Percy's POV
(Percy POV) (A few days later)
Blackjack flew steadily in the air as we journeyed towards Kingslanding. The queen's men were lost somewhere in the midst of my plan to lose them in Ironman's Bay, and when I returned to the Trident, the camp has gone. I looked for Lady and Nymeria, and the last I saw of them before I left was that they were hunting some poor deer. I could not risk them seeing me, lest they follow me to Kingslanding, right to the queen and her vicious son's claws, yet I knew that they hoped that I would return for them soon.
I soon gained sight of Ned's travelling party, yet, it was smaller than what we travelled in before, and only the Stark banners were in sight. The king's court has probably gone ahead. Good. I cannot stand any of them, "Blackjack, go on land, we must ride from here."
"Sure thing my lord." Blackjack answered as he began to descend. I was itching the rid myself of my fur cloak and leather gloves, it was getting warmer as we got farther South, and the feeling of getting cooked underneath my thick clothes did not suit well with me. Blackjack galloped through the dusty road, and while the men were first alarmed at the sound of him arriving, even as far as stopping their march and drawing out their weapons, they soon became eased as they saw that it was him. Ned rode towards him, and I urged Blackjack to slow down, "Ned."
"Percy, where have you been?" Ned asked as they urged their horses to stop so that they could speak properly. I glanced at the girls to see that they have opened the carriage, and that Arya was looking expectantly at me, and Sansa refused to even glance at me. I looked back at Ned, the weariness of the recent events evident on both our faces, "I rode towards Ironman's Bay then decided to visit some friends of mine."
"And how do your friends fare?" Ned asked, knowing exactly who my "friends" were. I responded back, "They are well."
Ned nodded and turned his horse back, "Good. Come, we must continue our journey. We should arrive at Kingslanding in a few days."
I nodded and rode to the front with Ned. I nodded at Arya with a look of promise to talk to her later, then gave one last look to Sansa, who ignored my presence entirely. Once they were far ahead from the girls, I asked boredly, "What have I done now to receive Sansa's contempt?"
Ned glanced at Sansa, then back at the rode ahead of them, "It is not only you that she scorns. She blames Arya for creating a conflict with the prince and her, and Arya is as infuriated with her for not backing her up. Sansa is mad at me for volunteering to execute Lady, and she is mad at you for making Lady run away and for treating her prince so harshly and arguing with the queen."
"You discovered all of that by yourself?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. Ned was not exactly the greatest at guessing anything, and I doubt Sansa has said that much to him, based on what he said just moments ago. Which does not suit well with me. How can she blame us for causing all of this? We are her family. The pack survives. Did she not see the cruelty of the prince and the queen? Did she not see that Arya only wanted for her to for once stand up for her as a true sister should? Did she not see that Ned only wanted to give Lady a just death? And did she not see that I just wanted Lady and Nymeria to live?
Perhaps it is my, Ned, and Cat's fault. We have always indulged her in what she wanted. Given her the stories from North to South. Given her those pretty silk Southern dresses that she favored over Northern woolen ones. Given her all the Lemon cakes she wanted. The girls could not have been anymore different, yet they were the same in so many ways, though I doubted anyone noticed. Sansa was the North's first daughter. One with fire in her hair and ice in her eyes. She asked sweetly, and they would give her what she wanted. Then there was Arya with her Stark looks and her wolf blood, she has always wanted different things from her sister and had more of his priorities and mannerism. Yet they were both strong willed, they knew what they wanted, and they knew exactly how to get it, whether it be me or Ned, his daughters were always his weakest spot. Though they had a different approach, in the end, they still got what they wanted. Spoiled children.
I looked at Ned once I realized that he was expecting a response from me, "And she places no blame on the royal family, I wager."
"Aye. She admires them so." Ned said tiredly. I sighed. Of course she admires them, they come straight from the stories she loves so much, stories that she wishes to be part of herself. Ned saw my dilemma, and said comfortingly, "She will come around, Percy. Give her time."
I nodded and we continued on silently, allowing the gentle wind to push against us as we rode towards the capital, and allowing the glaring sun to burn our skins as we left the comfort of familiarity.
(Skip to Kingslanding)
The closer we got, the warmer it became, and the darker it felt. It was an indescribable feeling, not knowing, yet somehow expecting. You could feel it in your bones. The danger that lingered in the air. It somehow imitated the feeling in Mount Othrys all those years ago. It was to a lesser degree, but the feeling placed a level of uncertainty in my stomach. Only once have I gone to Kingslanding, and it was many years ago, when I was five and ten, travelling for the sake of discovering. I hated it. I have never gone to the Red Keep, nor to any of the castles of the lords unless I was there representing the North, and out of all the places I have travelled, Kingslanding was among the worst of them.
We passed through Flea Bottom, and instantly we were met by the sight of beggars and starving people; men,women, and children alike. Flea Bottom was worse than what it was before. It was more crowded, houses and stores somehow compacted together. At every corner, either a woman with a child begging for help, or some man or woman awaiting the Stranger's sweet kiss.
Arya rode with me on Blackjack, seating right in front of me as she surveyed the the mess that is Flea Bottom. She looked up at me, uncertainty in her face, "Uncle-"
"I know, little wolf, I know." I replied as we continued on to the Red Keep. The North was far from riches and wealth like Casterly Rock or Highgarden, but it was not as bad as this. People worked hard, but they had something to eat at the end of the day and had a bed to sleep in. They had homes and fire to keep them warm. Kingslanding was just absurd.
We continued on to the Red Keep, being welcomed by a male servant as Ned got off of his horse, "Welcome, Lord Stark. Grand Maester Pycelle has called a Small Council meeting, and the honour of your presence is requested."
He turned back to look at us, more at Septa Mordane, and said, "Get the girls settled in. I'll be back in time for supper."
He turned to Jory, "Jory, go with them."
"You too Percy." He said as he turned to me. I wanted to argue with him, I mean, the whole purpose of Cat insisting I go here was to make sure that I would keep Ned safe, but I also had a feeling that my presence would not be warranted within the Small Council. I nodded instead and watched as he went along with the servant. I waited as Ned disappeared within the walls of the castle, then turned Blackjack as Jory helped Sansa and Septa Mordane out of the carriage. Jory noticed that I had no intention of getting settled in, and spoke up, "Percy, where are you going?"
"Exploring, my dear friend. You do not expect me to live in this vicinity without knowing of it, do you?" I answered with a good-natured smile. Jory looked uneasy, and Septa Mordane did not bother to hide her scowl, "It is not proper for Lady Arya to explore with you, Perseus."
Blackjack was already slowly trying to walk away, and I replied as charmingly as I could, "What is the world without a little improperness, Septa Mordane?"
With that, I kicked Blackjack into a gallop, forcing our party to part for Arya and I, and prohibiting Jory from making us take any guards with us. I can take on groups of men without any help. I am the the only protection Arya needs. Arya laughed merrily in front of me, and Blackjack did not stop running until we were about to re-enter Flea Bottom. I got off of Blackjack, then helped Arya off of him. I nodded at Blackjack, "Go, I'll call for you when I need you."
Blackjack neighed, "Be careful, my lord. Smells worst than my shit here."
I laughed as Blackjack trotted away, and Arya looked at him with a questioning gaze, "I don't know what worries me more, Uncle, that you speak to your horse, or that he actually listens to you."
I laughed, then took Arya's hand as they began to walk into Flea Bottom. People looked at them interestingly. While their clothes were far from the extravagance of the Southern Lords, their clothes were in far better shape than the ones from here. That and that I was wearing my Stark leather armor, and that Riptide was on my waist.
Arya and I walked through Flea Bottom, careful not to step on the shit or filth on the floor, occasionally buying some fruit or bread and giving it to the starving person sitting next to the shop or cart. Arya asked as we gave some woman and her daughter the bag of apples we just bought, "Uncle, why do they not leave? Why do they not help themselves and find work and shelter somewhere else?"
"Thank you, Milord. Seven Blessings to you!" The woman thanked us as she took the bag of apples. I nodded, and we began walking again, I glanced at Arya, "Because they have nowhere to go, pup. If they leave, it would be days before they can reach any city, and by then they might die. They do not have horses as we, and they do not have the supplies to make the trip. And even if they do make the trip, most of them would not know how to start."
Arya frowned, obviously displeased by my answer, "Why does the king not help them? He eats enough food for four people, surely he can spare them some food."
"I wish the world was like that, Little Wolf. But it is not. Let's just say, that the king has other priorities than the smallfolk." I grimaced, careful not to say anything wrong. Arya only continued frowning. Arya grew up watching Ned deal with the problems of the smallfolk, no matter how small their problem was and finding the solution for it. She grew up knowing that Ned placed his duty in front of him, which meant that he took care of his people and bannermen. This was just odd for her. Before any of us could say anything else, at the corner of my eye, I see a small boy with brown hair and brown eyes. He was probably no older than seven, and he was feigning innocence as he glanced the coin pouch tied to my sword belt.
He walked between Arya and I with his head bowed, "X'cuse milord."
I felt as he quickly untied the pouch from my belt, then quickly began walking away, but before he could, I grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back, instantly taking back my pouch, I bent down to look at him in the eye, "That's not yours, boy."
His innocent brown eyes was instantly overcome by fear, "Forgive me, milord! I did not mean it."
"How can you not mean to steal, boy?" I asked with my eyebrow raised. Arya looked at us interestingly, then I said, "You mean you did not mean to be caught."
"Please, milord! I have not eaten in days and my little brother is starving." I sighed and stood up, "What's your name, boy?"
"Ty, milord." The boy answered in a scarred manner. I dug in my pouch, and held out to him a handful of silver stags, "Here, then. Take this and buy your brother and yourself something to eat."
Ty took the money gratefully, "Thank you milord! Thank you!"
"Ty, hold on." I stopped him before he could leave. He looked at me questioningly, half with gratitude, and half with fear. Fear that I was only jesting him and actually meant to punish him. I continued, "If you are to steal, do so without being detected."
"Milord?" Ty asked, confused at what I was saying. I sighed, "You are light fingered, but drawing attention to yourself gets you caught. If your are to steal, do so when they are distracted. Do so when they don't even know you are there."
"Milord?" Ty asked, more confused than ever. I know, what does a man like me know about stealing? Quite a few actually. A certain someone I know is the master of stealing, and he taught me a few tricks awhile back. I held up a hand to Ty as I looked around, finally spotting some goldcloaks marching around, I said to Arya and Ty, "Wait here and watch me."
I walked behind the two goldcloaks, who were preoccupied with speaking with each other, then waited as they suddenly halted due to a cart of pastries being wheeled across of them. I quickly grabbed one of their daggers, then casually walked back to the two children waiting for me, "As long as they do not know you are there, they will not know that their items will be taken, and even if they do notice it, they will not know that it is you."
I gave him the handle of the dagger, and he took it with wide eyes, I continued, "If you are to do something, then do it well. If you mean to survive, then do what you must."
"Thank you, milord. Thank you." Ty said gratefully as he bowed awkwardly. I nodded, and he moved to leave, but before he could completely vanish, I called his attention, "Ty."
He turned around, and I said, "My name is Percy, and I am no lord."
"Seven Blessings to you, Lord Percy." Ty smiled gratefully before running away. I sighed. Great. Another one who calls me lord. As if Blackjack was not enough. Arya looked at me expectantly, and I asked, "What?"
"What was that about? And when did you learn how to steal?" Arya asked impatiently, curiosity overcoming her. I smiled, the Stoll twins coming into my mind as I began to walk her out of Flea Bottom, my hand on her shoulder, "I learned when I was three and ten in some foreign land. And that was about me giving that boy and his brother a chance at life." I answered truthfully as I gave the remainder of my coins to an elderly woman who had greying hair and tattered clothes.
"How do you even know if that boy actually had a brother?" Arya asked uncertainly. I shrugged, "Does it matter if he does? That boy is starving to death. His parents probably left him or are dead, by the looks of those bones poking out of his skin, at least he will eat tonight and a few more nights if he is to be wise."
Arya nodded, satisfied with my answer, then I said as we finally got out of Flea Bottom, "We should head back, pup. We will go to Blackwater in the morrow, or the day after that. Your father cannot beat us to supper."
Arya smiled joyously, and I whistled for Blackjack. Moments later, he appeared before us, galloping out of nowhere, and I hoisted Arya onto him, before saddling Blackjack myself. He began galloping to the Red Keep, and Arya asked, "Uncle, where did you get all of those money?"
I smiled mischievously behind her. I found, that the sea was one of the wealthiest places to search, if you swam deep enough. And the money I got from the pits was not terrible. Instead, I said, "Some knight or another would wager he could beat me in combat. They paid handsomely for their mistakes." Which was true, but, she did not to know the rest. Perhaps in time, when she is older and we are not in this damned place, I can tell her about my entirety.
When we reached the Red Keep's gate, Jory was pacing back and forth as the goldcloaks guarding the gate watched him silently. When he saw us, he looked at us with both relief and irritation, "Where have you been? Do you realize how long you two have disappeared? Lord Stark will have me executed for losing his daughter!"
I chuckled at his over-exaggeration, and rode inside the Red Keep, "Relax, Jory. I will handle Ned if he ever finds out about this."
"If he ever finds out?!" He asked incredulously as I got off of Blackjack and helped Arya off of him. I nodded, "Yes."
I took the bag tied to Blackjack's saddle, then nodded at a servant as he took him to the stable. I looked at Jory, who was just staring at me in bewilderment, then I looked at Arya, who was looking at Jory with an amused look, and I said, "Jory, just take us to our chambers so that we can change our clothes before supper."
Jory grumbled to himself, but began leading us nonetheless. I shrugged at Arya, and she chuckled to herself. I offered her my elbow and playfully said, "My lady, will you allow your poor old uncle to escort you to your chambers?"
Arya narrowed her eyes at me, though I can see the playful mirth in her eyes. Even if she did despise playing the role of a lady, she knew I was jesting her. So she rolled her eyes at me, but took my elbow nonetheless, "You're so stupid Uncle."
I smiled, and since I was a lot taller than her, I crouched down and walked with bent knees. Arya laughed at my odd stature, and I winked at her. Jory takes us to a tall tower with tall windows. Stark men guarded the door, and I nodded at them as we entered. The stairs seemingly led to the heavens, and I stood up, and held Arya's hand instead. We climbed the stairs, encountering Stark men and servants along the way, then finally, Jory pointed to a door, "Percy, that is your chambers, the girls' chambers are a level above you, and Lord Stark's chambers is a level above them. My chambers is right across from yours, and the other men are situated below us."
"You mean to tell me that I need to climb this many steps just to get to my chambers? Do you mean to kill me Jory?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. Arya rolled her eyes, and said, "My chambers are higher than yours, Uncle, you will live. You need to live so that you may act as my horse and take me there."
"Because that is all that I am to you, isn't it, my dear sweet niece?" I asked in a mocking sad tone. She smiled brightly, "Of course, Uncle."
Jory chuckled ahead of us, and Arya looked at me with bright eyes. I walked her to her chambers, and opened the door for her. Her room was grand. Designed for that of a Royal Hand's family. It contained tapestries on the wall, furniture that was only meant for decoration, and candles that littered the whole room and seemed excessive. It was beautiful, but it was not home. I was not Winterfell's thick stone walls, it was not Winterfell's bear fur on the bed, and it was not Winterfell. I knew it, and so did Arya. She showed hesitance and uncertainty in her eyes, and sadness and despair in her movements, I nudged her gently, and said softly, "Go ahead, pup. It'll be alright. I'm right here."
Arya nodded, and slowly walked in. I looked at Jory, "Send for the servants to get her bathed and ready for supper. I shall prepare for supper too."
Jory nodded and bowed slightly to Arya, "Milady."
She nodded at him, then she looked at me. I smiled at her encouragingly. This is not our home. It is not where we belong. But we will endure. Starks always do.
Author's Note:
Thank you very much to all of the the people who commented. You guys made my month.
Now let me address the only one who had very strong opinions about the entirety of this story. First of all, the Greek pantheon is in Westeros because this is a crossover, and I decided that I wanted it in this story. Second of all, you said that Percy's relationship with Khione was all sorts of wrong because she had a child with Poseidon. Then do tell me, is Zeus marrying his own sister right? Is Zeus and Poseidon having a child with Demeter right? Is Hades marrying Zeus' daughter with Demeter right? Don't act like I did this great crime by having Khione have a relationship with Percy when she had a son with Poseidon, because it both worlds, both Greek and Westerosi world, they had interbreeding and all sorts of fucked up relationships. Also, Percy isn't the only demigod in Westeros or in the whole world. I never said that. It's just in Westeros, demigods are numbered because greek gods aren't worshippped, so I imagined that they can go nowhere where they have no power, so that's my answer to that.
And last one, yes, Percy is different in this story. He has a modified set of morals and thoughts, but that doesn't mean that I changed all of him. That doesn't mean that he's some damn man whore that is apparently deserving of your condemnation. Cause in the whole world, he's the only one to ever sleep with more than one woman, right? Well, whatever. Also, I'm just saying, as far as this story goes, you guys know that he's slept with Khione. So, please withhold all condemnation when he actually sleeps with someone else. And you already saw the title, you should know that he was going to sleep with multiple queens.
Now enjoy the damn chapter and tell me what you think of it. I'll update soon cause I cut this chapter in half. Thanks to everyone who favorited, followed, and reviewed. You guys keep me motivated
