Contents
THE WAYWARD BRIDE
Overview
Asha Greyjoy receives Ramsay Bolton’s brutal letter about Moat Cailin and Theon, deepening her isolation at Deepwood Motte. As northern forces masked in pine boughs advance, she orders a breakout toward the ships. Ambushed in the woods, her captains fall and Asha is struck down as Stannis’s host retakes Deepwood.
The defeat ends Asha’s northern hold and positions her as Stannis’s captive, shifting the balance in the North and closing off her path back to Ironborn power.
Summary
Asha Greyjoy, holding Deepwood Motte, receives a pink-sealed letter from Ramsay Bolton boasting of Moat Cailin’s fall, a coming marriage, and enclosing a strip of Theon’s skin. Shaken, she burns the grisly token and refuses to answer. Her captains argue for battle or flight as she weighs her dwindling strength and Euron’s abandonment.
In private, Asha seeks comfort with Qarl the Maid, reflecting on her past, her forced marriage to Erik Ironmaker, and her lack of options. Tristifer Botley urges escape by sea and even trade in the east; their talk of kingsmoot precedents (Torgon the Latecomer) sparks Asha’s brief hope of challenging Euron—then a warhorn interrupts.
Scouts in mottled leathers are caught scaling Deepwood’s wall; interrogation reveals a larger host approaching. Asha musters the garrison as Lady Sybelle Glover pleads for exchange. Hearing trumpets at the north gate, Asha opens the south and leads a breakout toward the ships, as the attackers batter the opposite gate.
In the forest, the column struggles through darkness. A severed head rolls into their camp at dawn’s edge; the trees erupt with camouflaged northmen. A savage melee follows: Hagen is slain, his daughter fights, Rolfe the Dwarf is beheaded, Quenton Greyjoy falls, and Asha kills multiple foes while losing her axes and dirk.
Exhausted and isolated, Asha faces a bald axeman who shatters her shield. Entangled among roots, she’s struck in the helm and collapses as a trumpet sounds—a sign of organized command beyond the raiders. She slips into unconsciousness with visions of burning hearts and a flaming-antlered stag, as Stannis’s forces reclaim Deepwood and Asha is taken.
Who Appears
- Asha GreyjoyIronborn commander at Deepwood Motte; receives Ramsay’s letter, leads a breakout, fights fiercely, and is struck down and captured.
- Qarl the MaidAsha’s lover and swordsman; beds Asha, fights beside her during the ambush in the woods.
- Tristifer (Tris) BotleyDevoted follower; urges flight by sea and trade; rides and fights during the breakout.
- Lady Sybelle GloverLady of Deepwood; pleads to exchange Asha for her children as the attack begins.
- Galbart Glover’s maesterDelivers Ramsay’s letter; later begs Asha to surrender to spare lives.
- Lorren LongaxeIronborn warrior; helps repel initial climbers and fights in the forest battle.
- GrimtongueIronborn spearman; kills intruders, counts slain in battle, survives the ambush’s chaos.
- CrommIronborn fighter; eager for battle, mans the watchtower, joins the breakout.
- Hagen the HornSentry who sounds alarms; shot by an arrow during the breakout and dies.
- Hagen’s daughterRed-haired girl; mourns father, then fights savagely after the ambush begins.
- Quenton GreyjoyAsha’s cousin and captain; rides in the breakout and is slain in the forest fight.
- Rolfe the DwarfMassive ironborn; carries Hagen’s daughter; later found beheaded in the ambush.
- Roggon RustbeardScout and rider; sent ahead to check the route to the shore.
- Ramsay BoltonAntagonist via letter; claims Moat Cailin, threatens Asha, and flaunts Theon’s mutilation.
- A wounded FlintCaptured attacker; reveals a large host is coming before Asha kills him.