A Song Unsung
I just got into ASIOF/Games of Thrones a couple months ago and I've been itching to write an AU for it. My other stories will take priority over this but I'll update when I can. The first couple of chapters may seem off but that's just me getting use to the way they talk. I hope it's not too unbearable. This chapter will also hold a few times-skips, mainly because I'm trying to figure out the timing for traveling. There are some people that try to help but I'm still figuring it out. All in all this is essentially an experiment chapter in some ways.
This is an AU story but everything won't be different. I will most likely just show you the divergences and skip passed the things that stay the same. Then again something might still happen but it'll happen in a different way, such as different characters involved or it might happen at a different time. Nonetheless changes are bound to happen, some obvious and some not.
Chapter 1: Eddard
277 AC, The Eyrie
Eddard stared at the letter in his hands as he had been doing for the last thirty minutes. His foster father, Jon Arryn had brought him the letter personally. Eddard was filled with happiness when he spotted the direwolf seal but soon shock replaced it.
He was to be married, betrothed to Catelyn Tully. Not only that but he was now in line to be the next Lord of Winterfell. All because his elder brother Brandon wasn't ready for his responsibilities and decided to run from them.
"Ned?" A deep voice boomed.
Ned lifted his head up spotting his closest friend, Robert Baratheon. His massive frame stepped through the door. He put a comforting hand on Eddard's shoulder.
"Jon told me the good news."
Ned wanted to tell him it wasn't good news. He wasn't supposed to be the Lord of Winterfell but he was a Stark and a Stark always did their duty.
"When is the wedding, Ned, I intend to have my own fun?" Robert asked immediately switching back to his usual self.
"In four years' time, my father said there is no rush. He believes I should know my wife before we wed." Eddard was thankful that his father didn't rush the marriage.
"How in seven hells are you going to get to know her here in the Eyrie?" Robert asked a little loudly.
"She is to visit me here but first I will travel to Riverrun for our first meeting." He told him.
"I'm coming with you, when do we leave?" Robert asked excitedly.
Ned gave a small smile, "I leave at first light in the morrow. I can't have you having little bastards running around Riverrun."
"Gods, Ned, I already have Jon and my father on my back."
"I think a spar would get our minds off of such things." Ned suggested.
Robert allowed a smile to grace his face, "That's the Ned I know!"
The two young men hurried off to the training yard to test their skill against each other. It didn't take long for them to reach the yard.
"Live steel?" Robert whispered.
Ned gave a disapproving look but relented as he like the thrill of fighting with real swords. The real weapons were not as sharp as their counterparts in the armory but they were still sharp enough to leave a nasty cut, nothing life threatening though. Whether it was instinctually or not Ned picked up a greatsword instead of his usual longsword. He tested its weight and his control with it.
Robert eyed his friend with minimal curiosity, "Preparing for the future already?"
Ned quickly realized the source of the question, "Aye, better to start now."
Robert nodded and the two made their way to the center of the enclosed area. Settling in their stances they eyed each other waiting for the other to make a move. Like most of his family Robert was not patient. He charged forward bringing his sword down against Ned's. Even at five and ten Robert was stronger than most men. Ned struggled against his monstrous strength.
"Faltering already, Ned?" Robert asked in a smug voice.
"You know me better than that, Robert." Using his superior speed Ned slid from underneath the pressure of Robert's sword.
Ned knew his strengths and weaknesses, as he knew Robert's as well. Ned was a balanced fighter, he was strong but close to being the strongest, he was fast but not the fastest. Robert on the other hand was a man among boys, his strength would be told in stories but his impatience took his from overall ability as a warrior.
As he slid from underneath the longsword he brought his blade to his right aiming for Robert's hip. Unfortunately Robert recovered quicker than he expected. Robert used the previous downward momentum he gained from Ned escaping his from under his blade to continue his attack. Ned quickly changed his attack into a defense as his sword clanged against Robert's. Ned stumbled backwards from the impact of the two blades.
A hardy laugh left Robert's throat. He was on Ned instantly but Ned knew Robert and his only mindset during battle be it a spar or actual combat, was to attack. Ned used this to his advantage, he feinted charging forward. Robert saw this and thought to use his strength again. He brought his weapon down once more only to hit air. He saw Ned move out of the corner of his eye but he was too slow to stop him. He could feel the dull edge of the greatsword at his neck.
"You got me this time—." Robert began congratulating his best friend but was interrupted by the sound of clapping.
"Impressive Ned, it seems the Stark dynasty will be in the hands of a great warrior." The boys turned to see their foster father, Jon Arryn, standing on the balcony above looking down on them.
"Shit." Robert cursed.
Ned didn't know whether to blush at the compliment or hang his head in shame at being caught using live steel without the supervision of Jon.
Said man made his way down to his young wards. To their surprised he did not wear the usual look of disappointment when he caught them doing wrong.
"It is getting late." He told them. Eddard and Robert looked around them and realized that darkness had descended down on them. "You two wash up, we can't let you into the feast celebrating your betrothal looking like heathens."
The playful tone he used softened the disappointment Ned felt. Jon turned and walked away from the two young men. Both boys looked to each other for an answer towards Jon's failure to discipline them.
"It doesn't matter now we have a feast to get to, Stark." Robert slapped his foster brother on the arm before retreating to his chambers.
Ned placed his greatsword back on the rack before doing the same. He was now out of his clothes and in the bath he ran for himself. As he sat in the warm water his mind wandered.
"Today I have learned that I am to be Lord of Winterfell after my father and I've be betrothed to the daughter of the Lord of the Riverlands. What else do the Gods have in store for me?"
His head snapped up as he heard a rap at his door, "Ned, you don't have time to play with yourself, get your arse out here!"
Ned narrowed his eyes at the door Robert stood behind. The heir of Winterfell stood up and began preparing himself for the feast. He quickly donned some of his better attire. Not wanting to keep those at the feast waiting he exited his room. Robert stood at his door with a smirk on his face.
"You know there are better ways to practice for your wife."
"Are you ever serious, Robert?" Ned questioned his friend as they walked.
"You know me, Ned, besides we can't all be like you Starks." Robert joked.
It didn't take long for them to arrive in the Crescent Chamber. Ned scanned the room finding a few lords of the Vale. At the head of the table sat Jon with his heir Denys sitting to his right. He also spotted Lords, Royce, Corbray, Belmore, Hunter and his future wife's uncle, Brynden "Blackfish " Tully. Ned turned to his left but Robert had already gone.
"Probably with some wench." Ned thought to himself.
"The guest of honor has arrived." He heard Jon announce.
Ned didn't like all of the attention he was gaining. Nonetheless he acted as the lord he would someday be. He greeted each person who approached him with proper respect. He finally made his way through the crowd of people and to the table at the head of the room.
"Enjoying yourself, Ned?" Jon asked.
"You know I don't like all of this attention." Ned said in a sour tone.
"You are the next Lord of Winterfell, my boy you will be the center of the North."
Ned knew his mentor was right. Jon always was the voice of wisdom for him. After he became Lord there wouldn't be a day in his life where his life would be just his, then again as a Stark eyes were always on him.
He noticed the Blackfish get out of his seat and move towards them. He was a proud man, he walked with discipline and his head held high. Ned had heard about the man's services during the War of Ninepenny Kings. He was said to be a brilliant commander and fierce warrior.
"Lord Arryn, would it be fine it I spoke to my niece's future husband?" He asked as he stood there.
"He is yours, Ser Brynden." Jon responded.
Jon nodded to Ned who stood up and followed the Blackfish out of the hall. They stopped not too far from the doors of the hall. Brynden turned his stern face towards the young Stark.
"I hear you are to marry my eldest niece."
"Correct Ser, Catelyn and I will marry in four years." Ned said confirming what he already knew.
"I, along with a small guard will accompany you to Riverrun on the morrow. The trip will take not but a month." Brynden told him.
"I will treat your niece will only respect." Ned nervously told him.
"I know, young Stark, your family is known for such things." Ned nearly blushed at the praise towards his family. "We will meet at dawn."
With that the war hero walked away leaving Ned alone. He moved to walk back into the Crescent Chamber but a familiar booming voice caught his attention.
"A Baratheon is as good in the bedroom as on the battlefield.
Following the loud voice he found Robert with a handmaiden against the wall. Ned quickly turned away as Robert's hand snaked up her dress. His friend was already known for his loose pants in the Vale.
Taking a deep breath he started his way back to the feast. He would do his part for the night and then retire to his quarters.
The sun was peaking over the mountains that surrounded the old fortress. Ned, Brynden and a small group of knights from the Bloody Gate sat on their mounts. It was early enough for them to be the only ones up.
"Shall we be off?" Brynden asked.
Ned gave a stiff nod and that was all the Tully needed. The small group of men were off down the mountain side. Soon they came upon Brynden's seat, the Bloody Gate. Ned gazed upon the last defense before entering the Vale of Arryn.
His eyes cautiously looked up into the mountains. During his time in the Vale there had been a couple times when the mountain clans attacked. They were a vicious lot, usually they took no prisoners but when they did you didn't want to know what happened when they returned back to the mountains.
"You don't have to worry about the clans attacking, Lad." Brynden assured him as if he read his mind.
"What makes you so sure?" Ned questioned the seasoned man.
He turned back towards the men trailing them, "You see those two there?"
His finger pointed at two men at the back of the riding column with primitive clothing on instead of chainmail like the rest of them, "They are Stone Crows."
Ned narrowed his eyes in confusion, "I thought there was bad blood between the clans and the Vale?"
"They were banished from their clan, we found them nearly dead."
"If they were banished, what's stopping them from attacking? They are no longer part of their clan."
"I do not know but I've seen them waiting on the cliffs as we passed by."
Ned turned his eyes from the two brothers and back towards the road ahead of them.
They had been riding for most of the day, mostly in silence. He began thinking about his family back in Winterfell. His father, Lord Rickard Stark, he was growing old he knew that and he was ensuring the legacy of House Stark. His older brother Brandon, the Wild Wolf is what they called him and they were right, Brandon did whatever he wanted. Next was his dear sister Lyanna, she was similar to Brandon.
"Not too similar, I hope." He thought.
Last was his baby brother Benjen, in his latest letters he had expressed an interest in the Night's Watch. Eddard knew that life on the wall wasn't easy and it hadn't been kind to the Starks for quite some time but he wanted his brother to be happy.
"Eddard!" Brynden's sharp tone cut through his ears.
"My apologies, Ser Brynden, I lost was lost in my own thoughts."
"It's alright but it seems we will have to make camp here tonight." Brynden told him as he looked to the sky.
Ned followed his eyes upward. They landed on an eerie gray sky. The sun looked as if it was being smothered by the dark clouds. A storm was coming, a nasty one by the looks of it. Luckily they were still in the mountains and there were plenty of caves to take refuge in.
The camp was soon set, sentries were put on duty. Brynden had invited him to sit around the campfire but he respectfully declined, the ride had tired him out and he wasn't really in the mood for company. He closed his eyes as soon as the rain drops started to fall. He slipped into a blissful state of unconsciousness.
The morning son shined down on him causing his eyes to flicker open. He looked out of his tent to see the other men lounging about. He made himself decent putting on his Stark clothing. He wandered around camp until he found Brynden sitting with a couple of other men.
"Are you ready for today, Eddard?" The elder man asked him.
Ned sighed, today was the day he finally met his betrothed. They had made it to the Riverlands in a little under a month. They had sent a rider ahead to let Lord Tully know they were less than a day's ride out.
"I believe I am, I just hope the lady will like me."
Brynden allowed a thin smile onto his face, "My niece is a smart one, I'm sure she'll see what a good man you are."
Eddard kept a straight face on the outside but on the inside he was still nervous. The Blackfish's reassurance did make him feel a little better though. He sat down with the rest of them and got him a piece of bread and cheese.
"I have to warn you, there is a boy here who is quite smitten with Catelyn." Brynden warned Eddard.
"Who is he?" Ned asked curious as to who fancied his betrothed.
"A boy of from the Fingers, his father made good with Hoster during the war and he agreed to foster him. His name is Petyr, he is of House Baelish."
"What does Catelyn think of him?" Ned asked.
"She thinks of him as a brother, nothing more but little Lysa believes she's in love with him." He told him.
"So you think he'll be a problem?" Ned asked.
Brynden nodded, "That I do but let's hope I'm wrong."
The men sat and ate their food before readying themselves for the short journey to Riverrun. Soon they were all seated upon their mounts.
"To Riverrun." Brynden commanded.
As he rode the wind hit his face. It was a cool wind but it was nothing compared to the winds in the north. The ride to Riverrun was exceptionally short compared to one down from the Vale. As the Tully castle came into view he could feel his heart pound against his chest. His blood seemed to get warmer as it pumped through his veins.
As they neared the castle a party rode out to greet them. A big bald old man lead the party. The two groups stopped in front of each other.
"Ser Brynden it's nice to see you again." The man said to the Blackfish.
"Same to you, Ser Ryger but today is not about me. Lord Stark is here to meet his betrothed." Brynden said motioning towards Ned.
"So you're the one Lady Catelyn is to marry." The old knight said looking Eddard up and down.
"Let us be off." He said before Ned could reply or greet him.
Ned shot a look towards the Blackfish in confusion. He didn't know whether to take that as disrespect or if he was just in a hurry. Brynden shook his head and followed after the man. Ned begrudgingly followed and soon they were through the gates of Riverrun.
His gray eyes landed on an older man and a young woman who he assumed were his soon good-father and his future wife. The mounted men stopped a short ways away from them and dismounted. Ser Robin led them to the waiting Tully's.
"A pleasure to finally meet you, young Stark." The man whom he identified as Hoster Tully said greeting him.
The elderly man was plump and looked a bit under the weather. Eddard could tell the man wasn't feeling the best by the way his eyes seemed distant.
"It's an honor, Lord Tully." Eddard replied in a respectful manner.
With the Lord of Riverrun out of the way Eddard turned towards his wife to be. His heart seemed to stop as he look into her blues. A shy smile appeared on her face.
"Lord Stark." She said slightly bowing her head.
He wanted to respond but the words seemingly escaped his mouth in silence. A hand on his shoulder from the Blackfish finally gave him the ability to speak.
"I'm sorry, my lady, I am Eddard Stark of Winterfell."
Brynden seeing the nervousness of both his niece and Eddard decided to intervene, "How about we all get settled and then you two can get to know each other better."
The two graciously accepted the suggestion. Brynden and his guard left with his brother and Catelyn with her lady in waiting. Eddard was left with the steward of Riverrun. The man silently escorted him to his room while he stayed there.
Once in the northerner took a quick bath as he didn't want to keep Lady Catelyn waiting. Just as he opened his door to leave he found a young man around his age standing there. He was shorter than Eddard and he had the makings of a mustache.
"You must be Eddard Stark." The young man said.
"Yes, I am Eddard Stark but who are you?" Ned asked eyeing him.
"Lady Catelyn wanted me to tell you to meet her in the courtyard." He said ignoring the question.
Ned narrowed his eyes at the stranger. Something felt off about him but he followed nonetheless. He finally caught up with the nameless young man. A frown appeared on his face as he entered an empty courtyard.
"Where's Catelyn—?" He turned towards the young man to find him standing there with a longsword in each hand. "Who are you?"
The young man's eye twitched at the edge in Eddard's voice. He tossed a sword to the young lordling, who gladly caught it.
"I, Petyr Baelish, on the honor of my house challenge you for the hand of Catelyn Tully."
He knew something about the young man was off. Now he knew why he was suspicious of him before. Here was the man who wanted his betrothed for himself. A man with no honor and if there was something that his family treasured, it was honor. In his eyes a man with no honor was the worse type of man.
"Don't be foolish, you do know the rules of a duel?" Eddard asked.
"Don't worry, it will me standing at the end of this." Petyr replied confidently.
Eddard sighed, he didn't want to kill a man just because he couldn't give up something he couldn't have. Petyr was unwilling, in his mind Catelyn was his.
He charged the Stark heir. Eddard easily brought up his sword and parried the attack. Petyr was sent stumbling back. Ned stayed on the defense, Petyr attacked once again. He swung his blade like wild man, every attack was proficiently propelled. He stepped back creating some distance to catch his breath.
"Are you done?" Eddard asked with irritation clear in his voice.
"No, but you are." Petyr charged once more.
Eddard was growing tired of this one sided duel. He batted Petyr's attack away and brought his sword to his opponent's neck to finish him.
"Baelish!"
"Petyr!"
The duo of voices stopped Eddard from dealing the final blow and he was thankful. He didn't want to have to take a life for such a petty reason. Lord Tully along with Lady Catelyn were moving towards them with Brynden and some others behind them.
Eddard still had his sword at Petyr's neck, "Please don't kill him." Catelyn cried.
She was crying and Eddard didn't like that. He pulled his sword away from the defeated man's neck. Hoster made his over with fury donning his face.
"Baelish, return to your quarters at once. We will have our words later." The tone the liege lord of the Riverlands used was reminiscent of his younger self.
"I'm sorry Lord Tully but he lured me here and challenged me. I tried to talk him out of it but he would have none of it." Ned explained to the Lord.
"I know, this is no fault of yours, young Stark. Petyr has been fawning over Catelyn since they were children." Hoster told him.
"I'm sorry if I did anything to upset you, my lady." Ned said bowing at Catelyn's feet.
The tears had stopped, as had all of the movement in the courtyard. All eyes were now on Eddard, it wasn't often that a member of a great house bowed to anyone besides the king.
"No, as my father said none of the fault is yours, Petyr was being foolish. I can only thank you for being merciful, my lord." She replied.
Ned looked up and was once again lost in her blue eyes. Hoster seeing as it was a good time to leave them alone and punish his ward ordered them left alone.
"Let the young people be."
Everyone cleared out leaving the two lordlings alone. They remained silent, words escaped their tongues.
Eddard decided to break the silence, "My time is yours, my lady."
A smile threatened to grace Catelyn's face but she kept the appearance of a stern southern lady. She looked up into his eyes with a straight face. Once again silence captured the moment. Finally a smile broke through her southern façade. That one smile would be the beginning of something special.
Boom, there's the first chapter of ASU. Let me know how you guys liked it and please give me feedback on the language part. Did I do well enough, what can I do to make it better? Just let me know, I'm writing this story for you guys and partly myself but mostly for the readers. Just a heads up next chapter there will be a time skip.
Like I said before, there will be changes. Some will be obvious like this entire chapter and some will have to be explored like the events between this chapter and the next. Believe me, some will be big changes and never before done (I think). Until next time, LKnight out.
Quick question, I have a couple chapters done but there's a huge gap in time, between chapter 2 and 3. I was wondering if you guys wanted me to fill that gap with my version of Robert's rebellion.