Here we stand in struggle

By Penmaster Cole

Ch.1

"Century Slayer"

In the final moments of the Greyjoy Rebellion, where Thoros of Myr and Jorah Mormont opened the way to into the main island of Pykes stronghold, theirs a tale told around the campfire today that isn't told much in polite company but around the campfires of sellswords and among men in their cups. they talk of the man called the Century Slayer.

This man, the younger Twin to Jorah Mormont, was Gutts Mormont. After the breach was opened and the forces got in the forces of Greyjoy managed to close the gap for a time. Gutts, seeing the possible slaughter of his men and family, held and killed a Hundred men by himself. when reinforcements finally came it was said that King Robert himself was stunned speechless.

On the morning after the victory and the end of the Rebellion, Gutts asked a audience from his leige lord. . .

"My Lord" began Gutts, though a fairly solumn man of one and eight with a large form, from swinging the great-sword that rested on his back, though not a Valeryian steel blade it was three times thicker and often confused with a slab of iron he'd been known to wield it one handed from time to time. "I ask a boon from you."

Nodding in understanding Eddard "Ned" Stark, the Quiet Wolf spoke "For your actions I'm sure I can grant anything you ask" he replied, but quirked an eyebrow "A new sword perhaps?" Chuckling the young Mormont answered "no this one still has plenty of fight in her" then turning serious he began "My Lord I ask that when I am older that I'm allowed to be able to Squire one of your son's" he asked. His eye's boaring into the Wolf's, under any other circumstances other than between two Northman this would be an insult.

Closing his Eyes Ned thought for a moment, while he had been thinking about it and by the Old Gods he knew what backlash this may cause, the answer came to him.

"Lord Gutts Mormont" he said in his (as his children would soon call it) Lordly tone "When my Son Jon Snow is of an age where i deem him ready he will squire to you, I grant you this boon as a Lord," pausing he sighed " as a father I ask that you don't lead him into too many dangers" he said as he gazed at the young Bear.

Smiling said bear bowed "My Lord, when I am done with him, NO ONE" pulling his blade and planting it into the ground before the Warden of the North "-will danger him!" soon after both men toasted the the deal and shook on it.

NINE YEARS LATER

Over the space of almost a decade much had changed in the relm, boys grew to men, war gave way to peace, and in the case of one set of brothers, one went into exile while another became the ruler of an Island of Bears.

Gutts was walking down the road, his horse on a lead as he walked to Winterfell, why he wasn't riding wasn't really a guess but more of an observation: a giant of a man with a Sword about the same size as he is. and Gaston (his horse) was a damn good warhorse, that and walking in the land of cold always set the man at ease.

Looking up to see the portcullis of Winterfell already shadowing him he smiled as he heard the sound of the practice yard namely the beat of swords on each other so instead of making his way to see Ned he decided to make a small detour. . .

Jon was winning, much to the apparent amusement on Ned's face as he watched from an alcove above, watching his Bastard fight against his Greyjoy ward, Theon who while a little older, wasnt as good with swords. "Of course the Bastard is good with a Bastard sword their related!" yelled said Ward who had been knocked down for the third time, Frowning Ned soon thought of intervening till he saw a Giant Sword on the back of a onlooker, knowing that with Jory Castel and HIM were down their set him at ease.

Jon looked at his opponent "Theon, just yeild and we can stop, Please" even though he was a bastard he still had his Honor, and beating someone down to many times didn't appeal to Jon. "Lets call it a Day." He finished as he got out of his stance.

Theon seeing this felt Infuriated this Bastard thinking himself better than he?! giving a wordless shout he got up and charged the other young man . . . only to stop when a Giant slab of metal appeared out of thin air and almost cleaved him in half.

Walking up Gutts gave a Growl reminiscent to his Sigil "First rule of Combat Jon, never relax till your opponet is dead" he said as he walked from where he threw his weapon.

the Slayer had reached Winterfell. . .

A/N) Read, Review, and let me know whatcha think.