At the Dreadfort, the home of House Bolton, Theon Greyjoy has been chained up in a dungeon after being knocked out before the Sack of Winterfell. Men come in, some wearing Ironborn clothing, and interrogate him. Without any knowledge of his whereabouts or his captors, Theon asks what they want. One of his captors says he wants to do "this," and starts prying his fingernails off with a knife. Afterwards, they use a foot press to torture him, while also slowly turning a screw into his foot until it is bleeding freely, repeatedly asking him why he captured Winterfell, but apparently not caring about his answers. Theon at first tells them the simple truth: that he wanted to take and hold Winterfell while the North was vulnerable to impress his father Balon Greyjoy, then starts frantically lying, stating that he hates the Starks and is their enemy, desperately trying to figure out what his captors want him to tell them. When the guards then leave, they put a bag over his head. Ramsay Snow, the bastard son of Roose Bolton, who is disguised as a servant boy, unwinds the foot press and tells Theon that he’s been sent by his sister Yara Greyjoy to rescue him. However, he must wait until nightfall when the castle is asleep, so he puts the bag back on and Theon is left alone crying for help.

Later that evening, as promised, Ramsay returns to Theon’s torture quarters, informs him to keep quiet as he unties him and then assists him in escaping. Ramsay brings Theon outside and gives him a horse, informing him to follow the rising sun and ride east. He further adds that Theon’s sister will be waiting for him. Theon thanks him and says he'll make him a lord of the Iron Islands for this, but Ramsay asserts that they aren't in the Iron Islands. Some hours after daybreak, Theon rides on horseback over a lush green valley when his captors hunt him down. A prolonged chase on horseback through the woods then ensues. Ultimately his pursuers split into two groups and trap Theon between them, and he is knocked off his horse with a flail. Theon's captors pin him to the ground, and pull down his pants down: the leader declares that he intends to rape the terrified Theon as punishment for trying to run away. However, Theon's savior returns at the very moment of his assault and snipes all of the captors from afar using his bow, rescuing him at the last minute. As Ramsay then approaches the traumatized Theon, he says: “Come, my lord. You’re a long way from home and winter is coming.”

Some time later, on horseback, Ramsay informs Theon that he is being led to Deepwood Motte, which has been captured by his sister Yara. Ramsay states his concern that some of the guards may betray Theon, so it is best to sneak into the castle through the drains. As Ramsay fumbles around with keys at a locked gate, Theon asks if his father Balon knows he was taken captive, as Ramsay informs that he doesn't know. Theon declares that he probably did but left him for dead. Filled with remorse, Theon then laments that his “real father” Lord Eddard Stark, who he had served as ward to, died when his head was cut off in the capital of King's Landing. Theon explains that he had a choice between two families, and made the wrong choice. Theon explains that now he’s destroyed everything he ever cared about, and his real home of Winterfell is burned to the ground. Theon then apologizes aloud for having two innocent farm boys killed. Ramsay is surprised, and Theon explains to him that Bran and Rickon Stark escaped, so he had to fake their deaths so he wouldn't seem weak in front of his men. Theon is then led into a dark chamber when Ramsay lights a torch... revealing the same X-shaped cross that Theon was chained to when he was being tortured. Theon was led in a complete circle, back to the very same dungeon he "escaped" from. Other guards come in and Ramsay orders them to tie Theon up again, and states that it was Theon who killed the other guards when he tried to escape. Ramsay is then revealed to be the head torturer, and Theon's entire "escape" that he led him on was nothing more than another form of torture, sadistically toying with him.

Some weeks later, Ramsay abruptly awakens the bound Theon with the loud sound of a horn, as he continues with his mental and physical torture. A delirious Theon exhaustedly tries asking for water, as his captor then informs him that he wishes he had some for him, only to then pick up a mug of water and pour the remains of it on the floor. Ramsay then begins teasing Theon as he cites Theon’s admission of his feelings towards his birth father Balon as well as his recent betrayal of House Stark. He then informs Theon that now he knows the Stark boys are alive, and reveals that he himself will hunt them down. Ramsay then threatens to remove Theon's pinky finger if he cannot guess the boy's true identity and their current location. He gives the impression that Theon guessed correctly when Theon states that the torturer is the younger brother of Torrhen Karstark,  Rickard Karstark's son, and that they are in Karhold, the seat of House Karstark. But then Ramsay informs Theon that this is incorrect and that he was lying. He then begins flaying Theon's finger while telling him that he is torturing Theon purely for his own amusement. 

Later on, in his prison, Theon is released from the cross to which he is chained up to by two  flirtatious girls named Myranda and Violet. They lay Theon down on a bed and then proceed to  dramatically seduce him. They say repeatedly that they have heard that the heir to Pyke is well endowed and are hoping to get first hand experience. Theon is distrustful at first, fearing that this is another of his tormenter's tricks. One of the girls then displays disappointment towards Theon when massaging his genitals, as he isn’t able to don an erection. The girls then undress themselves, as Theon then cannot help himself but be aroused when one of the women straddles him and writhes over his pelvic area. Suddenly, the familiar horn sounds and Ramsay enters. Theon is terrified and tries to escape, but is struck hard on the head and then flung to the ground. The boy claims he too has heard about Theon's famous body part and assumes that it must very well be Theon’s favorite physical attribute. When the sadistic youth then brandishes an odd knife, Theon realizes the boy means to castrate his penis. Horrified, Theon begs for mercy but the boy quips that this is mercy, as he's not killing Theon, merely altering him. Two large men hold a screaming Theon down while the boy moves in to emasculate him.

Some weeks later, at the Twins, House Frey leader Lord Walder Frey has turned his allegiance against King Robb and his mother, Lady Catelyn Stark, as result of Robb breaking his marriage pact to the Freys upon marrying another woman named Talisa Maegyr. As Walder has agreed to marry one of his daughters instead to Catelyn’s brother, Edmure Tully, House Frey invites the King in the North, his mother and his new bride to their castle for a wedding. Upon House Stark’s arrival, King Robb, Catelyn and the rest of their Stark entourage are all slaughtered as result of Robb’s betrayal. After the Red Wedding massacre, it is then revealed that King Robb’s advisor Lord Roose Bolton was an accomplice alongside Walder all along, who both conspired with Lord Tywin Lannister against their King in the North. Lord Bolton reveals to Walder that he has a bastard son named Ramsay, who is the captor and torturer of Theon Greyjoy. Meanwhile, back at the Dreadfort, the sadist Ramsay eats his breakfast of a thick sausage, taunting Theon about his recent emasculation by pointing to his sewn up and blood-stained trousers. He laughs as  Theon finally begs for death as a release from his nightmare. Ramsay, however, informs him that he is more valuable alive than dead so the answer must be no. Ramsay then notes that the unwashed Theon reeks, and decides that that shall be his new name: “Reek”. Theon refuses to acknowledge this name, however, insisting twice that he is Theon Greyjoy. After Ramsay beats him, however, Theon finally breaks down, confirming to a pleased Ramsay that his name is “Reek”.

Some time later, at Pyke in the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy reads a message from Ramsay Snow, while his daughter Yara Greyjoy cautiously opens a box crudely carved with the Greyjoy kraken sigil. As Ramsay's letter explains the box contains "Theon's favorite toy.” The message bluntly says that the Ironborn have until the full moon to withdraw from the North and sail back to “those shit-stained rocks you call home,”or receive more bits and pieces of Theon. “He cried when I took it away from him. Leave the North now or more boxes will follow with more Theon.” It was in fact Ramsay and his soldiers from House Bolton who burned Winterfell to the ground: he simply sent false reports for his father Roose to deliver to Robb Stark which claimed that the Ironborn were responsible, as the Boltons were preparing to betray the Starks months before the Red Wedding. Despite the gruesome message, Balon acts indifferent to Theon's situation since he defied his father’s orders and his sister’s common sense. Furthermore, Baloon explains that he cannot further the Greyjoy line as the contents of the box now prove. However, Yara does not share her father's attitude toward her last living brother. She then announces her intention to take her fastest ship with her fifty best men, sail around Westeros, besiege the Dreadfort, and liberate Theon from Ramsay’s captivity.

Some months later, in the forests surrounding the Dreadfort castle, Ramsay hunts one of his former bedwarmers named Tansy. He is accompanied by Theon, who has been freed from his imprisonment but is forced to work for Ramsay as a servant and answer to the name "Reek." In attendance of the hunt alongside the two men is Myranda, one of the girls who tried to seduce Theon before his castration, along with a pack of savage hounds that Ramsay owns. With bows in hand, Ramsay and Myranda gleefully pursue Tansy, firing arrows at her as they go. Ramsay explains that Tansy had made Myranda jealous, so she has to go because she causes too many problems otherwise. Myranda manages to strike Tansy with an arrow in the leg before Ramsay happily releases his dogs on her, killing her. Afterwards, Lord Roose Bolton returns home to the Dreadfort following the Red Wedding massacre. He is accompanied by a detachment of his army, including a man named Locke and Roose's new wife, Walda Bolton, who is from House Frey. Ramsay greets his father and his new step-mother, as well as privately congratulating Locke for his maiming of the “Kingslayer,” Ser Jaime Lannister. Roose then requests to see Theon, who is then brought to Roose's chambers, where Roose is infuriated to hear about his torture. Roose notes that as Balon Greyjoy's only male heir, Theon was a valuable hostage. He also states that now having been named Warden of the North, Tywin Lannister will not help him reclaim the North from the Ironborn. Roose adds that he intended on trading Theon for Moat Cailin, a fortress currently held by Greyjoy forces which prevents the main Bolton army from returning north. Ramsay retorts that he already sent terms and Balon refused. After ordering Theon to shave him, Ramsay cajoles him into admitting that Bran and Rickon Stark are still alive. He then reminds his father that the boys are now heirs to House Stark following King Robb's death, and nearly all the Northerners will rally behind the boys rather than Roose if they learn that they are alive. Ramsay, knowing how close Theon was to Robb, gleefully taunts him by revealing details of the Red Wedding. Despite being clearly shaken, Theon does not openly react. Roose then dispatches Locke with orders to locate and kill Bran and Rickon Stark, as “Reek” suggests that their half-brother Jon Snow might either be sheltering the boys at Castle Black or at least may know where they have gone. Ramsay then advocates killing Jon as well, given the fact that he has Stark blood and could become a threat, since the Northeners will rally behind him. Roose then gives Ramsay orders to take Theon and to Moat Cailin and reclaim the fortress from the Greyjoys. He promises that if Ramsay succeeds, he will reconsider his position.

Several weeks later, Theon’s sister Yara prepares her troops for their assault on the Dreadfort to rescue her brother. As she sails towards House Bolton’s holdfast through the Weeping Water, Yara reads the letter sent by Ramsay, who has threatened to flay all Ironborn who do not depart from the North. Meanwhile, Ramsay engages in rather violent sex with Myranda, taking her virginity and forcing her to strangle him as they both climax. Yara and her troops then land at the Dreadfort and scale the walls of the castle. They then quietly take out the guards as they search for Theon. When interrogating a guard, Yara learns of Theon's location, which is the dog kennels. Despite promising not to, Yara then kills the guard. Once Yara and the Ironborn locate Theon in the kennels, he sits in a cage and is startled by their arrival. Yara opens the cage, but Theon refuses to go with her, believing it is another cruel trick played by his torturer. Ramsay and several Bolton troops then enter and a fight ensues, with several Bolton and Greyjoy soldiers killed. In a state of delirium, Theon tells Yara that his name has always been “Reek,” as he then bites her and cowers in his cage. Ramsay releases his  hounds and Yara is forced to quickly retreat to her ship. When one of the Ironborn asks her about Theon, Yara informs that Theon is "dead”.

Shortly after the failed rescue, Ramsay makes a bath for “Reek” as a reward for his loyalty. Ramsay is pleased that Reek didn’t let “those creatures who came in the night” take him away, noting his loyalty. Reek then assures Ramsay that he didn’t want them to take him away and emotionally informs Ramsay of his fear of the incident, stating how scared he was. Ramsay then orders Reek to remove his rags but he hesitates, as he fears the bath is another trick of his captor. As he hesitantly removes his clothing, Ramsay stares maniacally at Reek’s naked body and where his mutilated appendage used to be. Once in the tub, Ramsay starts washing Reek and asks him to verbalise his love for him, as Reek then states: “Yes, of course, my Lord.” Ramsay then asks for his assistance with his new plan to assault Moat Cailin from the Ironborn. However, in order to do so, Ramsay informs Reek that he needs to pretend to be someone that he is not. When Reek enquires as to what guise he’ll be taking on, Ramsay informs him that he will be: “Theon Greyjoy”.

Some days later, Ramsay sends Reek, forced to reassume his former identity as Theon, to meet with the Ironborn garrison holding the Northern fortress of Moat Cailin, which bars the armies of House Bolton from returning to the North. Before entering the fortress, Ramsay asks Reek what to tell the garrison, as he responds by saying that he is “Theon Greyjoy, son of Balon and heir to the Iron Islands.” Ramsay then pointedly asks him what is he really, as Theon then despairingly replies with “Reek.” Ramsay notes to remember what Reek is and what he is not. Theon then rides into the fortress to find corpses lying everywhere from a combination of numerous attacks and a disease that is running rampant. The remaining Ironborn are sick, under-equipped and outnumbered. The garrison commander named Ralf Kenning rebuffs the offer made by Ramsay of safe passage in exchange for surrender. Ralf clearly believes Theon to be an imposter as well, however, he is quickly cut down by one of his men, who accepts it on behalf of the soldiers in desperation of returning home. The Ironborn officially surrender to Ramsay, but he has them killed and flayed regardless. In the aftermath, Ramsay meets with his father and presents him with the Greyjoy banner that was flying over the fortress. In recognition, Roose presents Ramsay with a decree of legitimization, making him officially a member of House Bolton, and no longer a bastard named Snow. Delighted with the news that he will succeed his father as Warden of the North, Ramsay and Reek then accompany the Bolton army to their final destination: the ruins of Winterfell. 

Several months later, as Reek serves lunch, Roose Bolton scolds his legitimized son Ramsay on his recent flaying of Lord Cerwyn and his family on what was supposed to be a routine tax collection. Roose reminds Ramsay that terror cannot sustain their hold on the North. With Lord Tywin Lannister's recent death at the hands of his son Tyrion, the pact between the Lannisters and the Boltons is effectively dead. Roose declares that the best way to cement their control of the North is through a marriage agreement, adding that now is the time for Ramsay to wed and that Roose has the perfect girl in mind. Later on, the Boltons and their households greet the return of Sansa Stark to her ancestral home of Winterfell, alongside her advisor Lord Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. Ramsay greets Sansa with his most achievable gentility. After a tense moment, she then graciously accepts Roose's welcome, putting on an air of politeness that protected her from many dangers after years in the capital. From afar, Myranda observes with jealousy and anger. After settling back into Winterfell, Sansa explores the castle and nearly runs into Reek, who hides his face from her, though they used to be childhood friends. Meanwhile, from above the courtyard, Petyr Baelish subtly warns Ramsay against inflicting any harm on Sansa as they are now arranged to be wed. Upon his father’s arrival, Ramsay takes his leave and expresses his gratitude to Baelish for finding him a suitable match.

Some time later, Myranda informs Ramsay of her jealousy towards Sansa, since Ramsay had previously promised to marry her while he was still a bastard. Ramsay coldly admits his attraction to Sansa and openly states his opinion of her beauty, and becomes angry when Myranda threatens to marry someone else and leave him. Ramsay approaches Myranda and reminds her of what he does to people who bore him. He forces himself on Myranda. She bites his lip hard, but then reciprocates. Afterwards, an envious Myranda leads Sansa down to the dog kennels, where the Stark girl finds Reek asleep in one of the cages. Awoken by Sansa’s arrival, he just shakes his head when Sansa calls him "Theon." He warns her that she shouldn't be down there. Seeing Reek in such a pitiful condition, Sansa angrily storms away. That evening, as Reek helps Ramsay get ready for dinner, he confesses to Ramsay that Sansa saw him in his cage. He warns Reek not to keep secrets from him again. Ramsay, for his own amusement, then makes it seem as though he’s going to punish Reek severely, before simply forgiving him.

Afterwards at dinner, Ramsay is initially well-behaved, toasting his upcoming marriage to Sansa, but is soon back to his old ways as he forces Reek to apologize to Sansa for “murdering” her younger brothers, a lie still shrouded throughout the Seven Kingdoms. With much difficulty, Reek finally mutters an apology. Ramsay then suggests that Reek be the one to give Sansa away at the wedding, since he is the closest thing Sansa has to kin. Roose distractedly accepts the suggestion, however, in seeing that Ramsay is getting complacent, Roose then has his wife Walda announce that she is pregnant with a boy. Ramsay is clearly distressed by the news, as this threatens his status as heir. After dinner, Ramsay expresses his distress at the possibility of the unborn child jeopardizing his claim on the North to his father, who reprimands him for his behavior earlier but scoffs at his worry. He then regales Ramsay with the tale of how he met his mother, a miller's wife who had married without Roose's knowledge or consent. Roose had the miller hanged and raped his wife beneath his swaying corpse, even though she fought him the whole time. Some time later, the miller's wife came to the Dreadfort and left the infant Ramsay with him. Roose had been prepared to throw Ramsay into the Weeping Water to drown, but stayed himself because he knew, deep down, that Ramsay is his son. Roose then states that Stannis Baratheon is at Castle Black and will likely attempt to take Winterfell from them during his journey to King's Landing, and Ramsay promises to help his father counter Stannis.

Some days later, the night of the wedding has arrived, as Reek comes to fetch Sansa for the ceremony. Sansa refuses to hold his arm, even after he pleads with her to do so, saying that Ramsay will punish him if she doesn’t. Sansa coldly asks if he thinks she cares what Ramsay does to him, and strides past him. Then, in front of the godswood, Reek gives Sansa away to Ramsay, who is allowed to call himself Theon Greyjoy during the ceremony. The wedding is officiated by Roose and attended by many Northern lords who once before, and now again, ally with House Stark. After the ceremony, when they retreat to the bedroom, Ramsay first interrogates Sansa about her virginity, then orders her to take her clothes off. Reek turns to leave but Ramsay tells him he must stay, taunting him “you grew up with her as a girl, now watch her become a woman." Annoyed by Sansa's hesitancy, Ramsay then angrily rips open the back of her dress and pushes her face-down over the side of the bed. As he unbuckles his clothes, Sansa remains still but begins crying softly. Reek is visibly distraught and begins to cry himself, as Ramsay proceeds to rape her and forcibly consummate their marriage. Though Reek is still too weak to intervene, a flash of anger briefly spreads across his face as this is going on.

Some time later, Reek brings food to Sansa’s chambers. She begs him for help, telling him how she has been locked in her room since the wedding and is visited by Ramsay every night as he forces himself on her. Reek simply tells her to obey Ramsay or else he would do worse things to her. Sansa then asks what Ramsay did to Reek to mentally break him to such an extent, but he can't bring himself to tell her. Reek tries to leave but Sansa blocks the door, reminding him that he betrayed her family, which forces Reek to apologize profusely. Sansa informs him that her family still has allies in the North and tells him to light a candle at the top of the broken tower, which will signal to her ally that Sansa is in danger. When Reek refuses to do it, Sansa reminds him of his true name: Theon Greyjoy. She makes him promise that he'll help her, as Reek then hesitantly agrees. Reek enters the courtyard during a heavy storm and trudges through the snow with the candle and up a flight of stairs, however, instead of heading to the broken tower he enters Ramsay’s chambers. Meanwhile, the ally Sansa spoke about, named Brienne of Tarth, stares intently at Winterfell castle from afar, waiting patiently for the sign to rescue Sansa.

Afterwards, Sansa is escorted to see Ramsay on the ramparts, which are still under construction. While he is distracted, Sansa grabs a corkscrew lying on a nearby barrel and pockets it. Ramsay speaks of his thoughts on how they will easily defeat Stannis Baratheon’s marching army since their soldiers, unlike Stannis', are trained to fight in the snow, and how he'll one day be the Lord of Winterfell and the Warden of the North. Sansa reminds him of the unborn baby, who, if a boy, will have a stronger claim on the North since he'll be a true-born. Ramsay informs her that he is Roose Bolton's eldest son, legitimized by King Tommen Baratheon, who Sansa reminds him is another bastard. Ramsay is obviously angered by Sansa's remarks, but doesn't act on it, simply stating that bastards can rise in the world too. He informs her of her half-brother Jon Snow’s recent appointment as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and taunts Sansa for not knowing the news about Jon's new title. Ramsay then brings up the reason why he summoned her, and shows her the crucified and partly flayed corpse of the old woman who promised to help Sansa if she lit a candle in the broken tower. Ramsay then reveals to Sansa that Reek, who seems miserable to have squashed Sansa's only hope of an escape, came to him and told him everything. Reek avoids eye-contact as Sansa chokes back tears. A gleeful Ramsay then orders his men to take her back to her chambers, as the heavy snow is “far too cold for a lady.” Before she is escorted out of the courtyard, Ramsay informs her that she should hold onto her candles as the night’s are growing longer.

Days later, in the great hall, Roose maintains that his army must wait inside the castle, thus starving out Stannis Baratheon’s forces, who have recently arrived outside of Winterfell and set up camp through the nearby Wolfswood. He notes that Winterfell had enough supplies to last six months under siege and such conditions would cause a mutiny in the ranks of the Baratheon army and break them down. Ramsay, on the other hand, has a plan to defeat Stannis decisively and asks his father to lend him just "twenty good men." During the night, at Stannis’ camp, a Red Priestess named Melisandre witnesses several tents burst into flames and one horse screams as he runs away on fire. Ramsay and his twenty men have raided the camp, burning much of their food supplies, weapons and horses. Stannis’ advisor, Ser Davos Seaworth, notes that their situation is now dire, as Stannis asks how this could happen. Davos insists the Boltons know the North's terrain better than they do so it was easy for a raiding party to sneak into camp.

Some time later, marching across the fields with less than half the men he once had, Stannis Baratheon has his dwindling army start preparing for the siege. However, to their surprise, the Baratheon army is instead met in combat early by the larger House Bolton forces. Meanwhile, Sansa uses a corkscrew she pocketed some time ago to escape her room inside Winterfell. She urgently seeks out the broken tower in order to light her candle. Once Sansa arrives at the tower and the candle is lit, she witnesses the Boltons clash with the Baratheon army and decides that now is the time to slip out of the castle, hoping to escape on her own without assistance. The Bolton army easily defeats Stannis' tired and mountless army. During the battle, Ramsay sustains minor cuts to the face in the process. In the aftermath, Ramsay slays a half-dead man, despite his claims of surrender. Having defeated Stannis, he heads back to Winterfell, saying "my wife must be lonely." On the ramparts of Winterfell, Sansa is stopped by Reek and Myranda, who is sporting a bow aimed directly at Sansa’s head. Sansa tells Myranda to kill her while there is still a part of the real her left. Myranda, however, informs her that Ramsay needs her to have an heir, yet does not need all of Sansa in one piece to accomplish that. Sansa braces herself for the worst as Myranda tenses her bow. However, Theon finally breaks out of Ramsay’s hold on him and causes Myranda to misfire by knocking the bow out of her hands. He then grabs and hurls Myranda over the ramparts, as she screams and falls to her death. Sansa and Theon run but find themselves with nowhere to go. They step up onto a ledge on the ramparts and hoping to land in deep snow and survive the long fall, the pair desperately jump off the castle walls.

Having discovered her body following Sansa and Theon’s escape, Ramsay mourns Myranda in his chamber, reminiscing aloud to her corpse. Even when they met as children, Myranda showed him no fear, a singular attribute among those who knew him that he attributes to her tolerance of the even more fearsome hounds of his. Ramsay promises the deceased Myranda that her pain will be paid for, many times over, and seems sincere when he voices regret that she will not be there to witness his retribution for her. When Maester Wolkan interrupts, however, asking what to do with the body, Ramsay abruptly changes his mood as if his emotions were an act, angrily stating that she's "good meat." He orders Wolkan to feed her to the hounds. Afterwards, while speaking with his father, Ramsay is congratulated for his victory over the Baratheon forces yet is chastised for allowing Sansa and Theon to escape. Ramsay claims that he has sent men and hounds to find them, as Roose counters that if Sansa does manage to escape from the North, he will disinherit Ramsay in favor of his unborn son with Walda, leaving Ramsay visibly shaken.

Some time later, Harald Karstark later arrives at Winterfell to notify Ramsay and Roose that Theon and Sansa have evaded capture. After Ramsay suggests storming Castle Black, assuming that Sansa has sought refuge with her half-brother Jon Snow, Roose warns Ramsay that attacking the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch would turn the entire North against House Bolton. Roose adds that if he does not act more sensibly he will be discarded. Maester Wolkan then enters with a surprise announcement that Roose's wife Walda has just given birth to a baby boy. Judging the look on Ramsay’s face, Roose insists that Ramsay will always be remembered and treated as his firstborn child. However, despite the reassurance, Ramsay believes that the newborn son is a threat to his inheritance and position. Though Ramsay thanks Roose for his words, stating that it means a great deal to him, he then stabs his father to death in front of the castle’s maester. In his position as the new Lord Bolton, Ramsay then orders Maester Wolkan to announce that Roose had been poisoned by their enemies. Afterwards, outside in the castle courtyard, Ramsay then approaches Walda and his new half-brother. He then lures Walda and her baby into the dog kennels, shrouding his menace to a degree with polite conversation. However, he then releases his ferocious hounds to feed on Walda and her newborn son, leaving House Bolton entirely under his command without anyone to threaten his position.

Days later, House Umber led by Smalljon Umber travel to Winterfell to meet with Ramsay, the new Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Smalljon and Ramsay chat about their experiences with their fathers. Smalljon mentions that his father Greatjon Umber has died, but admits that he would have killed him if the opportunity arose. Ramsay denies the recent murder of his father Roose and claims that he was poisoned by his enemies, but Smalljon doesn't bother believing him. Smalljon has come to forge an alliance with House Bolton against Jon Snow and the wildlings. However, he refuses to bow to Ramsay, citing the late King Robb Stark's betrayal at the hands of Roose who had plotted with Walder Frey and Tywin Lannister during the Red Wedding. Smalljon then reveals that he has a "gift" for Ramsay, who asks if it is a girl, hoping for his runaway bride Sansa. Smalljon replies otherwise and Umber guards then enter the room with two hooded figures. The first turns out to be a wildling woman named Osha who has been protecting Rickon Stark, Sansa’s youngest brother and heir to Winterfell. Osha and Rickon appear uncomfortable to find themselves in Ramsay's presence. When Ramsay then asks Smalljon to verify Rickon's identity, an Umber retainer enters the room carrying the severed head of his direwolf Shaggydog. Rickon's expression confirms this was his pet and a satisfied Ramsay sarcastically welcomes Rickon home.

Some time later, the wildling Osha is brought before Ramsay, who informs that while her fellow captive Rickon Stark has value to Ramsay as a Stark heir, he is unsure of her specific worth. With self-preservation, Osha lies and denounces House Stark, asserting that her servitude and loyalty to them were forced, though it is apparent that she didn’t need to continue protecting Rickon by staying with the Umbers at Last Hearth. In order to further avoid danger, Osha also attempts to seduce Ramsay, climbing onto his lap and kissing him, all the while trying to get the knife he had been using to peel apples. Ramsay seemingly falls for it, saying that it took much longer for him to get Theon Greyjoy over to his side. He then, however, informs Osha that Theon told him everything, including how she had seduced Theon in order to help Rickon and his older brother Bran escape from Winterfell. Osha then suddenly realizes that she has been lured into a trap, and tries to stab Ramsay, only for him to slash her throat before she can get to him. She falls to the floor and grabs her bleeding throat in a state of shock. Ramsay then resumes peeling his apple complacently as she bleeds out to death on the floor.

Meanwhile at Castle Black, home of the Night’s Watch, Sansa and Jon Snow share a meal with Sansa’s sworn protector, Brienne of Tarth, as well as Jon’s fellow Night’s Watchman Eddison Tollett and a wildling leader named Tormund Giantsbane. A message by horseback arrives from Winterfell with a threatening letter from Ramsay. In the letter, Ramsay states that he has Sansa and Jon’s brother Rickon prisoner at Winterfell and if Sansa is not returned, he will slaughter every wildling under Jon's protection, let his men rape Sansa and then feed Jon and Rickon to his hounds. Ramsay signs the letter “Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North,” prompting Sansa to correctly assume that Ramsay must have killed his father Roose in order to claim such a title. When Tormund Giantsbane then asks Sansa how many men Ramsay has in his army, Sansa recalls approximately five-thousand. Jon Snow asks Tormund how many wildlings he has who are able to fight. Tormund replies that they have only two-thousand in shape to fight, not enough to match Ramsay's army. Sansa insists to Jon that the Northern houses will unite behind him as the bastard son of the last true Warden of the North, Lord Eddard Stark. She urges that they need to return to Winterfell and save their brother Rickon. Jon then agrees to take Ramsay down so they save Rickon and take back their ancestral home. In the following weeks, Jon and Sansa campaign around the North in order to recruit Northern support in

Several weeks later, outside of Winterfell, Sansa, Jon and the Northern lords that have declared for House Stark request a parley with Ramsay, Harald Karstark and Smalljon Umber before they commence battle. Ramsay offers terms of surrender, stating that he will pardon Jon for  deserting the Night's Watch, which is punishable by death, if Jon hands over Sansa. Ramsay also informs that he will pardon Jon’s recruited Northerners for rebelling against him. However, Jon refuses and offers Ramsay a chance to settle their dispute in one-on-one combat. Ramsay rejects a one-on-one combat with Jon, noting that he doubts he can best Jon in a duel. He then asserts with confidence that his numerically superior forces will triumph in battle. Jon counters that Ramsay's men may not want to fight for him, if he himself will not fight for them. In response, Ramsay then threatens Rickon. Jon and Sansa are wary of whether Ramsay actually has their brother, to which Smalljon Umber throws out his direwolf Shaggydog's head as proof. A vengeful Sansa refuses the terms of surrender and tells Ramsay he will die the following day. As she rides off, Ramsay comments to Jon that she is a fine woman and will enjoy having her back in his bed after the battle. Ramsay adds that that they are all fine-looking men and his dogs are ravenous, as he then ponders what body part will they attack first. He then rides off with Harald and Smalljon to make final preparations before the battle commences.

The armies gather the following morning, as Ramsay brings out a terrified Rickon Stark, who is bound at the wrists. After menacingly raising a knife, he cuts Rickon's bonds and tells him that they are to “play a game” and the only rule is to run towards his brother Jon. Although initially confused with Ramsay’s idea of a game, Rickon dashes down the field as fast he as he can, as Ramsay pulls out his bow and arrow, prompting Jon to urgently ride out on horseback to try to save Rickon as Ramsay starts firing arrows repeatedly at Rickon. Though Ramsay appears to have no intention of hitting Rickon with his first few shots, just as Jon approaches his brother, however, Rickon is struck in the back with an arrow and instantly killed. Devastated and enraged over his brother's murder, Jon charges at Ramsay and the Bolton forces alone. Without hesitation, Davos Seaworth tells the Stark cavalry to charge. The Bolton archers fire at Jon and strike his horse. With Jon now mountless in the middle of the battlefield, Ramsay orders the Bolton cavalry to charge straight at him. As Jon brandishes his sword, he prepares to fight to the death as the calvary charge at him at full speed. The Stark cavalry then smashes into the Boltons, narrowly saving Jon from being trampled on. In the rear, Ser Davos seizes an order to his archers to release arrows into the melee of infantry, as he announces that they would kill some of their men as well the enemy. He eventually sends the archers forward to be of more use in the middle of the battlefield. Ramsay, however, has no such compunction; he has twice the men to lose and little concern for killing his own. He repeatedly and purposefully orders arrow fusillades that kill all combatants in the middle of the field, apparently in an effort to create a strategic barrier of human death in the center of the battlefield. The Stark forces seem unaware of this strategy and developing trap as Bolton soldiers are ordered forward to create an impenetrable horseshoe formation of shields and spears that surround three sides of the Stark forces against the death mound and progressively compresses them into a helpless and dysfunctional mass. Smalljon Umber then leads a group of soldiers across the mound of corpses to attack the Stark infantry from behind and complete the envelopment. While the wildling giant named Wun Wun is able to kill a few Bolton soldiers, it is not enough to break their phalanx configuration. Panic sets in and Tormund Giantsbane, sensing futility, urges his wildlings backward towards the pile. Amidst all of this, Jon is trampled by his own forces, nearly suffocating under a group of men crawling on top of him, but is eventually able to get back to his feet. At this point, where the Stark forces face imminent destruction, a horn sounds out in the distance as Sansa and Lord Petyr Baelish arrive with the knights of the Vale. On horseback, they begin to cut down the Bolton soldiers from behind to disrupt the encirclement. Umber, distracted by the arrival of the House Arryn forces, is caught off-guard by Tormund, who bites out his foe's throat and stabs him multiple times in the face. As Ramsay sees his soldiers cut down, he decides to retreat inside Winterfell, but his enemies give chase. Wun Wun is able to break down the castle gates, allowing archers to pour into the castle. The last vestiges of the Bolton garrison are then quickly slaughtered. The giant is nevertheless overwhelmed by arrows and finally killed by Ramsay's shot. Despite defeat, Ramsay taunts Jon, saying he’s reconsidered one-on-one combat. As Jon approaches, Ramsay fires three arrows at him with his bow but Jon blocks them all with a shield. Before Ramsay can fire another, Jon gets close enough and smacks the bow out of Ramsay's hands before striking him to the ground. Before Ramsay can stand up, Jon pounces on him and proceeds to savagely beat him with his fists, while Ramsay does not attempt to defend himself and fight back, merely grinning maniacally through the beating, convinced Jon won't kill him. Jon stops pulverizing Ramsay upon noticing Sansa, realizing she has more right for revenge than he does, and subsequently orders Ramsay locked up as a prisoner. With the Battle of the Bastards concluded, House Bolton banners are torn down from the courtyard of Winterfell and Stark banners are victoriously raised in their place.

That evening, Sansa seeks out the imprisoned Ramsay, who is tied to a chair within the common area of the dog kennels. Ramsay, belligerent and sadistic to the end, goads her by telling her how she will never be rid of him because he is "part of her now," alluding to the multitude of traumas he has inflicted upon her. Sansa coolly retorts, however, that Ramsay's name, house and all memory of him will now simply disappear, as with his death House Bolton will now become officially extinct. He then realizes that his own hounds are slowly approaching him, as Jon deliberately left the kennel doors open to where Ramsay is bound, still covered in his own blood. At first, Ramsay denies his peril, claiming that his dogs are loyal. Sansa reminds him that he had been starving his dogs for a week. As they begin sniffing at him and licking their chops, Ramsay desperately orders them to heel, but they refuse to listen, and as Ramsay's smug confidence finally crumbles into panicking terror, the hounds attack and begin to tear him apart, beginning with his face. Sansa walks away, smirking with dark satisfaction, as the barking of the hounds mingles with Ramsay's screams.

*In the aftermath of Ramsay’s death, follow Sansa or Theon’s journey through the rest of the series.