The Prince That Was Promised (Old Version)

Chapter 19: Castle Cerywn

Orys Targaryen 

Countryside outside Castle Cerywn

Orys rode beside Galbert Glover upon the snow-covered King's Road. As Castle Cerywn came into sight, he saw how it overlooked the large tributary of the White Knife and its stone bridge. He had been to the castle once before with Robb and his uncle, yet then he had come from the other side. He hoped the Cerwyns would fall into line, and together they could make the final march.

In summer, Castle Cerywn was a day's ride, yet with the snows and the army that followed in his wake, it was a day, perhaps half a day more. Still, its grey walls hugged the river, and a small river port lay beside it. He knew merchants shipped goods on riverboats down the White Knife toward White Harbor, where larger ships would carry the goods to other regions.

Castle Cerywn itself was not a large fortress. Its walls were ten meters high, with three stone towers rising fifteen meters, and within stood a great wooden keep. There was also a godswood, if he remembered correctly.

"Let's hope Lady Jonnele joins our march. We have something in common. Both of us lost a brother to the Boltons. I wonder if she knows the truth, or if she believes the tales the Boltons spread," he said as they crossed the cobblestone bridge.

"One of many things that led to our current state," Galbert replied, shaking his head.

"Indeed, one of many," Orys muttered, thinking of all the mistakes Robb had made in the South.

Soon enough, he halted and watched as his army crossed the freezing river, then looked on as they began to make camp a mile away from the castle.

"Make sure scouts are sent ahead. I will not be taken unawares by the Boltons," he ordered Alysanne Mormont, who had taken command of the scouts after Howland's departure. He wondered if his Hand had taken the Moat yet. Still, he would not truly know until a rider arrived or a raven after Winterfell had been taken.

Just as the last of the baggage train crossed the bridge, the gates of Castle Cerywn opened. Out rode three riders, carrying the black double-bladed axe on grey. He also noticed another banner, the direwolf of House Stark.

He smiled. "Come, Galbert, let's meet them," he said with a grin.

"Indeed, Your Grace," Galbert replied, grinning in return. With their guards following, they rode to meet the three riders.

As they drew closer, he recognized Lady Jonnele.

"Lady Jonnele, it's a pleasure to meet you again," he said.

"Indeed it is, although under different circumstances, Your Grace," Lady Jonnele replied as she dismounted and bent the knee. "I, Jonnele Cerwyn, Lady of Castle Creywn, renew my fealty to House Stark and to you, King Jon Stark, the King in the North. I swear this by the Old Gods."

Orys regarded her with steady eyes. "I accept your fealty. I swear, by the Old Gods and the new, to ask no service of you that will bring dishonor, to protect you in your hour of need, and to bring you justice if I am called upon to do so. When the war with the Boltons is over, your oaths will be reaffirmed so that all the North may rise as one."

"I shall, Your Grace. Welcome to Castle Cerywn," she said with pride.

"Thank you, my lady. Please rise. It's you who are, as your cousin said, what you would be." He stated as he dismounted.

As she did, her gaze turned to the camp. "I hope they will be alive. It warms my heart that they march beside you. I take it you march on the Boltons tomorrow?" Jonnele asked with a smile on her face.

"I shall, and I hope the Cerywn banners will stand beside the direwolf on the field of battle," he said.

"They shall. Although some of my men now stand with the Boltons. My castellan took a hundred men with him to Winterfell. He hoped the Boltons would grant a marriage between us, so he could claim my title and lands, as Ramsay did with Lady Hornwood," Jonnele stated with a snarl.