"Legends and Fabrications"

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Chapter 3

Artorias

Where am I…?

I surveyed my surroundings and discovered that I was in a very cluttered room. When I tried to stand up, I realized I was bound. I tugged at the restraints, but it proved to be fruitless.

I feel so weak…

I turned my head suddenly when I heard a door open, and what I saw was an old man with thinning hair. He appeared to be wearing a robe and had some short of chain around his neck.

"You…" I managed through chapped lips.

He stared at me with wide eyes.

"Water…"

That request seemed to wake him from his trance, as he rushed to a table and procured a jug. He then came to me and gently lifted my head and placed the jug to my lips. Which I greedily began to drink from. Once the jug was empty, the man placed it back on the table. His eyes suddenly widened, as if he just remembered something, and quickly left the room.

I'm alive…

Before I could think any more on how that was, the door opened once more. This time, the robed man wasn't alone. Beside him was a younger man with brown hair that fell to his shoulders and a finely trimmed beard that was beginning to grey.

He looked at me and then to my restraints, he leaned in and whispered something into the robed man's ear. Who then approached me and loosened my restraints, looking conflicted while doing so. I leaned up and rubbed my wrists.

"If you don't mind, may I ask you some questions?" He asked me and I nodded in consent.

"Who are you and how did you come upon your injuries?"

"My name is Artorias and I was ordered by Lord Gwyn to vanquish Manus, but he proved to be a greater threat than anticipated" I answered.

"Forgive me, I don't know this Lord Gwyn you speak of."

I stared at him as if he was some kind of madman, how can he not know of the Lord of Sunlight and King of Lordran? Unless…

"Where am I?" I asked him.

"Winterfell" he answered.

Winterfell?

"Where is this…Winterfell?"

"In the North, one of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros" he informed, perplexed by my question.

Seven Kingdoms? Westeros?

I think I need to lie down…

Eddard

Before I could question the man anymore, he promptly fell into unconsciousness.

"Luwin?" I asked the maester, concerned.

"He'll be fine, my Lord. He just needs to rest, he's still recovering from his wounds after all" Luwin explained and I nodded in understanding.

"He said his name was Artorias" I stated.

"He did, my Lord. A most peculiar name" Luwin said nodding.

"Peculiar indeed…" I murmured in agreement.

I gazed at Artorias once more before turning to maester Luwin.

"Make sure he's fed when he wakes, I expect he'll be hungry if he wasn't already" I ordered.

"Of course, Lord Stark. Should I call for you once he's finished his meal?"

"Only if he's feeling well enough for more questions" I told him, before departing from his turret.

I returned to my solar with many questions on my mind. Who is this Manus? Is he a threat to Winterfell? The way Artorias had said it, almost as if it was a curse to simply speak his name…makes me worry for my family's safety.

And who is this Lord Gwyn? I can't claim to know the names of all the Lords and Ladies of Westeros but…the way Artorias had spoken the name with such reverence makes me wonder if I truly am a fool for not recognizing the name.

"Damn it…! I have more questions than answers!" I hissed, slamming my fist on the desk.

I heard the door creak and sure enough I saw Cat peeking her head in with a worrisome expression upon her face.

"Ned? Are you alright?" She asked me.

I signed and gestured for her to come in. She did so, closing the door upon her entry. I stood and made my way to her.

"I'm sorry, Cat. I shouldn't worry you, what with the baby and all" I said softly, as I rubbed her swollen belly.

"The baby will be fine, I'm more concerned about you. You can talk to me, it's a wife's duty to help her husband when troubled."

"The man awoke, for a time. He told me his name was Artorias and that a Lord Gwyn had ordered him to deal with a man called Manus. But who is Lord Gwyn, who is this Manus? More importantly, who exactly is this Artorias? So many questions…not enough answers" I confessed as Cat held my hands tightly.

"Could this man, Artorias, been lying? Did he seem dishonest to you?" She asked me.

"I saw only truth in his eyes'" I answered her.

Truth…and pain.

Artorias

"Lost your way again?"

I turned my head to the owner of the voice and sure enough saw the man it belonged to.

"Sir Gough! Yes, I have. This place is akin to a maze, easy to lose yourself" I explained and the giant let out a roar of laughter.

"Aye, I remember my first days in Anor Londo. I wanted the head of the architect responsible for that damnable staircase!"

I laughed at his joke and Gough approached me, throwing a large arm around my shoulders.

"Fret not, dear Artorias! For I have come to your aid!" Gough said to me in a booming voice.

I couldn't stop the smile that made its way to my lips, though I couldn't be blamed as Gough had that effect on people. Even Lord Gwyn fell victim to the giant's optimism.

"I trust you haven't forgotten of the meeting today?" He asked me as we traversed the corridors of Anor Londo.

"Meeting? What meeting?" I asked him, confused.

"His Grace called for a meeting of his council" he explained.

"His whole council? Is there trouble?"

"No, tis only a matter of state. Now come, our captain will be upset if we're late" Gough said and we hastened our steps.

We made it to the council chamber soon after, outside stood Ciaran.

"Gough, Artorias, good of you two to show up on time…for once" she said whilst crossing her arms and sending a hard look our way.

I squirmed under her gaze, but Gough merely laughed and clasped my shoulder.

"We wouldn't want to embarrass our captain more than we have to. Speaking of which…where is Ornstein?" Gough inquired.

"He's already inside, speaking to his Grace" Ciaran explained to us.

"Then we best make our presence known, shouldn't we?" Gough asked us, with Ciaran and I nodding in agreement.

Ciaran opened the door and went inside, with me and Gough following quickly behind. We entered and saw Ornstein seated on his chair, conversing with Lord Gwyn. I looked around and saw the other Lords and Ladies in attendance, all excluding Gravelord Nito as he rarely attended these meetings. I saw the Witch of Izalith and her daughters, who always spoke in hushed tones. In the corner, I saw young Gwyndolin, whose gaze always made me uncomfortable. I also saw Gwynevere, in all her splendor, conversing and laughing with her maidens. But someone was missing…

"Where is his Grace's firstborn?" I asked my companions and they merely motioned behind me.

I turned and saw Lord Gwyn's eldest son entering the council chamber, he nodded my way and approached. I bowed when he stood before me, but he merely smiled and motioned for me to stand. He looked straight at me and said…

"Are you hungry, my Lord?"

"What…?" I asked him, confused.

And like a door slamming shut, the scene in front of me changed. It wasn't Gwyn's firstborn that stood before me…it was the robed man with thinning hair from before.

"I said are you hungry, my Lord?" He asked me again.

"I-I…" I began to say, before my growling stomach interrupted me.

The robed man merely chuckled and provided a bowl of what appeared to be broth. I thanked him and took the bowl from his hands. I relished the broth's warmth and taste, being so long since I've eaten something warm and fresh. As I've only eaten hard bread and salted meat since my departure from Anor Londo.

"Would you be willing to answer more questions from Lord Stark?" The robed man inquired as I finished the broth and handed the bowl back to him.

"Is that his name? Yes, I wouldn't mind answering more questions" I answered, the robed man nodded and left the room.

I surveyed the room once more, taking in the potions and tomes that surrounded the room. I picked up a book that was titled the Age of Heroes.

"That book is my daughter's favorite" I turned my head and saw this Lord Stark standing at the doorway, smiling at the book I was holding.

"Enjoys tales of adventure and heroism does she?" I remarked as I placed the book down and fully turned around to face him.

He nodded and looked down sadly.

"In truth, I fear the day she finds out the world isn't as glamorous as the stories make them out to be."

"A fear many parents share, I'd wager" I replied and he nodded in agreement.

He approached me and offered his hand.

"I fear I didn't introduce myself properly before. I'm Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North" he said as I took his hand.

"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Stark" I said, bowing.

We sat down and Lord Stark proceeded to ask more questions, in line with what he asked before. I answered him truthfully and even though I could see doubt in his eyes as I told him my story, he continued to listen. By the end of my tale I was breathless and Lord Stark was leaning back in his chair, absorbing all that I had told him. He eventually stood and left the room, not before thanking me for my time and promising that I could stay as long as I liked. Upon his departure, I made my way to my bed and laid down on it. After hearing the creak of the bed, I closed my eyes and felt the embrace of sleep take me.

It wasn't a dreamless night…

In the dream, I was in Oolacile. I'm donned in plate armor and I can feel the familiar weight of my greatsword and greatshield on my back. I'm full of pride and confidence, but then I trip…

I turn my head and see what I tripped on, the corpse of an Oolacile resident.

"You could have saved me!" the corpse told me, its eyes full of hate.

Then the corpse stood and transformed into a monster with a bloated head, oversized arms, webbed fingers and toes, and pale skin. The monster wasn't alone, as dozens more crawled from the shadows. All of them twitching uncontrollably in mindless laughter. I reach for my greatsword, but find it missing. I bring my arm down to see it broken, falling limp to my side.

I try to defend myself as they jump on me, but it's all for naught. They beat me till I'm bloody and broken. I feel hope as they depart, but that hope is gone as soon I gaze upon the approaching figure. Its body is even more monstrous than the townsfolk, its arms and legs even larger, its red eyes of full of evil. The large figure looms above me and for the first time in my life…I feel small.

It grabs and raises me to its face, and in a dark, booming voice says…

"YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE ME! YOU WILL FORVER BE MINE TO TORMENT!"

End of Chapter 3