A/N: Before we begin, I just want to apologise. This story has been esoteric and lackluster and that is partially my own fault for not focusing on the story as I did other projects. As it is I have another main project going in the form of Familia est Aeternum. I wish I had done better by the people here, and I hope to make it up to them.
Now, onto the basics if you want to understand this story. This is a pretty sharp AU. By that I mean several parts of canon (except the main plot itself, and even that has been shot a few times) have been taken out behind the shack and done away with. I am a bit of a world building freak, and this world, while beautifully done, is just very confusing and out of place in many instances. If something is different from canon, odds are I want it to be different.
Finally, note that while this mostly follows book canon (hence being in the ASOIAF section and not the GoT section) I do start in 300 AC. Therefore, the various characters are 3 years older than they would be in the books. With that over with, let's begin.
The wind whistled passed by the King's party as the rain continued to come down at a steady rate. It had been raining for nearly three days, and while it finally had begun to let up, it still turned the Kingsroad into a mess of mud and water. To the young man riding on his horse, this was certainly hell. The wheelhouse that the Queen had demanded come continued to bump along as the hooves of the horses splashed in the puddles. As a loud snap resounded through the air, Addam threw his eyes open.
Looking around, he sighed. as the rain eased his nerves. The back-right wheel of the wheelhouse had broken. Another one. "The Royal Family deserves to ride in comfort." The Queen had said. Yeah, comfort my ass. Wind blew the water into the faces of those who attempted to manage the wheelhouse as the Queen and the royals in the wheelhouse exited.
"Mother! Why do we have to stand out in the rain? Why can't we stay in the wheelhouse while the servants fix the wheel?" The eldest prince asked… well, more like whined. Those 'servants' have more talent in craftsmanship than you do. Besides.
"Joff, the more you're out in the rain, the less it'll bother you later!" Addam said. If looks could kill, then Addam would have been dead at a hundred paces by the look Joffrey was giving him. Emerald met emerald as the two stared each other down. Sighing once more, Addam brushed his black hair out of his face and turned his horse away.
"Addam!" Joffrey yelled as Addam spurred his horse along the road, riding up towards the front of the retinue.
"Hey, if you all are stuck here anyway, I might as well see what's on ahead!" Addam shouted back as he continued on. He soon had eclipsed even the Vanguard of the retinue. What continued on was continual wide open fields and the well traveled mud that was the King's Road. After riding for a time, he came to a small grassy knoll and hopped off his horse, leading it over to the hill as he sat down in the soaking grass. Why must I always be around these people. King Robert whores himself out to every woman that has any hint of beauty, except his own wife. He relied entirely on the advices of Lord Arryn… not that he's exactly around to advise anymore. The children… he blew his hair out of his face. Joffrey cannot govern and will lead the realm to rebellion. Myrcella and Tommen would be the ideal children of nobility, being royalty seems to be a slap in the face for them. And… we'll see.
Addam closed his eyes for a time, time seeming to flow like a slow stream of water. However, a clap of thunder snapped him back to his senses. Looking around, it was almost pitch black around him, he could barely make out his horse in the darkness. He hopped up, walking over to his horse. He slung himself up into the saddle, and road on toward the road. The air seemed to flow past him, and the water just run off of him. Damn, why did I have to get distracted?!
The rain started to come down harder. The winds became stronger, obstructing his vision to the point he could barely see even the head of his horse. A strike of lightning lit up the area around Addam like a jar of wildfire did to a piece of dry wood. On the flip side, it did provide Addam with enough visibility to spot the road, and continue riding along it. "Okay..." Addam mutters to himself. "Calm down, Addam, it's not like you're lost in the middle of Volantis or something like that."
Addam continued riding along the road, the rain continuing to pour down. Finally, Addam thought he could see some light in the distance. He pushed his horse as hard as it could go, before finally reaching the light. It was indeed the King's retinue. Retinue of bootlickers and shit-eaters. He walked over to where he usually slept near the supply wagon, and fell asleep near it.
When Addam awoke the next morning, there was a boy standing over him, looking bored at him. His sloppy brown hair flowed into his green-brown eyes as he looked down at him. Addam stretched before sighing.
"You know, it would be a lot more comfortable for a beautiful woman to wake me." Addam remarked. He sat up, twisting his body, before standing up.
"Addam, glad you're awake." the boy said.
"Hope I didn't worry anyone yesterday." Addam said, with seemingly no regard that the boy had said anything. Addam tilts his head at the boy, looking at him for an answer. The boy crossed his arms, with an indignant look on his face.
"Not really. Once we saw you sleeping next to the supply cart, any worries that may have existed vanished." the boy replied.
"I'm sure if any worries existed, they were but figments of imagination." Addam said with a smile. You'd all celebrate if I met an unfortunate death.
"Well, the King wished to see you when awoke." the boy informed him. Hmm… if he wanted some girls he'd not have sent for me when I awoke...
"Tell the King I'll be to see him soon." Addam said.
"Yes, milord." the boy said, running off.
"My lord." Addam grumbled under his breath.
"You asked for me, your grace?" Addam said with a simple bow. King Robert was a tall man, with thick arm muscles, though with a huge gut that seemed to not fit the rest of his body, though not as large as it had been a year previously. His hair was as black as the night, and his eyes as blue as the azure sky. He had a glass of wine in his hand as he sat on a stool.
"Aye. You vanished yesterday. Rode off on your horse and didn't show up again until late in the night."
"If your grace was worried about me running away, you needn't worry." Addam replied. Like hell I'll ever admit that I lost track of time.
"Aye. It would be a bad mark on my rule for a 'hostage'" Robert said, "to randomly disappear during my travels north." Addam smirked. Well, it's not the only bad mark you have, and not nearly worst, so it matters not.
"So, your grace, have you deigned to explain why you wanted to see me." Addam said.
"Wha… oh, yes. When we arrive at Winterfell, I want you to go and find Young Ned, since I doubt he'll be there to greet us." Robert said.
Addam's eyebrows raise slightly. "And how exactly am I to know the damned layout of that ancient castle? That's damn well not even the reason I agreed to accompany you people." He sighed.
"You're the only who could figure out where he goes. You always dragged him back home in King's Landing." Robert replied.
"Well… I did have plans when we arrived at Winterfell, so any distractions should very well be compensated." Addam replied.
"If you wish to see your cousin, I will not prevent it, I doubt Young Ned will be far from him anyway." Robert said. Well, that's a relief, you wouldn't have been able to stop me anyway.
"So... basically, I find Edric, you don't hinder any efforts for me to see Theon again." Addam asked.
"Yes, that is what I said, isn't it, Greyjoy?" Robert confirmed. Addam gave a light smirk.
"Well, if that's all, I shall say ffarwel and depart, Dy Ras."[farewell & Your Grace] Addam said as he turned around and left the tent. As he walked out of the tent, he saw a purse. Quickly rummaging through it, he took a small bag of clinking coins out of it and slipped it into his sleeves. Royal Family won't miss a few Stags now will they, hehehe. Walking over to the barrel of wine outside the tent, he swiped the cup that the blonde Lannister boy was filling with wine, and chugged it all down, much to his consternation. Walking toward back the camp, Addam Greyjoy smiled. This was going to be fun.
Reviews are appreciated.