Disclaimer: A song of Ice and Fire belongs to George R.R Martin. Dark Souls belongs to FROM Software.
Chapter 5
Rickon I
On the godswood of Winterfell the three years old Rickon Stark runs between the snow and trees along with his direwolf whom he named, Shaggydog, screaming and laughing while the winds blow through his hair and the dirt on the ground get a hold on the sole of his feet, he was the perfect example of a happy and innocent child without a worry about the problems in the world.
When he reaches the center of the godswood he sees Artorias sitting on a bench or a large piece of wood in Rickon's opinion.
The giant knight was reading a book, on his left side there was a giant pile of books one above another while on his right side there was only one book, Rickon thinks it's one he already finished.
Rickon by accident steps on a fallen tree branch and the sounds catch the attention of Artorias who looks at the child, or at least in his direction since he was back on his armor and his helmet covered his face.
After the incredible demonstration of magic shown on the morning, Artorias was welcomed officially in Winterfell by his lord father Ned Stark. The knight was given the proper guest rights with salt and bread and given back his sword and armor, but Rickon doesn't see his sword anywhere.
Rickon sees Artorias signing to him to approach with the wave of his hand which is holding the closed book and he and his direwolf do so, slowly. When he is in front of the knight he smiles at him, he looks scary but for some reason, Rickon wasn't afraid, for some reason he felt as if the knight was the one who was the child while he was the adult.
"Rickon is the one you are, and the name you have, isn't it?" His regal voice makes the boy's smile increase in size and he nods with his head in response.
"Yes, that's me, and this is Shaggydog." The three-year-old points to himself and the direwolf giggling his arm and hand while doing so.
"Yes, I've met him yesterday, but as a pup without a name of his own and without a companion by his side, only the family whose blood he shares." Artorias looks at the direwolf and extends his hand to him, Rickon knows his puppy wasn't going to obey Artorias since he doesn't fully obey him yet.
The next scene makes Rickon open his mouth in surprise, not only his direwolf did go to Artorias, but when the Knight had asked, Shaggydog gave him his paw as if they were shaking hands with each other and sat down when Artorias asked.
"How did you do that? it was incredible." Rickon was impressed, here he was struggling to teach his direwolf and in seconds Artorias made him obey and behave himself. "Was it magic?".
Rickon then immediately remembered the events that transpired on the morning in the training yard.
Rickon was in the training yard along with his lord father, his brothers, and his sisters Arya. Sansa and his mother had refused to be present saying magic was a vile act forbade by the Seven, but Rickon didn't care, if the faith of the seven forbids magic, then why should he follow them? something cool as magic should never be forbidden, the old gods didn't forbid it, his father and the other people in the north who followed them and so they didn't hate magic, because of that the young boy started to think the old gods were better than the new gods.
In the middle of the yard, facing a dummy was Artorias, he said that he would do it only once so those who wanted to watch should come and see, for he would wait.
When everyone interested in the possible display of magic had gathered Artorias asks loud if everyone was there. The crowd loudly says 'YES!' and with a nod and a pleased smile he looks back at the dummy.
Artorias raises his hand in the air, and at that moment everyone looked shocked. If no one was paying attention before, they surely were now, on the knight's hand a bolt of lightning appears and he holds it like a lance, there was no doubt on Rickon's mind, that was pure and real magic, at that moment a big innocent smile appears on the youngster's face, all Old Nan stories flowing through his mind about the great heroes of the past, Duncan the tall, Aemon the Dragonknight and his grand duel with Cregan Stark, they were real, heroes were real, and now they are back, Artorias was a hero, he knew it, he would bring back, no, he would start the second age of heroes.
Rickon was now witnessing the beginning of a new age and legend. Stories would be written about this day when a knight named Artorias had started the new age of heroes and inspired a generation to follow in his footsteps.
"Sunlight Spear". Artorias said with a dark voice but one which carries softness, his voice was low but the strength behind it was intense. He throws the lightning on the dummy and a small *boom* is heart, the snow melted and becomes steam, and alongside the dust, it obliged all of them to wait until it dissipated so they can see the damage.
Where there was a dummy now was nothing but a big hole on the ground, and where there was doubt on the faces of the people now there was shock and fear, but Rickon didn't care for that, he just saw magic and his heart was beating faster than the speed he had when he was running towards the knight.
With a shining on his pleading eyes when he approaches Artorias remembering how tall the knight is but soon recovers and buries him with questions.
"Where did you learn that? Can it be taught? Can you teach me?". Rickon was so focused on Artorias that he didn't even notice Bran and Arya trying to push him behind them but he refused to relent and hold his grip firm on the ground and the knight's trousers.
Unfortunately for the three years old, he is taken by his brother Robb while his sister Arya and brother Bran are taken by Jon and Sansa who had returned and the last was shocked by what she had seen. Before Rickon has a chance to protest while being taken away he sees his father and mother approaching Artorias alongside maester Luwin.
"No, it wasn't magic. I… I had experience with wolves before.". His voice stumbled a little and Rickon felt a little sadness on it, he sat on the side of the knight and pet his back with his hand, the boy didn't know why he did that, nor realized Artorias' armor wouldn't let his touch be felt by the knight.
"You talk sadly. Are you ok?" Rickon asks worried about the knight who turns his face towards the kid with a strange air around him, it reminded him of his father and Jon when they were looking sad.
"Yes, I'm okay. Just remembering an old friend, his name was Sif, he would've liked to meet your direwolf and his siblings. I bet he would let you ride on him and you would look like the Kings of the North of the old". His voice was trembling a little but was still firm and Rickon nods to the knight.
The kid was curious, why the knight was reading, he was a warrior, he had magic, why was he wasting time on books, they were tedious and annoying. Rickon looks at the books and tries to read the titles, remembering the letter lessons he had with master Luwin.
"The Dance. The reign of Maegor. The magic of dragons. The Targaryen Dragons. The Targaryen Dynasty. The History of Westeros… Why are you reading so many books about dragons and the Targaryens?" Asked the three years old in confusion with curiosity in his eyes. "You are a warrior, you don't need these books, you just need your sword and armor.".
The knight just shrugs his shoulders while he shakes his head and closes the book he was reading. "Knowledge is important young Stark. Do you know how to do your sums? which decision to take when a household needs the help of their liege lord?... No, you don't, your older brother Robb is the one who should know it because these are the things he will have to deal with when he takes your father's place, but that doesn't mean you don't have to learn this as well.".
Artorias pick the book that was on the top of the large pile, it was a book talking about King Robert's rebellion, when the knight opens on a specific page and gives it to Rickon the young kid finally realizes, the large pile of books was not the one he still needed to read, it was the books he had already finished who he was so fast to read he didn't know, there were at least twenty books with the knight and he had just picked them a few hours ago, and now he had almost finished reading them, not even the master was this fast when reading.
Looking at the book Rickon sees a terrifying picture, an ugly man with long nails and curly dirty hair wearing a crown sitting on an ugly throne made of swords looking at the big flame in front of him.
"Your grandfather and namesake Rickard, burn alive he was by the mad king when he confronted the man about the unjust prison of his firstborn. Your uncle Brandon and young Bran's namesake, hanged by himself while trying to reach his sword to save his father." Artorias made a pause after looking at the open-mouthed Rickon whose hands were trembling.
It was too much information and shock for a simple kid, but the knight didn't think so because unlike the other normal kids he never had innocence nor common sense enough to understand that not all children could be of a strong mind to accept the concept of a hard and cruel world in such a young age.
"What I just want to say, is that just because you are the third son it doesn't mean bad things, evil things can't happen to your loved ones." The knight says quickly taking the book out of Rickon's hand and patting him on the back to make him calm again. "If something bad happened to Robb and Bran you would become the lord of Winterfell, if that happens, may the old gods forbid it from happening, what would you do as lord if you didn't have the knowledge needed?".
Looking at the knight with a blank expression Rickon nods in an understanding of his words, he didn't know about his uncle and grandfather nor that they had such horrible deaths, truthfully the young boy would cry had he known and developed a relationship with them before acquiring this knowledge, even though he didn't know that had nothing happened to them, he would never have been born.
"Do you follow the old gods?". Rickon asks realizing that Artorias had made a little prayer to the old gods, asking them to not let anything bad happen to his brothers.
Artorias shakes his head, Rickon couldn't see his face but he was sure there was a small smile on his lips. "No, I do not, but I learned a lot about the north and the customs of your people. I have to say, the old ways are something I wouldn't mind following. From what I've seen, they were more rational than some of the Andals customs.".
"Of course. You are from the north!". Said the boy making the knight chuckle asking Rickon how so. "You are. I know you are. You are strong like the men in the north, I saw how strong you were when you lift that big sword, only northern men are this strong. And you don't use furs to protect against the cold, even now you are wearing armor with no fur. Only men of the north can resist the cold as you can".
"Oh!" Artorias said with a mocking tone that Rickon doesn't understand. "I don't know, some people are saying that I am a Targaryen. Could I be a northern Targaryen then ha-ha-ha. Or maybe a Blackfyre even".
Rickon shakes his head in denial as a response to the giant knight. Artorias was a big and strong man that could withstand the cold, Winter is Coming, and the knight was ready for it, he was of the north, not a Targaryen, Rickon knew it.
"No, you are not a Targaryen. Swear it to the old gods. You have to swear to the old gods that you are not one.". Said Rickon decided that Artorias was of the north.
The knight laughs loud at the young boy but decides to do as he'd been asked.
Artorias get on his feet and walks towards the weirwood tree. He puts his left hand on top of the face of the tree and turns his head towards Rickon. He takes his helmet off with his right hand and lets it go making it falls on the snow, and puts his right hand on his chest right where his heart is and looks deep at Rickon's bright blue eyes with his violet ones and gives a long, loud and slow breath.
"I, Artorias… Abeswalkyr swear on my name and honor, by all the old gods there are to see and who are bare witness of my words, to Rickon of houses Stark and Tully that I am not a Targaryen nor Blackfyre, and may punishment fall upon me if my words are lies."
Rickon claps his hands with a smile while Shaggydog yelps at him while jumping on his rear pawns.
"Now you can never be a Targaryen.". Says the three-year-old like he was an adult lecturing a child.
"He's right.". Said a voice that makes Rickon's a little startled and Artorias put his helmet back on his head.
After hearing the new voice Rickon and Artorias lean their faces towards the source and find that it was Lord Stark. Rickon quickly gets on his feet and jumps to his embrace, laughing at the tickles in the stomach his father was giving him.
His father proceeds to sit on the bench right on the spot Rickon was using and gestures for Artorias to do the same.
"A vow in front of the old gods is a serious thing Ser Artorias.". His father's voice was now calm but serious, his mouth was now a straight line, and his eyes were now focused on the knight sitting in front of him. "If that vow is broken great punishment falls upon the oathbreaker.".
"I know." Artorias answers emotionless. "I've been reading about the north, its history, the old way, the old gods. Personally, I don't share your beliefs, but I know what they mean if it consoles you any.".
Rickon puffs his cheeks for being ignored and shakes his hands so the two could focus on him again. His father chuckles while Artorias' expression was once again indescribable because of his helmet.
"Father, father, I want to learn magic just like Ser Artorias.". His eyes gleamed with hope, Rickon was too young to realize but what he did was a plot he didn't even know about.
Rickon's lesson with Septa Mordane was about to start in a few months when he comes of age and turns four, but instead of going to his father to ask for permission, the three-years-old decided to go to the weirwood and talk to the magician, two things the faith of the seven didn't have on their good graces making it very hard for the sept and his mother to convince him in case his father decided to tell them.
"Your mother wants you to have lessons with the septa Rickon".
"I DON'T WANNA! I want to learn only about the old gods and how the north is, the south is stupid, they don't have magic, and Artorias has, he will be a hero and I want to be one too.". Rickon believed in every word he had spoken and his father gives a soft look at him followed by a proud smile.
Rickon was the only one besides Jon that showed interest in the old ways and the old gods only, but unlike Jon, the young boy had another choice since the Septa and his mother would never teach a bastard the faith of the seven and the Andals' customs.
His father looks at the knight as a sign for him to speak. Rickon could want to learn everything but the only one who can teach him was Artorias, not Ned Stark.
"No.". Said Artorias with a firm voice while shaking his head. "I already have a job to do, and taking in an apprentice would take too much of my time. Besides he's only three, he has to be at least five if I would teach him what I know.".
"You had no problem when you had asked me to teach Jon when we were alone with my Lady wife and master Luwin.". Said his father now furrowing his brow while an upside-down smile showed on his face.
"I had said that unlike your other children Jon wasn't tainted by a faith that repudiates magic, and he has more magic on his blood than the others. And as I remember you had forbidden me to teach him. Either you want all of your children to learn, or you just don't want Jon to learn. Which of the two is it lord Stark?".
Rickon sees his father open his mouth and close again many times before he closes his eyes and gives a deep sigh.
Ned Stark decides to take his son in his arms and walk away letting the knight back to his reading, Rickon tries to persuade him to let him stay but before he could speak any words after opening his mouth his father's movements cut him off.
"Lord Stark.". Artorias said making Rickon and his father look at him again after turning around. "I will be direct, it's what you man in the north like, so I will respect that. Secrets have a price, and whatever you are hiding you will regret. Here is my advice, make a decision and end this secret, fear of the consequences is not an excuse whatever they could be.".
"I don't know what you are talking about.". Rickon recognize that tone, his lord father always used with his lady mother whenever she tried to convince him to make Jon go away, and Rickon hated it because his mother always felt sad when he used that voice and his father would always have to use it because it was the only way for Jon to stay in Winterfell.
"Okay then, let me enlighten you." Said Artorias while picking one of the books, the knight was somehow making his father feel uncomfortable for Rickon could see his arms were shaking, but the young one thought it was just the cold.
"I've read about the Rebellion, can't say I agree with your friend Robert's motives to crown himself king while Rhaegar still had a son and a younger brother, but your motives I can agree with, Rhaegar kidnapped your sister and his father Aerys, the mad king, burned your father Rickard alive while you brother Brandon strangled himself to death trying to reach his sword and save him.". Artorias made a brief pause to catch his breath while Rickon presses his ears with his hands don't wanting to hear this scary story and just buries his face on his father's chest.
"But something is missing on this story. I don't know why, but among all of the great houses, House Stark is the only one that made me felt that there was something out of place." Artorias' words had made his father's face pale and Rickon was starting to get scared. "I don't know what it is Lord Stark, but every time I think about it I feel there is a piece missing when it comes to your house entire role in the rebellion, and the thing is, this piece is right in front of me, I know it is, but for some reason, I can't put it together, so what I want to tell you Lord Stark is this.
"I've been on this country for less than a moon and already noticed there is something not right about your role in the rebellion by just reading a book, how long until someone, someone who was there and fought on it, to read the same book as well and start using their heads?".
His father only nod to the knight and with a quick pace, he walked as fast as he could out of the godswood.
On that night Rickon couldn't sleep, his father didn't let Jon be trained by Artorias, why would he do that? Jon was a good warrior, every day when Rickon saw his half-brother spar with Robb he saw how much he was better with a sword, he never understood why Jon always let Robb win but Rickon could see that Jon had a better grasp on swordsmanship.
The boy deciding to know what was happening gets off his bed and out of his room going towards Jon's room. Rickon looks at the walls and paintings of the castle. Old nan said that Winterfell was built by Bran the builder more than 8,000 years ago and stood still to this day. The boy asks himself why not change after so much time had passed, the broken tower for obvious reason was a weakness of the castle, it could be exploited by the enemies.
Rickon thinks about the builder, when he had built Winterfell it was the strongest castle of its time, but now it is not the same time, would his ancestor like to see that his construct was still standing or angry because it was not improved.
Every time Rickon remember the time he and Bran played snowball against Jon and Robb he remembered that they always made a snow fort better than the last to stand a chance against their older brothers, and on master Luwin's lectures he learned that Winterfell was attacked many times on the past by the Boltons, so why his lord father and ancestors didn't improve Winterfell after each attack?
The same now goes for Jon and Rickon, they could become sorcerers, heroes, the best there are in the north and strengthen the realm, so why did his father had forbidden Jon to learn? Will his father forbid him as well?
Jon was a good brother, Rickon remember all the times he had a nightmare, and Jon had stayed with him or let him sleep in his room.
After reaching Jon's room Rickon knocks softly on the door three times and waits for Jon's response.
When Jon opens the door and sees his youngest sibling there he can't stop but make an ugly face, asking Rickon what happened and if he is okay.
Rickon nods his head, explaining that nothing is wrong, that he couldn't sleep and wanted to talk with him.
After letting him in Rickon notices once more how small Jon's room is, he never understood why his brother was bigger than him so why did his room was smaller than his own? Rickon's room had a lot of space for his toy and for him to run, but Jon's only had his bed, a closet for his clothes, a chest for his belongings, and a small desk and chair next to a fireplace.
"Why your room is so small Jon?". The was curiosity in his voice. After talking to the knight in the morning Rickon was more curious than normal three-year-old normally are, having even taken one book from Winterfell's library about the old way and asking Maester Luwin to teach him after refusing to take his lesson with the Septa like a wild animal when she tried to convince him.
"It's because I'm a bastard Rickon. Bastards don't have luxurious rooms." Rickon hears the sad voice of his brother and grabs his big hand with both of his, making him stop brooding and smile.
"You are a Stark, father always says that, he always says that you have his blood." He said before jumping into his older brother's neck and hugging him.
"Thank you, little brother. Thank you." Jon's voice was stumbling while spoken but Rickon paid no mind.
After a long hug, they both let if go of each other. Jon asks Rickon what did he wanted to talk about, and to his surprise, it was about Artorias.
He tells his older brother how his father had forbidden him to learn magic, and how Artorias had asked if it was just Jon that couldn't learn or just because he wanted all of them to learn.
Jon shakes his hand and starts to mess with Rickon's hair just like he does with Arya, he chuckles at it and Jon smiles when seeing his brother happy.
Jon puts Rickon on his lap and asks him to pay attention to what he is going to say. Jon explains to the boy that he can't learn magic if the trueborn can't too, since he was a bastard he couldn't learn or do something that his betters couldn't as it would make many look down on Robb as the firstborn would be considered weak by the men he would one day have to lead in battle. Because of that their father has forbidden him to learn, he didn't lie to his brother and say it was okay for him to nor learn magic, he was frustrated, all his life Jon wanted to prove he was more than a stain of his father's impeccable honor, and when the chance appears, a chance that would make him a powerful sorcerer and bring victory and strength to House Stark his father neglects it to him. It hurt him, Rickon frowns at his brother's words and puffs his cheeks until they are just as red as his Tully hair, Jon just laughs at him and tickles the young kid in the armpits until he stopped and laugh with him.
"It doesn't matter.". Said Rickon with a devilish voice and smile. "We will learn magic.".
Jon's brow wrinkles with his brother's words, he wasn't angry, but he knew that look for Robb had the same one when they would do something that was gonna get them a rebuke from their father.
"Come with me Jon, I have an idea.". Rickon said getting off his brother's lap and pushing him out of his bed with his tiny hands.
Jon felt like a giant rock who refused to move, he knew his brother was trying to make him give up but it wasn't working, Rickon was a wolf, and a wolf didn't give up once they set their eyes on their preys, as if agreeing with him Ghost and Shaggydog also started push Jon by biting his trouser and pulling him in the same direction the three-year-old was going.
Rickon wasn't Robb, just like their sister Arya he was a wild wolf and Jon doesn't take long to realize it, he just gives in and starts to follow his younger brother to the destination.
Jon asks Rickon where are they going already knowing the answer and his brother's answer was just the confirmation that he needed. They were going to the knight's room and asks him to train them in magic.
Rickon was giggling just imagining himself throwing lightning out of his hands just like Artorias and being reverenced and celebrated as one of the greatest heroes in the annals of history in the Seven Kingdoms.
When they arrived at their destination Rickon doesn't waste any seconds and barge into the knight's room too fast for Jon to catch him before he does so. After their uninvited entrance, Jon quickly grabs Rickon and holds him in his arms already apologizing to the knight.
What Rickon and his brother see in the next few moments makes them quiet as the animals in the forest when a predator is looking for prey, on Artorias hand was an oval white rock with a purple line and red dots in it. Rickon saw enough pictures in books to know what it was, it was a dragon egg, just like the ones the Targaryens had.
Rickon looks at his brother and just like him, he was stunned by what he is seeing.
Artorias without saying a world takes the rock and puts it into the small wooden box he has on the desk of his room, who such a big egg fitted into such a small box Rickon didn't know, but he had a guess, magic.
Rickon's mind was in complete turmoil, Artorias had a dragon egg, but only Targaryens had dragon eggs, but Artorias wasn't a Targaryen he swore in front of the heart tree, was it a lie? Had Artorias broken his promise?
Rickon's eyes started to tear up while weak sobs clash in his throat, his face was beginning to swollen while his lips were trying to pronounce only one word; liar.
Artorias just sighs laud to the two in front of him, he shakes his head but due to his helmet, his feelings and expressions were once again invisible to everyone.
"I'm just gonna say out of the blue, I'm not a Targaryen, and there is an explanation for the dragon egg. Please sit. I will tell you and pay attention, for I will not repeat myself.". His voice was tired, maybe it was because Rickon figure it out that he lied, or maybe it was because he had broken his promise to him.
Reluctant Rickon sits on Jon's lap to hear the knight's story, he really wanted to believe he wasn't lying but he had a dragon egg and only the Targaryens had them, and there was no other explanation to it.
Rickon shakes his head, just like Jon he decides to listen to Artorias and see what he had to say in his defense, and so he did, the whole knight he stood with his brother, listening to how Artorias was from another country, who he came to Westeros, how he had a dragon egg, and who gave it to him. At that moment Rickon didn't know what to think anymore, but he listened to every word, hoping that Artorias had not broken their promise.
Author's note: Ok, another chapter is done, just 2 more before the king's party arrival, next chapter we'll be back with Artorias and he will make a big discovery.
If you are wondering why Artorias acted different with Eddard compared to the last chapters in this one, remember, this was a POV of a three-year-old child, Artorias can see into the souls of people and now he also has knowledge of where he is and the people around him.
I'm also creating a poll, I will let you decide if Jon will be a Targaryen or a Blackfyre so you can interact more with the story, the poll will last until the next chapter where you will then decide what Jon's real name will be.
Thanks for reading, leave a review (please be polite if you didn't), follow and favorite if you want, and see you next time.
English is not my first language.