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Roose Bolton wrote the pink letter

Many believe that because Jon does not seem to make note of the difference in the handwriting between the first letter he received signed by Ramsay Bolton and the Bastard letter he receives at the end of Dance, that it is a sign that Ramsay both wrote them.


I agree that is a good indicator that they were indeed written by the same author, Roose Bolton.


There are many suspects that have been called out as possible authors of the letter. Mance, Stannis, Asha, and Melisandre are the main suspects, but I would also add Roose on to the list. Roose has the most to gain from what is demanded within the letter, he also has the means in which to send it along with many other letters that were sent from Barrowton.


In this theory I will explain why it was Roose and not any of the other suspects.

Let's start with some points regarding the letters receipt and the other suspects. The Pink letter is brought to Jon.


A Dance with Dragons - Jon XIII

He broke off when Mully poked his nose inside the door, grim-faced, to announce that Clydas had brought a letter.

"Tell him to leave it with you. I will read it later."

"As you say, m'lord, only … Clydas don't look his proper self … he's more white than pink, if you get my meaning … and he's shaking."

Mully had not been wrong; the old steward was trembling, his face as pale as the snows outside. "I am being foolish, Lord Commander, but … this letter frightens me. See here?"

Bastard, was the only word written outside the scroll. No Lord Snow or Jon Snow or Lord Commander. Simply Bastard. And the letter was sealed with a smear of hard pink wax. "You were right to come at once," Jon said. You were right to be afraid. He cracked the seal, flattened the parchment, and read.

 

The letter was received by the Wall's maester Clydas. So, it had to be delivered by raven. The author would also have to have access to parchment, quill, and ink. Oh, and let’s not forget the pink wax.

Quick note about ravens from Maester Tybald, the Dreadfort maester


Theon I (The Winds of Winter)Sample Chapter

“A maester’s raven flies to one place, and one place only. Is that correct?” The maester mopped sweat from his brow with his sleeve. “N-not entirely, Your Grace. Most, yes. Some few can be taught to fly between two castles. Such birds are greatly prized. And once in a very great while, we find a raven who can learn the names of three or four or five castles and fly to each upon command. Birds as clever as that come along only once in a hundred years.”

 

Let's review if the other suspects were even capable of sending the pink letter to the wall.


Melisandre, she is currently at the wall when the letter is received, and unless she can find a raven that flies to many castles. All of the ravens there would fly elsewhere. She could get parchment, quill, and ink, but not the pink wax. (Unless she found and used the wax from the first letter, but it is not mentioned whether or not she is aware of the first letter Jon received from Barrowton or if Jon even kept the letter. But why? She wants Jon close to her. (Daggers in the dark)


Asha- she is a captive of Stannis and with him at the crofters village. She does not have access to ravens, parchment, quill, ink, or pink wax. Even if she has motive, she would not have been able to. Asha- she is a captive of Stannis and with him at the crofters village.


Stannis- He would have access to all with the exception of the pink wax. So then let’s look at a letter he has previously sent to the wall. *Jon receives this letter after he receives the first letter from Ramsay


A Dance with Dragons - Jon VII

Clydas had come and gone, Jon noted as he was hanging his cloak on the peg beside the door. A letter had been left on the table in his solar. Eastwatch or the Shadow Tower, he assumed at first glance. But the wax was gold, not black. The seal showed a stag's head within a flaming heart. Stannis. Jon cracked the hardened wax, flattened the roll of parchment, read. A maester's hand, but the king's words.

Stannis had taken Deepwood Motte, and the mountain clans had joined him. Flint, Norrey, Wull, Liddle, all.

And we had other help, unexpected but most welcome, from a daughter of Bear Island. Alysane Mormont, whose men name her the She-Bear, hid fighters inside a gaggle of fishing sloops and took the ironmen unawares where they lay off the strand. Greyjoy's longships are burned or taken, her crews slain or surrendered. The captains, knights, notable warriors, and others of high birth we shall ransom or make other use of, the rest I mean to hang …

The Night's Watch was sworn to take no side in the quarrels and conflicts of the realm. Nonetheless, Jon Snow could not help but feel a certain satisfaction. He read on.

… more northmen coming in as word spreads of our victory. Fisherfolk, freeriders, hillmen, crofters from the deep of the wolfswood and villagers who fled their homes along the stony shore to escape the ironmen, survivors from the battle outside the gates of Winterfell, men once sworn to the Hornwoods, the Cerwyns, and the Tallharts. We are five thousand strong as I write, our numbers swelling every day. And word has come to us that Roose Bolton moves toward Winterfell with all his power, there to wed his bastard to your half sister. He must not be allowed to restore the castle to its former strength. We march against him. Arnolf Karstark and Mors Umber will join us. I will save your sister if I can, and find a better match for her than Ramsay Snow. You and your brothers must hold the Wall until I can return.

It was signed, in a different hand,

Done in the Light of Lord, under the sign and seal of Stannis of House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.

Stannis is a very straight forward and matter of fact man (unbending iron). He is also very clear that he needs Jon to hold the wall until his return. He has other flocking to his cause daily. Yes, things do get worse for him by the time the pink letter is sent, but he is not a man to write cryptic letters to get Jon to leave the wall **also note the handwriting is noted in this letter and not compared to the letter received from Barrowton which he received before this one. Stannis is not the author of the pink letter.

 

Mance- Is at Winterfell when the letter ls received by Jon at the wall. However, I believe that- there is truth in the letter itself that he has been captured along with the other six spear wives and is indeed in a cage. I will review this a little later when I review the events that lead to the letter.


Ramsay- Yes, he is at Winterfell, and it's his signature on the letter. Why wouldn’t it be him that sends the letter?

Well, first off he's not smart enough to send a cryptic letter like (but his father is) and because he is out looking for Theon / Reek and Jayne/Arya. Again, I will review this a little later when I review the events that led to the letter. Evidence of his low cunning can be found in his conversation at Stout's Hall with his father, Roose.


A Dance with Dragons - Reek III

Roose made a face, as if the ale he was sipping had suddenly gone sour. "There are times you make me wonder if you truly are my seed. My forebears were many things, but never fools. No, be quiet now, I have heard enough. We appear strong for the moment, yes. We have powerful friends in the Lannisters and Freys, and the grudging support of much of the north … but what do you imagine is going to happen when one of Ned Stark's sons turns up?"

"Stark's little wolflings are dead," said Ramsay, sloshing some more ale into his cup, "and they'll stay dead. Let them show their ugly faces, and my girls will rip those wolves of theirs to pieces. The sooner they turn up, the sooner I kill them again."

The elder Bolton sighed. "Again? Surely you misspeak. You never slew Lord Eddard's sons, those two sweet boys we loved so well. That was Theon Turncloak's work, remember? How many of our grudging friends do you imagine we'd retain if the truth were known? Only Lady Barbrey, whom you would turn into a pair of boots … inferior boots. Human skin is not as tough as cowhide and will not wear as well. By the king's decree you are now a Bolton. Try and act like one. Tales are told of you, Ramsay. I hear them everywhere. People fear you."

"Good."

"You are mistaken. It is not good. No tales were ever told of me. Do you think I would be sitting here if it were otherwise? Your amusements are your own, I will not chide you on that count, but you must be more discreet. A peaceful land, a quiet people. That has always been my rule. Make it yours."


Because of the way Ramsay speaks to his father in the second half of this conversation, it would lead one to believe that the letter could have been written by Ramsay. His crudeness, but I believe that it shows how clever Roose is. He uses the same type of verbiage that his bastard son might use. With means now taken out of the equation of the suspects who could possibly have sent the pink letter. I will focus on who did… Roose.


So, let’s look at the letter received by Ash and Jon that were also signed by Ramsay, that I believe were sent by Roose. Along with the timeline and others who received letters from Barrowton.


Letter received by Asha while at Deep wood Mout. (First letter seen signed by Ramsay)


A Dance with Dragons - The Wayward Bride

Asha Greyjoy was seated in Galbart Glover's longhall drinking Galbart Glover's wine when Galbart Glover's maester brought the letter to her.

"My lady." The maester's voice was anxious, as it always was when he spoke to her. "A bird from Barrowton." He thrust the parchment at her as if he could not wait to be rid of it. It was tightly rolled and sealed with a button of hard pink wax.

Barrowton. Asha tried to recall who ruled in Barrowton. Some northern lord, no friend of mine. And that seal … the Boltons of the Dreadfort went into battle beneath pink banners spattered with little drops of blood. It only stood to reason that they would use pink sealing wax as well.

This is poison that I hold, she thought. I ought to burn it. Instead she cracked the seal. A scrap of leather fluttered down into her lap. When she read the dry brown words, her black mood grew blacker still. Dark wings, dark words. The ravens never brought glad tidings. The last message sent to Deepwood had been from Stannis Baratheon, demanding homage. This was worse. "The northmen have taken Moat Cailin."

"The Bastard of Bolton?" asked Qarl, beside her.

"Ramsay Bolton, Lord of Winterfell, he signs himself. But there are other names as well." Lady Dustin, Lady Cerwyn, and four Ryswells had appended their own signatures beneath his. Beside them was drawn a crude giant, the mark of some Umber.

Those were done in maester's ink, made of soot and coal tar, but the message above was scrawled in brown in a huge, spiky hand. It spoke of the fall of Moat Cailin, of the triumphant return of the Warden of the North to his domains, of a marriage soon to be made. The first words were, "I write this letter in the blood of ironmen," the last, "I send you each a piece of prince. Linger in my lands, and share his fate."


Note- The letter is sent from Barrowton. (I will review Barrowton later on) A scrap of leather (Theon’s skin) “send you each a piece of prince.” (I will review who has Theon’s skin to send)


Previous letters from Stannis are not like this one. He did not send this one or the other one to Jon. Ergo did not write the pink letter.

Signed Ramsay Bolton, Lord of Winterfell.


Now check out how the letter to Jon was signed.  Other names, Lady Dustin, Lady Cerwyn, four Ryswells, and a mark of some Umber, done in maester’s ink and makes note that the message was scrawled in brown huge, spiky hand, Ink dry brown, I write the letter in the blood of ironmen. The triumphant return of the Warden of he north and to his domains. Linger in MY Lands. ** Who’s return and who’s lands…. Roose’s.


**I will review why these people would never sign anything for Ramsay and why the others would sign letter for Roose.

Now the letter received by Jon (Second letter seen signed by Ramsay)


A Dance with Dragons - Jon VI

He turned to find Clydas standing beneath the broken archway, a parchment in his hand. "From Stannis?" Jon had been hoping for some word from the king. The Night's Watch took no part, he knew, and it should not matter to him which king emerged triumphant. Somehow it did. "Is it Deepwood?"

"No, my lord." Clydas thrust the parchment forward. It was tightly rolled and sealed, with a button of hard pink wax. Only the Dreadfort uses pink sealing wax. Jon ripped off his gauntlet, took the letter, cracked the seal. When he saw the signature, he forgot the battering Rattleshirt had given him.

Ramsay Bolton, Lord of the Hornwood, it read, in a huge, spiky hand. The brown ink came away in flakes when Jon brushed it with his thumb. Beneath Bolton's signature, Lord Dustin, Lady Cerwyn, and four Ryswells had appended their own marks and seals. A cruder hand had drawn the giant of House Umber. "Might we know what it says, my lord?" asked Iron Emmett.

Jon saw no reason not to tell him. "Moat Cailin is taken. The flayed corpses of the ironmen have been nailed to posts along the kingsroad. Roose Bolton summons all leal lords to Barrowton, to affirm their loyalty to the Iron Throne and celebrate his son's wedding to …" His heart seemed to stop for a moment. No, that is not possible. She died in King's Landing, with Father.

"Lord Snow?" Clydas peered at him closely with his dim pink eyes. "Are you … unwell? You seem …"

"He's to marry Arya Stark. My little sister." Jon could almost see her in that moment, long-faced and gawky, all knobby knees and sharp elbows, with her dirty face and tangled hair. They would wash the one and comb the other, he did not doubt, but he could not imagine Arya in a wedding gown, nor Ramsay Bolton's bed. No matter how afraid she is, she will not show it. If he tries to lay a hand on her, she'll fight him.

"Your sister," Iron Emmett said, "how old is …"

By now she'd be eleven, Jon thought. Still a child. "I have no sister. Only brothers. Only you." Lady Catelyn would have rejoiced to hear those words, he knew. That did not make them easier to say. His fingers closed around the parchment. Would that they could crush Ramsay Bolton's throat as easily.


Note-

Signed by Ramsay Bolton, Lord of the Hornwood. Different from Asha letter above. Also appears as if only his signature was in the brown flaking ink not the entire letter. Other names with their own marks and seals. Lord Dustin, Lady Cerwyn, four Ryswells, and mark of some Umber. ** Also note Lord Dustinm this is in both the book and e-book, it’s either a typo or I don’t know. Lord, Willam Dustin, Lord of Barrowton was slain at the end of Robert’s Rebellion by the last member of Areys II’s Kingsguard in the mountains of Dorne. I believe Jon would know this, Barrowton is close to Winterfell.   


This letter makes note that the message was in a huge, spiky hand. Does not compare it to Stannis’s letter received earlier. Nor any skin received as above letter to Asha.  I will review why later.


Roose summons all Leal lords to Barrowton to affirm their loyalty to the Iron Throne and to celebrate his son’s wedding.  ** Who’s wedding? His son’s wedding. If Ramsay did write this, wouldn’t he state My wedding to Arya Stark?

As to the skin, send with the letter to Asha


A Dance with Dragons - The Wayward Bride

The first words were, "I write this letter in the blood of ironmen," the last, "I send you each a piece of prince. Linger in my lands, and share his fate."

Asha had believed her little brother dead. Better dead than this. The scrap of skin had fallen into her lap. She held it to the candle and watched the smoke curl up, until the last of it had been consumed and the flame was licking at her fingers.


We’ve seen it before, way back in

 

A Storm of Swords - Catelyn VI

This is a cold man, Catelyn realized, not for the first time.

"Did Ramsay mention Theon Greyjoy?" Robb demanded. "Was he slain as well, or did he flee?"

Roose Bolton removed a ragged strip of leather from the pouch at his belt. "My son sent this with his letter."

Ser Wendel turned his fat face away. Robin Flint and Smalljon Umber exchanged a look, and the Greatjon snorted like a bull. "Is that . . . skin?" said Robb.

"The skin from the little finger of Theon Greyjoy's left hand. My son is cruel, I confess it. And yet . . . what is a little skin, against the lives of two young princes? You were their mother, my lady. May I offer you this . . . small token of revenge?"

Part of Catelyn wanted to clutch the grisly trophy to her heart, but she made herself resist. "Put it away. Please."

"Flaying Theon will not bring my brothers back," Robb said. "I want his head, not his skin."

 

So, Roose has this piece of Theon with him before the Red Wedding and brings it back to the north. After the fall of Mout Cailin, Roose and party (The Bolton forces with Ramsay, Reek, the Cerwyn, the Roswell, the Dustin and the umbers) go to Barrowton where Roose now returned as warden of the north and with Arya Stark (Jayne Pool) to meet with these lords and ladies, to plant the wedding and send out invitations (and these letters, well the letter is kind of an invitation, or at least notification). Roose only has the one small token of revenged, so that is why Jon does not get a piece of prince.


Important Note from (ASOIAF WIKI)

Barrowton, occasionally called Barrowtown, is a prominent town in the north which contains Barrow Hall, the seat of House Dustin. It lies in the barrowlands at or near the confluence of two rivers which flow south to the Saltspear. Barrowton is centered around the large hill Great Barrow, on which was built House Dustin's castle, Barrow Hall.

House Stout of Goldgrass has a keep near the eastern gate of Barrowton (less than one mile). Outside of the town are rolling plains which the wind howls over.


Roose is at Barrow Hall and Ramsay is at Stout’s hall as seen in


A Dance with Dragons - Reek III

"It should have been you who threw the feast, to welcome me back," Ramsay complained, "and it should have been in Barrow Hall, not this pisspot of a castle."

"Barrow Hall and its kitchens are not mine to dispose of," his father said mildly. "I am only a guest there. The castle and the town belong to Lady Dustin, and she cannot abide you."

….

The moon was rising over the wooden walls of Barrowton when they stepped outside. Reek could hear the wind sweeping across the rolling plains beyond the town. It was less than a mile from Barrow Hall to Harwood Stout's modest keep beside the eastern gates. Lord Bolton offered him a horse. "Can you ride?"

…

Their short journey reached its end at the wooden walls of Barrow Hall. Banners flew from its square towers, flapping in the wind: the flayed man of the Dreadfort, the battle-axe of Cerwyn, Tallhart's pines, the merman of Manderly, old Lord Locke's crossed keys, the Umber giant and the stony hand of Flint, the Hornwood moose. For the Stouts, chevrony russet and gold, for Slate, a grey field within a double tressure white. Four horseheads proclaimed the four Ryswells of the Rills—one grey, one black, one gold, one brown. The jape was that the Ryswells could not even agree upon the color of their arms. Above them streamed the stag-and-lion of the boy who sat upon the Iron Throne a thousand leagues away.


Notice there are additional people/houses here that were not at the take over of Mout Cailin. The Tallhart’s, Manderley, Locke, Flints, Horwood, and Slate. That’s because they all received letters they were awaiting Lord Manderly, and the Frey. When the Frey’s do not show up and Manderly claims that they went before him, Ramsay is sent out to look for them in the events that proceeded above. Hence, to welcome him back. Also note Lady Dustin cannot abide Ramsy and does not let him at Barrow Hall.


Robert Glover explains more of these additional letters/ invitations that Roose sends out as seen in


A Dance with Dragons - Davos IV

"Glover. Your seat was Deepwood Motte."

"My brother Galbart's seat. It was and is, thanks to your King Stannis. He has taken Deepwood back from the iron bitch who stole it and offers to restore it to its rightful owners. Much and more has happened whilst you have been confined within these walls, Lord Davos. Moat Cailin has fallen, and Roose Bolton has returned to the north with Ned Stark's younger daughter. A host of Freys came with him. Bolton has sent forth ravens, summoning all the lords of the north to Barrowton. He demands homage and hostages … and witnesses to the wedding of Arya Stark and his bastard Ramsay Snow, by which match the Boltons mean to lay claim to Winterfell. Now, will you come with me, or no?"


So again, who has returned, who is sending forth ravens summing all the lords of the north that would have other signatures and seals… Roose. Funny, kind of the same things are mentioned in the letter to Jon. Summing all lords to Browntown, that would be Barrow Hall where Roose is and Ramsay is not. The letter to Asha would have been very different, not an invitation. She and the rest of the Iron born with her are not welcome in the north by anybody with Roose. So, her letter would be a bit cruder and to the point that they need to leave. Roose has more important things to do and plan for than to have to go back and raid her out of Deepwood. Having just comforting the Iron born at the Fever River, and Mote Cailin the other lords would agree and sign the letter the way it was written from Roose without any question. Well, maybe they would question why sign the letters to Asha and Jon from Ramsay and not himself, or would they?


Here is a look at the signers. (Per ASOIAF WIKI)

House Cerwyn at the end of the third century

The known Cerwyns during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Lady Cerwyn swears fealty to the new Warden of the North, Lord Roose Bolton, and the Cerwyns contribute troops to Ramsay Bolton’s campaign against Moat Cailin. Of course she signs the letter, she is all alone. She quite possibly knows what happened to her brother Cley. Although Roose is skeptical of the Cerwyn’s loyalty. She would sign whatever Roose put in front of her.

House Dustin at the end of the third century

The known Dustins during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Barbrey Dustin, Ryswell, is the Lady of Barrowton as the widow of Willam Dustin, Lord of Barrowton. She was born into House Ryswell as the younger daughter of Rodrik Ryswell, Lord of the Rills

A Dance with Dragons The Ryswells and Dustins surprise the remaining ironmen on the Fever River and burn their ten longships.

Lady Dustin can not abide the presence of Ramsay and his Bastard’s Boys and forbids them from Barrow Hall, as she suspects he had a hand in the death of her nephew., Domeric Bolton. Barbrey us very interesting and knows more than what she leads Roose to believe. However, she would sign these letters for Roose.

 House Umber at the end of the third century

The known Umbers during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Hother begrudgingly swears allegiance to the Dreadfort because his nephew, Lord Greatjon Umber, is a captive of the Freys at the Twins. However, Mors Umber offers to join Stannis Baratheon on the condition that Stannis pardon Hother and pledge that the Umbers will not fight against one another.  Roose Bolton, the new Warden of the North, does not trust Hother's allegiance and suspects that he plots betrayal. Hother and Arnolf Karstark are seated next to Ramsay Bolton during the feast held at the Dreadfort before Ramsay marches on Moat Cailin. Hother recognizes "Reek" as Theon Greyjoy when he is brought before them and recommends to Ramsay that he slit Reek's throat, as he will most likely betray Ramsay as he did Robb Stark with the capture of Winterfell. Hother leads three hundred spears and a hundred archers south for the siege of Moat Cailin

The Umber’s have their own agenda (A different theory for a different time), and Hother would sign anything as long as it got them one step closer to getting the Great Jon back.

House Ryswell at the end of the third century

The known Ryswells during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Without specified familiar relationship with the main branch, other Ryswells include:

The Ryswells and Dustins are the first to declare for House Bolton when Lord Roose is named Warden of the North. The two houses surprise the remaining ironborn on the Fever River and manage to burn their longships. The ironmen at Moat Cailin repel three attacks by the northern host, but Theon Greyjoy negotiates the castle's surrender.


The Ryswells have no love for Ramsay whatsoever. They blame him for Domeric, so why do they allow Ramsay to join them? The Ryswells have been tied to Roose by marriage and Lord Ryswell has even named a son for him.

 

So, why would Roose sign as Ramsay and not himself. Because he knows what Ramsay has been up to. He’s had to cover for him along the way. First there are already terrible rumors of his hunts, and he does horrific things to Lady Hornwood. Then he’s dead, oh wait he’s not, it was Reek I. Now, he’s helped capture the Iron born that took over Winterfell. He’s been very busy,


As explained by Robert Gloverand Wyman Manderley Davos


A Dance with Dragons - Davos IV

Davos thought back on the tales they'd heard. "Winterfell was captured by Theon Greyjoy, who had once been Lord Stark's ward. He had Stark's two young sons put to death and mounted their heads above the castle walls. When the northmen came to oust him, he put the entire castle to sword, down to the last child, before he himself was slain by Lord Bolton's bastard."

"Not slain," said Glover. "Captured, and carried back to the Dreadfort. The Bastard has been flaying him."

Lord Wyman nodded. "The tale you tell is one we all have heard, as full of lies as a pudding's full of raisins. It was the Bastard of Bolton who put Winterfell to the sword … Ramsay Snow, he was called then, before the boy king made him a Bolton. Snow did not kill them all. He spared the women, roped them together, and marched them to the Dreadfort for his sport."

"His sport?"

"He is a great hunter," said Wyman Manderly, "and women are his favorite prey. He strips them naked and sets them loose in the woods. They have a half day's start before he sets out after them with hounds and horns. From time to time some wench escapes and lives to tell the tale. Most are less fortunate. When Ramsay catches them he rapes them, flays them, feeds their corpses to his dogs, and brings their skins back to the Dreadfort as trophies. If they have given him good sport, he slits their throats before he skins them. Elsewise, t'other way around."

"The evil is in his blood," said Robett Glover. "He is a bastard born of rape. A Snow, no matter what the boy king says."

"Was ever snow so black?" asked Lord Wyman. "Ramsay took Lord Hornwood's lands by forcibly wedding his widow, then locked her in a tower and forgot her. It is said she ate her own fingers in her extremity … and the Lannister notion of king's justice is to reward her killer with Ned Stark's little girl."

"The Boltons have always been as cruel as they were cunning, but this one seems a beast in human skin," said Glover.


I’m sure that Roose thinks that Asha has heard tells of Ramsay whilst she has been in the north. Who better to sign a letter to get the Iron Born out of Deepwood?


But why sign the letter sent to the wall from Ramsay? Because of the acts that happened at Moat Cailin.


A Dance with Dragons - Jon VI

Jon saw no reason not to tell him. "Moat Cailin is taken. The flayed corpses of the ironmen have been nailed to posts along the kingsroad. Roose Bolton summons all leal lords to Barrowton, to affirm their loyalty to the Iron Throne

 

More flayed men, some men at the nights watch are Iron Born, best to say that Ramsay did this and not the new Warden of the North. However, since A Clash of Kings we have seen Roose disavowed Ramsay’s actions, already putting a distance between them, or at least trying to.


A Clash of Kings - Catelyn VI

Still, she was struck again by how strangely men behaved when it came to their bastards. Ned had always been fiercely protective of Jon, and Ser Cortnay Penrose had given up his life for this Edric Storm, yet Roose Bolton's bastard had meant less to him than one of his dogs, to judge from the tone of the queer cold letter Edmure had gotten from him not three days past. He had crossed the Trident and was marching on Harrenhal as commanded, he wrote. "A strong castle, and well garrisoned, but His Grace shall have it, if I must kill every living soul within to make it so." He hoped His Grace would weigh that against the crimes of his bastard son, whom Ser Rodrik Cassel had put to death. "A fate he no doubt earned," Bolton had written. "Tainted blood is ever treacherous, and Ramsay's nature was sly, greedy, and cruel. I count myself well rid of him. The trueborn sons my young wife has promised me would never have been safe while he lived."

 

A Storm of Swords - Catelyn VI

"Your bastard was accused of grievous crimes," Catelyn reminded him sharply. "Of murder, rape, and worse."

"Yes," Roose Bolton said. "His blood is tainted, that cannot be denied. Yet he is a good fighter, as cunning as he is fearless. When the ironmen cut down Ser Rodrik, and Leobald Tallhart soon after, it fell to Ramsay to lead the battle, and he did. He swears that he shall not sheathe his sword so long as a single Greyjoy remains in the north. Perhaps such service might atone in some small measure for whatever crimes his bastard blood has led him to commit." He shrugged. "Or not. When the war is done, His Grace must weigh and judge. By then I hope to have a trueborn son by Lady Walda."

This is a cold man, Catelyn realized, not for the first time.

 

Barbrey Dustin puts it best herself…


A Dance with Dragons - The Prince of Winterfell

Roose has no feelings, you see. Those leeches that he loves so well sucked all the passions out of him years ago. He does not love, he does not hate, he does not grieve. This is a game to him, mildly diverting. Some men hunt, some hawk, some tumble dice. Roose plays with men. You and me, these Freys, Lord Manderly, his plump new wife, even his bastard, we are but his playthings." 

Does Roose have something else in mind for Ramsay? I think so, when he comes to get Ramsay at Stout's Hall, he tells him that Stannis is on the way and that he intends for them to go to Winterfell for the wedding_


A Dance with Dragons - Reek III

"Even ruined and broken, Winterfell remains Lady Arya's home. What better place to wed her, bed her, and stake your claim? That is only half of it, however. We would be fools to march on Stannis. Let Stannis march on us. He is too cautious to come to Barrowton … but he must come to Winterfell. 

Roose has no disillusion that Ramsay would ever be able to hold and be the lord of Winterfell, let alone be his heir.

...

"If the gods will it." Roose rose to his feet. "You'll wed at Winterfell. I shall inform the lords that we march in three days and invite them to accompany us."

"You are the Warden of the North. Command them."

"An invitation will accomplish the same thing. Power tastes best when sweetened by courtesy. You had best learn that if you ever hope to rule." The Lord of the Dreadfort glanced at Reek. "Oh, and unchain your pet. I am taking him."

 

A Dance with Dragons - The Turncloak

"The bride weeps," Lady Dustin said, as they made their way down, step by careful step. "Our little Lady Arya."

Take care now. Take care, take care. He put one hand on the wall. The shifting torchlight made the steps seem to move beneath his feet. "As … as you say, m'lady."

"Roose is not pleased. Tell your bastard that."

He is not my bastard, he wanted to say, but another voice inside him said, He is, he is. Reek belongs to Ramsay, and Ramsay belongs to Reek. You must not forget your name.

"Dressing her in grey and white serves no good if the girl is left to sob. The Freys may not care, but the northmen … they fear the Dreadfort, but they love the Starks."

"Not you," said Theon.

"Not me," the Lady of Barrowton confessed, "but the rest, yes. Old Whoresbane is only here because the Freys hold the Greatjon captive. And do you imagine the Hornwood men have forgotten the Bastard's last marriage, and how his lady wife was left to starve, chewing her own fingers? What do you think passes through their heads when they hear the new bride weeping? Valiant Ned's precious little girl."

No, he thought. She is not of Lord Eddard's blood, her name is Jeyne, she is only a steward's daughter. He did not doubt that Lady Dustin suspected, but even so …

"Lady Arya's sobs do us more harm than all of Lord Stannis's swords and spears. If the Bastard means to remain Lord of Winterfell, he had best teach his wife to laugh."


While Roose is with Theon, he tells him about his other son and hints that he wants to be rid of Ramsay.

 

A Dance with Dragons - Reek III

"A year later this same wench had the impudence to turn up at the Dreadfort with a squalling, red-faced monster that she claimed was my own get. I should've had the mother whipped and thrown her child down a well … but the babe did have my eyes. She told me that when her dead husband's brother saw those eyes, he beat her bloody and drove her from the mill. That annoyed me, so I gave her the mill and had the brother's tongue cut out, to make certain he did not go running to Winterfell with tales that might disturb Lord Rickard. Each year I sent the woman some piglets and chickens and a bag of stars, on the understanding that she was never to tell the boy who had fathered him. A peaceful land, a quiet people, that has always been my rule."

"A fine rule, m'lord."

"The woman disobeyed me, though. You see what Ramsay is. She made him, her and Reek, always whispering in his ear about his rights. He should have been content to grind corn. Does he truly think that he can ever rule the north?"

"He fights for you," Reek blurted out. "He's strong."

"Bulls are strong. Bears. I have seen my bastard fight. He is not entirely to blame. Reek was his tutor, the first Reek, and Reek was never trained at arms. Ramsay is ferocious, I will grant you, but he swings that sword like a butcher hacking meat."

"He's not afraid of anyone, m'lord."

"He should be. Fear is what keeps a man alive in this world of treachery and deceit. Even here in Barrowton the crows are circling, waiting to feast upon our flesh. The Cerwyns and the Tallharts are not to be relied on, my fat friend Lord Wyman plots betrayal, and Whoresbane … the Umbers may seem simple, but they are not without a certain low cunning. Ramsay should fear them all, as I do. The next time you see him, tell him that."

"Tell him … tell him to be afraid?" Reek felt ill at the very thought of it. "M'lord, I … if I did that, he'd …"

"I know." Lord Bolton sighed. "His blood is bad. He needs to be leeched. The leeches suck away the bad blood, all the rage and pain. No man can think so full of anger. Ramsay, though … his tainted blood would poison even leeches, I fear."

"He is your only son."

"For the moment. I had another, once. Domeric. A quiet boy, but most accomplished. He served four years as Lady Dustin's page, and three in the Vale as a squire to Lord Redfort. He played the high harp, read histories, and rode like the wind. Horses … the boy was mad for horses, Lady Dustin will tell you. Not even Lord Rickard's daughter could outrace him, and that one was half a horse herself. Redfort said he showed great promise in the lists. A great jouster must be a great horseman first."

"Yes, m'lord. Domeric. I … I have heard his name …"

"Ramsay killed him. A sickness of the bowels, Maester Uthor says, but I say poison. In the Vale, Domeric had enjoyed the company of Redfort's sons. He wanted a brother by his side, so he rode up the Weeping Water to seek my bastard out. I forbade it, but Domeric was a man grown and thought that he knew better than his father. Now his bones lie beneath the Dreadfort with the bones of his brothers, who died still in the cradle, and I am left with Ramsay. Tell me, my lord … if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when one son slays another?"

The question frightened him. Once he had heard Skinner say that the Bastard had killed his trueborn brother, but he had never dared to believe it. He could be wrong. Brothers die sometimes, it does not mean that they were killed. My brothers died, and I never killed them. "My lord has a new wife to give him sons."

"And won't my bastard love that? Lady Walda is a Frey, and she has a fertile feel to her. I have become oddly fond of my fat little wife. The two before her never made a sound in bed, but this one squeals and shudders. I find that quite endearing. If she pops out sons the way she pops in tarts, the Dreadfort will soon be overrun with Boltons. Ramsay will kill them all, of course. That's for the best. I will not live long enough to see new sons to manhood, and boy lords are the bane of any House. Walda will grieve to see them die, though."


So, what is a father to do with a kinslaying bastard son? Why, wait until your new wife that you are so fond of is pregnant and send the bastard that is not afraid of anybody out to battle with Stannis. That is the plan until Theon escapes Winterfell with Jayne.


The events that led to the pink letter.

After the wedding at Winterfell, there are a lot of mysterious deaths, and the forces inside the castle are fighting each other. The morning of the escape, all hell breaks loose after the death of little Walder the Freys and Manderlys are fighting then there is word that Stannis is only three days march north of them" Roose orders the Freys and Manderlys out to lead the attack. Whilst his forces will stay at Winterfell. A maneuver we have seen him use in the past during his stay at Harrenhall.


A Storm of Swords - Arya I

The Lord of the Dreadfort would not come after them himself. Roose Bolton would stay abed, his pasty flesh dotted with leeches, giving commands in his whispery soft voice. His man Walton might lead the hunt, the one they called Steelshanks for the greaves he always wore on his long legs. Or perhaps it would be slobbery Vargo Hoat and his sellswords, who named themselves the Brave Companions. Others called them Bloody Mummers (though never to their faces), and sometimes the Footmen, for Lord Vargo's habit of cutting off the hands and feet of men who displeased him.

If they catch us, he'll cut off our hands and feet, Arya thought, and then Roose Bolton will peel the skin off us. She was still dressed in her page's garb, and on the breast over her heart was sewn Lord Bolton's sigil, the flayed man of the Dreadfort.


Also, his wife is pregnant now. Roose really won't be going anywhere.


A Dance with Dragons - Theon I

Roose Bolton entered, pale-eyed and yawning, accompanied by his plump and pregnant wife, Fat Walda.

 

The Escape

While the Frey and Manderley forces are getting ready to go out, Roose looks around and finds Able/Mance there, and request that he sing for them.


 A Dance with Dragons - Theon I

"Enough," roared Lord Ramsay, brandishing his bloody spear. "Another threat, and I'll gut you all myself. My lord father has spoken! Save your wroth for the pretender Stannis."

Roose Bolton gave an approving nod. "As he says. There will be time enough to fight each other once we are done with Stannis." He turned his head, his pale cold eyes searching the hall until they found the bard Abel beside Theon. "Singer," he called, "come sing us something soothing."

Abel bowed. "If it please your lordship." Lute in hand, he sauntered to the dais, hopping nimbly over a corpse or two, and seated himself cross-legged on the high table. As he began to play—a sad, soft song that Theon Greyjoy did not recognize—Ser Hosteen, Ser Aenys, and their fellow Freys turned away to lead their horses from the hall.


From ASOIAF Wiki

Mance takes six spearwives with him to find Arya: Rowan, Holly, Squirrel, Willow Witch-eye, Frenya, and Myrtle. He arrives at Winterfell as a bard under the assumed name Abel.


The six spear wives tell Theon that they have to go now before the Frey’s and Manderley’s can reach Stannis. They go to the kitchens and get water upstairs to give Arya/Jayne a bath. They are able to get in almost unnoticed, except for the guards in the kitchen question where the other girls that normally attend the lady Arya have gone to.


A Dance with Dragons - Theon I

"At once" took longer than Theon would have liked. None of the big kettles was clean, so the potboy had to scrub one out before filling it with water. Then it seemed to take forever to come to a rolling boil and twice forever to fill six wooden pails. All the while Abel's women waited, their faces shadowed by their cowls. They are doing it all wrong. Real serving girls were always teasing the potboys, flirting with the cooks, wheedling a taste of this, a bite of that. Rowan and her scheming sisters did not want to attract notice, but their sullen silence soon had the guards giving them queer looks. "Where's Maisie and Jez and t'other girls?" one asked Theon. "The usual ones."

"Lady Arya was displeased with them," he lied. "Her water was cold before it reached the tub last time."

The hot water filled the air with clouds of steam, melting the snowflakes as they came drifting down. Back through the maze of ice-walled trenches went the procession. With every sloshing step the water cooled. The passages were clogged with troops: armored knights in woolen surcoats and fur cloaks, men-at-arms with spears across their shoulders, archers carrying unstrung bows and sheaves of arrows, freeriders, grooms leading warhorses. The Frey men wore the badge of the two towers, those from White Harbor displayed merman and trident. They shouldered through the storm in opposite directions and eyed each other warily as they passed, but no swords were drawn. Not here. It may be different out there in the woods.


The plan is for Squirrel to stay upstairs and sneak out the window as the other usher Arya/Jayne out the guarded door. Squirrel claims to be a great climber. However, when they get inside the room They cannot find her, Theon thinks she escaped, and looks to the window, but its bared shut.


A Dance with Dragons - Theon I

No day had dawned inside this room. Shadows covered all. One last log crackled feebly amongst the dying embers in the hearth, and a candle flickered on the table beside a rumpled, empty bed. The girl is gone, Theon thought. She has thrown herself out a window in despair. But the windows here were shuttered against the storm, sealed up by crusts of blown snow and frost. "Where is she?" Holly asked. Her sisters emptied their pails into the big round wooden tub. Frenya shut the chamber door and put her back against it. "Where is she?" Holly said again. Outside a horn was blowing. A trumpet. The Freys, assembling for battle. Theon could feel an itching in his missing fingers.

Then he saw her. She was huddled in the darkest corner of the bedchamber, on the floor, curled up in a ball beneath a pile of wolfskins. Theon might never have spotted her but for the way she trembled. Jeyne had pulled the furs up over herself to hide. From us? Or was she expecting her lord husband? The thought that Ramsay might be coming made him want to scream. "My lady." Theon could not bring himself to call her Arya and dare not call her Jeyne. "No need to hide. These are friends."


So, I'm not sure how Squirrel will be able to get out with the window shuttered and sealed by crust of snow.  I say she's trapped up there. After they find Arya and get her into squirrels clothes, the remaining five spear wives, Theon, and Jayne go out into the yard, where Rowan splits them up to go get Mance.


Now it's Theon, Jayne, and two spear wives, Freya with the rope and Holly. While they are heading out Jayne makes a noise so now they know they will get caught if they don't get out now. Freya bravely says she'll stay behind to hold them off and for them to keep going. Theon looks back and sees her taking on half a dozen men. I'd say she's not going to make it. Once they are finally are at the top of the battlements, Holly is struck by an arrow and dies, leaving only Theon and Jayne. Theon looks around, no sign of Mance or the other spear wives and men approaching on either side, decides to jump.


That's where things are left at the end of a Dance with Dragons. We've been told by George that the Theon sample chapter from Winds of Winter comes before the final Jon chapter in Dance, where he receives the Bastard letter. I believe that Roose does have Mance and the remaining five spear wives. Squirrel up in Arya's room and Rowan, Williow and Myrtle. After Theon and Jayne's jump, the guards would have gone to Roose to tell him what happened, remember the Kitchen guards saw them with Theon getting the water so it would be easy enough for them to put all of this together, that Able and his washerwomen are not quite who they say they are and that they were sent to aid in the escape of Arya. And what would Roose do with them?


The same thing Arya thinks he'll do if they catch her if she were to escape Harrenhall when she was his cup bearer. Even with all of the other northern lords at Winterfell as witness, Roose would and could not let such treachery go without punishment and he would want to know the who, what, how, from Mance and what better way to get it.


Lord Bolton, he used to saying, “a naked man has few secrets, but a flayed man's got none.”


A Dance with Dragons - Reek II

Once, a boy called Theon Greyjoy had enjoyed tweaking Bolton as they sat at council with Robb Stark, mocking his soft voice and making japes about leeches. He must have been mad. This is no man to jape with. You had only to look at Bolton to know that he had more cruelty in his pinky toe than all the Freys combined.

"Father." Lord Ramsay knelt before his sire.


The whole time while they were planning the escape, Theon knows what is going to happen to them if they are caught.


A Dance with Dragons - Theon I

Lord Ramsay soon appeared as well, buckling on his sword belt as he made his way to the front of the hall. His mood is foul this morning. Theon could tell. The drums kept him awake all night, he guessed, or someone has displeased him. One wrong word, an ill-considered look, an ill-timed laugh, any of them could provoke his lordship's wroth and cost a man a strip of skin. Please, m'lord, don't look this way. One glance would be all it would take for Ramsay to know everything. He'll see it written on my face. He'll know. He always knows.

Theon turned to Abel. "This will not work." His voice was pitched so low that even the horses could not have overheard. "We will be caught before we leave the castle. Even if we do escape, Lord Ramsay will hunt us down, him and Ben Bones and the girls."

"Lord Stannis is outside the walls, and not far by the sound of it. All we need do is reach him." Abel's fingers danced across the strings of his lute. The singer's beard was brown, though his long hair had largely gone to grey. "If the Bastard does come after us, he might live long enough to rue it."

Think that, Theon thought. Believe that. Tell yourself it's true. "Ramsay will use your women as his prey," he told the singer. "He'll hunt them down, rape them, and feed their corpses to his dogs. If they lead him a good chase, he may name his next litter of bitches after them. You he'll flay. Him and Skinner and Damon Dance-for-Me, they will make a game of it. You'll be begging them to kill you."

Theon wondered if he would ever see the Drowned God's watery halls, or if his ghost would linger here at Winterfell. Dead is dead. Better dead than Reek. If Abel's scheme went awry, Ramsay would make their dying long and hard. He will flay me from head to heel this time, and no amount of begging will end the anguish. No pain Theon had ever known came close to the agony that Skinner could evoke with a little flensing blade. Abel would learn that lesson soon enough. And for what? Jeyne, her name is Jeyne, and her eyes are the wrong color. A mummer playing a part. Lord Bolton knows, and Ramsay, but the rest are blind, even this bloody bard with his sly smiles. The jape is on you, Abel, you and your murdering whores. You'll die for the wrong girl.

…

Foolish woman. He might well be a broken thing, but Theon still wore a dagger. It would have been a simple thing to slide it out and drive it down between her shoulder blades. That much he was still capable of, missing teeth and broken teeth and all. It might even be a kindness—a quicker, cleaner end than the one she and her sisters would face when Ramsay caught them.

…

But the guards outside were huddled by the doors, backs turned against the icy wind and blown snow. Even the serjeant did not spare them more than a quick glance. Theon felt a stab of pity for him and his men. Ramsay would flay them all when he learned his bride was gone, and what he would do to Grunt and Sour Alyn did not bear thinking about.


So yes, Roose has Mance in a cage for all the north to see, he made him a cloak from the six spear wives.


Now what happen to Theon and Jayne? As shown above, Roose would choose someone to lead the hunt for the now escaped Theon and Jayne. Who better to lead the hunt than his kinslaying bastard son, who is famous for his hunting skills? Roose would send Ramsay out on the hunt with his bastard boys (who really are Roose's men) and tell him not to come back without "His Bride and Reek” Meanwhile, Theon and Jayne are caught by Mors Umber waiting outside the walls of Winterfell with his green boys digging pits and blowing horns. Mors questions Jayne then sends them off when he hears that the portcullis has been lowered. I believe Mors or maybe just some of the green boys where captured and yes their heads upon the wall of Winterfell. What heads on the wall? you say. some believe that this points to the wrong torture being used, but no it's not. It's actually what has happened before at Winterfell.


A Clash of Kings - Theon V

On his left he could see tower tops above the inner wall, their roofs gilded by the rising sun. The red leaves of the weirwood were a blaze of flame among the green. Ned Stark's tree, he thought, and Stark's wood, Stark's castle, Stark's sword, Stark's gods. This is their place, not mine. I am a Greyjoy of Pyke, born to paint a kraken on my shield and sail the great salt sea. I should have gone with Asha.

On their iron spikes atop the gatehouse, the heads waited.

Theon gazed at them silently while the wind tugged on his cloak with small ghostly hands. The miller's boys had been of an age with Bran and Rickon, alike in size and coloring, and once Reek had flayed the skin from their faces and dipped their heads in tar, it was easy to see familiar features in those misshapen lumps of rotting flesh. 

 

A Clash of Kings - Theon VI

"Gods be good, Theon, how can you do this? You know I must attack, have sworn . . ."

"If this host is still in arms before my gate when the sun sets, Beth will hang," said Theon. "Another hostage will follow her to the grave at first light, and another at sunset. Every dawn and every dusk will mean a death, until you are gone. I have no lack of hostages." He did not wait for a reply, but wheeled Smiler around and rode back toward the castle. He went slowly at first, but the thought of those archers at his back soon drove him to a canter. The small heads watched him come from their spikes, their tarred and flayed faces looming larger with every yard; between them stood little Beth Cassel, noosed and crying.


A Dance with Dragons - The Turncloak

She studied him. "For the same reason you love them."

Theon stumbled. "Love them? I never … I took this castle from them, my lady. I had … had Bran and Rickon put to death, mounted their heads on spikes, I …

 

Back to Stannis, who now has Theon and Jayne, and is waiting for the Bolton, the Frey and Manderley forces to attack. Theon is hanging on a wall in the only tower in the Crofters village and he tells Stannis that he should be aware that Ramsay is on his way.


 "Who is coming? Bolton?" "Lord Rarnsay," Theon hissed" "The son, not the father. You must not let him take him. Roose... Roose is safe within the walls of Winterfell with his fat new wife. Ramsay is coming." "Ramsay Snow, you mean. The Bastard." "Never call him that" Spittle sprayed from Theon's lips. "Ramsay Bolton, not Ramsay Snow, never Snow, never, you have to remember his name, or he will hurt you."


Using the "Ice Lakes" theory, I believe that Stannis does win the battle and as he tells Justin Masey, "It may be that we shall lose this battle," the king said grimly. "In Bravos you may hear that I am dead". He sends words back to Winterfell via Ravens from Maester Tybald that he has fallen, the Frey’s and Manderley’s have his magic sword.


'Maester Tybald" announced the knight of the north. "You are maester at the Dreadfort, How is it you are here with us?" "Lord Arnolf brought me to tend to his wounded." "To his wounded? Or his ravens?" "A maester's raven flies to one place, and one place only. If we were to loose them birds, would they return to the Dreadfort?" The king leaned forward. "Or might they fly for Winterfell instead?" Maester Tybald pissed his robes. What was in the message you sent to Winterfell?" The maester quivered. "Am-map, Your Grace."


Why would Stannis co this? To take Winterfell by surprise as posing as the Frey’s and Manderly. Using the uniforms and banners of the men that just fallen into the lake. Winterfell would surely open the gates for them.


Roose receiving this word about Stannis defeat but there is no word about Theon or Jayne and still no word from Ramsay and his hunt, Roose sends the Bastard letter to Jon at the wall where he would think they might have gone to. Roose believing that Stannis is dead and wants to intimidate Jon into sending him Stannis's heir, Sherin, his Wife Sylese, and his red priestess Melisandre, what good hostages and way to show loyalty to the Iron Throne. He would also not want any ramifications from the wildling now this side of the wall for what he has done to Mance so he would also ask for Mances child, and Val. Roose would have heard all about the Burning ceremony at the wall, and would want to call Jon out for it, intimidate him even more, as if Bastard wasn't enough. He would want Jon to look weak in front of his other “black crow brothers"


This is yet another point of much debate; the term Black Crows. While it can easily be explained by Roose just simply repeating what he heard Mance or the spear wives say when he tortured them, I've found the term used by people south of the wall way back in Clash of Kings. It is a little bit cryptic, leave it to George, but it's there..


A Clash of Kings - Arya III

Outside a holdfast called Briarwhite, some fieldhands surrounded them in a cornfield, demanding coin for the ears they'd taken. Yoren eyed their scythes and tossed them a few coppers. "Time was, a man in black was feasted from Dorne to Winterfell, and even high lords called it an honor to shelter him under their roofs," he said bitterly. "Now cravens like you want hard coin for a bite of wormy apple." He spat.

"It's sweetcorn, better'n a stinking old black bird like you deserves," one of them answered roughly. "You get out of our field now, and take these sneaks and stabbers with you, or we'll stake you up in the corn to scare the other crows away."


Note – Per A wiki of Ice and Fire

Briarwhite is a holdfast in the southeastern riverlands. It is located west of the kingsroad and east of the Gods Eye river. Briarwhite shares its name with a type of plant that grows along the Chequy Water in the Reach

 

A Clash of Kings - Arya IV

"And who are you, old man? One of Lord Beric's cravens?" called the knight in the spiked helm. "If that fat fool Thoros is in there, ask him how he likes these fires."

"Got no such man here," Yoren shouted back. "Only some lads for the Watch. Got no part o' your war." He hoisted up the staff, so they could all see the color of his cloak. "Have a look. That's black, for the Night's Watch."

And she looked at Ser Amory's face, the way Syrio had taught her to look, and she saw that he was right.

"If you are no traitors, open your gates," Ser Amory called. "We'll make certain you're telling it true and be on our way."

Yoren was chewing sourleaf. "Told you, no one here but us. You got my word on that."

The knight in the spiked helm laughed. "The crow gives us his word."

"You lost, old man?" mocked one of the spearmen. "The Wall's a long way north o' here."

"I command you once more, in King Joffrey's name, to prove the loyalty you profess and open these gates," said Ser Amory.


A Clash of Kings - Bran II

"Fighting giants?" Osha claimed there were still giants beyond the Wall. One day maybe I'll even see one . . .

"Fighting men." She belted herself with a length of rope. "Black crows, oft as not. Killed me one too," she said, shaking out her hair. It had grown since she'd come to Winterfell, well down past her ears. She looked softer than the woman who had once tried to rob and kill him in the wolfswood. "Heard some yattering in the kitchen today about you and them Freys."

…

Hother wanted ships. "There's wildlings stealing down from the north, more than I've ever seen before. They cross the Bay of Seals in little boats and wash up on our shores. The crows in Eastwatch are too few to stop them, and they go to ground quick as weasels. It's longships we need, aye, and strong men to sail them. The Greatjon took too many. Half our harvest is gone to seed for want of arms to swing the scythes."


So, now let’s take a look at the Bastard letter with all of this in mind.

A Dance with Dragons - Jon XIII

Mully had not been wrong; the old steward was trembling, his face as pale as the snows outside. "I am being foolish, Lord Commander, but … this letter frightens me. See here?"

Bastard, was the only word written outside the scroll. No Lord Snow or Jon Snow or Lord Commander. Simply Bastard. And the letter was sealed with a smear of hard pink wax. "You were right to come at once," Jon said. You were right to be afraid. He cracked the seal, flattened the parchment, and read.

Your false king is dead, bastard, he and all his host were smashed in seven days of battle. I have his magic sword. Tell his red whore. Your false king's friends are dead. Their heads upon the walls of Winterfell. Come see them, bastard. Your false king lied, and so did you. You told the world you burned the King-Beyond-the-Wall. Instead you sent him to Winterfell to steal my bride from me.

I will have my bride back. If you want Mance Rayder back, come and get him. I have him in a cage for all the north to see, proof of your lies. The cage is cold, but I have made him a warm cloak from the skins of the six whores who came with him to Winterfell.

I want my bride back. I want the false king's queen. I want his daughter and his red witch. I want his wildling princess. I want his little prince, the wildling babe. And I want my Reek. Send them to me, bastard, and I will not trouble you or your black crows. Keep them from me, and I will cut out your bastard's heart and eat it.

It was signed,

Ramsay Bolton

Trueborn Lord of Winterfell

 


Let’s break this down.

“Bastard, was the only word written outside the scroll.” Of course he would call Jon bastard, what gets under the skin of one bastard might get under the skin of another.


“Your false king is dead, bastard,” Yes, he thinks that the battle was won by them due to the false letter Stannis send, making use of the Dreadfort Maester and ravens he has thanks to Lord Karstark, “Bastard” again, he really wants to get to Jon.


“he and all his host were smashed in seven days of battle. I have his magic sword. Tell his red whore.”  Again, he thinks they beat Stannis, the letter Stannis sends would have mentioned the sword, but not Ramsay, the Red Whore part would have come from the information he gets from torturing Mance.


“Your false king's friends are dead. Their heads upon the walls of Winterfell. Come see them, bastard.“ His friends….Stannis has friends?, I bet he would like to know that. I think he his talking about Mors Umber and the green boys that are just outside of Winterfell, they have been digging pits and blowing their horns, they were in the right spot to get Theon and Jeyne when they jumped, then Mors hears the porticus opening… no way Mors and some green boys did not get captured by the Bolton forces, and yes their heads would be mounted on the wall, as a warning to others. “Bastard “again.


“Your false king lied, and so did you. You told the world you burned the King-Beyond-the-Wall. Instead, you sent him to Winterfell to steal my bride from me.” He would get this information from Mance, he would have captured him and the remaining spear wives and of course he would have to torture them after Theon and Jeyne escape. Note “My Bride” and not Arya or your little sister. What no” Bastard?”

 

“I will have my bride back. If you want Mance Rayder back, come and get him. I have him in a cage for all the north to see, proof of your lies. The cage is cold, but I have made him a warm cloak from the skins of the six whores who came with him to Winterfell.”


Again, my bride, another opportunity missed to write Bastard. Does mention Mance Rayder, I believe it’s to give more credibility to the letter with the correct number of spear wives. Mentions a cage, the same thing Mance (really Rattleshirt) was burned in.


The imaginary of the “made a warm cloak from the skins” is fitting in two ways, yes it’s what the Bolton house is known for and would mess with Jon’s sense of honor. Ned was the one that outlawed flaying.


“I want my bride back. I want the false king's queen. I want his daughter and his red witch.” Of course, he would want a Stark back… third missed opportunity to say Bastard.


“I want his wildling princess. I want his little prince, the wildling babe.”

 And yes, he would want all of Stannis men to keep the other wildings from taking any revenge on them, they are on the outside of the wall, something Roose would have learned from the torture.


“And I want my Reek.”

This was the part for me that made this letter possible by only a few key characters, I believe that the false letter Roose receives from Stannis about the battle does not contain any information about Ramsay, who I believe went out with a few of his boys to get Theon and Jeyne back after they escaped, but have not returned yet to Winterfell. Ramsay would not want to go back to his father without his Reek and bride.

 

 “Send them to me, bastard,”

Okay so he is able to get in one more Bastard, send them, I think with this letter he wants Jon to bring the himself, he would not want any stark alive even a bastard that can be legitimized like Ramsay was.


“and I will not trouble you or your black crows. Keep them from me, and I will cut out your bastard's heart and eat it.”

Also weird, "I will not trouble you. “That is just something Ramsay would never say, but Roose wants a peaceful land.


This was the part that made me think it was Roose and not Ramsey, Roose wants things peaceful in the north. While black crow is the term that makes allot of people think it was Mance that sends the letter, but black crows is used by people south of the wall, I also believe that Roose still wants his deniability if things go wrong, can blame everything on Ramsay, and why it is signed as it is and why it was delivered sealed with just a smudge of wax.


Also, Trueborn lord of Winterfell another last jab at Jon to make sure he is the one to deliver all that is requested.


Conclusion, Roose is the author of the Bastard letter, and all other letters sent that were sign by Ramsay. Did you really think Roose would give Ramsay the house Seal to send out the first letters that were sent from Barrowton? Oh, sweet summer child….


One last bit of proof, Roose has the seal with him at Harrenhall. After receiving a letter from his wife, Roose instructs Qyburn to send a letter to Tallhart. After Harrenhall he attends the Red Wedding, then marches back up north to take Moat Calin from the south while Ramsay takes it from the north. After the fall he then goes to Barrowton to write letters....


A Clash of Kings - Arya X

"There is a letter from your lady wife." Qyburn pulled a roll of parchment from his sleeve. Though he wore maester's robes, there was no chain about his neck; it was whispered that he had lost it for dabbling in necromancy.

"You may read it," Bolton said.

The Lady Walda wrote from the Twins almost every day, but all the letters were the same. "I pray for you morn, noon, and night, my sweet lord," she wrote, "and count the days until you share my bed again. Return to me soon, and I will give you many trueborn sons to take the place of your dear Domeric and rule the Dreadfort after you." Arya pictured a plump pink baby in a cradle, covered with plump pink leeches.

She brought Lord Bolton a damp washcloth to wipe down his soft hairless body. "I will send a letter of my own," he told the onetime maester.

"To the Lady Walda?"

"To Ser Helman Tallhart."

A rider from Ser Helman had come two days past. Tallhart men had taken the castle of the Darrys, accepting the surrender of its Lannister garrison after a brief siege.

"Tell him to put the captives to the sword and the castle to the torch, by command of the king. Then he is to join forces with Robett Glover and strike east toward Duskendale. Those are rich lands, and hardly touched by the fighting. It is time they had a taste. Glover has lost a castle, and Tallhart a son. Let them take their vengeance on Duskendale."

"I shall prepare the message for your seal, my lord."

 

 

 
 
 

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