A Different Rebellion
Kings Landing – 300 A.C
Robert "Robb" Stark felt the stares of the entire court on him as he walked through the throne room in silence accompanied by four of his closest friends and half a dozen Guards dressed in boiled brown leather armour, chainmail and dark steel helms with sheathed swords and circular Direwolf sigil shields slung over their backs.
Robb was the only Son of Lord Brandon Stark of Winterfell and his late Wife Lady Barbray Stark nee Ryswell. He was 18 years of age and stood at 6'2 tall with short wavy dark brown hair, dark traces of stubble on his cheeks and a stocky build. He was dressed in a brown boiled leather tunic and breeches covering up some chainmail along with a long black cloak with a grey wolf pelt sewn into the shoulders. His longsword and dagger were strapped to his waist.
"We should have brought more men Robb" said the 18 year old Ronnel Arryn who was stood to Robb's right.
Ronnel Arryn of the Eyrie stood slightly shorter than Robb at 6'1 and had long brown almost black hair down to his shoulders. He was dressed in a thick silk tunic and breeches covering chainmail with a bastard sword strapped to his hip.
"We could not get more men in time" said the 6'4 tall, broad shouldered, short brown haired 19 year old Torrhen Karstark of Karhold who was stood on Robb's left hand side.
He was dressed in boiled leather armour and chainmail with a longsword and dagger strapped to his hip.
They were followed by the 18 year old, 6'0 tall Benfred Tallhart of Torrhen's Square, the 19 year old 6'1 tall Karl Cerwyn of Castle Cerwyn and the 19 year old, 6'3 tall Walt Manderly of White Harbour.
Benfred Tallhart had long brown hair with a large but muscular build and he was dressed in chainmail and light steel plate armour with a longsword on his hip.
Karl Cerwyn had short brown hair with a stocky build and he was dressed in boiled leather armour and chainmail with a bastard sword at his hip and a shield on his back.
Walt Manderly had medium length dark brown hair with a slightly large build and was dressed in light steel plate armour with a longsword strapped to his hip.
"Lets just get this over with… the sooner we have Arya the quicker we can leave" muttered Robb as they approached the end of the Throne Room where the Mad King Rhaegar Targaryan was seated on the Iron Throne holding court.
Rhaegar Targaryan was 45 years of age with slightly unkempt silvery blonde hair and pale white skin. He had a slightly muscular build and was dressed in a red and black Targaryan tunic and breeches with a golden circlet crown on his head.
Sat by his side was his nervous looking Wife Princess Elia of Houses Targaryan and Martell.
She was around 43 years of age and was rather frail with long dark brown almost black hair and slightly pale olive coloured skin. She was dressed in a slightly revealing dress that was black and gold in colour.
By their sides were Rhaegar Targaryan's chief advisors.
The 48 year old Hand Of The King Lord Jon Connington of The Griffins Roost, The Eunuch Spymaster from Pentos known as Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle, the Kings younger Brother Prince Viserys Targaryan of Summerhall and Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden who served as Master Of Coin.
At the foot of the steps stood five members of the Kingsguard.
Lord Commander Barristan Selmy, Ser Oswell Whent, Prince Llewyn Martell, Ser Jamie Lannister and Ser Jonothor Darry dressed in their steel plate armour covering black tunics and breeches, helms and white cloaks with longsword's at their sides.
To the sides of them stood nearly 20 House Targaryan Guards holding onto spears and shields adorned with the red three headed dragon sigil of House Targaryan.
Robb straightened up with a little bit of nervousness before walking towards the Kingsguard where Rhaegar Targaryan and the others looked down at them.
"I am Robb Stark, Son of Brandon Stark, the Lord Of Winterfell and Warden Of The North" said Robb confidently.
"Step forward" said Rhaegar Targaryan in a quiet but cold voice.
"What business do you have with His Grace Lord Stark?" said the short blonde haired Jon Connington.
"I demand to know where his Son Prince Aegon of the House Targaryan is" said Robb causing mutters to break out in the throne room.
Jon Connington looked down at him in surprise while Viserys Targaryan sneered.
"Why is that any of your business Boy?" sneered Viserys Targaryan.
Robb glared at him before turning back to Rhaegar Targaryan.
"Your Son has kidnapped my Sister Arya Stark and killed all of her Guards as she travelled to Riverrun, he was seen by many witnesses who confirm that it was him, Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Martynn Hightower who abducted her… he has committed a great crime against House Stark and the North and we demand justice" said Robb bitterly.
Robb had been at Riverrun with his betrothed Sansa Tully who was the eldest Daughter of Lord Edmure Tully and Lady Roslin Tully nee Frey when he received word that his younger 15 year old Sister Arya Stark had been abducted by the 19 year old Crown Prince Aegon Targaryan while the small number of Guards escorting her to Riverrun for Robb's wedding had been slaughtered.
In a rage Robb immediately left Riverrun with the others racing to Kings Landing to try and rescue his Sister and avenge her fallen men.
The mutters and snide comments grew louder before Rhaegar Targaryan raised his hand slightly causing them all to fall silent.
"You shall have justice My Lord… Varys have someone find my Son and order him to bring Arya Stark to Kings Landing at once" said Rhaegar Targaryan flatly.
Varys bowed his head.
"Ser Barristan" said Rhaegar Targaryan.
Barristan Selmy turned to face his King and nodded.
The famed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was a 6'3 tall man of 65 years old with short grey hair and a clean shaven face.
"Your Grace" said Barristan Selmy.
Rhaegar Targaryan looked down at Robb once again.
"Place this traitor in the Black Cells… and kill his men" said Rhaegar Targaryan coldly causing Robb and the others to draw their swords ready for a fight that deep down they knew they would lose.
Barristan Selmy paled slightly before nodding with a weary sigh.
"Very well Your Grace" said Barristan Selmy wearily.
He unsheathed his sword as the Kingsguard did the same.
Rhaegar Targaryan smirked and turned to Varys as the Kingsguard and Targaryan Soldiers overwhelmed and slaughtered Robb's friends and Guards before dragging Robb off towards the Black Cells.
"Has there been any word of Brandon Stark?" said Rhaegar Targaryan coldly as the rest of the court quickly left the throne room in droves some of whom had looks of shock on their faces and tears in their eyes.
Varys bowed his head.
"My Little Birds say he has passed the Crossroads Inn and will be here within the week" said Varys dutifully.
Rhaegar Targaryan smirked.
"Good" said Rhaegar Targaryan.
"You will start a war Rhaegar, the Northerners will never forget this, nor will the Vale now that you have killed Lord Arryn's Grandson" said Elia Targaryan sternly as though she was trying to calm him down.
Rhaegar Targaryan glared at her.
"The North has already declared war on us, its time we finally cleansed Westeros of those savages and appointed Lord's loyal to the Crown in the North" said Rhaegar Targaryan bitterly.
Elia Targaryan scowled before walking away.
Five days later…
Lord Brandon Stark stopped his horse where he could look down at the shit smelling capital city of Westeros with disgust.
He was a 6'3 tall, 37 year old man with shoulder length dark brown hair and a matching beard. He was dressed in black leathers and chainmail with his longsword strapped to his hips.
Behind him were over 50 Mounted Guards of House Stark along with the Captain Of His Guard Ser Martyn Cassel.
"Imprison my Son and kidnap my Daughter will you… not today, not today" thought Brandon bitterly.
He surged his horse on and rode hard down the Kingsroad straight for the city gates.
Winterfell – 300 A.C
Three days later…
Winterfell was the largest castle in the North and the ancestral home of House Stark. A fifty foot high dark grey stone wall stretched around the castle with four gates leading inside as the circular roof of the old First Keep of Winterfell, the large New Keep, the roof of the large great hall, the Maester's Tower and the ruined Broken Tower could be seen above the high walls.
The bustling small town of Wintertown could be seen down the hill from Winterfell.
After riding through the outer gate into the largest courtyard containing a blacksmith, armoury, barracks, a large stable and a few small cottages they passed through the inner gate leading to the smaller main courtyard of Winterfell.
Guards wearing leathers and armour bearing the sigil of House Stark moved around the courtyard along with various members of staff serving the Starks at Winterfell. The courtyard was being used as a training ground for the Starks and their guards with straw dummies, archery targets, neat racks of training swords, axes, bows and quivers of arrows.
Ashara Stark nee Dayne walked out of the Godswood arm in arm with her Husband Eddard "Ned" Stark.
Ashara was a 5'8 tall, striking woman of 35 years of age with milky white skin and silky black hair. She was dressed in a modest blue Northern dress lined with grey wolf furs on her shoulders keeping her mostly warm from the northern chill.
Her Husband Eddard "Ned" Stark was 35 years of age and stood at 6'1 tall with shoulder length brown hair and matching stubble. He was dressed in a brown leather tunic and breeches with his wolf pelt and black cloak..
The two had met 18 years ago when they were both 17 years old at Rhaegar Targaryan's official coronation tourney at the rebuilt Summerhall in 282 A.C following the death of his Father Aerys Targaryan from fever, though some suspected it might have been poison that ended his terrible reign in the end.
The Queen Rhaelle Targaryan had been greatly relieved when her Husband died having lived a life of torment and torture for many years ago. Her newfound sense of freedom was short lived however as she passed away nearly eight moons later in 283 A.C after giving birth to her Daughter Daenerys nicknamed "Stormborn" for the massive storm that ravaged Dragonstone and Kings Landing when she was born.
After Ned's older Brother Brandon Stark had encouraged Ashara to dance with Ned the two of them found themselves in each others company for most of the week long tourney. Their last night together before Ashara returned to Kings Landing as a handmaiden to Elia Targaryan and Ned returned to his fostership at the Vale was the first time they laid together before going their separate ways the next day.
The two exchanged several ravens over the next five moons before Ashara finally sent word to him that she was pregnant with his child and back at Starfall.
She feared the worst when she did not hear from Ned for the next seven and a half weeks before he suddenly showed up at Starfall unannounced with Robert Baratheon and Elbert Arryn at his side. She was all ready to hit him before he stopped her with a declaration of love and an offer of marriage.
Within a week of his arrival they were married under one of the Weirwood Trees in the small but peaceful Godswood of Starfall with Ashara's Parents Beric and Ellaria Dayne, her eldest Brother Lord Arron and his lady wife Lysanne Dayne, her second eldest Brother Ser Arthur Dayne famously known as The Sword Of The Morning, her six year old Sister Allyria Dayne, along with Ned's closest friends Robert Baratheon and Elbert Arryn as their witnesses.
The two spent the next four moons at Starfall before finally going back to Winterfell in 283 A.C with their two moon old Son Jon Stark named after Elbert Arryn's Uncle and Ned's foster Father of sorts Lord Jon Arryn.
Ashara went on to birth him two more children over the years.
A Boy named Willam and a Girl named Leyla.
The two would go through ups and downs in their marriage and life in their small Holdfast in the centre of the Wolfswood most notably when Ashara was bedridden and unconscious for a full week after the birth of Leyla.
More bad news was to follow after she awoke as she found out she could not have any more children.
It took her a good two weeks to get over that news but eventually she found the strength to move on from it after Ned placed Leyla in her arms.
Unfortunately these last few days were proving to be a challenge for the North following the disappearance of Arya Stark.
Nearly every Lord in the North was raising his banners ready for a war while Ned and Ashara had travelled to Winterfell with their two youngest children Willam and Leyla while Brandon rode south in a hurry after hearing that Robb was riding for Kings Landing.
"Have you heard from Jon?" said Ashara.
Ned nodded.
"He is at Karhold now, said that the Karstarks are out for blood… you know Torrhen Karstark went to Kings Landing with Robb" said Ned solemnly.
Ashara sighed as they walked into the large courtyard where they saw the Maester Yolan clap his hand over his mouth in shock as he read through a raven scroll.
Maester Yolan was a man in his early 40's standing at 6'3 tall with short black hair dressed in a grey Maester's robe with a chain around his neck decorated with several links.
Besides him with scared looks on their faces were Brandon's 11 year old identical twin Daughters Melaro and Roslyn Stark who had the look of their late Mother Barbray Stark nee Ryswell who succumbed to a bad fever 8 years ago just before the girls turned 3 years old.
Ned let go of Ashara and moved over to Maester Yolan who turned to him with a look of horror on his face.
Ned slowly took the scroll from him as Ashara moved over to her Nieces pulling them into her for comfort.
Ned went white as he read the raven scroll.
Lord Stark
Brandon Stark and his Son Robert Stark have been cleansedby the flamesof justice on charges of treason against the Crown. You are to ride to Kings Landing within the fortnight to re swear your fealty to the Crown or be branded as traitors and have your entire House and castle wiped from existence the same way that your traitor Lord and his Son were killed.
Prince Viserys Targaryan, Prince Of Summerhall and Master Of Laws
Ned slowly turned to Maester Yolan who had a look of horror on his face.
"I am so sorry Lord Stark" said Maester Yolan sadly.
Ned nodded before his face formed a steely gaze.
"Send word to all the Northern Houses Maester, war is upon us" said Ned bitterly.
Maester Yolan nodded before walking away as Ashara took the scroll from Ned.
Once she read it she folded it up and quickly hid it up her sleeve as tears appeared in her eyes.
"How could something so awful have happened to them?" said Ashara in shock.
Ned growled.
"Targaryan madness is what it is… everyone said Rhaegar would be better than his Father, but he is no different, no doubt his Son will turn out the same" growled Ned.
"What are you saying Ned?" said Ashara in shock.
Ned turned to her with a bitter look on his face.
"Maybe Westeros would be better off without the Targaryan's ruling over it, maybe it is time for new rulers on the Iron Throne" said Ned bitterly.
Ashara sighed before looking down at the scared Roslyn and Melaro before guiding them back towards the main keep of Winterfell.
Later that night…
"You know what this means Ned" said Ashara flatly.
She was holding onto a goblet of her favourite Dornish Red wine from her position in front of the lit hearth in their chambers.
Ned was sat at the desk writing several raven scrolls one after the other.
Scrolls that would be sent to Jon Arryn at The Eyrie. To Robert Baratheon at Storms End. With the third to be sent to Edmure Tully at Riverrun.
Three Great Houses of three Kingdoms giving them three armies to wage their war on the Targaryan's.
Thankfully two of the Great Houses were led by two men that Ned trusted with his life while the third Great House was ruled by the Father of Robb's former betrothed Sansa Tully.
He had first met Robert Baratheon at the age of ten when his Father had sent him to The Eyrie to be fostered by the Lord Of The Eyrie and Warden Of The East Jon Arryn.
Robert Baratheon was a year older than him and had a completely different personality to him but the two formed a brotherly relationship with each other also forming a similar friendship with Jon Arryn's Nephew and Heir Elbert Arryn.
Two friendships that carried on to this day with fosterships and betrothals to prove it.
Ned had taken the late Ronnel Arryn on as a Squire from when he was 9 until he turned 17 while Robert Baratheon's eldest Son Joffrey Baratheon was betrothed to Ned's Niece Arya.
Ashara sighed and sipped her wine.
"You are the Lord Of Winterfell and Warden Of The North now, and Jon will be both of those things after you… you know what the Tully's will want from us" said Ashara flatly.
Ned sighed.
"If Brandon thought that Sansa Tully was a good match for Robb, then she is a good match for Jon, and she is only a year younger than him, and said to be rather beautiful" said Ned.
Ashara turned Ned.
"They will not join your cause unless she marries Jon… and what if he does not want to marry her, you know who he still wants as his Wife" said Ashara.
Ned sighed knowing who his Son had sought for a Wife though sadly that would never come to pass.
"Jon will do his duty, that is what he always does… even you would often say that he has a bigger sense of duty than me" said Ned.
Ashara sighed knowing that he had her there.
Jon Stark was just like a younger version of Ned having that same undying sense of honour and duty to his family that Ned did. Ever since Ashara sent him to squire for Arthur from when he was 10 until he turned 16 all he would ever do is practice his sword play and riding for hours on end not focusing on anything else except for his Siblings and Cousins.
Ned sealed one of the scrolls he had just written and turned to her.
"Jon knows what future lies ahead of him now, he knows that as the Lord Of Winterfell he must marry a suitable girl, Sansa Tully is a suitable girl" said Ned solemnly.
Ashara sighed and turned back to the hearth.
"I hope you are right" said Ashara flatly.
Riverrun – 300 A.C
Two days later…
The large castle of Riverrun was located near the banks of the Red Fork on the water making it impossible to breach the walls from the land. The only way into Riverrun was by using one of the two drawbridges connecting the castle to the mainland which turned the castle into a small island when the drawbridges were raised.
The actual castle was roughly the same size of Winterfell with multiple buildings and towers encased in a large thick cream stone wall along with several courtyards, stables and barracks.
Sansa Tully wiped the tears from her eyes as she laid on her side on the bed in her spacious chambers.
She was a young woman of 16 years old. The eldest child of Lord Edmure and Lady Roslin Tully had long copper hair similar to her Aunt Catelyn Lannister nee Tully. She was dressed in a black Riverlands gown style dress in mourning of her late betrothed Robb Stark.
It was only last night where her Father had received Ned Stark's raven asking for the Tully's to join the North in rebellion against the Targaryan's.
Much to the distaste of her Mother her Father had told her that she was to marry Ned Stark's Son Jon Stark in three weeks time while they ate their supper with her younger Brother and Sister Edwin and Minisa Tully.
"I am mourning the loss of my Robb… and now Father expects me to marry his Cousin in two weeks" thought Sansa bitterly.
Sansa had only met Jon Stark once a little over a year ago at Harranhal when the late Lady Sheila Whent organised a splendid tournament at the legendary but widely believed cursed castle.
Lords and Ladies from all of the Seven Kingdoms had attended including the Ned and Ashara who had attended with their children along with Robb, Arya, Melaro and Roslyn Stark.
Jon Stark had arrived separately from them having been escorted by his Uncle Arthur Dayne since he had just finished squiring for the famed knight.
It was Robb who had introduced her to him which consisted of a nervous "My Lady" on his part before he swiftly left her and Robb on their own to seek out his younger Brother and Sister instead.
Not a particularly memorable meeting if she were to be truthful.
Only now it mattered more than it did back then since she was expected to marry him. To become the next Lady Of Winterfell while he served as its next Lord.
She glanced across the room to where the massive grey Direwolf Greywind belonging to Robb was laid on his side in the corner of the room.
Greywind who was the size of a fully grown wolf had come to Winterfell with Robb who had found a litter of seven Direwolves next to their dead Mother while out attending an execution with his Father a year ago.
Robb had kept and named Greywind as his own while three female pups had been given to his Sisters and the remaining three had been given to Jon, Willam and Leyla.
Sansa felt saddened when she thought of how Robb might have been alright had he had Greywind with him but then she realised that the Direwolf would have been killed as well.
Half an hour later…
Sansa was still lying on her side in her bed when she heard a knock at her door.
"Go away" shouted Sansa.
"Its me Sansa" said a calm female voice from behind the door.
Sansa turned away from the door as it opened.
She did not turn around as she heard someone close the door before walking towards the bed and sitting down next to her.
Sansa only looked up when she felt a soft tender hand on her shoulder.
It was her Mother Roslin Tully nee Frey.
She was a 5'6 short, kind faced woman of 33 years of age with long light brown hair woven into a fancy southern braid.
Roslin Tully glanced at Greywind with a disapproving look.
"I thought we asked you to keep that beast in the kennels" said Roslin Tully sternly.
"I like having him in here" said Sansa sadly.
Roslin Tully gave her eldest Daughter a sad smile.
"I know you are angry at your Father, as am I, but you know our words" said Roslin Tully.
Sansa turned away from her.
"Family… duty… honour" said Sansa flatly.
Roslin Tully nodded.
"Duty… it was your duty to marry Robb Stark, now it is your duty to marry his Cousin Jon Stark, the marriage that will make you the next Lady Of Winterfell" said Roslin Tully.
Sansa turned back to her and sat up.
"Do you think that was all that mattered, that I was to be the Lady Of Winterfell, that I only wanted to marry Robb for a title… I loved him, and he loved me" said Sansa spitefully.
Roslin Tully sighed.
"I know… but he is gone now Sansa, you have to let him go" said Roslin Tully sadly.
Sansa wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Your intended will be arriving in two weeks, your Father expects you to meet him at supper the night he arrives, he will permit you to remain in black so you can mourn Robb Stark, but you must at least talk to this Boy during supper, and plenty of times since then… you do not wish to marry this Boy without knowing anything about him do you?" said Roslin Tully softly.
Sansa frowned.
"I would rather have married Robb" said Sansa.
Roslin Tully sighed.
"And how do you think he feels about this whole situation… how do you think he feels about having to marry the Girl who was promised to his Cousin, just because someone murdered his Cousin, do you think he wants this any more than you do?" said Roslin Tully flatly.
"He will be the Lord Of Winterfell, after his Father dies or steps down as Lord, all of this has worked out well for him if you look at it that way" said Sansa bitterly.
Suddenly she wished she had not said that as she saw the glare in her Mother's eye.
"That is unfair Sansa… and harsh to even think of, the Boy has just lost his Cousin and his Uncle, he is grieving just as much as you are, maybe even more" snapped Roslin Tully.
Sansa's eyes went wide for a few seconds before she started to cry once again.
"I am so horrible to even think of such a thing" said Sansa sadly.
Roslin Tully sighed and wrapped Sansa in a hug.
"We all say things we do not mean Sansa" said Roslin Tully.
Sansa nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes once again.