A/N I own nothing, also I got some comments saying that the story looks like a Stark Wank. Yea sorry about that, trust me it's not actually a Op Stark or even North fanfic, it just seems like that right now because of the creative freedoms I took with the idea of certain characters we know wanting to become mandalorian based on how I understand their personalities. Certain elements of the story and the history of this world will have major or minor changes depending on how well I think I can fit said changes into the story. That said, there will also be character's who act ooc a lot, depending on how I edited their back stories, you have been warned. Also like I said flames are welcome, while they make me laugh, they also make me think about how I'm writing certain elements and how well they fit with the overall story, and that's the main reason I'm here, to learn how to write stories that make sense. That said, on with the next chapter…
Eddard Stark
"Val, I didn't exactly have much of a choice. He is the King" He states exasperated.
The morning hunt was anything but fruitful, they had all gotten up far before first light and most of the participants were still hungover and tired and in Robert's case, still drunk off his ass. Safe to say they didn't have much luck and eventually Robert got bored and called it off. Robert was already going on about another round of drinking when the Party spotted Hunter Royce and Sand sparring in the training yard. The party was enamored by the spectacle and decided to stay and watch from the sidelines and Ned was content to watch with them. Only for him to spot Val waiting at the entrance to his keep staring at him with a tense demeaner.
Safe to say Ned had to excuse himself, he left with a promise to Robert to share another drink with him and made his way to Val. Instead of greeting him she turns on her heel and silently makes her way inside, making no motion to tell him to follow, Ned does so anyway.
When they arrived in his solar, he felt like he was a three- and ten-year-old boy again getting scolded for forgetting some obscure lesson that Val had tried to hammer in his head a few hours earlier. Only now he was a grown man and even in being almost two heads taller than her and sitting in the Lord's seat, he still felt like a little boy again.
As soon as he sat Val decided to tell him exactly where he should've shoved the king's offer for him to be hand. Leading to an argument about where exactly his loyalties should lie.
"Your family needs you here boy, not in that nest of traitors and killers" She states with a tone that left no room for argument. Ned argues anyway.
"Robb is a man grown; he can handle being Warden while I'm hand" He explains in a harsh tone.
"But he shouldn't have to, you are still very much alive, and I can tell you he still has much to learn even from our first interaction" She rebukes with a harshness to match his own.
"You speak as if my going to King's Landing is a death sentence" he replies with a small eye roll.
"Don't roll your eyes at me boy" She reprimands with a pointed finger, before dropping it and continuing "And as far as you are concerned it might as well be"
"What exactly does that mean?" He asks with a small glare.
"It means good men don't last long in that damned city" She explains with an even tone, as if she wasn't basically telling him he would die if he left with Robert.
"You were planning on going there" He offers with a slightly petulant tone.
"I wasn't planning on getting in the middle of the court's schemes" She rebukes sticking her chin out to emphasize her point. A point that Ned very much agreed with.
"…Robert wants me to bring my daughters with me" He adds hesitantly, trying to change the subject.
"WHAT!?" She yells enraged "WHY THE HELL WOULD HE ASK THAT OF YOU?! THAT STUPID FAT BASTARD!" She rants in an anger he can't he's missed. It was rare enough when he was around her every day for four years.
"That 'fat bastard' as you put it, is king and he wants Sansa to marry Prince Joffrey" He explains eyes downcast.
"…Ned this is a horrible idea" She states with a now schooled tone.
"I'm well aware thank you, but I've already explained that I can't say no" He reiterates with exasperation, still looking down at his desk. Then an armored hand is placed in his eyesight, causing him to look up at Val's helmeted face.
"Ad'ika, your loyalty to your friend is admirable… But it's going to be the deat-" She never gets to finish her thought as a knock on his door interrupts her, causing her to remove her hand from the desk as they both look towards the entrance.
"Enter" Ned commands with an irritated tone.
Ned is surprised to see Hunter Royce open the door and turn to someone he can't see from the side of the door "Stay here for a moment" He commands in an even tone that sounds unnatural compared to usually enthusiastic tone he's heard from him.
"Hunter Royce" He greets as the man closes the door behind him before nodding his head in greeting.
"Armorer, my Lord Stark" He greets. Before walking up to the desk with a strange demeaner "I apologize for the interruption, but this is important"
"Is something wrong Oya'kar?" Val asks from his side.
"Far from its armorer, in fact I bring good news" He says tone suddenly changing to one of enthusiasm once again "I've found my new student"
Ned looks to Val, and he imagines her expression matching his own surprise, before they both turn back to the hunter. "Truly? I thought you weren't looking for a Foundling in Winterfell?" He asks with a mix of curiosity and surprise.
"I wasn't, I found this one by mere happenstance" He explains "Your bastard born daughter Lyarra Snow is quite the fighter"
"Lyarra? She beat you?" He asks in shock "I knew she was good, but I never imagined she could match an Oya'kar" he says mostly to himself.
"She didn't beat me in a traditional sense, but she did catch me off guard, something very few could take claim to" He explains "Oh and you might want to call for your maester., she might've cracked some bones in her hand" he adds with the same enthusiasm.
"What!?" Ned asks surprised.
"Yes, as I held her at sword point, I let my guard down thinking the battle was over, only for her to bat my sword away and throw a haymaker right at my chin HAHA! I didn't show it but that was one of the only times I was genuinely excited to be knocked on my ass" He explains boisterously.
"And Lyarra did this?" He asks in a small amount of shock. The girl had never done anything like that before, at least not to his knowledge, so his disbelief was warranted in his mind.
"She did, and with your permission I'd like the chance to hone her skills properly so that I might be able to have a proper fight next time" He offers to Ned, enthusiasm slowing down slightly in anticipation.
"Andronis will not be happy" Val cuts in from beside him.
"Andronis?" he asks surprised.
"Not the one you're thinking of. His son is the new Oya'kar Alorir" Val explains.
"Why would he care?" Ned asks in confusion.
"He shares the same sentiment about children of great houses with his late father" the hunter explains, tone becoming slightly irritated "I'll admit that he won't like it, but only an armorer can deny a foundling. So, unless you disagree Armorer than he'll just have to deal with it"
"I am fine with it, I'll leave it to your discretion Ad'ika" She says turning to Ned.
"… Let the guard know to get Maester Luwin and tell Lyarra to enter" Ned commands resting his chin on folded hands.
Daenerys
"Have you ever ridden a horse Khaleesi?" A familiar voice asks from behind her.
She turns her head from looking down at the horse to try and keep balance to Boba Fett who rides just behind her. From this close Daenerys can see a great many signs of wear and tear on the paint of the armor, as if it had seen a thousand battles. The armor underneath however seemed completely untouched, shining silver peaking through the many small scars.
Besides the small scuffs to the paint the armor was incredibly beautiful. The many contours and engravings were beautifully designed and even with Daenerys knowledge, or lack thereof, she could tell that who ever made it was a master of the craft.
Though despite the armor's beauty, it still looked a little odd while worn by Fett. In fact, there seemed to be some pieces missing from the over all set. He only had one gauntlet and seemed to be missing the knee plates from the bottom half of the armor, there were also pieces placed in areas that looked like they didn't quite fit, as if they were place there to fill in gaps.
Not only that but Daenerys could tell that the armor wasn't designed for his stature. The Helmet seemed far too large, and the cuirass appeared to be just to large for Fett's shorter stature. Not to say the man was short by any means, just that the armor appeared to have been made for someone much taller.
"Khaleesi?" He snaps her from her thoughts.
She blinks for a moment before answering "I'm sorry Ser, I believe my mind began to wander somewhere else. What was it you were asking me?"
"I'm no ser Khaleesi, but to answer your question, I had asked if you had ever ridden a horse before" He answers evenly.
She turns back to focusing on the beast between her legs, remembering she needs to mind her balance "I don't believe I have Se-… I'm sorry but what title should I refer to you?" She asks with a wince, realizing she had forgotten to truly speak with her newly sworn sword about this.
"Heh, call me Fett Khaleesi" He answers with a dry chuckle.
"Fett? Not Mand'alor?" She asks in confusion. Daenerys was under the impression that if you wielded the darksaber then that made you Mandalore's king, or Mand'alor. He also said that his father was the last Mand'alor, she thought that would make him next in line.
"No, I cannot be Mand'alor, even if I wanted to" He answers curtly.
"But you wield the Darksaber, does that not make you Mandalore's king?" She asks now turning to look back at him in curiosity, only to find him riding beside her now.
"I do not wield the Darksaber I hold it" He responds I clarification.
"There is a difference?" She asks curious. He turns to her and stares silently for a moment, as if asking why she is so interested. Daenerys simply holds his gaze until he finally speaks.
"… The Darksaber can only be drawn in defense of Mandalore, whether that means directly or indirectly is up to interpretation, but all Mandalorian history states the same thing. The Darksaber's blade can only be drawn out by someone who acts to defend Mandalore and its people" He answers.
"I take it that this is a literal interpretation and not a symbolic one?" she clarifies.
"Indeed" he responds turning away from her now.
"Then is their no King in Mandalore now?" She continues her line of questioning, still focusing on him.
"'Mandalore knows no king and knows no ruler, Mandalore knows only it's people" he answers as if reciting something.
"So Mand'alor is not the title for a king?" She asks even more curious now.
"Mand'alor is more of a representative, a leader but not a ruler. They don't make political decisions on how Mandalore is to be run but they do have the final decision in all matters of military or law enforcement" He answers.
"Then who is the political leader of Mandalore?"
"Mandalore does not truly have one, the closest thing they have would probably be the Armorer"
"And what do they do exactly?" She asks with interest.
"They settle day to day disputes and help to interpret the laws of Mandalore. They are also well respected and trusted leaders of Mandalore. They also forge every single piece of equipment for every Mandalorian to pass his or her trials. However, one of the failings that my father saw in this system was that there can only be one of them at a time, and if that one should die before picking a successor than the knowledge would most likely be lost to time. Something that would most definitely cripple Mandalore's way of life" He answers with some heat at the end.
"That seems rather counterproductive. Truly only one person to arm and armor hundreds of individuals? That seems rather intensive" she muses mostly to herself.
"It is part of the reason they are so well respected. That and if Mandalore is left without a Mand'alor then the Armorer is to take on their duties as well" He explains
"And if there is no armorer?" she prompts for him to continue.
"Then it falls to the Hunt Leader" He explains.
"And what do they do?"
"Mostly they vet new foundlings and decide if they would be allowed to continue their trials within the Steel Fortress, though even that decision can be overridden by the Armorer if the foundling's mentor brings it up to them" he answers "Now I believe it's my turn to ask a question Khaleesi"
He still doesn't turn to face her, staying silent in wait of her permission "Go ahead Fett" It feels strange to be the one giving permission and it probably shows on her face, though even if Fett were looking at her, she doubts he'd comment on it.
"Why are you so interested in mandalorian customs?" He asks with a sharp curiosity, borderline suspicious.
She turns head back down at her horse, though this time more out of embarrassment than anything else "It's just… Viserys used to tell me stories about how mandalorians were nothing but brutes looking for any excuse to fight, savages that had only had their armor to distinguish them" She answers shyly "But you don't seem much like a savage Fett. I don't think you've so much as drawn a blade since I met you"
"Give it some time, I'm sure my blade will meet someone's flesh before you take the throne. We've only known each other for a day after all" He replies dryly.
She pauses trying to process his words for a moment "You mean when Viserys takes the throne" She corrects with a small glare turning towards him.
"I say what I mean, and I mean what I say" He replies turning to meet her surprised stare "And With the way your brother is acting around the Khalasar, it's only a matter of time before he gets his throat slit by a disgruntled rider"
Daenerys let's that sink in for a moment. She may be afraid of Viserys, but she doesn't want him to die, he was the only family she had left.
"If I asked you to watch after him, would you do so?" She asks
"…I am your sworn sword Khaleesi, do not ask, command and it shall be done" He answers "Though as your sworn shield I would advise against this course of action"
"Why is that?" She asks with confusion.
"Because your brother is a very proud man, he might not react kindly to the gesture" He answers wearily.
"…But if I command you to do it, you will?" She asks slightly unsure.
"…" He's silent for a moment before giving a small almost nervous nod.
"Then I command you to protect my brother while we ride to Vaes Dothrak" She commands in her best version of Viserys' demanding tone.
"…As you bid Khaleesi" he says with a small bow of his head before turning and making his way to the back of the line where Viserys is riding.
Little did either of them know, the Darksaber that Fett had carried with him since the day his father died, was no longer tucked inside the leather pouch hanging from his armored belt…
Robb Stark
"You will be fine" He hears Lyarra assure from beside him.
Robb was currently riding on his horse with the rest of the king's retinue, planning on joining them until they hit the crossroads where they'll say their goodbyes. The mandalorians were also riding with the king's retinue till they hit the same area and Lyarra would go with them. However, what bothered him about this was the fact that the mandalorian called Robar had insisted that Lyarra wasn't given a horse and would instead be made to walk with the group on foot.
"…You're right, I'm more worried about you. From the stories father told us, mandalorian training can be incredibly dangerous depending on the teacher" He replies with a hint of worry.
It had been about a day since Lyarra had come to his room excitedly and explained that Royce wanted to take her as his apprentice. Something that they had only dreamed of as children, truthfully Robb was ecstatic for her. Only… When Royce had said he was looking for a new student, he had also said that he wouldn't be recruiting up here in the north and father had explained that Mandalore doesn't like recruiting from any of the great families. That meant that Lyarra must've impressed him enough to break him from a stigma that stretched an entire country of people. Honestly it made Robb a little jealous… But not enough to not worry for his sister.
"I'll be fine too" She says with a sad smile "And if there's anyone you should be worried about it would be father" she says with a small glare towards the king's retinue ahead of them.
"Pfft, he'll have Arya with him, I'm more worried about Kingslanding" he rebukes with a small laugh.
"Heh, I'm sure she'll get into loads of trouble even without Bran" She agrees matching his laugh.
"Got that right" He looks down to her with a somber smile as they appear to be coming up to the crossroads "You will be safe"
"Is that an order from my Lord?" She asks cheekily.
"Shut up" he orders half-heartily.
"…I'll be fine Robb, if anything happens, I'll have two of the greatest warriors in Westeros to keep me company" she jokes slightly.
"Enough with the jokes for a minute please" He says with a smile before getting down off his horse "Just promise me you'll be safe" She opens he mouth with a small smile but Robb interrupts with a raised hand and a knowing smile of his own "Before you ask, yes, that is a command from your lord"
Her mouth closes and for a moment he thinks she's gotten lost in thought again "…I promise to be as safe as mandalorian training will allow" she answers with that same cheek.
"*Sigh* I suppose that's the best I'm going to get out of you" He responds, closing his eyes in mock frustration before pulling her into a tight hug.
"I'll be fine Robb" she assures with a somber tone.
"I believe that's the third time you've said that" he says with a laugh.
"Even if I said it a thousand times, I don't think you'd believe me" she replies. They both break away from the hug and Robb sees the small tear going down her face only for her to turn and wipe it away.
"I'll be fine too you know" He assures with a smile.
"Ha, I know that very well thank you" she then turns back to him with a sad smile "All I've ever done is get in your way"
"Hey that's no-" He tries to rebuke only to be interrupted by a newcomer.
"Foundling" a distinctly accented voice says from the side of them. They both turn to see a figure just a head shorter than Lyarra staring at them, the other mandalorian that came with Robar, Tyene he thinks her name is "Royce wants you up front, we're leaving" She explains with an icy tone.
"Now? But I haven't said goodbye to the others yet" Lyarra explains taking a step towards the shorter girl.
"You can say whatever needs to be said on the way, take too long and we'll be leaving without you though" she says before turning around and presumably heading towards Royce.
"Hey!" She tries to gain her attention again, though she doesn't even seem to notice.
"You should go" Robb tells her. She turns to him with an apologetic look "It's fine, go. I doubt she was kidding about leaving without you" he reassures with an easy smile.
"Goodbye Robb" she says slowly, before turning and rushing to the front of the group.
Soon Robb would go to say goodbye to his father and the girls, but for now he would hang back to let Lyarra have some privacy.
Lyarra Snow
'Keep it close and keep it safe. Only open it once you've donned your armor, and remember that no matter what happens you will always be my daughter'
Lyarra recalls her father's words as she clutches tightly to the sealed parchment. Walking alongside Royce she began to think of what it might contain. Perhaps it was from her mother, or her identity at least. Maybe it held instructions or advice for when she becomes a mandalorian. Whatever it was it had to be important, that only made her want to open it more.
"What's that you have foundling" She looks up to her left to see the short mandalorian who's name she has yet to learn.
"A message, or a note. Something of great import my father wanted me to keep safe" She explains with a serious tone, gluing her eyes back onto the parchment.
"'Great import' you say?" She repeats in a mocking tone "You hear that, Royce? Perhaps it's the identity of whatever whore Lord Stark fucked"
Lyarra drops the hand carrying the parchment to her side and clenches her fists, keeping her gaze on the ground in front of her feet. "My father wouldn't do that" She defends through clenched teeth.
"But didn't he? I mean if he hadn't you wouldn't exactly be here" she rebukes in a non-plussed tone.
"He wouldn't fuck a whore" she continues to defend.
"And how do you know? Doubt any of those so called 'Noble Ladies' could've turned the great Ned Stark from his honor" she says with a small chuckle.
"You don't know anything about it either" Lyarra counters angrily, finally looking up to meet her gaze.
"Then perhaps we should open it, see exactly what dear old Ned has to say about not being able to keep it in his trousers" she replies in a voice that gives the impression she's smiling quite widely under that helmet.
"My father gave me an order to only open it once I've donned my armor" she explains heatedly.
"Heh, 'her' armor she says" the girl mocks with a now slightly agitated tone.
"Tyene" they both turn and stop at the added voice. They look to see Royce had stopped his horse a small way ahead of them and is now turned sideways to look at them. "Be nice" he says with a slightly teasing tone before turning and continuing the path.
Both Lyarra and Tyene just stare after him for a moment before turning to each other again. Then Tyene turns back to the path and starts moving again, prompting Lyarra to follow.
They continue on the path for another hour or so before Tyene breaks the silence once more.
"Aren't you wondering why we told them not to give you a horse?" She asks from in front of her, not turning her head from the path.
"I figured it was some kind of test, my father told me of his training with Val-" her answer is cut off by Tyene.
"Armorer Kirdan, put respect on the name" she snaps.
"… Armorer Kirdan, how everything he did was a test, no matter how small or menial it seemed" she finishes in a slightly annoyed tone.
"Well, you aren't exactly wrong, though it's less of test of a… trial run" Royce explains from the front.
"What does that mean?" she asks with confusion.
"It means you aren't going to start training until you prove yourself worthy of it" Tyene explains with a cold tone.
"So… I'm not your student yet" she clarifies
"Yes and no, for now you're more of a ward" Royce explains candidly.
"So, what do I have to do to prove myself?" She asks eagerly.
"Keep your underclothes on girl" Tyene mocks without missing a beat.
"There's no specific task you have to accomplish if that's what you're asking, we're just going to slowly make our way south, rest in a town or two, maybe take a few jobs along the way…" Royce explains with enthusiasm.
"Do we have an actual destination or are we just going south?" She asks in a small amount of frustration.
"If you survive long enough then eventually, we'll be making our way for the steel fortress to make you an official foundling, from there we'll continue your training until I deem you worthy of the armor" Royce explains in an enthusiastic tone that doesn't match the seriousness of his words.
"If it's truly going to be that dangerous then won't I need a sword?" she asks with confusion.
"I'm sure we'll find one along the way, same with a horse" He assures
"But I'll be defenseless" she states with confusion.
Royce then stops and turns his horse around, prompting Tyene to do the same so that they are both now looking at her.
"If you cannot survive without a sword then you don't deserve to carry one" they say simultaneously. They then both turn to the path and continue. They don't wait for Lyarra as she is left staring in confusion. She then realizes that they've gained a bit more distance than she's comfortable with and quickly rushes after them.
Her mind then drifts to Arya and the sword she had gifted her before leaving Winterfell. She silently hopes she won't ever have to use it…
A Thief
The small thief gives the Beskar hilt to the captain as payment for travel to his true home.
The captain eagerly takes the bounty, not truly knowing it's significance.
They board the ship together.
The ship never brings the thief home.
End Note: All reviews welcome
Oya'kar Alorir – Hunt Leader