The Prince That Was Promised (Old Version)

Chapter 8 : Plans for War

Shireen Baratheon

King's Tower a day after sentencing.

Shireen sat around the table, her betrothed beside her Orys Targaryen. He scanned the map, the forces they had, and what they were up against as they waited for their supporters to enter. Then the door creaked open, slowly Howland Reed, Maege Mormont, Tormund Giantsbain, Sigorn Thenn with his wife Alys Karstark, and the commander of Nigth Watch Eddison Tollett.

"Welcome, I hope you had a good night's rest after yesterday's events," Orys questioned. "I did your grace, even if the screams of witch still ring in my head," Howland said, and the others nodded.

"Well, the witch deserved it," Orys growled and smiled at her. "Well, to begin with, we have the beginnings of an army. The Freefolk and the remaining men of Stannis, now Shireen's, will be the start. Yet, speaking of the Freeflok, the expedition to the Hardhome, what happened?" Orys asked, looking at the big red wildling.

"Val, King Crow, she took a force of the Freefolk yet hasn't returned. Yet the journey isn't a simple one. She left roughly a moon before your return." Tormund replied.

"Hmm, alright, we just have hope she can bring them here. If she returns, she can coordinate with Edd on how he wants to use them to man the Wall. Yet, how many men do you have in total?" Orys continued.

"hmm, those that can fight. Around five thousand, including thirty-three giants. The rest are women, children, and old people, a little more than that number. They have been settled in the Gift." Tormund replied, and then Ory's gaze turned to others. Soon they had 300 Thenns, 100 Mormonts, and 250 trained archers still stationed in the Neck.

"Your father went against my advice to go and gather mountain clans and left to join the Karstarks let by Arnolf. They betrayed him, and they now firmly stand with the Boltons." Orys stated, his gaze sweeping from her to Alys.

"Not this Karstark. My brother is still imprisoned in the South, as far as I know. Until he and I are dead, we are leaders of the Karstarks. Your brother and my father both acted like fools. Gods, I loved my father, but he killed two boys for the crimes of another. I don't forgive that act, yet your brother killed him, a lord of the North, during the war. He broke the bonds of kinship. Yet you healed them when you saved me, and now I'm married to a good man. I stand beside you until the end." Alys proclaimed, and Orys gave a grateful note.

"Well, I say, we split our forces. One will march to Last Hearth and capture it. Unfortunately, Hother leads them as regent in the absence of the Greatjon. Still imprisoned at Twins. Is it true Mors died in the battle for Winterfell? I'm correct." Orys said, looking toward Howland and Maege for confirmation.

"Yes, Grace," Maege confirmed, and Orys nodded. "The other force under the leadership of Sigorn and Alys will take Karhold. After it falls, they will rally the willing vassals there, and from there..." Then a knock broke Orys his telling.

Orys sighed, "Come in." Then, the current keeper of the raven's Barret came in holding a letter bearing the seal of East Watch Bye Sea. Edd took it and gave the man a thank before the man hurried out the door.

"What is it?" Orys asked. "This says a group of twenty-five longships arrived. Declaring for the man who rides a black shadow and walks in a white cloak." 'Did he they mean Orys? He road Nightwing and told her he could warg into his wolf.' Shireen wondered. Intrigued, she leaned forward. "There is more, they also say, that a boy calling himself..." Edd's eyes sprung as he read the letter. "What is it, Edd?" Orys asked.

Instead of answering, Edd gave the letter to Orys. "I had lost hope of his survival." Orys gasped, his voice thick with emotion. "Orys?" She said softly and laid her hand on his arm. "Rickon is alive; he has been hiding about Skagos all this time. The Skagosi sheltered him, and they railed behind him and me. They brought over 1500 men to East Watch. A group of them is currently heading here." Orys exclaimed helply. Cheers erupted from the gather, and Orys pulled half from her seat, embraced her, and kissed her.

Then, a fake cough from Howland broke them out of their happiness. After she and Orys broke apart, the group clucked. "It seemed Your Grace, you and the Princess. Have you made a decision, "Howland asked. "Yes, we have the Princess, and I will be married soon, here at Wall, before we depart," Orys replied happily, pulling her close.