A few of you raised some points regarding last chapter which I hope shall be addressed in the next chapter (not this one). Also please keep in mind I have never read the books and only watched the show. As such my information comes from the Show and wiki sites that I research. Besides, it will be explained in the next chapter as to why Jon is facing so muck skepticism from the lords.

Chapter 4

The Winged Wolf

Barristan

Ser Barristan Selmy set his quill down with a heavy heart as he read over his last entry in the White Book of the Kinsguard marking his own dismissal from an order that bound men for life. He had served Kings and Princes, watched dynasties rise and fall, good and bad men alike die before him and yet he had never imagined his life's sole purpose to be destroyed before his very years. In his last years, he had hoped to die in the service of his King doing his duty only to have the same boy disregard his years of loyalty and humiliatingly dismiss him from service.

For the first time he regretted his decision to protect the mad boy, Joffrey. He should have supported Lord Eddard Stark when the Northerner revealed the disgusting truth. Instead he had done his duty to his King believing in his ruler instead of the evidence against him. Then again, it was not his place to judge his leader or even question him.

And yet everything was destroyed before his very eyes.

He was brought out of his depressing thoughts when a knock sounded at the door, reluctantly he opened it and instantly frowned on seeing Varys standing before him. The same eunuch had tried to subtly bribe him into retirement with offer of a keep and servants, but Barristan had refused flatly.

So why was this man here?

Despite his doubts, he allowed the man inside and waited stoically as Varys stared at him with a calculative look.

"What will you do, Ser Barristan?" asked Varys seriously,

"I am knight and until the day I die I shall do my duty" replied Barristan honestly, earning a nod from the eunuch.

"I apologize for not being able to sway the King's opinion regarding your dismissal. The King can be quite...headstrong when he wants" suggested Varys carefully, earning a snort from the older knight.

"That's probably the nicest way to say the boy has lost his mind. It's not even a year and the little fool has already incited a rebellion across the realm. If he didn't have the Lannister blood and army, he would be deposed quite sometime ago" said Barristan with a frown,

"So will you search for a worthy king to serve now? We both know there was some truth to late Lord Eddard's revelation. Perhaps Stannis or Renly would be more considerate of your loyalty and service to their family" suggested Varys, and was surprised when Barristan shook his head.

"I am done with House Baratheon. When Rhaegar died, I believed Robert would bring stability to the realm and while he sustained the peace...it was not enough" replied Barristan hesitantly, still in conflict regarding Robert's reign.

He stopped himself when he noticed the grave expression on Varys's face.

"What is it, Lord Varys?" asked Barristan directly, earning a sigh from the eunuch.

"I'm afraid the King has taken offense to your words in the courtroom. He has ordered your arrest on charges of treason, there are guards currently searching the tower as we speak"

Barristan gripped his spare sword tightly on hearing that and yet he could not help but look at Varys with some suspicion.

"Why are you helping me? If I am a traitor now, then aiding me in any form makes you one too, Lord Varys" warned Barristan, and while he didn't care about the eunuch he didn't want the man to die for him either.

Varys had a faraway look in his eyes and took a few moments to gather himself...

"I have failed quite a few times in my life, Ser Barristan. The most recent one being my inability to save Lord Stark's life, I tried to persuade him to take the Black and he agreed until Joffrey did what he did. I don't want to see you face the same fate, certainly not after how loyally you have served the realm all your life. And I serve to protect the realm" explained Varys sincerely,

"Speak plainly, Lord Varys. What do you want from me?" asked Barristan with slight irritation seeping into his voice, if the eunuch was right then he barely had little time to make his escape. Much less even talk with anyone, the least of all being the Master of Whispers.

He carefully watched Varys search for something in his sleeved pocket and was surprised when it turned out to be a letter.

"What is this?" asked Barristan suspiciously,

"The last letter Lord Eddard wrote for his family. I don't know what's in it since it's still sealed, but I was hoping you could deliver it to his son Robb" said Varys carefully,

"Why me? You have a network of spies and informants who could easily do it for you" replied Barristan frankly, but Varys shook his head.

"Nobody can get close to them right now. But you can reach them and deliver this for me, in return I offer you safe passage out of this city and whatever provisions you may need. Think about it Ser Barristan, Eddard Stark gave his life for the realm while we both just watched bound by our duties. The least we can do for him is give this last message to his family for the Lannister's are not even in the mood to return his bones" explained Varys patiently,

Barristan stole glances between the letter and the eunuch. And despite not wanting to admit it, he found some truth in those words. Eddard Stark had been a good man, a true hand who had dutifully followed the orders of his King and tried to save the realm. In the past, Barristan was bound by his duty but now he had nothing stopping him.

And the aid of the eunuch in escaping this city would be much helpful, because while he didn't doubt his own abilities Barristan was aware that the King was out for his head and no matter how talented and skilled, one man could not fight against the entire City Watch.

But this letter...

It was the good thing to do, the honorable thing do. An act which any good knight would do no matter the risks.

For the first time in years, Ser Barristan Selmy found a just purpose again and he took the letter earning a respectful nod from the eunuch.

"I'll deliver it to Robb Stark, this I promise on my honor. But afterwards we're done" said Barristan clearly, and frowned when the eunuch tittered his irritating laugh.

"As you wish, Ser. But I have a feeling you'll find some interesting things on your journey" said Varys mysteriously,

Barristan shook his head, clearly not in the mood or having the time to push the eunuch to explain himself again. So instead he asked for the supplies he needed for the journey and was surprised when Varys quickly gave him a bag of gold dragons, followed by telling him of the whereabouts of the boat waiting for him.

The guards were all waiting for him at all the gates leading out of the city so Varys suggested he escape by the sea. The boatman was already paid and would simply take Barristan away from the city.

When that was settled, Barristan draped himself in an old weathered cloak and quickly followed after Varys who took him across secret passageways avoiding the guards searching for him.

As he followed after the eunuch, he could not help but wonder how his life had changed so suddenly.

But the course was set and there was nothing he could do about it now.

Still, there was a faint hope in his heart that he might be able to find a purpose again.

Robb

Travelling at the head of his small host of 500 men, Robb Stark was lost in a sea of his own thoughts. He ignored the chatter of his lords and knights alike, ignored the heated glare that had been ever constant from his mother ever since he made Jon the leader of his army, and ignored the uncertainties of the ongoing war.

They had galloped day and night with minimal rest to reach the Vale and make his aunt Lysa see reason. It would still take them quite sometime to reach there and it was a good thing for it gave Robb sometime to think.

He had also dismissed Theon's idea of getting aid from the Iron Islands, while the prospect of having an Iron Fleet as an ally was tempting he had remembered his brother's warning and instead told Theon to wait for sometime. The Greyjoy was not happy but Robb could be less bothered about it.

In a way he was relieved for now he had one of his brothers fighting with him. Bran would hold the North watching over their home and little Rickon. Despite his age, Robb knew Bran had the skill to be a Lord and that gave him some relief.

He idly wondered how alone he had felt until Jon came along, and now his brother was leading Robb's army which gave the Stark Lord some more relief.

His mother was beyond furious and not a day passed when he didn't have to listen to her rantings, pleadings or sharp words. But he trusted Jon more than he trusted his mother right now, it was a sad thing but his mother was blinded by hate for Jon and the worry over his sisters.

Dismissing those negative thoughts, he tried to think about his upcoming meeting with Aunt Lysa.

He had never known his aunt very much except for the few letters his family had shared with her when he was a boy. Rumors were she had become quite a scared and nervous woman, acceptable considering her husband was murdered mysteriously in the Capital.

Robb didn't blame her from trying to stay out of this conflict if only to protect her son, but it was not the right decision.

While the Vale lords wanted to join him, they still needed permission from Lysa.

Suddenly an idea came to him and he slowed down his horse allowing his mother to catch up to him. Catelyn was still not happy with him, but she kept her silence on noticing his serious gaze.

Robb also beckoned Lord Bolton, Lord Karstark and when they joined him and his mother he decided to reveal his idea with the intention of getting their opinion on it.

"Last I heard, Lord Royce had been the most vocal in his desire to join our cause. His family is the most powerful one in the Vale after the Arryns" said Robb seriously,

"What are you thinking?" asked Catelyn hesitantly,

"Divide our host. Mother, I want you to go to Aunt Lysa first alongwith Lord Bolton and try to smooth things over before the real talks happen. Meanwhile, I and Lord Karstark shall approach Lord Royce. We both know each other from when he came to Winterfell to take his third son to the Night's Watch, and I think I can convince him. If Lord Royce backs us many others will follow soon enough, when that is done I'll march with all our new gathered support to the Eyrie" explained Robb in detail,

He carefully looked at everyone's reaction and was surprised when Lord Bolton actually smiled if only a little.

"First the emotional appeal followed by a show of force. It's a good plan, my lord" said Roose approvingly,

"He's right. If Royce and his supporters agree to back us, then with you and your mother personally meeting your aunt with that much support will make it extremely hard for her to refuse aid a second time" said Rickard Karstark with a smirk,

However, Catelyn had the opposite opinion.

"You are talking about strong arming my sister, Robb!" chastised Catelyn furiously, unable to hide the disappointment on the decision of her son.

"Mother-"

"Your Father would have never done such a thing!"

Everyone flinched when something snapped within Robb and the fury in his eyes made Catelyn flinch and the two lords to shrink away a little.

"My Father is dead. I am trying to win a war against enemies who have me outnumbered, I must do everything I have to in order to win and save my sisters. Have you forgotten that?" snapped Robb,

Catelyn was not done with her argument and was about to begin again, but was stopped when Robb raised a firm hand silencing her. Shock coursed through her on his action but what froze her tongue was the look in his eyes.

It was the same one Eddard always gained when he had made his decision.

Her face became stoic, her expression icy.

"Is that an order?" she asked tersely,

Robb never flinched which was another painful stab at Catelyn's heart.

"If it has to be" he answered calmly, his voice as cold as the Northern ice.

Catelyn simply gave a terse nod before trotting her horse forward and Lord Bolton followed after her with one last approving nod at Robb. The Dreadfort lord gathered the necessary protection detail that would guard him and Catelyn before they departed.

Robb watched them go away with a heavy heart, it gave him no joy to do this but it had to be done.

He then turned to Theon...

"Take some of our fastest riders and reach Castle Runestone as fast as possible. Prepare Lord Yohn Royce for our arrival and ask him to summon all the lords who he thinks would be willing to hear us" commanded Robb, earning a wicked grin from his friend.

"Consider it done, brother" promised Theon eagerly, earning a small smile from Robb.

With that the Greyjoy also gathered some of the fastest riders and began his journey. No doubt it was going to be a harsh and tiresome journey, but Robb knew Theon could do it. This way if Lord Royce agreed to summon the Vale lords then Robb could make his appeal sooner, approach Lysa faster and then return back to his army and his brother with the Vale army at his back.

He didn't think about refusal because Failure was not an option for him.

He had promised Jon that he would get the Vale, and he was not going back on his word while his brother risked his life.

Still, the uncertainty lingered in Robb's heart and a small part of him wondered just like always as to whether he was making the right decisions or not. His mother didn't think he was...

"Your father would have been proud of you"

Robb was quite surprised on hearing the compliment from Lord Rickard Karstark and while the old man didn't smile, the look in his eyes said all that was needed to be said regarding Robb's decision.

"Thank you, my lord" replied Robb honestly with a smile, as Lord Karstark patted his back.

"We are kin, Stark and Karstark. The others will descend upon Westeros first before I or your bannermen allow the Lannisters to harm your family any more. Believe in yourself, Lord Robb. We are with you" promised Rickard,

Gratitude overcame Robb's heart on hearing that promise. He could not imagine how this man still believed in him so fiercely despite losing two of his sons fighting Robb's war. It was because of this loyalty and courage of his bannermen that Robb knew despite the odds against them, they could win.

"Then let's make sure we win this war"

Bran

The dreams were getting more vivid and wilder with every passing day.

At first he had only seen ravens upon ravens everywhere followed by the three eyed raven. It had shocked him to witness such a creature even in the dreams, and he was left speechless when it actually tried to talk to him.

Bran could not understand him no matter how much the bird tried, the only thing he could decipher with great difficulty was a title.

The Winged Wolf.

It was even bizarre for Bran was a cripple now, unable to walk and forever dependent on others for aid. He hated it but there was no going back now. He ruled Winterfell as his brother's heir, learned from Maester Luwin and kept stock of the security of the North with the help of Ser Rodrik Cassel.

Yesterday, he received a new raven from the Northern army that stated that Jon had arrived from the wall and was now leading the men, while Robb went to the Vale to gather support.

That made Bran happy and sad at the same time. Happy for that the fact that Jon was back with them and Robb finally had one of his brothers with him, and sad because Bran wanted to be that brother.

His fists clenched as he thought of his two oldest brothers fighting a war against so many enemies, while he was stuck here unable to help them in anyway. Maester Luwin always reminded him that he was keeping the North safe and in order, but those words felt hollow to Bran.

And then the new dreams...

He saw the raging sea, a field of white, a crumbling tower, a strong old man, a person burning in fire, and a source of heat hidden inside grim darkness.

When he shared the contents of these dreams with the Maester, the old man had dismissed them as thoughts of an idle brain. But when Bran described the looks of the old man then the Maester had hesitated before retreating to his library. Two days later, Luwin came back to him with a name.

Cregan Stark.

Bran had been relieved to hear that he was not going mad and together he alongwith Luwin had researched about Bran's ancestor. And they learned quite a few things...

Cregan Stark was the Lord of Winterfell during the Dance of the Dragons. He sided with the Blacks led by Rhaenyra Targaryen when Prince Jacaerys Velayron, her son flew to Winterfell on his dragon Vermax to make a personal appeal. In return for a pact called Ice and Fire through which a Targaryen princess would be obligated to marry a Stark, the Blacks received the support of the North.

Alas, the pact was not fulfilled and neither did Cregan get to fight in the war because by the time he marched to King's Landing with his army the war was over. Aegon The Second was murdered and the new King Aegon The Third had already taken reign. Cregan was appointed as Hand of the King, just like Eddard Stark, and they were the only two Starks who ever held the position.

Cregan served for a week, the time popularly known as the Wolf's Hour where he saw executions and banishment for all those involved in the murder of Aegon The Second. He conducted himself with honor and did his duty, by the end of the week his job was done and he wished to return North. The new King Aegon The Third bestowed upon him many gifts and honors, but never was the pact of Ice and Fire fulfilled.

Luwin had asked him to think of it just as a strange dream and Bran had to leave it at that. Still, he wondered...

The next day he broke his fast with Ser Rodrik and Maester Luwin as both men updated him on the happenings across the North. Rodrik also told him about his brother's progress in the war and a point came to the young boy.

"Is there any other way apart from the Neck to reach the North?" asked Bran curiously,

"Yes, my lord. Moat Cailin..." answered Ser Rodrik faithfully,

"Isn't the Moat quite broken? And how many men do we have defending it? If somebody takes it..." said Bran worriedly, but both Ser Rodrik and Maester Luwin shook their heads.

"Lord Robb has left a small force to defend the Moat. They'll hold it to their deaths, my lord" promised Ser Rodrik confidently,

"The only threat we have right now is from the South. They would have to defeat your brother's and go through our entire army first before reaching the Moat. There is no need to worry" assured Luwin patiently,

Bran bit his lip as he remembered the raging sea he had seen in his dreams. An irrational fear overtook his heart...

"How many fighting men do we have left in the entire North, Ser Rodrik?" asked Bran quickly, drawing a surprised look from the older man.

"Your brother took 20,000 with him and those were a large chunk of our best fighters and levies. We can raise another 20,000 fighters and if we also include all the farmhands in our lands, then I'd say 30,000 men but only half of those would be decent in battle. Most of all, mustering these men will take time and resources " advised Ser Rodrik,

"How are our finances, Maester Luwin?"

Both older men looked at each other quite puzzled by their lord's questions wondering what was going through the boy's head. Even so, Bran had asked and they were duty bound to answer honestly.

"Pretty strong for now, my lord. Your late father ruled well and the North flourished under his leadership. We have enough financial strength but winter will be coming soon and the war we are fighting will take its price. If I may be so bold, why are you asking this?" asked Luwin hesitantly,

Bran steeled himself because he had to be strong in order to make these two understand. They would never believe his dreams or what he saw in them, but they would follow an order if he gave one.

"Raise every man we can" instructed Bran, hoping he looked and sounded imposing enough to convince.

'Lord Stark, some of yours lords won't be pleased. Lady Dustin will flatly refuse as she barely sent the least needful of her men with your brother" warned Ser Rodrik, hoping the boy would understand how dangerous it was to tread over their bannermen beyond a limit.

Bran knew there some wisdom in Ser Rodrik's words but in his heart he knew this was the right choice. He also remembered how Robb had subdued the GreatJon during the lords gathering a few moons ago. He had to be like his brother since he was the Stark in Winterfell now.

Ser Rodrik had never seen the sweet boy's eyes turn into Ice, the look he had often seen in Lord Eddard's eyes and now often in Lord Robb's. It showed him that for all his Tully looks, Bran Stark was as much a son of his former deceased lord.

"They will do what is right for the North or they shall face my justice. Gods forbid, if my brothers are defeated then our enemies will not wait for us to rally our remaining forces. I shall raise another host, one that shall help us defend the North from all enemies" commanded Bran,

He saw they were both about to protest, Rodrik with worry and Luwin with a knowing look in his eyes. Bran ignored them both and continued with the plan he had in his head.

"Last I heard, Lord Manderly had a 100 ships under his command" suggested Bran,

"Half of those are trade ships, my lord. Not war galleys" cautioned Ser Rodrik, earning a nod from the young Stark.

"Command him to use a couple of warships to scout our coasts regularly for an enemy fleet. The Lannisters have a fleet and I will not have them or anyone else attacking our lands and taking us by surprise. Nor will I sit here and watch my brothers and our men's only way to return home be taken away. Out of the men raised by Ser Rodrik: 15,000 shall go to help Moat Cailin's construction efforts while protecting it at the same time. If need be, they can rush South to support my brothers should they require the aid or defend the North should our armies in the Riverlands be defeated. The next 2000 shall go to Deepwood Motte, another 3000 to White Harbor, another 2000 to defend the fishing villages near Stony Shore. The remaining 8000 shall be kept near Winterfell to be used in an emergency to help any lord should they need it. Winterfell's last levies would also be used if the situation demands it" explained Bran,

For several moments both older men stared at him as if he had grown a second head or dragons had returned to the world and it took every ounce of courage in Bran to look them in the eye and not flinch or falter in his resolve.

Still, he had known them his entire life and a part of him wanted to explain the reasoning behind his actions...

"I am the Stark of Winterfell now. I cannot fight alongside my brothers but I will keep the North and our people safe" said Bran honestly,

He was waiting for counter-protests and suggestions but not the smile that came on Ser Rodrik's face.

"Your father will be proud of you, my lord" said Rodrik happily,

Bran felt his heart clench on remembering the father he would never see again. The man he had always looked up to for protection and care, whom the entire North had looked upto. He knew he would never be like his brothers, in someway he was still a scared boy whose dreams were leading him to make these decisions.

They could prove right or wrong and Bran could only hope his father would someday understand why Bran did what he had to do.

"Ser Rodrik, from this new army have most of our best fighters be stationed at Moat Cailin. Robb and Jon can use them if they are desperate. As for the rest of the common folk who will be drafted, those at Moat Cailin will be trained by their Master At Arms, as would be the case at White Harbor and the Stony Shores. Those at Winterfell shall be trained by you" instructed Bran,

"And what if any lord or lady refuse to draft the men for this new army citing any reason?" asked Maester Luwin carefully, and was surprised when Bran clenched his fists.

"I hope they do not or else I will have to do what must be done" answered Bran, hoping the gods would not be so cruel to have him cast justice on his own bannermen in these times. He was not strong like his brothers, not anymore. But he would raise an army and lead it personally to cast down any lord or lady who refused to do everything in their power to keep the North and House Stark safe.

He was also toying with the idea of the North having its own Naval Fleet. He could only imagine how crucial it could have been to Robb's cause, alas one of his ancestors had burned down one of their most crucial defenses and the rest had not seen fit to rebuild it later on. Just as Moat Cailin's crumbling state, sometimes he wondered if his ancestors had been too lax or accustomed to peace only to pay for that mistake in blood.

But building a fleet required lots of money and resources. That was also not taking into account the sailors required to man those ships, while Lord Manderly did have quite a few of those sailors but they were mostly operating on Merchant Ships and not War Galleys. Whatever the case, he would have to consult Maester Luwin in detail about their finances and whether they could afford to build a Fleet of their own over time. But for now, he had to keep that idea on the back of his mind.

That night after both Rodrik and Luwin had went out to carry his orders, Bran again had the dream of the same old man whom he now knew as Cregan Stark.

The old man was speaking to him but his words didn't reach Bran. The distance between them started to grow as Bran saw Cregan start to be engulfed in darkness, still the old man was shouting at him frantically.

Bran tried to understand the message by trying to read the lip movements, but his ancestor was speaking too fast for Bran to understand.

Bran tried harder as the darkness had now engulfed Cregan quite fully and before his ancestor vanished Bran managed to learn something.

A word.

Author's Notes: End of chapter.

Hope you guys liked it.

Soon enough we shall reach the finale of the first arc of this story. And please guys, I am writing this just for fun and have no prior experience in this fandom. No need to take every little thing so seriously because I will explain everything that I have written so far, but it'll take time and the right opportunity to present it.

This story will mostly be POV's of Starks, but I'll also add POV's of characters who are a part of the plot.

And yes, I have not forgotten about the battle!

As for chapters being short in length, except for the finale of every arc all the other chapters will be of this length a.k.a 4000 words. I know you want to read more, but that is all I can provide for now. Maybe in the future chapters will get longer, but I make no promises on that.

Next chapter will be the finale of this arc.

Reviews would be very much appreciated.

Until Next Time,

Blackwolf501