A song unsung

I'm back again, this is the fastest I've updated and they're long chapters. If you guys want to see any specific characters just let me know and I'll see what I can do. This chapter is going to be about half of what I've been putting out but that's for a reason. This chapter will have little clues or obvious clues on what's about to happen. Do not fear, chapter 13 will be a long one but for now here you go.

Chapter 12

299 AC, Castle Black

The morning mist was colder than usual, fueled by the bitter cold. Eddard Stark stood silently as he looked at the lands beyond the wall. Robb was out there, along with a group of boys that followed. From what he was told the heirs of houses Bolton and Cerwyn were missing also.

Jory Cassel could only plead for his forgiveness. Eddard could not truly be angry with the young man. Robb had insisted that he be left alone. When he arrived at the room Robb was given in Castle Black he had seemingly disappeared from existence.

Days passed and still there were no signs of the heir of Winterfell. After questioning the watchmen on duty that night he found that a group no bigger than five passed onto the other side of the wall. He sighed, he spoken to Robb the night before. Robb told him of the things that were happening. The voice he had been hearing, the pull towards the deep north. Ned himself felt something akin to longing for something long lost but even so he had a duty to perform. He would ensure the safety of the North and beat back any wildling attack, as was his duty as Warden of the North.

Eddard had never been a skeptic of the Gods, a little fearful but never a skeptic. He feared what dire problems the world had that required the Gods to get involved. A part of him didn't want to believe a force of magical beings set to end all life were real but he knew…he knew what was to come.

Lord Stark wasn't the only one missing a son. Winter stood next to him as she had since news came. Both sets of eyes were set beyond the wall as if they could truly find their sons. Deep in his being Ned could feel his son was okay but he needed to know—he needed to know where he was. A letter written by his hand had been sent to Winterfell to inform his lady wife of recent happenings.

His heavy steps sounded as he began his trek towards the second part of his three part routine since Robb's disappearance. As he made it to the bottom of the wall, Arthur met him.

"Are we headed to the Heart Tree?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Aye, we are. The Gods are the only ones I can turn to for something like this."

Arthur was worried for his friend. Everyone felt the absence of Robb. Arthur himself felt an extreme amount of worry. What worried him most was the way he disappeared. The things Robb spoke of brought shivers to his spine. If what the young Stark said was true than there was vital information lost in time. In battle it was hard to fight against an enemy that you knew little of but to fight against what seemed to be a force of nature, blindly—impossible. His eyes fell on his longtime friend.

It wasn't normal for someone to venture north of the wall, even more so multiple times within a moons turn. But no one would deny the silent, angry lord of the north.

As a native of the south, Arthur didn't like the cold but his years of service in the North had strengthened his tolerance of it. The cold beyond the wall made Arthur wonder if the wall was actually just that or a door to a winter wasteland. The difference between the way the air of the North and beyond the wall felt was noticeable. One cold was like any other but this cold felt unnatural.

"My lord—."

"We are alone, Arthur. There's no need for formalities." Eddard told him as they neared the godswood.

"Can the stories actually be true?" The Sword of the Morning wasn't a man that feared much, if anything. But odd things of not long time past had put a feeling inside that kept him off balance.

"I don't want to believe it." Arthur could hear the ambivalence in his friends tone, "But things are happening that can't be explained, that only happened in the stories we were told as children."

"First the shadow man and then Robert is attacked and taken away, the ones responsible all but disappeared. Now before us marches the largest wildling force in history and the Others might roam the earth once more."

"There is no way we could have known any of this would happen." Arthur said trying to lessen the weight on his liege's shoulders.

"Robert was attacked in my lands. Ben told me about the wildlings and last year that ranger told me they were back. I knew of it all before it happened and I did nothing to stop any of it!" With each word Lord Stark's face became darker and his voice louder.

Arthur put a hand on his friend's shoulder, "But you are now, Ned. You cannot fault yourself because of the past. It will kill you in the end."

Ned wanted to argue with the swordsman but he knew the right of it. Arthur had many ghosts of the past haunt him or rather he did. He had rid himself of all guilt from his days in service of the Targaryens, so he told him.

Eddard only nodded and bent down in front of the heart tree and began his prayer.

"Dark days are coming, I know that. I request that you watch over my family. My wife and my youngest at Winterfell, Jon, Sansa, Arya and Bran in King's Landing. Wherever Robb is I ask that you guide him back to his family."

As if responding to his prayer, a cool breeze hit his face. A familiar feeling hit him as the wind tickled his ears like a whisper. The rare moment of serenity was cut short by unwanted guests. Winter began growling, getting their attention. Both men snapped their head in the direction she was facing. In the distance they could see a group of figures heading their way.

"My lord?" Arthur looked to his lord for orders.

"We won't make it back before they catch up to us." Ned told him.

A small part of the knight of House Dayne was happy at the chance to fight. It had been some time since Dawn had seen actual battle. He watched as his liege lord unsheathed Ice from its place on his back. He could see the anticipation behind his gray eyes. It seemed the Lord of the North was looking for a fight.

Taking a few steps back to give themselves room to maneuver, the two men watched as a group of five wildlings stepped from the darkness of the ice covered forest. Four men and one woman. Eddard watched on with hard eyes as the largest of the bunch stepped forward. The man wore furs over his shoulders and animal skin clung to his chest and legs. In his hand he held a crude great-axe, big enough to split a man in half. The sight of Winter, who stood near as big as the smaller horses didn't stop them from approaching the three.

The large wildling smiled, showing his ruined teeth, "We in luck, we got a lord and a knight."

"The big sword mine." Another male wildling said looking at Ice.

"Only if ya' get it first." A spearwife said launching herself at Ned.

The woman would never get to learn from her mistake as Arthur moved with agility that seemed beyond his years. Before anyone else could move her head hit the ground. It rolled over showing the same fierce look she wore as she charged. She had not even a moment to think before her life was taken.

Arthur continued his attack, using his momentum he spun into a backswing, clashing with one of the wildlings. Like his female comrade, the man would never get the chance to learn not to fight the oncoming Dawn.

Eddard didn't miss a chance to release all the anger he had pent up. He glanced to his side seeing Winter dash forward. It wasn't long before the screams of her unlucky target filled the air. Facing his own opponent he rushed forward swinging Ice as if it was a short sword. As expected Ice cut through the bronze axe with ease. The valyrian greatsword continued its downward arc into the wildling's shoulder, removing his arm. In pain the man fell to the ground grabbing at the stump where his arm once joined his shoulder. Eddard looked the man into his eyes before plunging his family sword into his heart.

He looked up to see Arthur cleaning the milky blade of Dawn with the cloak of one of his downed enemies. Even after years of fighting beside the man, he could still stand in awe at the man's combat prowess. Even after improving his on skills with the help of Arthur, for every man he killed, Arthur could kill five.

"We should head back. They haven't come this close to the wall since we arrived. It seems Mance is making his move."

"They must have noticed the Lord Commander's group. Split up their scouting groups." Arthur added.

The trip back to Castle Black was fortunately uneventful. If they were or if they weren't coming, Eddard would still be ready. He sent riders to his commanders, telling them to strengthen their defenses. He had informed Bowen Marsh of the attack and suggested that he do the same with the commanders of Shadow Tower and Eastwatch-By-The-Sea.

Ending up where he started his day. Eddard stood atop the wall once again looking out into the harsh lands of the north. An unfamiliar sense of nostalgia fell over him as if he had been in this situation before, standing atop the wall waiting for an impending attack. Maybe it was his Stark blood, as his ancestor did build the wall.

There were many stories of his family, some seen as myth and some seen as truth. The talk he had with Robb had made him curious but after Robb felt the need to blatantly disobey his orders and go further north, he had to seek knowledge himself. He would make the trip to the Nightfort and do so there. Maybe what happened to Robb would happen to him.

"Winter is Coming," He said staring into the distance.

299 AC, Dragonstone

Stannis Baratheon was a firm believer in justice and he would see it served. Justice was coming for the Lannisters. He had uncovered the secret of the queen and her brother. He and Robert weren't particularly closed but he was his brother nonetheless and he would not see his name or their family name be disgraced by allowing the queen's bastard son hold the Baratheon name and sit upon the throne. With Robert gone and leaving no legitimate children, the throne was rightfully his. It was not a responsibility he wanted but it was his to bear.

He attempted to inform his younger brother of the treason against their brother but he foolishly sailed across the Narrow Sea in search for Robert. A fools search, he was sure, though the attack and subsequent kidnapping of his brother did bother him. A force entered the North without any of its lords knowing and disappeared on the water. It was something hard to believe but he could not focus on that. There was a war he had to plan.

"Mi' lord," Stannis turned to see Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight they called him. "The lords of the Narrow Sea have arrived."

"And the lords of the stormlands?"

"Only a few. Lords Estermont, Wylde, Tarth and Errol have arrived."

Stannis grinded his teeth as he thought about the absent lords. With Renly gone and him being the last Baratheon left in Westeros, the loyalty of the stormlands went to him, rightfully. Some of the lords had answered his invitation and some had not.

"I will be in The Chamber of the Painted Table. I expect all my lords to be there shortly."

"I will see it done mi' lord." Davos bowed before turning to fulfill his duty.

Stannis was left in the room alone. He stood looking out of a window overlooking the Narrow Sea. The sea had taken his parents but it had given him power. He had taken majority of the royal navy when he sailed back to Dragonstone. His naval forces coupled with his skills as a commander would be vital in his plans.

Another important part of his plans appeared, "Your Grace—."

"I am not king yet." Stannis grunted.

"But soon the world Westeros will know. The ravens have been sent and they will have no choice but to support your claim. I have seen it in the fires."

An inaudible sound escaped from his throat. A year, a year he had dealt with the red priestess. At the behest of the woman and his own wife he had taken her god. He had been skeptical but the woman had shown him things that could not be explained otherwise.

"What else have these fires shown you?"

The red woman sauntered closer to the Baratheon. Stannis stiffened as she brushed past him towards the fire. A gasp hitched in his throat as her supple breast pushed up against his chest. Even a man stiff with justice had urges. The woman had tempted him many times, though he would never dishonor his wife, no matter their lack of love for one another.

Melisandre's fiery eyes bore into the fire. The flames began to dance, inching closer to the woman's face. The Asshai native showed no signs of moving.

Stannis watched as the copper haired woman stood motionless with her gaze upon the fire. Melisandre was gifted with powers, by R'hllor himself, so she claimed. Stannis himself tried many a times to gaze into the fires and see what was to come but alas it wasn't to be. Melisandre told him his faith wasn't strong enough—that he had yet to give himself to the Lord of the Light. He did not understand what else he had to do. He had removed the sept, sacrificed those who broke the laws...what else did he have to do?

His thoughts were interrupted. Melisandre turned towards him with an unnerving look on her face, "The time for Azor Ahai to be reborn has come once again."

Stannis looked on in confusion, "Speak clearly woman."

"You are the legend reborn, the savior come again. Night will fall upon the world again and the Lord of Light has chosen you to be his champion."

The Lord of Dragonstone remained silent. He didn't know what to believe. Melisandre had never led him astray with her visions. He already had the oncoming war with the Lannisters to deal with now he was to be the King of Westeros and the savior of the world. Either this was the Gods being cruel again or it was the edge he needed against the Lannisters.

"Why would your Red God choose me? You've said I've yet to give myself to him fully." Though still a slight skeptic, Stannis had embraced some aspects of the foreign religion. He had even changed his sigil to that of a fiery heart charged with a stag's head.

"As I've said many times my lord, a fire shines brightly within you. Our Lord R'hllor knows all, we cannot question him."

Stannis would not argue with the woman, "What am I supposed to do as this…Azor Ahai?"

A smile formed on the woman's red lips. At that moment, Stannis knew not if he would regret letting the woman stay in his court. At the urges of his wife, Selyse, he allowed himself to accept a foreign God. Now that foreign had chosen him to be his champion. A million thoughts marched through his head. He would sort this out another time. His time now needed to be focused on the upcoming fight.

"Come." He ordered as he headed towards the war chamber.

Stannis grinded his teeth as he entered to find all the lords present. He wanted to arrive before them. His blue eyes narrowed at the Asshai'i woman, she had made him late.

"My lord."

"Lord Stannis."

The voices of the present lords chorused. Stannis scanned the men before him. He saw his own lords, Celtigar, Sunglass, Bar Emmon and Velaryon. Then the storm lords. His own uncle Eldon Estermont came in place of his ailing grandfather. Lord Selwyn Tarth, a hard man, he remembered. Lord Casper, the cousin of the traitor Gawen who attempted to surrender to Lord Mace and his army. Stannis did not bear any ill feelings for the man because of his kinsman deeds. Last was Sebastian Errol, having not been lord for long, Stannis did not know him.

"My lords, we all know why we are here. I will not dawdle around it. A bastard born of incest sits on the throne, my throne."

The assembled lords remained silent. They had been informed of the situation in the letter sent to all the lords of the Stormlands.

"The queen believes her secret to be safe and her hold on the throne secure. She has done a great injustice, not only to the king but to the realm. She would rather her ill-bred son, a hot tempered boy, sit on the throne than its rightful king. I will not sit idle while she continues to disgrace the seven kingdoms. She will not listen to reason, war will make her understand her atrocities will not go unpunished."

Stannis was not a man who showed much emotion but a momentary lapse allowed him to speak with such vigor to sway the undecided storm lords to his cause.

"What is it you need of us, my lord?" Lord Eldon spoke.

The Baratheon's lips formed into a thin line, as close to a smile he would get. He was sure the other lords of the Stormlands would follow. Then he would have a respectable force to fight the Lannisters with. Their support was vital as his allies in the Vale and North had not responded to his letters. He heard of the impending attack on the wall so he understood Lord Stark's absence but the lack of a response from Jon Arryn worried him. The man had been his closest ally in King's Landing it was unlike him to be so absent. His mind went through all possible scenarios of what could be wrong.

His line of thought was once again interrupted, "Mi' lord?"

Stannis turned to see Ser Davos, "You were staring off into nothing. The lords ask what you need of them."

"For now we wait for the rest of the lords to arrive. Davos, show these men to their rooms." Stannis' quick exit left the lords in confusion. Coming right behind him was Melisandre.

Davos scowled at the woman. Ever since she arrived things seemed to get darker, quite the opposite of what she spoke of her god. He whole heartedly disapproved of the burning sacrifices his lord made in the name of his god. Stannis listened to him less and less as the red woman spoke in his ear.

The former smuggler grabbed the bag holding his fingers before leading the present lords to the quarters they were assigned.