Authors note
Hey guys,
Some of you may have read the beginning chapters of my first fanfic The Lost Sons of the North. As I began to plan further into the story I had started to become totally wrapped up in one oc in particular. I decided to scrap the original story so that I could focus on expanding the great ideas I have for this character instead.
You may notice some similarities between the two if you had taken the time to read through my first story.
I would like to apologise to those of you who had enjoyed the makings of Lost Sons.
Finally I would like to Thank you all for taking time to check it out and I hope you guys enjoy my story.
All Reviews, Follows and Favourites are welcome and much appreciated.
**Disclaimer**
I would like to make it clear that I do not claim any form of ownership over the the Realm of Westeros. Most of the characters, with the exception of a handful of oc's are the lawful property of George RR Martin and his team.
Prologue
278 AL
The great houses of the North had come together to attend the Great Tourney of Barrowton held in honour of the first nameday of Lord Willam Dustin's first born son.
It was a pleasant Summers day, the climate had always been more favourable in the Barrowlands than the lands further north. The steady stream of guests had begun to arrive at Dawn and by midday the town had become overrun with swarms of people.
Lady Barbery Dustin looked out from the Balcony overlooking the vast courtyard of Barrow Hall which had been reserved for the high Lords and Ladies.
The courtyard had become a sea of colour, The banners of Lord Willam's many allies flapped proudly in the light breeze. She surveyed each one closely. Slowly she began to identify the names of each house as her fathers Grey Rat had taught her as a child.
First the obvious ones, the Golden Horse head of House Ryswell, her fathers house. Next was the Flayed Man of House Bolton which had become the Sigil of her older sister, Beth.
Followed by the Fist of House Glover, the Great Bear of House Mormont and Three Sentinels of House Tallhart.
Next she spotted the Moose of House Hornwood ,the Merman of House Manderly and the glowing Winter Sun of House Karstark. Finally the Chains of House Umber and the Lizard-Lion of House Reed. Barbery knew this was not all that would attend the events of the day. Lord Stout was also hosting the Lords and Ladies of many of the less prominent northern houses at Goldgrass.
Last to arrive were the Starks of Winterfell. The recent tensions between the two houses had caused the Dustin soldiers lining the perimeter of the courtyard stand to attention as the huge procession thundered into the courtyard astride their towering war horses. Barbery had counselled her husband against a show of force in the Starks presence, but he was a proud stubborn man, instead of taking her advice he had doubled the guard.
They were led by their heir, the Wild Wolf and his newly promised Catelyn Tully of was accompanied by her uncle the famous Black Fish. She recognised the Black Trout Sigil on his breastplate instantly from the stories.
They were followed closely by Noble Ned, Breathtaking Lyanna, and Lork Rickard's fourth born son, Kian Stark. Benjen was absent but Barbery soon recalled that there must always be a Stark in Winterfell.
The Wild Wolf glanced up to the balcony where she was standing as he dismounted his horse. Their eyes met for a moment but quickly she darted from his view.
He was the one Lord she had hoped would not attend the festivities. She had grown to love Willam greatly, but she had never lost the deep lust for the Great Lord who had taken her Maidenhead.
Her thoughts were soon interrupted as Grayce her Wet Nurse, announced the arrival of her father, Lord Rodrik Ryswell. Lord Rodrik was a short slender man like many of the Horse Lords of the Rills before him.
He had a welcoming face . His eyes resembled the colour of Honey. His hair was a dark shade of auburn which he wore in a ponytail that spread down his back onto his billowing black cloak. He had pinned the fine cloak with the Great Golden Stallion brooch that had been in there family for generations.
At his hip she spotted the Amber stone pommel of another family heirloom. The Valyrian Steel short sword, Destiny. He greeted her with a warm embrace.
"Where is the boy?" he questioned
Barbery gestured towards the door to her of young sons chambers.
Lord Rodrik crossed the room and looked down on the bundle Infront of him. The boy had awoken now, Rodrik poked his index finger into the cot and the child reached out, wrapping his tiny hands around the Lords finger.
"A tight grip" said Lord Rodrik in astonishment as he marvelled at his second born grandchild. "This one would make a fine Horse Lord some day". Lady Barbery gave her father a disapproving look but he didn't seem to notice, after a while he spoke again.
" The whole North have gathered, Some of these men have travelled for days through treacherous conditions so that they could be here today" he spoke solemnly."It is time my daughter" he offered his hand and she took it in hers.
"I will be glad when this is all over" she replied softly.
Her father gestured for Grayce to bring the child and together they set off towards The Great Hall.
As they entered the hall the music instantly grew silent and all eyes turned to face them. They were greeted by her husband.
Willam Dustin was a very handsome man. He stood over 6 foot tall and had short cropped hair that was as black as coal. Rough black stubble covered his cheeks and He had slightly pointed features with prominent cheekbones. His eyes were a glistening Silvery Grey, a feature her boy had inherited.
He was expected to compete in the tourney so he was wearing a glorious suit of steel armour, The crossed long axes of house Dustin were emblazoned on the centre of the breastplate in rose gold. At his hip was a modest steel sabre, His families ancient blade had dissapeared into history long ago. Now the blade was just a myth amongst the small folk of the Barrowlands.
He took the child from the Wet Nurses arms and turned towards the crowd of high born men and women before him, all eyes were on the bundle in his arms.
"My Lords and Ladies. We welcome you into our home" he spoke proudly" And now I would introduce you to my heir, he held the boy up for the crowd to see.
" I name him Roderick. After his great ancestor, Roddy the Ruin."
The Dustin men in the room let out a Roar and recited the ancient words of their House.
"None shall Rival!".
Barbery instantly approved the name as it also resembled her Lord father's. The Northern lords lined up to pay their respects.
First was Lord Rickard, the Warden of the North. He looked down at the boy for a long while. A deep look of concentration crossed his face as he looked down on the boy. He didn't say a word. Barbery could sense tension between him and her husband.
House Dustin were rumoured to be descended from the First King of the First Men. This has made them too proud and arrogant through the ages. Willam was certainly no exception.
Since the birth of his son he had begun conscripting vast numbers of able bodied men and boys from Barrowton and the surrounding villages to the Dustin army. Barbery knew Lord Rickard was no fool, he had been watching their movements.
Eventually he stepped aside to make way for his children to pay his respects.
Before long the ceremony was over and the procession had headed to the banks of Western river that flowed towards the Saltspear. A large tourney area had been erected there where the strongest warriors of the north would test their skills.
The rest of the day passed without incident. Unsurprisingly the Wild Wolf had emerged the victor and he boasted unbearably as they sat at the table to feast. The night grew late and soon most of the lords and ladies had been shown to quarters within the keeps vast halls. Only Barbery, Lord Dustin, Lord Ryswell and Lord Stark remained.
After a long awkward silence Rickard looked at Willam and began to speak.
"For centuries Starks and Dustin's have argued over pride."
Willam nodded.
"What of it?" He replied sharply.
"I would see an end to the petty squabbles. The North must stand united if the rumours in the south are to be belie-"
"House Dustin has bent the knee to no man in centuries and our people prospered, why would we change that now my Lord?" Interrupted Willam sharply.
"I Don't ask you to bend the knee my lord, instead I offer a proposal"
everyone leaned in listening closely
" Did you ever hear the story of how Roddy the Ruin came to serve Winterfell?" Asked Rickard but he didn't wait for a response, he continued instantly.
My father told me when I was a boy. He said our houses were at war. 5 years the war had lasted, the North was divided and every prominent house had sustained huge losses so the Lord's of House Stark and House Dustin reluctantly came together to arrange a peace."
He paused to drain his cup of ale but soon he continued to speak.
"Neither side trusted the other. The talks lasted a fortnight. After much deliberation they settled on an agreement. A son from each great house would be exchanged to be raised as wards so that neither side would dare to raise a hand against the other again."
"So on his first name day Roddy had been sent to Winterfell in return for Logan Stark. The war had come to an end and Roddy prospered in Winterfell. He grew up alongside Cregan Stark and when Cregan was named Lord of Winterfell, He made Roddy Captain of the Guard.
After years of service Cregan named him Lord of the Barrowlands after the death of his father and allowed him to return to Barrow Hall. Roddy remained loyal to the Starks and House Dustin became our greatest allies... For a time".
"What does that have to do with your proposition?" Demanded Willam impatiently.
Roderick didn't reply instead He wrapped his knuckles 3 times against the table.
The servants entrance burst open and in streamed four dozen Stark soldiers, Some surrounded the table and the rest set about disarming the Dustin Guards and beating them into submission.
Lord Willam reached for his sword but Barbery reached out to still his hand, her husband was and accomplished swordsman, but she knew he stood no chance against fourty eight of the Starks finest men, Even the Sword of the Morning wouldn't stand a chance against such odds she thought to herself.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded "You would violate me in my own home!" His face was a bright shade of red and he shook as he spoke.
"You have been a very busy man Lord Dustin. Did you really think I came all the way here for your pitiful tourney?" Willam remained silent but Rickard snickered and continued anyway.
"Just 3 days ago a farmer sent word to Winterfell. The man spoke of a huge force of mounted Spear Men and Axemen wearing yellow tunics. Their banners displayed Rusted crossed Long axes on a yellow background he said they were marching southward".
Barbery glared at her husband, he hadn't mentioned this to her.
"Imagine my suprise when Only hours later a Raven arrived, what news do you think that Raven bared Lord Willam?"
Lord Willam stood and spoke proudly.
"I would imagine the Raven bared the news of the Extinction of Clan Thorne at the hands of my elite guard my Lord. They had been pushing their luck for years" Willam gloated.
"As have you!" Rickard yelled at the top of his voice "Clan Thorne have been sworn to my house since I was a boy, I am their liege Lord, An attack against them is an attack against me".
Suddenly the graveness of the situation dawned on Barbery. She knew Lord Rickard had come to Barrowton to administer punishment on her defiant House.
She wondered how many of the Lords and Ladies they sheltered were aware of the plan. Suddenly Rickard turned to leave the Hall and his soldiers followed, as he reached the door he turned and spoke.
"I would see History repeat itself. Your son will accompany me to Winterfell in the morning. I will raise him as my Ward. When he is old enough he will serve as Ned's squire. Soon Brandon shall be married. Should he father a daughter, She will be Wed to your boy" he demanded. "In return I shall leave my son Kian in your custody."
Lord Willam sat back in his chair with a grim look on his face.
"Do I have a say in this? " he asked but he already knew the answer.
"Look around you Lord Dustin and decide For yourself. This is for your own good, House Dustin and House Stark will reunite once more and we shall see an end to this madness"replied Rickard sternly.
He bowed his head, Clearly defeated. And the Starks departed from the Hall.