Game of Thrones: Gods & Monsters

Chapter 5: Bear Isle Part II

The air was chilled, and a slightly frosty wind wafted through the air as the party made their way to Deepwood Motte. One would think this were an ordinary day in the North of Westeros, but the mission the group had to carry out was anything but ordinary. As the group made their way to the seat of House Glover, Lady Zatanna spoke to Robb as they walked.

"So, can you tell me who rules House Glover?" the magician asked.

"That would be Lord Galbert Glover, my lady," Robb answered. "He is assisted by his younger brother Robett Glover," he added.

"And what is House Glover's sigil?"

"A silver armoured fist on a red field. Deepwood Motte is their seat of power."

"What can you tell us about Deepwood Motte?" Zatanna asked.

"Tis not as grand as Winterfell, my lady. It is a simple wooden fortification, but the wood is hewn from Ironwood, grown by House Forrester in liege to House Glover," Robb replied.

"Ironwood, what's special about it?" Zatanna enquired.

"It's one of the strongest woods there is to be had. It's tough as iron and makes fine shields and ships and it doesn't burn easily," Robb replied. "But House Forrester has ways of making Ironwood burn easily," he said.

"Interesting. I might go and visit House Forrester and see if I can procure a sample of Ironwood," Zatanna mused thoughtfully.

As the group neared a bridge over a ravine, a curious figure stood at the mouth of the bridge. "Halt!" the figure called out.

It was a young man in his 20's with slicked back black hair and wore a getup that had an emphasis on the colour blue. Hanging from the man's belt was a simple steel arming sword. The man stood in the group's way with his arms folded over his chest.

"Something wrong?" Helena asked the man as they stood across from the man.

"I request a challenge, fine fellows!" the man declared.

"Is he for real?" Donna asked everyone else.

Robb and Jon were confused as well. For a moment, they thought that this was a brigand demanding a toll to cross the bridge. Such a thing was often a dirty underhanded trick to play and usually a favourite of bandits to use on hapless travellers.

But this did not appear to be the case with this man.

Daemon cast his gaze over the man, taking in the details of him before he said, "Your boots seem a little big for you," he remarked.

"Who are you, ser?" Robb asked getting to the matter at hand.

The man nodded before answering. "I am Ronvid of the Small Marsh, bound by a sacred oath-"

"Ah, an oath, huh? I already feel bad for you," Helena clicked her tongue and Robb and Jon gave a chuckle but this didn't deter Ronvid at all.

"And I have promised to best a hundred warriors across Westeros for the honour of the fair maid Bilberry!" he declared proudly.

Robb wracked his mind to think of where Small Marsh was; it sounded like somewhere in the Neck, but this Ronvid fellow looked a little too clean cut for such a place, nor did he have the appearance of a Crannogman. But he did have a Northern accent, so he was of the North.

As for this Maid Bilberry, who was she supposed to be? A blushing bride to be? Perhaps this man was a hedge knight wanting to prove his worth to marry this Bilberry woman.

Karen leaned over to whisper to her friends, "This guy's a loon."

Daemon then spoke to Ronvid, "Good ser, would you please let us pass? We're on important business," he stated.

"We need to get to Deepwood Motte and speak with Lord Glover," Robb then added. "I am Robb Stark, son of Lord Eddard Stark-"

"I apologise, but I cannot let any of you pass until I have bested one of you in fair combat," Ronvid said regretfully.

"Give us a moment, please," Donna said before turning around and speaking to her companions.

"What do you think? Should one of us fight this guy?" the Amazon Princess asked.

"I say we knock him out and tie him up," Helena said.

"He doesn't seem like a bad person," Zatanna stated. "He could just be some knight trying to win the hand of this Bilberry girl," she said.

"We're wasting time as is," Robb then said.

"Let me fight him," Daemon suddenly said. "Although strange, his challenge is an honourable one," he added as he turned around to face Ronvid.

"Very well, Ser Ronvid, I accept your challenge," the Blackfyre said to the man before drawing out Blackfyre. Ronvid gaped in awe at the sight of the Valyrian blade.

"Valyrian steel?"

Daemon nodded and held the blade in a fencer's position. "Shall we?"

Ronvid swallowed a lump in his throat before drawing his own, more common, steel sword with a bit of a flourish, twirling it in his hand and held it in one hand. "Have at it, ser!" he said before lunging forward in a somewhat clumsy strike. Daemon turned away the strike and stepped around the man and placed the edge of his sword on the nape of his neck. Ronvid froze up at the feeling of Valyrian steel kiss his neck. Daemon moved back, allowing Ronvid to attack again but he was quickly knocked by Daemon's boot. The hedge knight stumbled backwards, wheezing for breath and Daemons shifted forward and swung his sword. Ronvid gave a yelp of pain as the bridge of his nose was nicked by the blade of Daemon's sword.

"Yield! I yield!" the hedge knight cried as he dropped his sword and clutched his bleeding nose.

Daemon and everyone else looked at each other in confusion. "Will you let us pass now, Ser?" Daemon asked the hedge knight who nodded and replied, "Indeed. You have won this round, ser. But I shall not rest until I've bested you in fair combat!" he promised.

"Right… well, you'd best get that nick seen to," Daemon advised the man. "Wouldn't want you getting sick because you're too stupid to get it treated," he said sagely.

"Indeed," Ronvid mumbled as he picked up his sword and sheathed before wandering off.

"Did that really happen?" Jon asked blankly as he watched the hedge knight wander off.

"It did," Robb confirmed before he shook his head and said, "Come. We must get to Deepwood Motte and ask Lord Glover for passage to Bear Isle."

"Agreed," Princess Donna said and everyone crossed the bridge. After an hour of walking, there soon came into view a large wooden palisade and seated atop a hill was a wood and stone fortress.

"There it is! Deepwood Motte!" Robb exclaimed in relief. "We just need to introduce ourselves to the guards and they'll let us through to see Lord Glover," he said knowingly.

"Well, let's get this over," Helena as she marched towards the front gates of the palisade. Two soldiers wearing the livery of House Glover armed with a spear and shield each stood guard. The first guard tensed up upon seeing Helena and stood to attention.

"Halt there! What's your business at Deepwood Motte?" the guard asked and he looked at Helena's Huntress regalia with a slightly confused eye. "And what are you wearing?" he then asked.

"We're here to see Lord Glover," Helena answered bluntly.

"Erm… may I ask why?" the guard asked.

"We're seeking passage to Bear Isle. House Mormont needs aid from invaders," Helena said bluntly.

The other guard gave a bark of laughter and said, "Hah! This lass has lost 'er head, Simms!" he laughed. The man's laughter died as Helena aimed her crossbow at his head.

"Think I'm playing games, do you?" Helena asked in an icy voice. The two guards tensed up, their grips tightening on their spears.

Robb then chose to hurry forward. "I am Robb, son of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North," he declared in a clear matter-of-fact tone of voice. "We are here to speak with Lord Glover to book passage to Bear Isle as House Mormont needs aid from invaders."

"Er… how can we be sure you are who you say you are?"

Then the sound of galloping hooves interrupted them and riding in on horseback was a group of men led by a man with dark brown hair and beard that had some grey in it and wearing some finer looking but still plain clothes with the sigil of House Glover stitched on the front of his tunic. The sword sheathed by the man's side had a pommel shaped like a fist.

"What's all this, Simms?" the man asked the guard.

"Lord Robett! These strangers claim to be here to ask your brother for passage to Bear Isle," Simms replied straight away.

Lord Robett looked at the group and his eyes widened in surprise as he recognised Robb. "Robb Stark?! Gods, you've become a man since I saw you last!" he laughed as he dismounted his horse and strode over to shake hands with Robb. "What reason does Lord Stark send his heir to treat with my brother? And what's this about Bear Isle?" he asked as he clasped forearms with Robb.

"Bear Isle is under attack, Lord Robett," Robb said. "A messenger came directly to Winterfell. No doubt you've heard rumours of monsters and seen villages been desecrated in the last few weeks," he added.

"Aye. I heard. I would've thought wildlings had snuck past the Wall, but if Lord Stark believes this to be the work of monsters, although I'm doubtful, then I suppose he must be right," Robett said nodding his head. "And I see you brought company," he added as he cast his gaze at Jon, Daemon and the women.

"Yes, you know Jon. And this is Ser Daemon Blackfyre and his companions, Lady Karen, Lady Zatanna, Lady Helena and Princess Donna of Troy," Robb said making introduction.

"Princess?" Robett's eyes went wide and he went down on one knee and bowed his head. "Forgive the disrespect of my brother's men, you grace," he said apologetically.

"There is nothing to forgive, Robett Glover," Donna said to him kindly. "Your brother's men are only doing their job," she added.

"Thank you, your Grace. Come, you must be tired from your journey here," Robett said and he began to order his men to open the gates and led the group into Deepwood Motte's keep.

Once inside, bread and salt were offered and Lord Gellert Glover soon greeted them.

"Robb Stark, it's been some time since I saw you last," Gellert exclaimed. "How many years has it been?" he asked.

"It has been sometime, Lord Glover. We thank you for the hospitality," Robb said.

"Indeed," Gellert said nodding his head in appreciation. "My brother tells your father sent you on a mission to Bear Isle and you seek passage there. May I ask why?"

Robb then began to explain the mission to Lord Glover who sat on his chair and nodded his head in understanding, although there was an expression of disbelief on his face when he was told of Darkseid's parademons which had been responsible for ravaging the North as of late.

"That is quite a tale you've told me, Lord Robb," Lord Glover said nodding his head. "You will forgive me if I am a bit skeptical of the tales of these… para-demons," he added dryly.

"How else would you explain the attacks in the North?" Daemon said to him.

"Do you insult my brother?" Robett demanded.

"I asked a question, good ser, I did not insult your lord brother," Daemon replied calmly.

"Peace, Robett," Gellert said to his brother. "If Lord Stark believes these tales and Bear Isle is under attack, then I would be a fool to not offer you aid and passage to Bear Isle, Lord Robb," he added. "If House Mormont and Bear Isle were to fall, the Ironborn and Wildlings could take the opportunity to attack," he then said grimly. Robett nodded at this seeing the sense in his brother's words.

"So, we have your aid then?" Princess Donna asked.

"Indeed, your Grace. I shall send for a ship to take you to Bear Isle, along with my brother and a garrison of my own soldiers to accompany you," Gellert replied. "Are you up to the task, brother?" he then asked Robett.

"I am, brother," Robett said proudly. "I shall not dishonour our house by refusing to accompany Robb Stark in his mission," he stated.

"Thank you, Lord Glover. House Stark shall not forget this," Robb said to Lord Glover.

"House Glover has served House Stark for thousands of years and we shall continue to carry that loyalty," Gellert said.

After that, a ship was organised for everyone to take to Bear Isle. Robb stood at the prow as the ship began to cut through the waves of the sea. Jon then walked up to stand beside him. "Are you alright?" he asked. "Nervous?" he also asked.

"No. Are you?" Robb looked at his half-brother.

"Not really," Jon said with a smile. "It'll be good to actually put our training to use," he added.

"Indeed, although I can't say I expected to face actual monsters in battle in my life," Robb said with a nervous laugh.

"Well, if I'm to join the Night's Watch, I'll need the experience," Jon japed.

Robb sighed; he couldn't truly understand why Jon would want to join the Night's Watch in the first place. He had heard the stories and rumours that the Night's Watch had become a shadow of its former self, most recruits were criminals who had taken the Black to avoid execution or were soldiers from the wrong side of a war sent off to the Wall to freeze for the rest of their lives.

In truth, Robb didn't want to see Jon waste his life at the Wall, despite what Jon would say about there being nothing for him at Winterfell. That was simply not true. He and Arya would always be there to welcome Jon home, and Father loved Jon as his own, despite what Mother and Sansa would say about Jon being a bastard. Who cared if Jon was a bastard or not? Did it really matter whether one was trueborn or not?

Robb then chose to speak, "Well, in any case, it's time for us to put our training to use and forge our own legends," he said. "A shame Theon couldn't be with us," he added.

Jon made a slight face at this. Jon wouldn't say he disliked the Greyjoy, but he didn't particularly like Theon and the smug arrogant prick did rub him the wrong way with his arrogance and hotheadedness. But Jon wouldn't say these thoughts out loud due to his half-brother's friendship with the Greyjoy, although he did choose to make a comment.

"Theon would most likely try and show off to Ser Daemon's ladies."

Robb laughed and nodded his head in agreement. "True enough, I suppose. But you and I would be there to pull him back down to earth," he replied.

Then Ser Daemon walked up to them. "You both alright?" he asked the two who nodded in reply. "You'll both be fine. Don't take any chances and no grandstanding or glory seeking," he advised them. "I don't want to have to explain to your father how you two got killed under my watch," he said sternly.

"We'll do our best, Ser Daemon," Jon replied to the Blackfyre. "We won't dishonour our father's name," he said.

"We'll see, won't we?" Daemon replied dryly. "A few bits of advice when fighting Parademons; they're much stronger than you so don't try and fight them head-on, and if you see their mouths beginning to smoke, get back or get behind cover because that's when they'll spew fire at you," he said to them.

"Anything else you can tell us?" Robb asked as he swallowed a lump in throat when Ser Daemon mentioned fire.

"Don't show any fear," Daemon said. "Parademons can smell fear. Literally. And as soon as they smell it, they'll swarm at you and rip you apart limb from limb," he added. "I know because I've seen them do it," he stated in a grim, bitter tone.

"A-aye, we'll remember that," Jon said as he tried to quash the feeling of fear building up in his chest.

"Watch each other's backs and work together to kill any parademons you face," Ser Daemon then said to them before walking off.

Robb and Jon looked at each other, both feeling afraid and apprehensive at what they were about to face in their first real taste of battle.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: There! After a long wait, the fifth chapter of this story is done and dusted. I apologise for it being so short, but I wanted to get something out to you all to show that I'm not dead in this story. I was just taking a break from it to work on other stories, as well as a case of the plot bunnies.

Speaking of which, a plot bunny has hit me recently of a Disney/Game of Thrones crossover, but the Disney would be an AU version of it. I couldn't decide which AU I wanted so I set up a poll of which Disney AU could be used. Some of the AUs are inspired by Disney fanart I've seen such as a Fallout Disney Princess artwork, a Zombie Apocalypse Disney artwork, a Disney University series and so on. The poll is up on my profile, so feel free to cast your vote.

And apart from that's all I have, so I'll see you all in the next one.

Be kind to one another,

Angry lil' elf.