A/N: Hopefully this will be my one and only authors note. I have spent a lot of time planning this out - over a month now, and I have finally finished the first chapter. I told myself I wouldn't post it until I have more of the story completed but I was eager to see what people would thing of the characters and plot I have created for myself. I hope by posting this early, I will receive feedback that could help me improve this first chapter and the adventure to come. I will be doing my best to write in a similar fashion to the the books. Each chapter being in a character's perspective. The story is interconnected with that of the series as well as the Telltale game series. There is one section in the contents that is referred to as the appendix. This will be updated as the story progresses.

Enjoy!


Reign of the Fallen

A Game of Thrones Fanfiction

By Millie55


Adilayde


Rest was not found in the chambers of the Lord. A message of massacre had been relayed. Sent by a raven to Fort Stryder, now resting in the hands of it's Lady. To hold it still was a struggle, Lady Adilayde would have blamed this on the cold northern wind if anyone noticed. The truth however, was that she was terrified to the point of trembling. The letter had be sent from far south, the Tully sigil stamped into the hard wax. It was not everyday Fort Stryder received a letter from Riverrun, but she was sure that she was not the only one to receive such notice.

As a house principal to Winterfell, Lord Marcus and their two eldest sons, Cassius and Zachariah, rode in the army of Robb Stark. The same army that was was cut down at The Twins in a bath of ale and blood. She could feel a choke of a sob taking over her throat, threatening to escape into the chamber. Had she lost them all? Tears began to build up in her crystal eyes at the thought of being without them.

Lord Marcus Gwhendel, the adamant-or the stubborn fool, as Adilayde would call him. He was the love of her life, but not always. When her northern eyes as clear and bright as winter's ice had first met the sight of Lord Gwhendel. At nineteen, she was the sole heir to her house. House Stryder, ruler of the fort of the same name. Her family. It was many years ago that Lady Adilayde was forced to watch them die one by one. It was the beginning of a cruel winter, snow already beginning to fall before the final fleet of ship could arrive on the coat. Cracking through the thin layers of ice, the crew stumbled ashore with the cargo and an illness as lethal as a swords blade. Unlike a wound, there was no healing from this sick. There was only death.

It took her brother first. Demetrius Stryder, first born son and only son to House Stryder. The first of two total children. Heir to the House, with their blue eyes as clear at the Norther'n skies and hair as black as coal. There was great panic when illness took him. How was Adilayde expected to take the throne? She was but a Lady, someone that they could marry off to another Lord to grow their allies not a woman fit to rule her own House. Her father hoped that the young brunette would not have to follow in his leadership as Demetrius had wed. His bride, her hair like dancing flame and body once pale and lean was now round with the carrying of his child. The rightful heir to Fort Stryker following his father. It's fate however did not rest in the icy chambers of the castle. Caught in the loss of her Lord, Lady Andromeda threw herself from the heights of her shower, tainting the snow with the crimson of blood. Taking her own life, and the one of her unborn child.

Then, the sick took her parents. Quickly, her mother, Lyla succumbed to the fever an death took her in a matter of days. Left was just Adilayde and her father, Lord Caspian Stryder the just. A determined man, he did not let it take him easily. He fought until his last dying breath. It had been spent in the great hall, speaking with a man who was interested in his daughter's hand. The man she would later wed and make the Lord of Fort Stryder. He still had his youth then: golden locks of hair that were windswept from the long ride north, golden skin that only the western sun could give him, and eyes amber like molten bronze. It did not go unnoticed by her that he was a handsome man, but she knew of his motivations. He wanted her power. That made her hesitant with her decision. Any man she chose to marry would take on lordship, and if it did not happen quickly there was not a doubt in her mind that the fortress her ancestors had build would crumble and fall to those who would hear of her father's death. Their House would not be the first to fall to extinction because the Lord fell and the houses around them grew greedy. To join Lord Marcus of Gweniver in marriage was the only way to preserve the heritage of her family, and with their joining House Styder gained allies in the rest of House Gwhendel.

What once was a strategic move, had turned into love over their many years together. Now, as she stood by the tower window in which Andromeda once fell from she watched the front gates. Adilayde couldn't feel more fearful. Was her love gone? Left to let their third born son Jonas to take on his lordship? The thought made her heartache. How could she lose so much in such little time? The gust of northern wind tore through the room, a gentle dusting of snow taking the floor before melting under the heat of the roaring fire made up to warm her for the seemingly never-ending night. She felt trapped in this darkness. Depression heavy on her chest, choking her sobs back until she was paralyzed with sorrow. She would have to tell the children come morning. They would not take it well, especially the youngest Sofya and Stryder. They would be fourteen come their name day, but they had been close with their father. They all had been, even their first born daughter, Delilah who had made King's Landing her home to serve their Queen.

Retiring to bed was a thought that crossed her mind. To drop into the heavy blankets of fur, let then envelope her in their warmth as she missed having her Lord beside her. But then, out of the corner of a crystal eye she spotted movement. Movement just beyond the wall. Moving closer to the edge, she squinted, focusing her eyes on the figure. No, two figures. Horses! The thought of sleep left her now, and hope was ignited. Could this be her husband? Her children?

Quick feet carried the woman through the corridor, letter abandoned on the floor of her chambers. Those who served the Lady, moved to the side to let her past before moving to to join her. They were worried, they had never seen such alarm on her northern features. Adilayde ignored the many calls of "my lady" as she moved. Soon she was out the castle front, and out into the streets, what once was muddy in the summer heat, was stiff from the cold and compacted flat with the feet of travelers. With each heavy exasperated breath from her lips, a cloud took the wind. The cold air burned her lungs, but she did not dare stop.

"The gate! Open the gate!" Lady Adilayde pleaded as she grew closer to the iron bars in which divided her from the forests and fields beyond. The screech of the rising entry was loud in the night, waking commoners and kinship alike. It wasn't long until clusters of people gathers to watch two black horses emerge from the darkness, a man on each of their backs. Relief took her body, muscles relaxing until she realized who was missing. She then became desperate, her body thrown at her Lord as she dismounted his steed.

"Zachariah, where is he? Where is he?"

Desperate fists grasped at the garb of her love, his tall frame close to her small. The blood soaked cloth stained her hands, horrified she pulled trembling hands back.

"It's not my blood," the gruff voice of Lord Marcus Gwhendel took her ears as well as the air.

Arms surrounded her, the arms of Septa Alara, Sofya's tutor. An older woman, a face of wrinkles peering from under her headdress. Her hold was near motherly, comforting around her lady. It was there Adilayde broke, in front of all those loyal to House Gwhendel and the former House Stryder. Shaking with sobs, she now had to except the reality that stood in front of her. Marcus and her son Cassius had returned. Beaten and battered from battle, but alive. Zachariah however, had not been so lucky. Grief overtook her, a strangled cry erupting from her lips. It cut through the air, silencing the whispers from the crowed. Zachariah had been loved by all, and had been favored for Lordship over his brother Cassius. Not for his willingness to lead, but for his kindness and compassion. His loss, would be one grieved by all.

With Septa Alara on one side of her, and the strength of her son Cassius on the other, Lady Adilayde was supported. Legs threatening to give out, shaking at the knee. Her voice was lost, larynx weak. Only sobs could escape, as she was caught up in her sorrow. She would be taken to her chambers, the difficult task of breaking the news of their loss to the rest of the young lords and ladies to their father. Adilayde caught sight of the rest of her children through acid tears. They had only made their way to the steps of their castle in time to catch sight of their weeping mother being ushered inside. This made her stomach knot. She had to be strong for them, but how could she be when she had just lost someone so dear to her heart? She could only hope that Marcus could be strong enough for the both of them.