Note:

Alright, before we start this story I would like to point something out. I am going to write this whenever I hit a bump with my other story, The Demon of The North. Currently I am having some technical difficulties with my other story (AKA writer's block/my own laziness). For those who have already read The Demon of The North then you will find a certain... someone, that might get you excited or confused, it's ultimately up to you. For those who haven't read The Demon of The North then you will positively get confused. But anyways, enough of my rambling, on with the story...

Prologue: Old Friends, New Times

Rodrick Baratheon, first born son of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister and crown prince of The Seven Kingdoms. Ever since he was born Rodrick had been training to one day become king. This training had it's consequences though. Rodrick's mother, Cersei, had always protected him from even the slightest bit of danger while his father encouraged him to basically put himself in danger. This often led to his parents constantly bickering and arguing over anything that had to do with him.

'He's our child! What if something were to happen to him!' Rodrick's mother would always argue.
'Aye, he's our child! But he also the bloody prince! Let the boy live his own life!' that was his fathers most common argument.

Rodrick sat in on most of those conversations, standing silently in the corner as their parents would constantly scream and yell at each other over what was best for their son. The arguments usually lasted for hours before Rodrick screamed at the top of his lungs, ending the argument in a draw between his parents.

Rodrick's siblings, Myrcella and Tommen, also had to sit through these arguments, often trying to find someone to help them drown out the constant insults and yells and Rodrick was usually the one to be that someone.

Their parents would do this all the time and it would usually just end with nothing being resolved and Rodrick, Myrcella and Tommen waiting for the next argument. Despite that however, Rodrick and his siblings loved their parents with all their hearts, as did their mother and father love each other.

In the beggining, Rodrick's father, Robert, did not love his mother as much as he did now. The whole reason Robert became king was because he waged a war against The Targaryens for the woman he loved, Lyanna Stark. The war ended with most of the Targaryen lineage being destroyed, the Baratheons taking the throne with Robert as king, and Lyanna Stark dead in a bed of her own blood. The crown prince at the time, Rhaegar Targaeryen, kidnapped Lyanna from her own home and supposedly had raped her many times during the entirity of the war before Rodrick's father killed him on The Trident. After the war his father was devastated. Even after he had married Rodrick's mother, Robert still mourned Lyanna, and so it was for more than two years. After those two years however, Robert finally let go of Lyanna and focused more on being a king as well as being a father and husband.

Rodrick's mother, Cersei, had told her son many times of the night of her and his fathers wedding. During the bedding ceremony, Robert had uttered 'Lyanna' right in the middle of the bedding ceremony. Not the most appropriate thing to say to a child but then again Rodrick was used to his mothers drunken outbursts. In the beggining of the marriage Cersei had already lost all love for Robert, but then Rodrick was born, and the two reconsiled.

At first, the two's marriage was more of a marriage of understanding. It was a political marriage and nobody expected them to be in love but over the years, Robert and Cersei grew to love each other, not for themselves, but for their children. And in time, The Royal Family became just that, a family.

Other members of Rodrick's family also included his four uncles, Stannis, Jaime, Tyrion and Renly, and his grandfather, Tywin.

Rodrick's relationship with his uncles was an interesting one. Stannis was the uncle Rodrick could usually depend on for seeking advice, Stannis was a stern man, not smilling for anything, but he was a brilliant tactician, strategist and advisor. Often giving sound advice to both him and Robert whenever they sat at the small council. Jamie and Rodrick did usually have a friendly relationship with one another, if not building a sort of competitive rivalry to see who's the best swordsman. Tyrion was a good uncle, despite Rodrick's mother hating him to the bone and constantly trying to keep Rodrick as far away from him. Despite his mothers efforts however, Rodrick and Tyrion were as close as an uncle and nephew could be. It was Tyrion who taught Rodrick to read and write as well as some of the ways of court. Renly was the least favorite of Rodrick's uncles, despite that however, Rodrick still loved Renly and would never mean him any harm whatsoever.

His grandfather, Tywin, was a whole other story. Rodrick and Tywin always tried to be on good terms and they succeded in that regard. Tywin taught Rodrick everything he knew in both leadership, ruling and politics. Despite the two often keeping in touch through letters and ravens the contents of the letters often were just the simplest subjects. Rodrick was upset that he never could get closer to his grandfather like he did with his uncles, but he doupted he could improve that relationship any time soon. Tywin was a ruthless man, being known for never smiling and valuing the family name and legacy above all else. Kindness wasn't something Rodrick's grandfather really opened up to.

Growing up in King's Landing, Rodrick never really trusted anyone else but his own family and his most trusted friends, what little of them he had. But besides his family however, there was one other member Rodrick trusted more than his own family.

Ser Barristan 'The Bold' Selmy, the greatest and most renowned knight in all of Westeros, Rodrick's sworn shield and personal mentor. Ser Barristan had been by Rodrick's side for almost ten years now. The knight became Rodrick's sworn shield since he was six years old and had just began to practise swordfighting. Despite him being a Baratheon, Rodrick never really had his father's fury nor his brute strength that the Baratheons were famous for. Rodrick was a meek, shy and timid child, a result from so much stress as the crown prince. Despite being almost nothing like his father in personality, nor in physical appearance, Rodrick never showed his timid side to anyone but his own family and Ser Barristan. Where his father still had his massive muscles and through the years had grown a robust beard and hair, Rodrick kept himself mostly clean-shaven with his hair being of medium length. Rodrick also possesed a more lean yet still muscled build while his father was sheere muscle, nothing more, nothing less.

Rodrick's POV

The North, Outskirts of Winterfell, Royal Escort...

Rodrick pulled the reins of his horse to put it to a stop as he reached the top of the small hillside. In front of him was the view he wanted to see ever since they left King's Landing. Winterfell, the main and centre stronghold of The North as well as the ancestral seat of House Stark. The stories seemed to have done the fortress justice. A magnificent structure with walls and buildings to rival even The Red Keep in size, despite it not being the most beautiful sight. Outside the walls of Winterfell was Wintertown, a small amount of buildings placed for the population of Winterfell as well as merchants and travellers.

"She's a beauty ain't she son..." a set of words snapped Rodrick from his thoughts

When he turned his head towards the sound Rodrick saw his father, Robert, riding beside him atop his own horse. On his fathers face was a soft smile and warm eyes, Rodrick thought that his father was probably reminising of his times with his old friend, Eddard. This was not a usuall site yet Rodrick welcomed it with an equally warm expression.

"Yes, it is, but I suspect the inside looks two times better." Rodrick indulged in his fathers nostalgia.

His son's words made Robert let out a roaring laugh as he patted Rodrick on his back with all his force. "Aye, it is!" Robert said, still chuckling a bit before turning his head towards Rodrick. "What do you say we leave these slow shits in the dust and ride out ourselves to Winterfell?" Robert suggested to his son, letting out a slight smirk as he continued on with his idea. To his fathers words Rodrick only let out a small smile, looking towards his father with his usual warm and caring expression.

"Father, I know you are excited, but perhaps we should not greet the Starks covered in dirt and dust." Rodrick said as calmly as ever.
"Bah, to hell with this." Robert spat out, chuckling once more at his son's comments "I'm riding out, if you want to join then you're more than welcome." his father said before pulling the reins of his horse and riding forward.

In his wake, Rodrick's father left behind a trail of dust that had Rodrick coughing as his eyes teared up a bit. When he could finally open his eyes again Rodrick saw his father already miles ahead of where he should. The sight of his father in so much joy made Rodrick once again smile. His father had always been so playfull with him and his siblings, maybe it was his way of atoning for the first years of his marriage with Rodrick's mother. Or perhaps it was because he didn't really know how to be a father in the traditional sense. Robert never really taught his children anything, no important lessons, no scolding, no instructing, he really stood back and played with them whenever he wasn't preoccupied with his kingly duties. Rodrick loved him for that.

"The King seems to be having a good time." another voice came from behind Rodrick as he heard someone riding up to him.

When he turned around his head around Rodrick saw his mentor and close friend, Ser Barristan, riding up to him with his own trusty steed. Ser Barristan rode on his horse, adorned in his usual Kingsguard armor with a smile on his face as he now stood at Rodrick's side.

"Yes, it looks he is..." Rodrick replied softly.
"Perhaps we should go after him, I dread to think what your mother would do if she found out something happened to him." Ser Barristan said with his usual wise and elderly voice yet still keeping a light tone.
"Oh yes, I am sure my mother would be absolutely devastated." Rodrick said sarcasticaly as the two shared a quick laugh with each other.

"Very well..." Rodrick whispered after the two stopped laughing. He turned his head towards the back before shouting, "Uncle, Ser Arys!" he called out the other knights of the kingsguard. "Inform the rest of the escorts that Ser Barristan and I shall be riding forward with my father!" Rodrick yelled out as the two bowed their heads and started to ride back towards the rest of the convoy.

With that, both Ser Barristan and Rodrick kicked their horses as they emediately broke into a gallop, following the king's trail. To their luck, Rodrick's and Ser Barristan's horses were much faster than the kings, all thanks to the queen herself. Rodrick's mother suspected that Robert would do something like this and thus ordered the stable master to give him a slower horse on purpose and give his son the fastest one they had. Rodrick always liked riding, he may not have been the best rider but he still loved the act of riding his steed throughout the open fields and forests, the wind going against his skin and hair, the sound of the hooves connecting with the ground, he loved it all.

And so the two quickly caught up towards the king who was still smilling from sheere glee. Robert's smile only grew bigger when he saw his son and Ser Barristan riding up to his sides.

"So you finally joined in have ya?!" Robert shouted happily, still galoping as fast as he could across the countryside.
"Sorry father but we're not here to join you, we're here to make you go back!" Rodrick's words made his father laugh more loudly.
"Hah! We'll see if you can catch me you bastards!" Robert said as he kicked his horse to go faster and left the two in the dust again.
"You never listen do you..." Rodrick sighed, narrowing his eyes towards his father as he and Ser Barristan also started to ride faster.

Cersei was right in her assumption and because of that, Rodrick and Ser Barristan quickly caught up to Robert once again, this time going right in front of him, blocking the path forward. "Alright father that's enough, you're going back to the convoy and that's it." Rodrick spoke in a stern voice almost as a parent scolding his child. Robert opened his mouth, trying to say something but before he could he was emediately stopped by Rodrick. "Oh no, no 'but's' or 'come on's' you are going back to that convoy right now mister!" Rodrick pointed past Robert and towards the escort that was already many miles away from them.

Robert once again tried to object but was met with his son's stern face and thus, emediately shut his mouth and began to ride back, grumbling in silence like a child. As he saw his father going back Rodrick let out a small sigh before looking back to Ser Barristan with tiredness in his eyes.

"Ser Barristan, you knew my father for longer, was he really always this childish?" Rodrick asked almost as a joke but his tired tone removed any sort of sarcasm.
"Trust me Rodrick, he was much, much worse before." Ser Barristan replied with his usual soft smile.
"Somehow, that isn't very reassuring..." Rodrick sighed once more before also starting to make his way back with Ser Barristan.

The North, Winterfell, outer courtyard...

The King and his escort just started to enter Winterfell with Robert, Rodrick, The Kingsguard and the carriage that held Cersei, Myrcella and Tommen in the front and everyone else in the back.

The moment they entered through the gates Rodrick saw the entire Stark family as well as their whole household standing in the courtyard in front of the gates. The Stark family was in the front while else was in the back. The first Stark Rodrick had noticed was Lord Stark himself. A man with long, darkish-brown hair and full beard. His face was a stern one and everything about him represented what a Stark should be. From what his father had told him Lord Eddard was a man that held honor and duty above all else, always doing the right thing despite the consequences. To Lord Eddard's left was his wife and youngest child and son, Lady Catelyn and little Rickon. Lady Catelyn had the definition of a warm and motherly appearance and yet she still had the sense of duty and elegance that the Lady of Winterfell should have. Rickon, a small boy with short red hair like his mother, from his appearance Rodrick thought the boy to be about five or six years old. To Lord Eddard's right was the rest of his family.

The eldest son, Robb. Despite most of his features being that of a Tully, what with his mothers red hair that most of The Stark children had, Robb seemed to have inherited his fathers stern look and chiseled face. For a second The Heir of Winterfell and the crown prince locked eyes. Rodrick gave the eldest son a small bow with his head, Robb did the same.

To Robb's right were the Stark twins, Cregan and Sansa. Aside from their hair and eyes, the two were complete opposites in both appearance and personality. Lady Sansa was the eldest daughter and was known to be a fair lady. Her skin was slightly pale yet that wasn't so suprising due to her living her life in the cold north. She was a beautifull girl in all regards, long flowing hair, soft beautifull eyes, everything about her showed how prim and proper her parents raised her. When she saw Rodrick Sansa gave him a small smile which Rodrick gladly returned.

To her twins welcoming smile Cregan only met the crown prince with and icy stare, narrowing his eyes towards Rodrick. Unlike his twin sister Cregan had a chiseled and stern face, like his brothers and yet his expression seemed more, menacing and inpending. Small scratches that were cut just deep enough to leave a mark could be seen all across his face. Speaking of his face not only was Cregan giving Rodrick a death glare but the strangest this was that both his face and eyes remained completely emotionless, no hint of anger and yet Rodrick felt extremely threatened by the Stark.

The remaining Stark children, Arya and Bran, were nothing more to expect from children. Arya was the one from the two that stood out due to her blackish-brown Stark hair that rivaled her other siblings hairs.

It was then when Rodrick's father dismounted his horse as the entirity of Winterfell bowed to their king. Robert slowly and somewhat menacingly approached Lord Eddard before he got right in front of him. From the distance Rodrick observed what was happening and what would happen next. He saw his father lightly wave his fingers upwards, signalling them all to stand up, and so they did. Lord Eddard was the first to stop kneeling, and with him followed the entirity of Winterfell.

Robert looked down at his old friends stomach for a second before looking back at his eyes. "You've gotten fat..." Robert said rather cinically. By now Rodrick didn't even know what to expect. What was going to happen?

He expected Lord Eddard to be offended but, to Rodrick's suprise, Lord Stark only did the same. He looked down to the king's stomach for a second before going back to meet his eyes. "I can say the same for yourself..." Lord Eddard gave out his witty retort. Rodrick expected his father to be offended then, but once again, he was suprised. Robert gave out a hearty chuckle as did Lord Eddard as the two hugged each other tightly.

That's when Rodrick saw it. He saw what the two thought of each other. This wasn't a simple meeting of a king and his vassal. This was a reunion between two best friends that haven't seen each other in almost nine years.

With that, the king greeted all the Starks with his own form of greetings as Rodrick got off his horse to meet with the Starks as well. By the time Rodrick had gotten up to The Starks his father was already done greeting them. Everyone noticed the crown prince, as did his father.

"Ah, Ned, meet my son Rodrick." Robert introduced his son with no attempt to even hide hide pride during the introduction.
"It is an honor to meet you my prince." Lord Eddard bowed his head towards Rodrick.

Rodrick stood silent for a moment before reaching out his hand to Lord Eddard for a handshake. The Stark gladly accepted as he took a firm grasp of Rodrick's hand.

"The honor is all mine Lord Eddard..."

Note:

Right. Sorry for that abrupt ending but I could feel the caffeine starting to wear off and my Red Bull supply is now officially dry, so yeah. I guess you can say I was getting a bit tired.

Now, most of you fellow readers will be reading the introduction to the Starks and think 'What? Cregan-who? Who the fuck is he?', and that is why I reccomended you guys look at my other story so you will understand.

And with that I am done. Leave your guys's reviews, thoughts, advice etc. What do you guys think about Rodrick? What do you guys think about his relationship with his father? Did I succed in making an OC that isn't just every trueborn son of Robert/Cersei out there? (Shout out to Aldon Blackreyne, guy makes awesome stories I love him). With that out of the way I guess I will see you all next time.