Moat Cailin, North
Theon POV
Moat Cailin squatted in the mire like some great, rotting carcass, its towers half-sunken and slick with moss. The bog mists curled around the walls, thick and heavy, swallowing sound and sight alike. A ruin, aye, but the ruin that held the Neck, the key to the North. Whoever held the Moat barred the way for any host that sought to march north or south.
The lords of the North stood gathered in its shadow, their breath steaming in the chill air. They eyed me as if I were some snake crawling from the sea. Distrust clung thicker than the fog.
"I know you don't trust me," I said at last, breaking the silence. My words rang sharper than I intended, so I softened them with a smile. "But let me prove myself. Let me prove to you that I am loyal to the North. To King Robb."
I turned to Lord Karstark first. A tall, grim man with the same hard face as his late son Torrhen, he studied me like he might a horse he was not sure was sound. Beside him stood Lady Maege Mormont, broad-shouldered and armored, her expression no warmer.
"You, Lord Karstark, and you, Lady Mormont," I said, "will take two thousand men west to Deepwood Motte. Retake it. Along the way, gather every man you can. Show the Ironborn that the wolves of the North have not forgotten how to bite."
Maege gave a curt nod. Karstark's eyes lingered on me a moment longer before he inclined his head in silence.
I pressed on. "I will take three thousand to Winterfell. Ser Rodrik trains another three there. They are good men, if green. Together we'll hold the heart of the North until you return. When your banners rejoin mine, we'll have six thousand swords there and with your men if you don't lose that many people will have at least two thousand men, more then enough to march on the Stony Shore and scour the krakens from our land."
A low murmur swept through the gathered lords. Their voices were low, guarded, but none rose in open defiance. That, at least, was something. One by one, they gave their assent, and then withdrew into the mist to ready their men.
When the hall was empty, I let out a long breath. Gods, why is leading so hard? Robb made it seem easy. But Robb had trusted me with the North. If he could trust me, the rest would learn to do the same.
I turned to leave, but found Karstark waiting at the edge of the hall. His eyes caught mine, cold but steady.
"You speak bold for a Greyjoy," he said.
I stiffened. "I am a Stark now."
Karstark grunted. "So Robb named you. He saved my sons at Whispering Wood. For that, I will be loyal to him until my last breath. And if the King in the North trusted you to hold his lands…" He studied me a heartbeat longer, then gave a small, almost reluctant nod. "Then I'll trust you too. For his sake."
The words struck deeper than I let show. I managed only a curt nod in return.
As Karstark turned away, the mists swallowed him. I was left alone in the ruin, damp stone beneath my boots, the taste of doubt still sharp on my tongue.
Robb entrusted me with the North. By the gods, I'll not fail him.
Timeskip
Winterfell,North
Theon POV
Here we are back home the gates open after I introduce myself. I see Lady Stark in black still mourning fath-I mean Lord Stark. She gives me courtesy bow and I walk in while Ser Rodrick handles the army and I see Bran in the great hall. "Theon!!" Bran yelled excitedly. I step up to him and ruffle his hair and says "It's good to see Prince Bran." He pouts and says "Don't say that I'm still Bran." I laugh and tell him "I know just wanted to see your reaction." Bran smiles and says "Your a stark now. Does that mean your my brother now." I smile at him and says "We were always brothers."
Bran smiles and I ask "So how is everything." Bran says "Not good the ironborn attacked and many farmers have been complaining that their crops are getting ruined but now that you are here things will be fine." I nod and says "I am here for a while. While I am here I have some of the lords that came with me retake Deepwood Motte and when they finished I will ride out to Stony Shore and beat the ironborn back into the sea."
Bran nods and I walk to the training ground to see the men training and by every god there is they fucking suck but it's my job to train them up. But it will be a pain in the ass.
Timeskip
Robb POV
On the way to the vale I pick up Lord Bolton men which was 5,000 men and he joins my army which is now 6,000 men and now it's 11,000 men we get pass the gate and reach the eryrie and we find arrows trained at me.
But not to lie I am very overwhelmed. The old young boy in was overwhelmed but I don't let it show on my face.
Growing up, he had heard quite a few stories about his father's time in the Vale and how those were some of the best years of his life. It was there that my father made an eternal bond with Robert Baratheon and Jon Arryn, one which toppled a three hundred year old dynasty. I knew my father was respected and loved in the Vale, but as I stood in the great hall of Castle Runestone surrounded by almost every major and minor Vale lord...I now understood the true extent of the goodwill his father had left behind for him.
Apart from House Arryn and a few minor lords, most of the other great Vale lords had made haste to reach Castle Runestone on Lord Royce's call to meet myself.
In truth, I was not prepared to handle so many sincere condolences and promises of support from all of these lords. It had almost overwhelmed me until Lord Malister had smacked some sense into my young mind by reminding him that for all their love of Eddard Stark, most of these Vale lords had their own reasons and ambitions for joining this war. Their support would not come without a cost or consequences.
I need to get out of my head that I was a young boy in the north with his father bet still there. I'm the eldest and I have to look after everyone below me I can't be overwhelmed by a few men. After I got my shit together many of the Vale lords were quite open in praising my recent victories, most important being taking Jaime Lannister prisoner. But they were a little disterbued by my actions of what I did to Jaime by casterating him.
But now after a feast we are now all gathered together around a large table where Lord Royce had placed a rough map of Westeros.
The gods know the lion needs to be smashed and we all weep for your Father and our Lord Jon Arryn" confessed Lord Royce in his grave voice, earning grim nods from the lords around them.
"Not so long ago it was the Vale, North, Stormlands and Riverlands that together uprooted a rotten dynasty. Once again, we face the same situation. I cannot speak for you my lords, but I will never bow to the golden little shit" promised Robb fiercely, his voice burning with righteous fury.
"That I understand, King Stark. And I do respect your battle skills, the gods have shown you to be a skilled commander. But if I am to risk the future of my house, the lives of my family and people...then I need to know how you plan to win this war" questioned Lord Horton Redfort,
As strong as Stone.
I remembered the words of House Redfort and looking into the older lord's serious gaze made him understand how true they were. There was no doubt in Lord Horton's grim gaze but a keen desire to measure my worth. Something which I couldn't fault him for.
"How many men can the Vale truly field in battle?" asked Robb frankly,
"Assuming you are able to get Lord Robyn Arryn's blessing and all of ours as well, then the full might of all our banners should muster up 45,000 to 48,000 men" answered Lord Redfort, earning nods from the other lords as well.
I fought back his own thumping heart, those many men could actually give him a chance to get his family through this war. I thought at most I could get 20,000 men but with this I could be more aggressive in the raid of the reach.
"However, we will not leave our homes undefended against the Mountain Clans or other threats. I would say we can contribute some 35,000 fighters. The rest of the men shall stay in the Vale and defend our lands" pointed Lord Gilwood hunter quickly.
I nodded to show I understood their desire to see their lands protected.
"There are a lot of risks, my lords. I bore no love for the lion but we cannot underestimate Tywin Lannister" warned Lord Upcliff somberly,
I didn't falter at those words and looked the hesitant man straight in the eyes. It was in that moment when the Vale lords saw the ice cold fury in my eyes.
"Family. Duty. Honor. Those are the words of my mother's house and something which I believe in as well. I'm fighting this war to save my family, I will defeat the Lannisters as it is my duty to bring justice on them for all their crimes. It is true that Tywin is a strong foe but if I back away in fear, I will forever stain my honor for letting those monsters rule over the Seven Kingdoms and ruining the lives of the people. House Stark is fighting this war valiantly, House Tully is fighting this war nobly. Choose my lords and ladies, fight with us to save Westeros again or shrink in fear and doom the lives of your future generations to Lannister rule" I warned them gravely,
"Then pray that Lord Robyn feels the same, my lord. Or I fear you will die without our support" said Lady Anya hesitantly,
To her surprise, i smiled because due to Itachi memories and feeling the feeling of death twice I don't fear it.
"Then I shall die fighting for the North, for the Riverlands, for Eddard Stark and for Jon Arryn"
Lady Anya was left speechless for there was nothing but grim determination in my eyes because I will fight the Lannisters and the baratheons and Tyrells with or without the Vale.
"You would make a far better king than the one we have right now, Lord Stark" praised Lady Anya with a gentle smile.
Before I could reply to that praise, another voice cut him short.
"We fought for King Robert but he is gone. We fought for Lord Eddard but he is gone too, we thought all our hopes and dreams to be crushed until you proved us wrong. Lord Robb of House Stark, you are the Fury of Winter. The Wolf King!" declared Lord Hunter.
I'm shocked the vale wants me to be their king. So I ask why and he says "The Starks are known for their honor and courage, I see those traits clearly when I see you. Despite the odds, you still have the strength to do what is right for your people. You maybe young and not the King that the Seven Kingdoms wanted, but one which they deserve! House Hunter shall stand behind you till the end just like we did for your Father" pledged Lord Hunter fiercely,
It seems the vale also wants me to be their king as the way it's looking it seems I'll have to take the iron throne which I don't want to but I can't be the vale and Riverlands king if I am all the way in the north.
I was euphoric and terribly afraid. My boyish heart cheered on seeing so many people believing in him, but the part of his heart scarred by war and suffering knew the eternal burden this would put on him.
A duty I was neither born or trained for.
I wasn't even supposed to be here, I wasn't supposed to lead the Northern army or rule over the lords.
It was supposed to be my Father here, a man far more worthy to be King than myself. Could I truly do this?
As I look at all the vale lords, Riverlands lords kneeling before me. I realize these people have faith in me and I can't let them down.