Siege of Winterfell

## Background

Against the backdrop of longstanding tensions among the northern houses and the looming threat of war with the southern realms under King Aasmir's rule, House Glover vigilantly sought opportunities to safeguard the lands and security of the North. The awaited opportunity presented itself with the passing of King Colin of House Stark, creating a power vacuum.

In this unique political landscape where elections were the norm, Lord Baelin Glover didn't assert a hereditary claim but instead threw his hat into the ring for the position of the North's new monarch. The process of selecting a leader through election wasn't without challenges, as the Starks, accustomed to their traditional role, resisted this departure from the established succession norms.

## Siege of Winterfell

In the scrolls of history, the roaring fires and mournful horns heralded an epochal event, a battle of consequence that would resonate through the ages. Prior to Glover's arrival, the conflict had already ignited, leaving his forces battered and bloodied from a skirmish with Stark reinforcements near Moat Cailin. The snow-covered ground bore witness to the brutality, adorned with the fallen bodies of both Glover's men and twice as many Stark soldiers.

Baelin, reaching the walls of Winterfell, encountered Royce and Marlon. Their swift exchange relayed crucial updates on the siege – the outer defenses had crumbled, yet the inner sanctum remained sealed, necessitating a hazardous ascent over the imposing walls. An unspoken tension hung in the air, an undercurrent of discord masked by the urgency of the impending confrontation. Yet, amidst this, Baelin had little time for reflection.

Baelin's command rallied his men, positioning them behind rows of ladders. A palpable stillness engulfed the battlefield as both defenders and allies awaited the order to advance. When it resounded, the combined force surged forward, a thunderous march that reverberated through the historical tapestry. The ladders, however, became a macabre dance – men ascended only to descend in a grotesque array of limbs and flesh.

Minutes passed before a section of the defending wall yielded to the relentless assault, a Bolton soldier carving a critical path. This modest gain burgeoned into a breach, causing subsequent portions to crumble. The other ladders held their advance, drawing defenders away to the chaotic fray atop the walls – a strategic misstep that played into the hands of the invaders.

Glover, Bolton, and Manderly found themselves at the doors of Winterfell, their combined forces achieving a historic breakthrough. At the keep's entrance, champions from each house assembled, ready to inscribe the conclusion of this grim chapter in the North's chronicles. Surviving Stark soldiers, bound in the courtyard, awaited their fate, a poignant reminder of the price exacted by conflict.

The three lords exchanged glances, their focus shifting from each other to the foreboding door. With determined purpose, they breached into the heart of Winterfell, their actions destined to echo through the pages of history, marking a pivotal moment in the annals of the North.

Baelin and his men, accompanied by Lord Marlon, Bolton, and their retinue, moved deliberately through the echoing halls of the ancient keep, methodically clearing each passage. The pervasive emptiness within suggested the absence of any lingering souls. A handful of servants and the Stark's Maester were encountered, but their knowledge of the Starks' whereabouts proved fruitless. The Maester's lack of information drew a simmering anger from Royce Bolton, discernible even to Baelin. Nonetheless, the company pressed on toward the meeting hall.

Much like the rest of the keep, the meeting hall stood desolate. Yet, amidst the emptiness, a lone item beckoned attention—a crown, strategically placed on the table. The enigma surrounding its presence perplexed Baelin. Was it oversight, foresight, or a foreboding message left by the Starks? Regardless, it was Manderly who picked up the crown, its weight not just in metal but in the weight of the North's destiny.

In that pivotal moment, the three lords found themselves not just in possession of a symbolic artifact but holding the fate of the North in their collective grasp. Although their initial objective was to rescue the North from an imminent battle, they now grappled with the weighty considerations of what lay beyond. As Marlon occupied the Stark throne, discussions unfolded around possible routes and outcomes, gradually dwindling into a contemplative silence until a singular voice pierced through the quietude.

Hours passed, and word spread through the ranks about the deliberations within Winterfell. Royce and Marlon, standing proudly alongside Baelin, emerged from the keep to the resounding cheers of the united forces. The troops of Glover and Manderly reveled in their success, raising their drinks in celebration. Yet, the Bolton forces, standing disciplined, appeared to await an unseen command. Approximately 20 minutes into the jubilation, unsettling screams pierced the air. Baelin and Manderly hastened to the opposite side, where the Boltons were stationed. Upon reaching the rear, a chilling sight met their eyes—Royce Bolton, cloaked in blood.

In the midst of a grim circle of men, Baelin's gaze fell upon a wooden post, upon which the Stark Maester was crucified. His tortured form, the upper half of his skin hanging like a gruesome skirt around his waist, emitted guttural screams that pierced the air—a stark testament to his enduring agony. Baelin, momentarily taken aback by the macabre sight, pondered the resilience that allowed the man to persist in such a horrifying state. However, Lord Marlon's reaction was swift and visceral.

Without hesitation, Marlon approached Royce and delivered a powerful punch to his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. A volatile escalation ensued as Royce, recovering, drew a dagger, prompting Marlon to unsheathe his own blade. Before the clash could unfold, Baelin interposed himself between the two enraged lords, commanding an immediate halt to the violence. Royce, rising from the ground, retained his grip on the dagger. Tense moments lingered until Baelin, asserting his authority, spoke decisively. "Royce, take your men and return to the Dreadfort. Our work here is done." Bolton, hesitatingly acknowledging his new king's command, ordered his forces to withdraw. Baelin, in a final act of mercy, put an end to the Maester's torment.

Marlon, under Baelin's directive, was tasked with organizing Winterfell under Axel Stark before returning to White Harbor. The aftermath revealed fewer prisoners than anticipated, a discrepancy clarified upon inspecting the walls. Portions stormed by Glover and Manderly forces held sizable numbers of surrendered Stark soldiers. In stark contrast, sections assailed by Bolton forces bore witness to grim scenes—large pools of blood and flesh, signifying a brutal and unrestrained response.

While the North had been spared from a conflict with the South and a new king had been declared, the scars of division still lingered. The narrative unfolds with the North, now under a new rule, grappling with the intricate task of mending the rifts that marred its unity. The echoes of this chapter in the North's history underscored the arduous journey towards healing and reconciliation.

## Outcome

The outcome of this siege and the broader civil war forged an uneasy unity, achieved through the crucible of violence. With Winterfell firmly under the control of the northern crown, a fresh leader emerged to govern the ancient stronghold. Bestowed with the title of Lord Axel Stark, this newly appointed lord, a blood relative of the Starks, was ceremoniously sworn in as a loyal bannerman of House Glover. The winds of change swept through Winterfell, leaving the banner of House Stark fluttering in the northern breeze, though now under the watchful gaze of Lord Axel Stark.