Capture of Whitehill Garrison

Leaders| * **Rodrik Forrester**
* **Arthur Glenmore**

Forces| * **Twenty Glenmore Elite Guard**
* **Elaena Glenmore**
* **Elissa Forrester**
* **Twenty Whitehill Bannermen**

Casualties| 0 | * **Gryff Whitehill** *(maimed)*

—Gryff WhitehillThe Capture of the Whitehill Garrison was an event taking place as part of the Ironwood War, also known as the Forrester-Whitehill Conflict.

Several months after the death of Lord Ethan Forrester and the installation of a Whitehill Garrison at Ironrath, the seat of House Forrester, Lord Ludd Whitehill is emboldened by his rise in power and starts harassing House Glenmore, demanding Lord Glenmore's eldest daughter Elaena marry Ludd's son Gryff.

Elaena and her brother Arthur approach Rodrik, who shares their disdain for the Whitehills, and the two parties ally to take Gryff down and release Ironrath from Whitehill control.

## History

### Prelude

Following the murder of Ethan Forrester at the hands of Ramsay Snow, House Forrester spirals into chaos, held together only by the hope that they can one day prevail from the nightmare they have been cast into by the Boltons and their vassals, the Whitehills. When he returns to Ironrath on a corpse cart, Rodrik Forrester assumes Lordship and attempts to bring order to his keep, but is prevented from doing so due to ill health and the wrath of Gryff Whitehill, who is determined to keep him in line.

Emboldened by his son's stranglehold on Ironrath and humiliation of Rodrik Forrester, Ludd Whitehill ventures to Rillwater Crossing - the seat of House Glenmore - and demands Lord Errol Glenmore reconsider his daughter Elaena's betrothal to Rodrik and instead have her marry Gryff. Convinced by his eldest son and castellan Namond that accepting the deal will buy them time, Lord Glenmore reluctantly agrees to Ludd's terms.

Unaware that the move is to get the Whitehills off of their backs for the time being, Elaena and her brother Arthur are enraged by their father's weakness and recruit the aid of his elite guard, who are intended to be on a ship bound for the Reach. The group heads to Ironrath where they meet Rodrik Forrester in the grove and make a pact to be rid of Gryff, freeing both Ironrath from the Garrison and Elaena from the betrothal simultaneously - and allowing Rodrik and Elaena to resume their own betrothal.

### Capture

Rodrik, Elaena, Arthur and half of the Elite Guard enter Ironrath through the front gates where they are approached by Elissa Forrester, who says Gryff has been arguing with Maester Ortengryn. Arthur returns to the grove to quickly gather the rest of his men while Rodrik and Elaena face Gryff together and stall for time, Rodrik saying he will hit the floor with his cane when he wants the Elite Guard to enter.

In the great hall Gryff, Harys and two more soldiers are beating the Maester for letting a bite wound inflicted on his lieutenant by Talia Forrester fester. Gryff quickly takes notice of Rodrik and scorns him for interrupting, but is quickly surprised to see Elaena at the man's side, still believing he was the one who was supposed to marry her. Elaena spitefully insults Gryff, prompting him to draw comparisons between her and Rodrik, who he has since 'brought to heel', punctuating his point by stamping on Ortengryn's hand.

As the Whitehill gloats, Elaena spots Arthur crouching out of sight and informs Rodrik that he has prepared. Rodrik quickly tells Gryff it's *his* turn for a lesson in humility and when Gryff attempts to subdue him once again Rodrik uses a technique taught to him by Royland to swing at the back of Gryff's knees and knocks him to the floor, enraging him further. As Gryff struggles to his feet, Rodrik strikes the floor with his cane and summons the Glenmores who quickly pile in and aim their bows at the Whitehills who are present.

Gryff is quickly restrained by two men as the other Whitehills are subdued, though this does not prevent him from threatening Rodrik and his family. Enraged, Rodrik attempts to honour his agreement with the Glenmores by beating Gryff with his cane, but is halted by his mother who reminds them of Ryon. Elaena agrees that Gryff may be detained for the time being, satisfied with seeing him blinded in one eye, and Rodrik says the garrison is to be taken down to the cellars. To prevent any word escaping to Lord Whitehill, Lady Forrester has all the ravens killed.

### Aftermath

Unaware of Gryff's capture, Ludd Whitehill sends Rodrik summons to Highpoint to discuss a truce. Rodrik, Elissa and Royland venture to the Whitehills' keep, leaving Arthur and the Whitehills to defend Ironrath while Talia acts in Rodrik's place and is secretly charged with uncovering the identity of the traitor.

Ludd initially 'offers' to extort the Forresters and their men to produce more Ironwood for the Boltons, but once Rodrik reveals he has Gryff prisoner it puts them in stalemate. Eventually a trade on neutral soil is begrudgingly agreed upon.

Ramsay Snow once again visits Ironrath but is held up by Glenmore Elites who prevent him from getting inside. Agitated, the bastard orders the deaths of some of the soldiers and makes himself at home while many members of the household hide - all except for Talia Forrester. Arthur Glenmore, meanwhile is tied to a rack in the Ironwood Grove. When Rodrik returns home Ramsay says he has heard about the disobedience and disrespect directed towards the Whitehills and punishes Rodrik by killing Arthur - then sets the Forresters and Whitehills to open war for entertainment.

The Forresters rely on the truce for a time, but the plan is foiled when Duncan Tuttle betrays the house and releases Gryff to satisfy Ludd. This allows Gryff and his men to exact revenge on the Forresters, ambushing them at Stillport and ultimately killing Asher Forrester following a Warrick raid ordered by Ludd when he hears of Ramsay's orders.