A Son of Ice and Fire

Chapter 6: The Starks and the stranger

Hiccup

After standing there in the hallway motionless for a few moments, I looked up at the group standing outside one of the rooms. Robb and Jon came over towards me, while Theon just leaned smugly on the door frame.

"What was that all about?" Robb asked. "You're as white as a ghost."

I rose my hand to my cheek, but it was cold. Like all the colour and warmth had been sucked from my skin and I was pale as ice. "I don't know. I thought my dad and King Robert were old friends. Do you know what happened between them?" I asked hopefully. Jon and Theon shook their heads, but Robb just looked away nervously. "Robb, tell me."

"I don't know it all, but what I do know, I can't tell you." He said bluntly

"WHAT? What do you mean you won't tell me? Come on, it can't be that bad." I replied angrily.

"I'm sorry Hiccup, but there are some things only a father can tell you." He said in a melancholy tone. "Just trust me, it is best if you hear it from him."

I gave a single, solitary nod. Now this was really starting to anger me. If the people I trusted most couldn't even trust me with the truth, then what is the point in even staying here. What great truth are they keeping from me. I could already feel it burning a hole inside me, my cheeks already glowing red as the fire burned stronger. I steadied myself, as I pushed past him and headed into the room. Calm down. If there's anyone to blame for this it's my father. No surprise there.

"So, this feast then, tell me about it." I said calmly. Theon swiveled from the frame and sauntered into the room after me first.

"Well it starts in under an hour so you better sort yourself out Haddock." Theon stated bluntly.

"And what's that supposed to mean Greyjoy?" I replied coldly.

"Well, you look like you've been dragged through a bush for a start." He scoffed.

"Give it a rest Theon, you don't always need to act like a dick you know." Robb interjected, after he and Jon joined us in the room.

"At least I didn't make a dick of myslef in front of the King. That award goes to good old Hiccup over here." Theon scoffed.

"Father appreciated the gesture," Robb responded, after giving Theon a sharp glare.

"I doubt that, Theon's right, I acted like a fool." I said ashamedly. I knew what I did was right, and it was my father would have done, but somehow it all just felt so wrong. I know I'm not my father. I'll never be as strong, as brave, as courageous as he is. I know I can never live up to his expectations but all I can do is try.

"Robb's right Hiccup, just by the way he looked at you we could tell he was proud. Same look he gives Robb every time he does, well, anything," Jon chuckled.

"Very funny ha ha," Robb sighed, only making Jon and Theon laugh even more. Proud. Lord Stark was actually proud of me for that. That's new. I only wish my father would have feeling about me.

"Why are even still here Haddock? You don't belong at something like this." Theon piped up, with his standard smug grin staring right at me. "Everyone would much prefer it if your dad had bothered to turn up."

"I'll be sure to tell him that," I replied unemotionally. "Oh, and I'll be sure to tell Lord Balon the same if he ever fancies showing up," I added cruelly. As his smug smirk dissipated into an angry scowl, I'd be lying if I said knocking him down a peg or two didn't bring me a sense of joy.

"So why are you still here Haddock, why haven't you run back home yet." Theon growled.

"I saw Lord Stark earlier while I was picking up some supplies. He invited me to the feast, and I could hardly refuse. That, and Robb blackmailed me," I joked. I saw Robb grin, then back slowly out of the room.

"Yeah, I'm sure that's exactly what happened," Theon retorted while rolling his eyes. Robb almost immediately barged the door open, smiling at me first, then looking to Theon.

"Theon, father needs help making sure everything is sorted, can you come with me." Robb asked, only receiving a begrudging nod from the Greyjoy heir. Theon picked up his gear and trundled stubbornly out of the room.

Robb waited until he was fully out of earshot, "I'm sorry about him, I don't understand why he has to act like such a …" Robb started.

"Greyjoy." Me and Jon added, followed by a good ten seconds of laughter. Even the maid cleaning the room let out a little chuckle, maybe this feast won't be so bad after all.

It was only me and Jon left after Robb had made his exit. I had known Jon for many years, longer than any of the other Stark children. He was the first one that I met on my first visit to Winterfell and since then we've grown close. Sometimes I think that I'd rather be a bastard, because then at least there'd be a reason to how my father treats me. It's just like how the other lords act towards Jon, it's disgusting.

"Are you going to be attending the feast?" I asked, while walking over and sitting on one of the chairs.

"Lord Stark doesn't deem it appropriate to seat a bastard at the table in front of the King." Jon responded, I heard the pain in his voice.

"That's not fair, you have as much right to be there as anyone else, much more than me."

"You're the son of a Lord, I'm just…"

"the son of a lord, the son of the warden of the north."

"I don't think I'd want to go there anyway, trying to avoid the hateful stares from Lady Catelyn and Sansa would take up most of my time."

"Guess that's my job then," I joked, bringing a slight smile from him. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine, there's just something I need to tell you." I saw the look of regret in his eyes

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, it's just that I'm going to be leaving soon."

"Leaving?" I asked, standing up and walking towards him, "What's going on?"

"I'm planning on joining the night's watch, actually do some good. I've already spoke to my uncle about it."

"You can do good here Jon." I said softly, as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"At the wall I won't be treated like a bastard. I can get a fresh start and serve as a brother."

"What about everyone here, you're just going to up and leave and act like this part of your life never existed."

"Family will stay with me wherever I go, and you can visit." He looked at me and smiled, "I won't be too far away if you need me." He gave me an optimistic look, but this news was just another to add to the growing list of things I didn't want to deal with today. Jon was one of my only friends, and now he was leaving. Just packing up and setting off.

"I need you here. Please stay."

"I'm sorry Hiccup, but this is something I must do, something I need to do." I saw the look of sadness in his eyes. He really didn't want to leave it all behind but there was no way he could stay, "you better get going, you don't want to be late." He turned and walked towards the window, staring out aimlessly. I thought about joining him, but he was right. The last thing I'd want to do was be late. With that I turned around and left. Now, more than ever, I was definitely in the mood for this feast.

The great hall was packed, more people in the same room I have ever seen before. I could recognize a few people, but most of them were unfamiliar. Hours and hours passed, filled with endless chatter and the clinking of cutlery and tankards. I wanted to stay, but clearly the day had taken more out of me than I had realised. I left the table and soon I was on my way to my room that Lord Eddard had generously offered me for the night.

"Wait up," I turned to see Arya running after me, "Are you all right?"

"It's nothing, I'm just exhausted, it's been a long day." I replied defeatedly.

"Are we still on for tomorrow?" She smiled, flicking her head so her ponytail now rested on her other shoulder.

"Of course, my lady, I would never want to let you down."

"Thank youuuuu," she smiled, then punched me in the arm.

"What was that…" I exclaimed

"I'm not a lady." She giggled

I laughed as we turned the corner. I was still looking at her and smiling as I clumsily fell into Sansa. Sansa's long dress caught under my foot, the momentum pushed her back and I heard the sound. The loud tear as her long green dress ripped as she fell backwards.

"I am so sorry my lady, let me help you up." I offered, holding out my hand.

"You've ruined everything, you always ruin everything. I don't even know why you are here," the red-haired girl screamed, causing me to step back at the outburst.

"He is our guest here, he is my friend, how dare you speak to him like this," Arya yelled back.

"Of course, the runt of a lord and the beast of a lady. You make the perfect couple." Sansa shrieked angrily, her eyes filled with hate.

"I apologise my lady, but there is no need for this. I'll pay whatever you need to repair the dress. If there is any other way I have wronged you, at least tell me." The girl just stood there and stared daggers at both of us, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Just because he's not your precious prince, it doesn't mean he deserves this. Come on Hiccup." Arya pushed past Sansa and I followed, offering a light bow to the still clearly angry lady.

We headed down the corridor and she slowed outside of the final door. "Here we are, my lord," she smirked.

"You know I hate being called that."

"After the 'my lady' stunt earlier, that's all your getting now." She teased.

"Looking forward to it," I quipped, opening the door, and sitting on the bed, "See you tomorrow."

"I can't wait. Goodnight Hiccup," Arya grinned, as she closed the door. With that I laid down and not a moment since my head hit the pillow I was out, dead to the world.

Only the blinding light pulsing through the window woke me up. I unrolled the sheets and stretched my arms out. What time is it. Oh shit, Arya. I jumped out of bed, brushed the hair out of my eyes and put on the spare clothes in my pack. I am not going to hear the last of this am I? I packed my stuff and ran down the corridor, down the stairs and into the main courtyard where she had asked me to wait for her.

"You're late!" She bellowed, pulling me to the edge of the courtyard.

"Sorry, I…"

"Put these in your bag," Arya whispered, handing me the two sparring swords," oh, and this," handing me the small bow and a quiver of arrows.

'Gods, you have been busy," I chuckled.

"Come on," she mumbled, grabbing my arm again. We headed into a dark hallway, one I'd never been in before. She rummaged through her belongings to an old rusty key that she used to unlock the door at the end.

"Where are we going Arya?"

"Some place I found a few weeks back. Think it used to be the old prison. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Down the stairs we went, Arya's torch near enough the only light as we descended deeper. As we reached the bottom, she started lighting a dozen or so torches along the edges of the walls. It was a prison alright. There were six or so cells, this must have been for the worst of the worst, locked so far away from civilization itself. I set my pack down, removed my sword belt and searched into the pack for the items she had given me minutes earlier.

"Is this really yours?" I looked up to see the girl twirling my sword around, pretending to stab someone.

"Yes, it is really mine, be careful, I don't want you to cut yourself."

"I've never seen a sword like this, who makes them?"

"No-one makes them, that one's a one of a kind."

"How did you get it then?"

"I got it because… I was the one who made it." I replied, holding my hands out as she passed the sword back to me.

"No way, I don't believe you." She said defiantly, arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Just look," I said softly, as I rubbed my fingers over the grip and up the middle of the metal. "Can you see that?" I asked. She stared at the blade, tilting her head to read the words. "The engraving says, 'Fire from Ice' which is our house's words. If you look just there, at the base of the sword, you can see my initials, HHH. This truly is a one of a kind."

"Wow, that is incredible." Her face was a picture. I laughed as she just stared in awe. At least someone appreciated my handiwork. "Can I try it out?"

"You've already tried it out," I laughed, "Training with blunt weapons is all I signed up, you hear me?" She nodded and grabbed one of the sparring swords off the ground and slid it across the floor towards her. I put my sword down to one side, as I picked up the other blunt weapon and faced her, "Are you ready for this?"

"Are you?" She teased, as she picked up the sword and started swinging it frantically. I held the sword loosely and parried her away. Again, she came, slashing from the side and again I blocked. I hadn't been trained since I was five, like most, but the little lady was by no means a fine swordswoman. I could do nothing but smile, watching her with that determined look on her face as we battled away. This was all she wanted to do, and she was forbidden to even try. The look of joy on her face at being given just the opportunity. Hours and hours passed freely, this was the most fun I had had in months. She was useless, I mean, completely useless with the sword, but surprisingly good with the bow. I know we could have been down there for days but when we eventually gave it up it must have totaled four to five hours. As we eventually packed up the stuff and were about to head back to the surface, she ran over and hugged me. Although she practically winded me as her head hit me straight in the chest, I could do nothing but smile as I wrapped my arms around her.

"Thank you so much for that Hiccup"

"Anytime."

Upon exiting the prison, and heading back out into the courtyard, Jon and Robb were standing there staring.

"I can explain…"

"She asked you to teach her how to fight, didn't she?" Robb asked, although it was more of a statement than a question, with his smile showing he already knew the answer.

"She did threaten to keep calling me 'my lord', I was acting under duress," I chuckled. Robb and Jon just started to laugh, as Arya tried to put on a serious face but failed miserably, as she couldn't stop giggling. The gleaming smile of their sister enough for them to know how happy it had made her. "My father probably expects me back tomorrow, and I still have a two-day ride home. Thank you for having me, but I must be setting off soon." I followed up sorrowfully. I didn't want to leave, but I did have to get home.

"Safe journey Hiccup, you'll visit again soon?" Robb asked, as she outstretched his arm.

"I will." I replied, locking arms, as we pulled into a hug.

"I'm going to miss you," Jon smiled, "promise you'll visit me at the wall."

"I promise, come here," I said as I pulled him in for the hug, "'til next time."

He embraced it, "Until next time, my friend."

"I'll escort you out," Arya smiled and walked alongside me as I headed for the large archway. I waved back to Jon and Robb, who reciprocated the gesture, before turning back to Arya. "Hiccup?" she asked, her eyes now big and blue.

"Yes Arya." I said softly as I untied the reigns to my horse and adjusted the saddle.

"I'm going with my father and Sansa to the capital for a few weeks, when I get back, can… can you make me a sword?"

"A sword? I don't think your father would like that."

"Please Hiccup. Yours is amazing, I've got some money saved up. I can pay you."

"It's not the money Arya, I would never even think of charging you."

"Please, pretty please, it's all I've ever wanted," she begged, hands out as if to pray.

"You're going to get me killed one of these days, fine, I'll make you a sword." She almost knocked me over as she hugged me again. "Next time I see you, I'll bring your sword with me. Promise me you'll be careful with it, young lady"

"I promise." She yelled excitedly. I don't even think she even heard me call her a lady. I placed my arms around her back, "Promise you'll be careful in The South, I'll always be here when you get back."

"I will Hiccup, thank you, thank you, thank you."

"Goodbye Arya, I'll see you soon." I smiled as I mounted my horse and waved her goodbye. As I headed off down the dirt track, I looked back at her. She was still smiling, still waving me off, as I rode into the distance. She was the closest thing to a sibling I have, as if I did actually have a sister. I can only hope that I'll see them all again soon…