The Sword of the Starks

Disclaimer: I own no part of the Game of Thrones franchise. All characters and locations are property of George R.R. Martin and whomever else he worked with. All writings are works of fiction and not meant to be part of any GoT storyline. Thank you to G.R.R. Martin for creating this wonderful universe but PLEASE write the next book soon.

In this story, Ned Stark and Catelyn Stark had a son, Nicholas. He was born after Robb and Jon and before Sansa. King Robert and Queen Cersei had a daughter, Emma, after Joffrey and before Myrcella. Emma has black hair, as opposed to the golden hair of the rest of his children. The ages of characters will align with HBO TV series while the names will be ASOIAF (The books).

Ages

Robb Jon- 17 years old

Nicholas Joffrey - 16 years old

Emma - 15 years old

Sansa - 13 years old

Myrcellla - 12 years old

Arya - 11 years old

Bran Tommen - 10 years old

Rickon - 6 years old

Warning! Spoilers!

(Though nothing major for a few chapters)

Chapter 1

Nicholas stood on the battlements of the outer wall of Winterfell. A horn had just been blown - the lookouts had spotted the Baratheon caravan. Brandon had also seen them, as Nick could hear his mother scolding him for climbing. She was always so scared about Bran, or any of them, falling or being hurt in any way. The King's party was still far away, yet it would take time to gather everyone.

Walking down the steps, Nicholas looked around, trying to find Arya. Already Sansa, Robb, and Rickon were in the yard. Bran had just ran off to fetch their father. Lady Catelyn was looking for Arya as well, and having little luck about it. Jon may have been looking for her as well, but it didn't matter now as the call was going out for the gate to be raised. As the King's caravan began to come through the gate, Nick got in line with the rest of his family. Eddard and Bran came around the corner, quickly moving their way through the crowd of peasants that had formed up behind the Stark family. Nick spotted Arya off to the side, trying to hide in a helmet. He glared at her, trying to get her attention until she looked over their way. Catching her eye, he beckoned her over to them. As she dashed over, she dropped her helmet in the back of a nearby cart and lined up next to Sansa. Looking around the yard, Nick spotted Jon and Theon a bit behind them, out of sight and mind of their visitors.

Watching as the head of the party entered the castle, Nick spotted the head of the column. In rode four men, three surrounding one in a triangle. Behind them came a company of men, around 20 of them, followed by large ornamental carriage. And after them came even more men, nearly a hundred of them. The group at the front rode up, positioning themselves in front of the Starks. The rider in the front, Ser Jaime Lannister, broke off and rode over to carriage. The Lannister footmen formed up to the side of the walls, five ranks of twenty men each. As they cleared the pathway into the castle, in rode a few dozen men, most likely scouting around the army in order to spot any attackers. Behind them came nearly five hundred men, all standing outside of the castle gates. Behind them Nick could spot several dezen more horsemen.

In front of them, a young lad ran up and put a set of stairs in front of them, at the feet of the King. With great effort, he hoisted himself off of the horse and walked down the steps, stopping in front of the Starks. Everyone kneeled in front of the King, the Starks in front first and each row of people behind them in order. The King looked down on Ned Stark, telling him with his hand movement to stand up. As Nick's father stood up, first the Starks and then the rows of people behind them stood up.

"You've got fat," The King said, looking at Ned. Behind him Nicholas could see Sers Meryn Trant and Boros Blount dismounting, walking up behind the King to defend him in case of any attack. Eddard looked down at the King's belly, nodding, as if to say, 'And you haven't?'

The entire crowd held their breath, wondering how the King would react to such a slight. A few tense moments passed. Both Eddard and King Robert had serious looks on their face. Suddenly, an outbreak of laughter went out between the two men who were as close as brothers and they hugged, patting each other on the back. Both of them backed away, laughing, both glad to see each other once more as it had been years since they had seen each other.

King Robert walked up and down the row of Starks, acknowledging each in turn. The crowd was beginning to thin out, and this was not lost on the Usurper King.

"Come Ned, let us visit the crypts." Robert said, addressing Ned.

"Surely that can wait," Queen Cersei said, sneaking up behind the group. "It has been a long trip, and I and the children would gladly rest in our chambers."

"Quiet, women," Said the King. "If riding North on a bunch of pillows on wheels tires you so much, I'm sure that Nicholas here could escort you to appropriate accommodations," The King gestured to Nick, who was standing closest to him. It was a moment before Nick registered the King's request, and a moment later before he responded after receiving a reassuring look from his father.

"I would be honored, your grace," Nick said, snapping to attention, drawing his gaze away from the eldest princess. She had captured his gaze the moment that she had walked down the steps of the carriage, clearly annoyed with the fact that she had been confined for days in such conditions, not being able to see the northern countryside. "If you would follow me, I will show you to proper accommodations."

As they walked towards the Great Hall, Nick attempted to make small talk with the Royal Family. The Queen obviously didn't want to talk, and the two youngest were looking around at the large castle, big to their young eyes. Yet the oldest daughter made good conversation, amazed by vastness of the North compared to the small number of people whom they had seen. Behind them came Ser Jaime and Ser Meryn, guarding the family.

They reached the Hall and had the doors opened for them by two Stark guardsmen. They reached the end of the Hall and went through the back doors, leading them up the stairs and through the twisting pathways to a hallway full of doors. He directed the Queen to the largest room and she was immediately followed by the Kingslayer. He showed the rest to their rooms, placing the youngest closest to the Queen's room and the eldest the farthest from them. As he showed Emma to her room, he spotted a bruise on the side of her head, under her ear. It was a rough mark, like someone had hit her. He had already put Joffrey in his room, along with all the others.

"My lady, are you alright? That mark…" He said, gesturing to the bruise.

She stepped into her room, promptly shutting the door after giving a mumbled reply.

Walking back down the hallway, Nick debated it over in his head. He knew that he probably shouldn't press the matter any further, for fear of driving her away. And were he to press the matter with the King, well, that might not go over all too well if it was the King who hit her. It does no good to meddle in the affairs of Kings. But if someone were abusing the princess…..

"M'lord. M'lord. M'lord!" It took several calls from the servant boy to rouse Nick from his thoughts. Startled to attention, he realized he nearly ran into the poor lad. "Where should I put the Family's things?"

Nick apologized to the lad, and pointed the young boy to the rooms, telling him where each one of the royals were staying. He pointed out that it was probably best to leave the King and Queen's things outside of their room.

Walking down the steps, he walked out into the courtyard and towards the Hunter's Gate and called out, "Night, Arlī!", The High Valyrian word for back. And out of the shadows of the Wolfswood, a great large black beast, twice the size of a normal direwolf, came bounding out. It came running towards him and stopped at his feet, dropping two dead rabbits at his feet. The fur was nearly unbroken, with teeth holes only around their necks.