This was a request from GreekerGeek.

It is AU to both book and tv canon but still set in Westeros. Set before the tv series in the timeline but it is different to the book as I haven't read the books, so characterisation is different.

Some violence and there will be some swearing.

Usual disclaimers that I don't own the characters etc.

I hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter 1

A stag was grazing in the Wolfswood surrounded by trees and plants, birdsong drifted through the air and the smell of wet grass, due to the rainfall the night before, was easily identifiable. Simeon moved quietly through the wood with the rest of his group, which included his sons Lorge and Stanos. Simeon was a poacher and he knew there were fine stags to be had for good money living on the land of the Starks. The only problem was that Lord Eddard Stark had declared war on the poachers and, if caught, death was now the penalty rather than the loss of a hand or the Night's Watch.

Simeon was about average height for a man and he had a stocky build. His chest was broad and his hips were narrow, his hair was light brown but his eyes were much a much darker shade of brown in comparison. Freckles adorned his nose and cheeks and he moved quietly for his build. His sons were very different to each other in looks but not in skill.

Lorge was the elder of the two and had strikingly blonde hair like his mother with a tall, lean body in comparison to his father. Lorge's eyes were green and he had no freckles on his face, but he did have a brown birthmark just above his left eye. Stanos took after his father in height and build though his hair was a slightly lighter colour as were his eyes. Both brothers were skilled archers with longbows and crossbows, just like Simeon himself.

Simeon knew he was taking a risk especially as they had already killed two large stags in the last week alone. His sons were good shots at the ages of twenty and twenty-two but they were still eager to learn from their father. The Starks had increased their foot patrols throughout the Wolfswood so the time to strike was reducing, fast.

Simeon closed in on the stag and saw his sons raise their bows in unison. Three shots were released together and the animal fell to the ground.

Lord Eddard Stark watched from the balcony over the Winterfell courtyard as he often did. He could see the hustle and bustle of Winterfell below him with many of its occupants going about their daily routines. His eyes were drawn to Ser Rodrik who was trying to teach Robb and Jon a new defensive stance in their sword practise lesson. Robb and Jon were both 12 name days old but they weren't twins. Robb was the elder by a couple of months and was Ned's legitimate heir with his wife Catelyn, while Jon was the Bastard of Winterfell, or at least that was what everyone thought. Ned's son with a mysterious woman whom nobody knew.

Ned watched as Jon picked up the move faster than Robb but when they practised against each other Jon lost the spar. Ned knew that Jon was a better fighter but Jon also knew it would not be appropriate for him to beat Robb. Ned suspected that Robb also knew what Jon was doing but neither of them suggested anything was amiss. Theon was watching nearby after taking a break from his archery due to injuring his leg a week ago and unable to practise with the swords.

Catelyn appeared beside Ned and he instantly saw her scowl. She didn't like that Robb and Jon practised together but Ned was used to it by now. He was mostly glad that Robb, Jon and Theon weren't at each other's throats and actually got along, most of the time.

Maester Luwin appeared and Ned knew the maester was waiting for the boys to have their history lesson for the day. When Robb and Jon had finished another spar Ned called out, 'Robb, Jon, Theon, it's time for your lessons with Maester Luwin.'

The shoulders of all three boys slumped at Ned's words which made him chuckle. Thankfully, Maester Luwin saw the funny side too. The old maester knew that history was no fun compared to sword practise, but just as important.

'Come on boys,' the maester called as they put away their weapons and trudged inside.

While Ned was stood on the balcony a soldier appeared and gave a short nod, 'My Lord. My Lady,' he said.

'What news?' Ned asked.

'The poachers have been sighted again in the Wolfswood,' the soldier replied.

'Rally the men,' Ned told the soldier who gave an affirmative nod and swiftly left.

'Ser Rodrik,' Ned called down into the courtyard.

'My Lord,' the knight answered.

'Fetch Robb and Jon. I want them to accompany us and hopefully catch the poachers,' Ned ordered.

'Yes, My Lord,' Ser Rodrik answered and left to find Robb and Jon.

'Ned, Robb's lessons are important,' Catelyn never liked exposing her son to these things.

'He's not a boy anymore. He is a young man and he needs to learn how to be Lord of Winterfell,' Ned reasoned. The fact that Jon was going as well was not mentioned by either.

Moving the stag was a difficult task but between them Simeon and his sons managed to drag the stag through the wood. Another successful kill that would bring them a host of coins. Suddenly, horse's hooves could be heard in the distance and the poachers instantly knew it was another Stark patrol. They had to get the stag to their cart and fast.

The pounding of hooves grew louder and rang through the ears of the poachers as the cumbersome stag slowed their escape. Simeon's sons remained with him but the remainder of the group scattered.

'Poachers!' came the roar from one of the Stark soldiers and Simeon swore as he realised that they would have to leave the beast behind if they wanted to keep their lives. In unison they dropped the stag but moments later Simeon's foot was caught by a protruding tree root and he was sent sprawling to the floor and his right ankle made a sickening crack.

His sons tried to pull him to his feet but the Stark patrol was advancing quickly.

'Go! Run!' he shouted to his sons who hesitated before running away with sorrow in their eyes. Simeon instantly felt alone and he was afraid of what was to come. He knew the price he would pay but he needed his sons to live. He loved his sons like any other man.

The Stark patrol took longer to arrive than Simeon expected or maybe time was moving more slowly. The dead stag was feet away from him and he was covered in its blood, so there was no way he could talk himself out of this situation. His ankle was starting to throb and swell, indicating that it was indeed broken.

The Stark horse stopped in front of him and the rider dismounted. 'Thought you could steal from Lord Stark, did you?' the man asked with a sneer before directing a couple of riders to find Lord Stark and two others to search the area for the other poachers. Simeon hoped his sons had had the brains to keep running.

It wasn't long before Simeon recognised the fur cloaked figure of Lord Stark riding towards him and he knew his end was near.

'Did you find the other poachers?' Ned asked his men as he dismounted.

'No, my Lord,' the soldier answered making Simeon smile. His sons were safe.

'Robb, Jon,' Lord Stark called out as two boys appeared on horseback. 'Go with Ser Rodrik.'

Simeon was dragged out of the woods by the Stark men as Lord Stark rode beside them to the execution area. Simeon knew Lord Stark would do the 'honours' himself as he was well known for it but that was no comfort as Simeon was pushed over the large log that would serve as his deathbed. He struggled against the men holding him as his fight response took over. He didn't want to die.

'What is your name?' Lord Stark asked the struggling man.

'What d'you care?' Simeon spat back.

'I don't,' Ned answered simply as Ice was unsheathed. 'I, Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North-'

Simeon's mind was racing. He had known that the punishment for poaching on the Stark lands was death but he had never imagined that he would be caught. His sons would be left alone in the world as their mother had died 5 years ago from a short fever. Could they survive on their own? Would they also die at the hands of Lord Stark, bent over a tree log and beheaded?

'I hereby sentence you to death,' Ned finished.

'Don't look away,' Jory told Robb and Jon as their father lifted his sword.

Simeon felt as though time had stopped. He could see the blade being risen slowly in the corner of his eye. His heart seemed determined to get through a lifetime's beats before his life ended. The sound of the blade descending was the last thing Simeon heard.

Robb and Jon both screwed up their faces as they watched the poacher's head be separated from his body. The red, oozing blood ran freely from the gaping wound, staining the grass nearby red.

'D'you understand why I had to do it?' Ned asked the boys as he approached. Both Robb and Jon nodded. 'The man who passes the sentence, should swing the sword.'

Lorge and Stanos were sitting in the wood, knowing what had befallen their father and having been unable to help him in anyway. The Stark men had taken the stag for their own kitchens and they were left without their father and without anything to sell. They had kept out of sight of the Stark soldiers long enough for the men to give up the pursuit and then they had returned. They had watched as their father was dragged away as Lord Stark sat importantly atop his horse, overseeing his men.

Lord Stark would pay for killing their father, they swore it to the old gods and the new.

'The boys,' Lorge muttered after a lengthy silence.

'What?' Stanos asked looking angry, upset and completely lost.

'The boys that came with Lord Stark. They must be his heir and his bastard,' Lorge surmised. 'Robb Stark and Jon Snow.'

'So? What of them?' Stanos was confused by what his brother was implying.

'Let's pay Lord Stark back for what he has done,' Lorge grinned devilishly.

Many days later the sun was shining brightly in the sky and the air was filled with a warm breeze. Robb and Jon woke early in the morning and both decided that they wanted to go out riding in the Wolfswood after they had broken their fast. They, well Robb, pestered Lord Stark until Ned gave in but insisted that they take four guards with them and did not leave the guards for any reason. Ned didn't really want to let them go but a number of Northern Lords were arriving that day and he needed to be there to greet them. He also wanted Ser Rodrik and Jory by his side but Ned figured that Robb and Jon would be safe enough in the woods close to Winterfell.

The Wolfswood was full of birds singing in the trees, their sweet melodies enough to make anyone smile, even Jon. The guards grumbled at first, having to trek behind the two boys at Lord Stark's insistence but soon even they were enjoying the sounds, smells and sights of the Wolfswood.

The group stopped at a small clearing in the woods to eat the food Robb and Jon had eagerly packed, with the guards taking turns to watch for danger. Robb and Jon continued to talk about their training and how one of the kitchen serving girls continually eyed Robb whenever she was serving him food. Jon always felt a bit jealous of the attention Robb received but knew there was no point in worrying about it. He knew he was the bastard and would likely never marry or have a family of his own. He only hoped that one day he would no longer be seen as the 'shame' of the Stark family.

'It's time we started back, my lords,' one of the soldiers called out.

Both Jon and Robb exchanged looks of disappointment but they started to pack their stuff away, slowly.

Lorge and Stanos watched the group pack away their things, not quite believing the luck the gods had sent them. They had been arguing for days how they could snatch Ned Stark's heir from Winterfell to no avail. Now, having briefly seen the boys when Simeon was captured, the heir and the bastard were feet in front of them, but they still didn't know which one was which. They figured the guards weren't too much of a problem as long as they could keep the boys away from the horses to prevent their escape.

Lorge left his bow with his brother as he snuck around the camp to where the horses were tied up with a short sword ready in his hand. The horses sensed his presence and started to panic, neighing and trying to pull themselves free from their tethers. Lorge cursed under his breath as the soldiers and boys were instantly alerted to the danger lurking in the woods.

'Who goes there?' one of the soldiers asked as he drew his sword. Robb and Jon were quickly surrounded by the Stark soldiers as they both looked at each other with fear in their eyes. Who would want to hurt them?

Robb could feel his heart hammering in his chest and took Jon's hand and felt his half-brother also trembling. The Stark soldiers surrounded them so they couldn't see past their guards but both were listening for the sound of any movement in the trees.

Lorge kept himself hidden, ready to free the horses in the hope that they would scatter, meaning any escape would have to be made by foot. Stanos kept himself hidden but within sight of the group, with the bows at the ready. He knew he could take out two of the Stark men in quick succession while Lorge was a good enough fighter to hold his own in a swordfight.

Lorge was waiting for Stanos to shoot first before he acted. He was closer to the horses than the boys and the soldiers and knew he had the advantage in that regard.

Stanos shot the first arrow hitting one of the soldiers square in the chest and the man collapsed instantly clutching at the arrow but knowing the wound he suffered was fatal. Robb and Jon were suddenly pushed behind the other soldiers who turned in the direction the arrow had come from. Robb and Jon clutched each other's hands as their fear began to grow. Who were these men? What did they want?

Lorge took advantage of the Stark soldiers' diverted attentions and sliced through the reins of the horses allowing the animals to ride away from the fight. The soldiers' attentions then turned to Lorge and Stanos took advantage, shooting an arrow into the back of a soldier's head. The remaining two soldiers looked afraid as they now knew there were two assailants and not one.

One of the soldiers moved closer to Robb and whispered, 'Run as soon as the fight starts.' Robb nodded and Jon also nodded that he had heard too.

Stanos revealed himself and purposefully started to reload his bow, giving the soldiers a dark smile as he did. The soldiers were too far away to charge him but they couldn't stay where they were as he could hit them easily once the bow was reloaded. Lorge was closing in on the other side with his sword drawn and a menacing look in his eyes.

'Give us the boys and we will let you go,' Lorge stated as he stopped a few feet away.

The soldiers remained silent while Jon and Robb prepared themselves to run. Without the horses they knew it would be a difficult journey back to Winterfell and, if truth be told, neither of them had really taken much interest in exactly where they were.

Stanos had just about loaded his bow when the soldier nearest to him charged towards him and the other towards Lorge. Robb and Jon fled as fast as they could as the sounds of the fighting behind them started to quieten the further they ran.

Both boys were accomplished at training and could run a fair distance but this was different, this was far harder as their chests heaved and their legs tired rapidly. Both Robb and Jon collapsed after running for what felt like hours but must have just been only minutes and perhaps not even that long. Jon leant against the tree he had collapsed by and tried to listen for sounds in the woods but all he could hear was his own laboured breathing and Robb's too.

Robb was also leant against a tree and looked towards Jon. 'Who d'you...think...they were?' he managed to gasp.

'No idea,' Jon answered looking as confused as Robb felt.

'The soldiers are dead,' Robb stated but Jon could hear the slight hope in his voice that Jon might disagree.

'Yes,' Jon agreed after a moment's silence. 'We have to get back and tell Father what has happened.' Jon knew that Lady Catelyn would somehow make it his fault that they were in the Wolfswood in the first place, but he was used to her scorn.

'D'you know which way it is?' Robb asked hesitantly.

'That way I think?' Jon pointed in the direction he thought Winterfell was but he wasn't at all sure.

The soldiers charged at Stanos and Lorge, trying to surprise their enemy. Stanos managed to load his bow and hit the soldier in the heart as the man crumpled a few feet away from him. Lorge found the final soldier to be a firm test with a sword. While Lorge was an average swordsman at best, the man in front of him was much better and Lorge knew he was in trouble. The soldier swung his sword grazing Lorge's left arm as the poacher tried to dive away from the blow. Lorge made the mistake of clutching the wound on his left arm with his right hand, dropping his sword in the process and leaving him defenceless. The soldier loomed large over Lorge and the poacher thought his end was near but the soldier suddenly screamed in pain and fell to his knees, revealing Stanos holding a bloody blade in his hand. Stanos then lifted the soldier's head and sliced his throat open.

'Where are the boys?' Lorge asked as he looked around and realised he had no idea in which direction they had run.

'They went that way,' Stanos pointed in the direction Robb and Jon had fled, having been more observant than his brother. 'They shouldn't be difficult to track,' he said confidently as he hauled his brother to his feet. Lorge nodded and quickly tore his shirt to wrap the cloth around his arm. He would deal with cleaning the wound later as they needed to catch the boys.

Stanos led the way and moved eagerly as he followed the tracks of Robb and Jon. The boys had sprinted away and Stanos knew that they wouldn't be able to keep that pace for long and would have tired quickly. As he suspected the tracks showed as much and he and Lorge started to move more stealthily as they didn't want to give themselves away.

Robb and Jon finally managed to bring their breathing under control but they both knew that it was likely the men who had targeted them were still roaming the woods, so they needed to move and quickly. They both exchanged silent looks that speaking and making any noise was something they should keep to a minimum as they tried to find their way back to Winterfell.

Carefully, they started to walk through the trees, listening for any signs that they were being followed. The bird song from earlier in the day was noticeably absent and their footsteps sounded as though they echoed for miles, even though they knew that wasn't true. Both had swords strapped to their belts but neither had swung a sword in anger and, in all honesty, neither were confident to do so. They continued to trudge in the same direction with Robb having moved slightly in front of Jon as time had passed, until Robb heard Jon gasp in surprise.

Robb turned quickly to see one of the men who had attacked them with a knife to Jon's throat.

A/N: I'm aware poaching was mainly punished by losing a hand or the Night's Watch but for the purpose of this story it was a far higher price. I also thought if they were doing it frequently enough the Lord would get rather annoyed and declare a tougher sentence.