A/N This is my first attempt at a full fledged A Song of Ice and Fire story and the plot revolves around the Burke family, a Northern house, beginning before the War of the Five Kings. I'm going to tell you guys right now, this isn't going to turn into one of those "fix it" fics where the addition of a few characters changes the outcome of everything. Some people are still going to die and some events that happened in the book are still going to happen.
I'll be taking things from both the Show and the Books but for the most part it'll follow the latter more closely. Times I might use the show is when something happens offscreen in the books/isn't mentioned at all or when I just prefer the show story line to the books in some cases.
Just so you can follow along, these are the members of the house and their birth years.
Finnick Burke: 262 AC; Father and Lord of House Burke
Lyarra Burke nee Glover: 263 AC; Mother and Lady of House Burke
Torrhen Burke: 280 AC; Heir of House Burke and twin brother to Iris
Iris Burke: 280 AC; Only daughter and twin sister to Torrhen
Markus Burke: 283 AC; Second Son
Garrith Burke 290 AC; Third Son
Lord Finnick also has two younger brothers, Raymond, a member of the Night's Watch, born 265 AC and Geralt, who has spent the last 7 years adventuring through Essos, born 270 AC
The first chapter is going to be a little all over the place with a large time jump in the middle of it but they won't all be like that.
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294 AC, Burke Hall, Markus POV
As I approach father's study, I can't help but to wonder why he called for me. Am I in trouble? Did he find out I was stealing lemon cakes from the kitchen? Or maybe this is about how I was slacking off on my chores and forcing the smith's son to do them for me? Maybe I'm not being punished, maybe Jamesen has been telling him how well my training has been going and he's asking he here to congratulate me?
The latter is not very likely. I cannot recall a single instance in my entire life where father actually acknowledged my skills in anything. He is always dotting on little Garrith and proudly smiles on at the twins but never me. I am simply the forgotten middle child, the spare.
As I finally reach the door I hesitantly knock on it. I heard my father's "come in" through the door and then open it, nodding at both the guards keeping watch outside.
"You wished to see me father?" I questioned as I enter the room. Father is looking down at a stack of papers on his desk, holding one in his hands.
"I did," he simply confirms, "take a seat if you will, Markus." as I begin to walk over he reminds me, "close the door." Which I do before sitting down and looking at him expectantly. "I received a raven today," he begins again, "from Winterfell, it is from Eddard Stark, do you know what it says?"
"I expect it has something to do with me considering I am the one you are having this conversation with?" I answered hesitantly, which makes him chuckle.
"Indeed, Markus," he smiled slightly waving the paper around, "he expressed interest in fostering you." Well that's a surprise, I didn't even know the Warden of the North knew who I was. "I just wrote to him, accepting his offer, before calling for you." I'm going to be fostered at Winterfell? Father is sending me away? I must have done something wrong. Why would he be sending me away if I didn't?
"When shall I be leaving?" is all I respond with, unable to say any more.
"You have two days to prepare and say your goodbyes." Wow...such little time. "And by the way, Jamesen shall be coming with you to continue your archery training, he's been singing your praises."
"Very well," is all I say, getting up, "I should go and start to pack." he simply nods as I start to leave.
"Oh and Markus," he says as almost an afterthought, I look at him again, "I was a ward at Winterfell growing up as well. It's an honor, you should remember that." he then looked back down at the papers on his desk, which I took as a signal to leave.
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One Week later, Winterfell Courtyard
As I arrive at Winterfell I don't know what to expect. I do not know whether there will be a feast when I arrive, or whether there will even be a welcome party.
Soldiers are watching us with mild interest as we ride by them but I'm trying not to look at them. I simply stare straight forward.
When we finally arrive at the gates of Winterfell, the guards open them for us and we entered the courtyard. There are men going about their regular business, training and things like that. Clearly a welcome party was too much to expect.
The horses slow to a halt and we get off and look around us. I see Jamesen standing right beside me, he is an older man, in his forties maybe fifties. He was looking over my shoulder at something but I didn't know what.
"Lord Stark," he said with a nod. Lord Stark? I quickly turned around to see a somber man with brown hair and grey eyes coming towards us.
"It's been a long time," he replied to him with a small smile. He then looked at me, "you must be Markus then?"
"Yes Lord Stark," I make sure to sound confident and look him in the eyes when I respond to him, just like father always told me. He seemed impressed.
"Well alright then," he started, "the boys are out practicing their archery right now, I'm sure you'd like to join them if you are anything like your father. I'm sorry for the lack of preparations for your arrival, we weren't expecting you for at least another three days."
"Nothing to apologise for, Lord Stark." is all I said before making my way in the direction he told me.
When I found my way to the practice range I was met with the sight of three boys. The eldest, probably a boy of six and ten, was shooting at one of the targets while the other two, both my age, were watching on. I simply stood in the background for a little while, waiting to make my presence known.
Suddenly the boy shooting hit a bullseye and the two boys watching started clapping, seemingly really impressed. The eldest soaked it all in, adding in a few mock bows. I felt it was a good time to announce my presence so I said, "you need to keep your shoulders more level."
All three boys looked at me, and the one who I was trying to correct seemed offended. "Is that so?" he started off, rather mockingly, "no offense but I don't think I'll be listening to advice from you."
"Oh and why's that?" I countered.
"Because I'm the best archer in Winterfell for one. And you're a child." was his response, he seemed shocked that someone was actually talking back to him.
"Aren't we all children?" I rhetorically asked with a smirk, "and you aren't the best archer in Winterfell anymore." I added.
"If I'm doing it wrong then tell me how I hit it dead center?" he then asked cockily.
"Are you kidding?" I laughed, "that target is 5 yards away, I think my little brother could hit it dead center. It's not about the results it's about the technique."
"Well if it's so easy you do it," the boy then threw the bow my way, which I caught with one hand. The younger two boys were still silent and seemed to be curious. So I nocked an arrow, took a look at the target, pulled the string back, took a look at the boys, and released.
The arrow not only hit the bullseye, but went straight through the other boy's arrow. Leaving the three of them speechless. "Allow me to introduce myself," I started again, "I'm Markus Burke."
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297 AC- Markus' Quarters, Winterfell
I woke up to a hangover as bad as I've ever had. I couldn't even begin to hear myself think over the constant banging. What on earth happened last night? *bang bang bang* "Get up you lazy piece of shit!"
At that moment I realized that the banging wasn't my head, it was someone banging on the door of my room. It took all my will to yell out a firm "It's open" but to whomever was outside my door it probably sounded more along the lines of "is apen"
Nonetheless they seemed to understand my meaning because I could hear my door swing open. Although I was still in no state to open my eyes much less greet whoever just came into my room.
"Well you look like a sight for sore eyes now don't you." I could practically feel the smug smirk on his face but I was far too tired and hungover to say anything.
"Even on my worst days I practically shine in comparison to you Jamesen," I reply with my face still in my pillow.
"Be that as it may, I'm not exactly your competition in that field am I?" he says with a laugh, walking over to the bed and giving my leg a light shove. "Now you've had your beauty sleep, the sun is nearly above now and it's time to show your face."
"Ser Rodrik noticed my absence in the tillyard this morning I'm sure." I assume with a sigh, that'll be a fun conversation.
"You're in luck, in that regard m'lord," replied Jamesen, "you had no lessons today, Lord Stark left Winterfell at dawn to behead a deserter and the boys with him. Lord Robb suggested that they should let you pass on this one."
"I'll drink to that," I said with a slight smile, making my first move to attempt to get out of bed, head still pounding from the massive hangover.
"I don't think you'll be drinking to anything any time soon m'lord," wittily replied Jamesen with that same shit eating smirk.
"Did I make that much of a fool of myself?" I attempted to arch an eyebrow with my eyes not fully adjusted to the light.
Jamesen still looked amused, "Hullen was hardly pleased with the mess you left in the stables."
"Hullen is never pleased with anything," I dismissed with a dramatic wave of the hand, "All the man does is grunt and complain."
"You do give him quite a lot ot complain about…" he begins diplomatically.
"Yeah I'm not the best rider in Westeros, so what? I'm an archer, I don't need to ride." I reply, starting to get heated.
"Not the best?" Jamesen replies aghast, "I think we'd be hard pressed to find someone in Winterfell who is a worse rider than you!"
"Oh Others take you, Jamesen!" I fume, "Now get out of here while I dress!" He decides not to add in yet another smart comment and proceeds to laugh his way out of the room.
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Now that I knew that there was nothing pressing for me to go to, I decided to take my time waking up and getting ready for the day. At least the rest of it. I took a bath, gave myself a shave, got dressed and headed out to the main hall to grab something to eat.
When I arrived in the hall it was mostly empty except for Lady Sansa and her Septa. The former saw me come in and gave me a courteous nod to which I gave her one back.
Lady Sansa and I got along okay. We certainly weren't as close as I was with her other siblings, and there were times that I got rather annoyed with her for how she treated Jon and Arya, but she was perfectly polite with me, if not a little distant. Of course, there's also the fact that I've been hopelessly in love with her since we've met, but that's beyond the point.
I still remember our first true conversation. It was two days after I first arrived in Winterfell. A trader made their way too Winterfell from the south and they had ingredients to make some treats, originally they were supposed to be for my arrival but I got here early, one of the things they made were lemon cakes, and as it turned out Lady Sansa loved lemon cakes more than life itself. However her mother specifically told her that she was only allowed to have three of them, to make sure there was enough for everyone.
I remember how sad she was and how she pleaded with her mother for ages before I finally told her that she could have my share. I told her I didn't particularly like them so it was no harm. Of course in reality lemon cakes were my favorite delicacy as well, but the smile on her face was well worth parting ways with them.
"Good day my lord." I am torn away from my thoughts by a voice and rather comically look up from my plate to see Lady Sansa made her way over to me, giggling at my expense. "I was wondering why exactly you didn't go out with father and the others today, I thought perhaps you were unwell?" Was it just blind hope on my part or did she actually seem at least slightly concerned about my good health?
"Nothing to fret about, Lady Sansa," I start, "The others simply decided to let me get some extra sleep." I sneaked a glance at the Septa and saying she seemed less than impressed would be an understatement. Safe to say she knew exactly why I didn't go out to the beheading this morning. Seven hells this is exactly the kind of conversation I was trying to avoid. "Apologies for having to cut this short ladies, but I was just coming in to grab a quick bite before heading out. Lady Sansa you wouldn't happen to know where your sister is would you?"
Sansa gave me a frown before saying that Arya was in the yard watching the guards train, so I thanked her before heading that way. What was that frown about? Was she upset I would rather spend time with Arya than her? Maybe she was just frowning because of Arya? Yeah that's probably it, I'm just overthinking this...right?
The wheels are turning in my head my entire walk to the courtyard before I see Arya and smile and walk over to her.
"I was told a fair maiden was around here, distracting all the guards during their training, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?" I ask with as straight a face I can manage, coming up behind her and breaking her concentration.
"Shut up," she says as she rolls her eyes at me, "and hello Markus."
"Good morning Arya," I reply with a smile as I mess up her hair with one of my hands, causing her to laugh.
"It's not morning for one thing!" she says laughing, after she calms down some she looks at me amused and says "Theon says you got shitfaced last night."
"Is that so?" I ask to which she nods, "now what is it that I always tell you about what Theon says?"
"It's usually a load a shite."
"Yes it is!" and we both start laughing again, "and don't swear."
"You guys swear all the time, and you never answered, is it true?"
"Well yeah, we are older," I reply, "and yes." and we both start laughing again.
"Well you missed quite the show this morning." she said with a smirk.
"Go on…?" I implore her
"Well, Bran was practicing archery in front of father….and I put some of our secret lessons to good use." she finishes with a smile.
Smiling, I ask, "You showed up your brother?"
"Yep!" she says satisfied, "And it was a perfect shot!"
"Well you had a very good teacher," I laugh, "We Burkes are known as the best sharpshooters in the North for a reason."
Arya is about to response when the two of us are interrupted by one of the household guards saying that Lord Stark and his company are arriving at the both give each other a look silently vowing to finish this conversation later and go to greet them.
A/N Well there is chapter one. I'm just going to float this out there to see what reception is like, it's been sitting on my computer for a few months.
Personally, the dialog seems a little awkward at times but I don't really know how to improve it. If you see any grammar mistakes or something like that just message me