Version 2.0
The soldiers dragged themselves to set up camp on the open fields opposite the Barrow King's forces, their eyes strained to catch a glimpse of the distant wooden fortress that marked the Greenwood village. Its backdrop is the dense forest with vibrant green swaying to the passing winds. The once-fertile fields, lay barren with bodies lying in the fields picked at by crows, watched by ghouls as they waited for the end of the inevitable battle they could smell. It was whilst they were resting and setting up their camp A messenger from the Barrow King came.
He told of a deal already made between the Greenwood King and the Barrow King and that the Winter King should not get involved and leave, 'as it does not concern him'. Amid Brandon's contemplation, a quick commotion reached the outskirts of the camp. A lone figure, ragged and breathless, burst into view, not far behind him men chased after him, their blades gleamed with tinted red. Halvar and his scouts out on patrol intervened, stopping the men in their tracks as the lone man fell to the ground behind them catching his breath.
"What's going on, Halvar?" Brandon asked as he arrived on the scene, observing his men blocking the armed men.
"My King," Halvar said, "these men claim that this man is a deserter from the barrow army and are chasing him down."
"Please you grace, they lie," the haggard, breathless man interjected. "I am a messenger from my King, King Ned Greenwood."
"Lies! He's a deserter! We demand he be returned to us," the armed men shouted.
Brandon surveyed the two groups: one, a lone man in tattered clothing with dirt-covered hands, the other, armed warriors ready for battle. "If he is a deserter, then I will return him. But if he is a messenger, then he is protected in my camp. Messenger, prove to me you are who you claim to be."
"I'm not sure how, but I can relay the message," the messenger began. "The Barrow King has forced my King to accept his deal, threatening to burn and kill everyone in the village if he refused. He then planned to starve out the King in his castle—"
"Don't believe—" one of the armed men interrupted.
"Quiet!" one of Brandon's soldiers shouted, allowing the messenger to continue.
"He asks that you honour the defence agreement and aid him in stopping this arrangement to help his people," the messenger pleaded, looking hopefully at Brandon.
Brandon smiled at the messenger.
"Bloody coward," one of the armed men spat. "You won't survive the coming battle!" he called out before quickly being hit on the back of the head by his comrade.
"You bloody idiot." He snarls before he quickly drags the rest of the party away heading back into the woods to disappear.
"Well, that settles it," Brandon declared. "Get this messenger some food and rest, we have a battle to prepare for."
As the sun started to dip for the ending of mid-day, and as long shadows fell across the camp, Brandon rested the army for the remainder of the day. Exhausted from weeks of relentless marching, the men collapsed into their bedrolls with weary sighs.
The next morning, Brandon woke early and sat at the outskirts of his camp at the highest point and watched the Barrow army. He waited as he let his men rest for as long as possible.
With the Barrow King caught in a precarious position between two opposing forces, Brandon saw no need to rush into battle. The Greenwood King's forces were entrenched in their castle, and through with a half-destroyed palisade could hold it whilst Brandon attacked from the rear. The Barrow King, with his 2,000 men, were trapped between two forces, and as the morning starts to play out Brandon watches his camp start to move. As the three armies set up Malcolm Barrow splits his army he sends a smaller contingent to watch the Greenwood King, of around 500 men, while focusing the bulk of his army, of 1,500 on engaging Brandon.
Brandon's army numbered 1,500, due to the urgency of the situation. Nonetheless, they prepared themselves for the inevitable clash, ready to face the Barrow King's formidable army head-on.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting its golden rays across the battlefield, Brandon's army began to form on one side, while the forces of the Barrow King assembled on the other.
Brandon, flanked by his loyal King's Guard and Theon, positioned himself at the centre of his formation. To his left, Edric led his contingent, on the right flank, Lyanna whilst Halvar kept the scouts in the back.
With banners flying high, with swords and spears gleaming in the sunlight, the two armies marched steadily toward each other, their footsteps echoing across the open field. As they drew closer, the tension in the air became palpable, each side steeling themselves for the impending clash.
The armies moved out pushing towards each other before finally, with a thunderous roar, the opposing forces collided, the clash of bronze ringing out.
The clash of spears and the shouts of men filled the air, mingling with the thunderous sounds of combat. Brandon's forces, bloodied from two previous conflicts, moved with much more confidence than the fresh green force of the Barrow King.
The Barrow King's army, comprised mostly of new fighters, struggled to match the skill and experience of Brandon's troops. With each passing moment, Brandon's forces gained the upper hand, pushing back their adversaries with relentless ferocity. Tighter formations and better-coordinated manoeuvres allowed them to maintain control of themselves, while the Barrow King's army struggled to mount a coherent defence as their lines started to break apart.
Despite their initial bravado, the Barrow King's men soon found themselves overwhelmed by Brandon's forces. As the battle raged on, Brandon's forces continued their relentless advance, driving the Barrow King's army back with each step. As desperation set in for the Barrow King, he grabs for straws and takes his forces watching the Greenwood King and reinforcing the right flank seeing if he can't push the side and press in with numbers.
The Barrow King himself then led his King's guard towards the centre of the battlefield, his men that have seen battle in the Long Night were much better prepared for this. Here the fighting was most intense, with Brandon's forces threatened to break through as Brandon seeing them faltering leads his men from the front.
As the clash reached its climax, Brandon found himself face to face with the Barrow King and his king's guard, the two leaders locked into a fierce duel amidst the chaos of battle. Swords clashed, shields splintered, as they tried to push each other back.
Despite the Barrow King's valiant efforts, his forces were no match for the seasoned warriors of the Winter King. On the left flank, Edric's swiftly overwhelmed the enemy, driving them back in a decisive rout. Meanwhile, the Greenwood King, seizing the opportunity, launched an assault on the right flank, pressed by Ned and Lyanna they shattered their defences and scattered their ranks.
In the centre, where the Barrow King and his guard fought with tenacity, they found themselves outnumbered and outmatched. Despite their skill, Brandon's men were bloodied and less faced by the woes of battle. Slowly but surely, their line began to crumble, and eventually, they were forced to retreat.
The Barrow King's forces scattered to the fields and went anywhere they could to get away from the battlefield. With the exhaustion of the march and battle setting in many men gave up their pursuits early and instead rest. The battle was won, as the Barrow King's dreams of conquest were shattered.