Common Cause

Less than half an hour later, Sansa Stark was entering the wide-open gates of Ironrath on the back of her direwolf, to the tumultuous cheers of the crowds within. She was accompanied by Lady Lyanna Mormont and Princess Val as she did so, with Chieftess Magash staying outside to guard the Whitehill captives that surrendered in case they tried anything. Given the looks of fear they shot her hammer-wielding giants, however, Sansa doubted they would.

As the masses expressed their joy at the end of the siege, they were greeted by a robust man with a scarred face that marked him as a survivor.

He looked very pleased to see them. "Lady Sansa Stark," He said, bowing profusely as he did so. "I hadn't seen you since the celebration of your 10th nameday at Winterfell. Feels like a lifetime ago."

"That it does, Lord Rodrik," The redhead replied. "But not so long as to forget that social contracts between lieges and vassals go both ways. That's why we came to your aid now that we are finally starting to strike back against the Boltons. Sorry it took so long."

"No need for apologies, my Lady," The young man assured her. "You kept to the end of your vows at our time of need, and House Forrester will never forget that. I will make sure of that."

"Good," She said with a satisfied nod. "Because we have much to discuss about the current state of affairs in the North and what can be done about it. But first, I believe there is something you have been dreaming about doing for months. Allow me to help you fulfill it."

With that, Sansa waved her hand without looking back, and before long, Josera and Elsera Snow were bringing Lord Ludd Whitehill through the gates. Lord Rodrik looked immensely pleased with watching his bitter foe in chains. When he turned to look at his late father's bastards, however, he froze and blinked as if he couldn't believe his eyes. Sansa tilted her head at that, realizing that he knew who they were. Before she could formally introduce them, however, a handsome young warrior turned around the corner and started to approach them, a wide smile on his lips.

"It seems like we have finally weathered this storm," He said, clearly in a great mood. "And ah, Lord fucking Ludd, it is so good to see you again after your numerous attempts on my life," The man added with a smirk. "The chains aren't too uncomfortable, I hope?"

The Lord of Highpoint spat to the ground in his direction but said nothing. Rodrik took that moment to begin his half of the introductions.

"My Ladies, this is my brother Asher Forrester," He explained. "Finest warrior in all of Ironrath and my trusted right hand. We wouldn't have lasted so long under siege without his initiative overseeing our defenses."

"Pleased to meet you," Sansa said politely, a sentiment that was echoed by Lady Lyanna.

When she caught him staring a bit longer at Princess Val, however, the redhead noticed that Asher ended up shrugging once the gorgeous blonde rolled her eyes at him.

"As I was saying," Sansa continued. "I imagine you have dreamt of bringing this traitor to justice for a long time now, so, consider him our gift to House Forrester. Just remember that whoever passes the sentence should be the one to swing the sword."

"Believe me, Lady Stark, that is not something I am likely to forget after everything," Lord Rodrik assured her.

But then, he focused on his half-brothers and took a step further to look at them more closely. Asher seemed confused by that.

"Elsera, Josera...is it really you?" He asked in an emotional tone.

The siblings looked surprised at that. "You know who we are?"

"Father told me about you about a year before the Red Wedding and of your mission to the North Grove," Rodrik replied slowly. "I also saw the painting he made of you and kept in secret. I...I am sorry we never got the chance to grow up together."

The magic-wielding bastards glance at each other for a long moment, as if unable to believe they were getting this sort of reaction.

Asher, however, had a more understandable look of shock.

"Wait, these two are our siblings?!" He asked, his eyes wide

"Yes," Sansa confirmed, taking that moment to step in. "And they are a big part of the reason why we gathered our forces and came to their family's aid."

The first in line to the seat of Ironrath seemed at a loss for words for a long moment, clearly being taken off guard by this revelation. But then a wide grin crossed his features and before anyone could react, he pulled his two new siblings in a big hug.

"Ha! I don't care if you are bastards," He said in a cheerful tone. "You came to our aid at our darkest hour. That makes you one of us, now and forever!"

The former guardians of the North Grove were taken aback by his outburst but before long, they returned his embrace, their own smiles growing wider. Sansa herself couldn't help but grin at the sight, being reminded of her own bastard half-brother and her opinion of House Forrester raising considerably at that open display of affection.

"I am glad we came," She thought in delight.

A couple of hours later once the mop-up operations of the battlefield were over, their forces had gathered outside along with the people of Ironrath. It had been decided that the 73 soldiers who surrendered, would be allowed to take the Black so as to reinforce the Night's Watch depleted ranks, including Ludd's fourth son, Gryff Whitehill. The 74th survivor, however, would not be granted that mercy. As Lord Ludd was sentenced to **** for his crimes against House Forrester, Lord Rodrik himself unsheathed his ancestral greatsword and asked if he had any final words.

"You only won this fight because wildlings and traitors came to your aid." He spat. "That doesn't make your House stronger than mine. So, by the terms that Ramsey Bolton decreed when our forces went to war, House Whitehill should have emerged victorious."

"That's where you and that sadistic monster are wrong, Ludd," Rodrik declared. "Treachery may grant you short-term gains but it will always turn countless people against you because your word will mean nothing to them in the long run. Yet those with loyal friends and allies are the ones with true strength."

And with that, the Lord of House Forrester swung his blade and executed his defeated enemy.

There was a long silence from the crowds of Ironrath as the menace that had been looming over them for most of the year was finally taken care of. Then they cheered for their Lord loudly, their chants resonating across the field. Rodrik waited until they quiet down a bit before addressing his people.

"Aye, the siege has ended, but the main source of our troubles is still defiling the halls of Winterfell with his foul presence," He proclaimed.

Then the scarred but determined Lord stared at Sansa with fire in her eyes. "And in our hour of greatest need, it's rightful defenders came to our aid. That is why I, Lord Rodrik of House Forrester am proud to renew my oaths of loyalty to House Stark, the true rulers of Winterfell, from this day until my last day! Together, we will reclaim the North!"

This time, the cheering masses were joined by many on Sansa's army the deafening echoes thundering across the road.

And the Lady of Winterfell in exile began to smile.

A/N: Hope you had fun with this one! And for those that had played the Telltale game, assume that the reason both Asher and Rodrik are alive in this is that, in this alternate universe, their advisor didn't turn traitor, which in turn made sure certain tactics worked better for their benefit. Anyway, leave a comment if something caught your attention, and until next time guys, see ya!