lost cause." he went on looking to Jon. "If Jon's going to convince them to fight alongside him, they need to believe it's a fight they can win."

"So because the BOltons are monsters and Starks are honorable we lose because we dont strike fear into others." Caro clarified. 

"Thats not-"

"That is what you said. You just tried to say it pretty." Caro informed him. 

"There are more than three other houses in the North-- Glover, Mormont, Cerwyn, Mazin, Hornwood. Two dozen more. Together they equal all the others. We can start small and build." Jon remarked.

"The North remembers. They remember the Stark name. People will still risk everything for it, from White Harbor to Ramsay's own door-"

"I don't doubt it" jon rasped.

"But Jon doesn't have the Stark name"

" No, but Sansa and I do. And my Jon is every bit as much Ned Stark's son as Ramsay is Roose Bolton's." Caro declared and jon had felt so much pride. "Expect Jon is a great man and Ramsay is the devil."

"And there are also the Tullys."

"They're not Northern, but they will back us against the Boltons without question. I didn't know the Tullys still had an army. My uncle the Blackfish has reformed it and retaken Riverrun." Sansa remarked.

"How do you know that?" Jon questioned and Caro opened her mouth to answer oh yeah that cunt Baelish but Sansa spoke up. 

"Ramsay received a raven before I escaped Winterfell." Sansa informed them and Caro tipped her head staring back at her. Why lie to Jon?

"That's good. The Blackfish is a legend. His support would mean a great deal." Jon offered

"Stark, Tully, a few more houses, almost starts to look like a winning side" davos remarked.

+

"I've sworn to protect you, my lady." Brienne declared

"You heard them. We need more men and my uncle has an army." Sansa muttered

"We can send the Blackfish a raven." Brienne offered

"Can't risk Ramsay intercepting it. It has to be you. Ride for Riverrun. My uncle will talk to you and you'll know how to talk to him." Sansa declared but brienne was hesitant "What is it?"

"I don't like leaving you here alone."

"My aunt is here. I'm not alone. She is small but trust me she is an excellent fighter." Sansa assured. 

"I trust your aunt, she seems a capable woman." Brienne agreed but she hesitated. 

" What, with Jon?"

"Not him. He seems trustworthy. A bit brooding, perhaps. I suppose that's understandable, considering." Brienne remarked "The others, though. Davos and the Red Woman helped a man murder his own brother with blood magic. And when Stannis paid for his crime, where were they? Already out looking for a leader with better prospects. And that wildling fellow with the beard--"

" Jon isn't Tormund. Jon isn't Davos, the Red Woman or Stannis for that matter. Jon is Jon. He's my brother. He'll keep me safe. I trust him" sansa assured. 

"Then why did you lie to him when he asked you how you learned about Riverrun?"

+

"You think your wildling pals are going to be all gung hoe about us asking for their help?" Caro pondered. 

"No. You are definitely going to have to smack talk them." Tormund assured her. 

"Oh I do love that.' Caro agreed. 

"Dont go mama." Tumi declared hugging her, Caros gaze shifted to Tormund but he had a smile on his face. "Dont go! I can be better. I promise."

"You are already perfect." Caro assured picking her up. "Perfect. I'm going to try and get soldiers to get winterfell back, so you and your sister can have a home." Caro declared. 

"You come right back." Tumi demanded. 

"As soon as I can." Caro agreed as Tumi kissed her cheek. 

"New dress?" Jon questioned when sansa found him.

"I made it myself. Do you like it?" Sansa questioned happily as she ran her hands over her dress.

"Yeah, it's--" Jon took a step forward. "I like the wolf bit." Jon remarked nodding to the wolf detailing.

" Good, because I made this for you. I made it like the one Father used to wear. As near as I can remember." Sansa remarked gently as she held out a cloak. Jon smiled as he took it from her.

"Thank you, Sansa."

"You're welcome."

"Auntie, you ready?" Jon called back. 

"Be good, you got that gift I gave you?" Caro questioned kneeling in front of Tumi. 

"Right here!" Tumi declared pulling out the ring and putting it on. Tormund squinted down at it. 

"Whats that?" Tormund questioned. 

"A weapon." Tumi declared she held up her fist and Tormund looked to the ring. 

"Just in case." Caro remarked. "I think all girls needs accessories that are also a method of protection." Tormund looked at the spikes on the ring. 

"She had one made for Tya too." Tumi remarked. "We punched the dummy and made him bleed!" 

"Turning my girls into killers." Tormund mused as they headed out. "I think I just fell even more in love with you." Caro blinked back at him speechless. 

"Don't knock it down while I'm gone." Jon remarked to Edd.

"I'll do my best." He agreed looking around at the wall, under his command until Jon returned. "Good luck." Jon nodded as he headed out.

"Should we close the gate, Lord Commander?"

"I'm not the Lord Comman-- yeah, ahem, close the bloody gate." Edd agreed.