Story Arc Four: A Storm of Snow

Important A/N: Yes, here I am, sooner than expected. There is a reason for that. Essentially, everyone in my house ended up getting Covid. Not as strong as it could be but still bad for the first week especially. As a result, however, now I am obliged by my government to stay at my home for over 2 weeks. So, as I can't really advance with the work-related stuff I was going to do with my break, I decided to postpone said break until I can. So, when I am feeling up for it, energy-wise, I will be working on a few chapters to post.

So, say hi to the very first chapter of my 4th Story Arc. And also importantly, please know that I made a major edit to chapter 39: Marry Me? After I realized that I forgot to add a very important detail to the final scene, in my rush to post it.

Anyway, I hope you like it!

Jon Snow moved through a fog of white on the back of his Ice Dragon, using the cover of the clouds above to scout the situation of the Siege of Ironrath from above.

With his newly enhanced eyesight, the new god could see the signs of battle still evident across the hardened, ironwood walls but there were also signs of archers, boulders, and boiling oil that had been thrown from above, in an effort to repel the invaders from House Whitehill. And Jon noted that the way the keep was constructed made the narrow path to the gate a killing field, should the defenders at the wall be well equipped and properly motivated.

Making note of the troop numbers within so that he could report it back to his army later, he turned his gaze from his hiding spot in the sky to look at the army of Bolton loyalists that had been besieging his bannermen for months on end.

Looking down from above, he saw the Whitehill forces surrounding the area. Many in their suits of armor as they patrolled the area but many others in their tents and Jon got the impression they were getting bored of all the waiting. His suspicions seemed confirmed when he realized they had left their rear completely exposed to attack, which was the direction where his own army would come from.

Still, as he adjusted his improved eyes, he could also see the men finishing construction of what appeared to be a new battering ram and they were pushing it towards a middle-age Lord on horseback who could only be the treacherous Ludd Whitehill.

"Huh, seems like they are going to try to make another **** at the gate later today," Jon thought to himself. "Perhaps they have learned we are close by and they don't want to take any chances. In which case, we better hurry."

And with that, Jon urged his flying mount to move through the clouds the way they came.

The new god landed less than 5 minutes later, after making sure there were no Whitehill scouts close by. He was greeted by his beloved sister, Lady Lyanna Mormont, Chieftess Magash Char, Princess Val, and the Forrester bastards. Jon informed them that he could confirm the numbers of their last scouting report along with the news of the battering ram. He also told them their rear was completely exposed. After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the time was right to attack.

"I will smash through their lines with frost-flame on my way to Riverrun, then," Jon said. "That should make things easy enough for our forces."

"Agreed," Princess Val replied before turning back to her personal guard of spearwives. "Are you ready to show these treacherous southerners what we are made off?!" She demanded.

Her loyalists slammed their spears into their shields as a response, which made many other Free Folk in the area grin and raise their fists. Jon smirked.

"That's good," He noted. "I should arrive at Riverrun by nightfall, just be certain you have broken the siege by then. If I manage to acquire Blackfish's support, I will need to be sure the weirwood tree within the Forrester's godswood is safe enough to transport his forces from the godswood of House Tully."

Sansa nodded in understanding. "We will take care of it. Anything else?"

"Well, now that you mention it if some soldiers surrender into captivity, make sure you give them the option to join the Night's Watch," Jon reminded. "They are too undermanned as it is, considering the circumstances. Except for Lord Ludd Whitehill himself that is. I have a feeling House Forrester will want to take care of him their own way after all the pain he has put them through."

No one raised an objection at that line of thought. So, Jon addressed his troops and raised Longclaw

"To victory!" He roared.

He had barely taken off to the sky with his Ice dragon before his forces started yelling as they ran the last half a mile of distance from around the corner of the mountain.

When Jon finally allowed the enemy army to see him approach from above, there was a moment of paralytic dread as it suddenly started to sink in that they had a dragonrider as an enemy. Then the soldiers from the rear started fleeing in the opposite direction, directly towards Ironrath, shouts of alarm resounding through their camp. Jon then focused on the mental bond he forged with the great dragon through one of his wishes and hardened his face, remembering all the burned farms and robbed refugees they found on the way.

"The time has come to punish these cruel traitors, girl," He told her firmly. "Attack!"

And with that, the Ice Dragon opened its maw, an eruption of frost-flame crashing against the ground.

The ice-cold blast was powerful enough to freeze the hearts and lungs of large groups of soldiers at a time, making them collapse on the ground on the spot as frost-covered corpses. Pandemonium broke out after that. With soldiers trying to flee in the direction of the castle, irrationally trying to seek safety in the keep of their enemies.

Jon repeated the blast 4 more times, wreaking havoc across their ranks in the process and felling over a fourth of their forces on their own before he saw that his much larger army was finally within striking distance of the camp. Deciding they could handle the rest snd waiting to give the opportunity to fight to some of their greener soldiers now that the odds were firmly in their favor, Jon changed the direction of his flying mount and headed south, towards Riverrun.

His soldiers cheered as they saw him soar past them and, fittingly, the ice dragon roared in response. Jon grinned at that, petting her neck.

"Good job, girl!" The new dragonrider said with enthusiasm. "Most of our forces will surely survive the battle thanks to you."

She let out a low rumble from her throat, but she sounded pleased. Then Jon paused, realizing something.

"We have to pick a name for you."

Well, here it is. I hope you liked it. And if you did, please leave a comment. Now more than ever, would the energy I get from additional feedback be useful, with the Covid and everything. And remember to check out chapter 39 for the expansion. As far as plot points go, that one was an important one I forgot to include then.

Until next time.