273 AC

Chapter VIII

The Wildlings of the Vale

Robert

Out of everything Robert Baratheon had experienced, the trek to remote portions of the Mountains of the Moon made him understand why the Vale Mountain Clansman lived the way that they did. They were still brutal savages, devoid of any ideals, courtesy, and decency. Not that Robert thought any less of the people who lived as such. It was not a grudge against the mountain clansman that made Robert accompany Ser Ronnel with Lord Jon's permission. He and Ned would be his primary squires during the engagement against the clansman. Robert was much too eager to experience battle. Eager to prove himself and eager to engage in the song of swords.

He had not expected the proceedings before the battle to be so dull, however. The retinue had made their main camp in a wooded area, next to the horde that had made camp after they descended the mountains. Ser Ronnel and the Eyrie's retinue arrived just in time to cut them off before they could arrive at the Vale proper, and threatened their presumed destination: Gulltown. The Black Ears and the Moon Brothers prepared themselves for the battle to come in their own way. Whatever it was, Robert was certain it was more exciting than preparing Ser Ronnel's plate and kit. At least, he had Ned by his side to help, though it did not reduce the tedium.

"Gods, Ned, who thought when we'd volunteered to serve as Ser Ronnel's squires that we'd be doing the same tedious armor repairs for him as we did Lord Arryn?" Robert complained loudly. Perhaps the entire camp could hear his complaints. Though they had the privacy of Ser Ronnel's main tent to try to block out his sonorous voice.

"I didn't volunteer for this, Robert. You volunteered for both of us." Ned corrected him as he finished polishing the metal on Ser Ronnel's shield.

"I didn't know we'd be doing the same thing we were doing in the Eyrie. Only difference is we are polishing a different Arryn's armor under a different mountain."

"We were technically on top of the Giant's Lance in the Eyrie." Robert gave his friend a slight frown, while his friend gave a hint of a smile. And now Ned was cracking jokes, Gods, what other world was I living in for this to happen? "Look on the positive side, at least Sharra won't have you bothering her every few seconds."

"I do not bother her, Ned. I believe she enjoys my company," Robert says triumphantly. Robert was sure of this statement. He couldn't be bothering her. Could he? Ned just nodded while he finished hammering out a few dents in Ser Ronnel's plate cuirass. Robert had put his strength to use, as he sharpened Ser Ronnel's longsword manually with a whetstone.

"I meant it only in jest friend, It's good you are attempting to at least find out more about her, rather than just treating her like a city to be conquered," Robert sighed. He knew he was already notorious with squires and ladies in the Eyrie for having already slept with some wench during their visit to Gulltown. He had twelve name days then, and already had a few other conquests just a year after the fact.

"I'm surprised Sharra even considered me an option for marriage. I thought for sure she would make judgement upon me for my already experienced nature," Robert stated working the whetstone more.

"Sharra is the last girl I would think of that would judge people on a whim," Ned mused hanging up the finished plate set, "She's a nice girl. Though I do admit she locks herself in the library far too often."

"You of all people would know about being shy Ned. Sometimes I wonder if there's a wolf underneath that skin of yours anyway," Robert jested. The two continued exchanging talk, but the topic shifted from Sharra to the more pressing concerns at hand.

"Do you think we'll even get to participate in the battle, Ned?"

"I'm not sure, we are both young. If we participate in the battle it might be a more supporting role. I'm sure when the Graftons arrive with Gulltown's men, we will know about our role in the coming battle," Ned shrugged. Robert had forgotten about the reinforcements from Gulltown. It was unexpected given the relations between the Graftons and the Arryns. It was much like the relationship between his own house and House Connington. They were not in open feud, but relations were certainly not friendly.

"We are outsiders to most of these people, perhaps they won't even trust us to fight." Robert said, stating his fears. Most of the people in the war camp were Valemen, even the female camp followers. Given that the retinue was from the Eyrie, Robert would be surprised if they were not. There were other nobles including Ser Damon Shett, who had arrived earlier with a forward party from Gull Tower. This was how they knew Gulltown would be helping, and Ser Ronnel delayed their assault to wait for their reinforcements. Although, he was hesitant as the horde would only grow larger as the time passed.

Suddenly, the tent flap opened and an armored man entered. He had a burning tower blazoned across his surcoat with a longsword at his hip. He had black hair, looked relatively young, and was surprisingly gaunt for his age.

"Have any of you seen Ser Ronnel?" The gaunt man asked. Robert didn't want to answer him wrongly, but luckily and much to Robert's surprise Ned did for him.

"I believe he was inspecting the horses this morning," There was truth to what Ned said. Ser Ronnel had to tell them to make his armor battle ready, as he would have to inspect the horses that the cavalry would be using for the battle against the mountain folk.

"Can one of you deliver a message for him then?" Ned nodded at the man, as Robert continued to ignore focusing on the last few strokes of the whetstone before the longsword was the sharpest it could become, "Tell him Ser Sylas Grafton has arrived with Gulltowns man and we are ready for battle when he is."

"Is that all, Ser?" The knight nodded and immediately exited the tent.

"I will go find Ser Ronnel. It looks like battle is upon us soon," said Ned, bidding farewell to his friend. This left Robert alone with just Ser Ronnels armor and sword to keep him company. Of course there was also other furniture in the knights tent, but he was not in it right now.

Ned had barely left when Robert finished sharpening the sword. As there was nothing left to do, much to Robert's relief, he drifted off in his thoughts. For some reason, this idleness reminded him of Sharra. A lot of things reminded him of Sharra, now, though he couldn't really put a finger on that feeling. He closed his eyes and drifted off a little bit.

Suddenly, he was back in the Eyrie, no he was in Eyrie's library. The same one with so many books it would make his head swim. He wondered how he got there, he was in a camp preparing for battle the last time he remembered. He didn't know why he was here.

"Oh, you finally woke up Robert," he heard someone say. Her voice was familiar. Soft and sweet. He turned to it and saw her. She was in the plain blue dress she usually wore around in the Eyrie. He looked at him with those unique indigo eyes that Robert could have sworn only the Targaryens had. Her blond hair was messy, like she had not even paid attention or cared enough to fix it. Sharra didn't need to make an effort to hold his attention, however. She certainly had blossomed since he met her a few years ago.

"How long did I sleep?" He said, though it was like he had no control over it. He was in his body, but couldn't control whatever he was doing. It was certainly strange even for Robert.

"I'm not sure, but I did finish a few more sections of the book when your eyes closed," Robert tried to look around, but the feeling of not being able to control himself held him back from his own will.

"What are you reading about?" He asked.

"We were reading about the Stormlands or at least a chronicle of the Storm Kings. However, while we were sharing the book you fell asleep. I thought it best not to bother you," Suddenly, Robert had a realization in his mind. This was a memory. He had this conversation with Sharra a couple of moons ago. When he offered to read with her in the library, but like all the times he offered to do so, he would fall asleep.

"You are more fascinated about my house than I am, it seems," Robert declared.

"The history of your house is very fascinating. Especially the chronicle of the Last Storm. Your ancestor Orys fought Argilac the Arrogant in single combat and slew him," She stated with much excitement in her voice, "Not to mention the stories of your ancestral castle Storm's End, where he stopped even the Gods from taking his true love away from him."

"You mean the game we played as a child was actually real? The same one where we locked ourselves in a large dresser, pretended it was Storm's End, while Ned and Elbert would rock it?"

"According to legend, yes. Though I would certainly like to see the actual castle of Storm's End. I fear we might not fit in a dresser, especially since we are much older now."

"You know, when I visit and your father permits, I can take you there. Though I don't know why you would want to see a giant drum in the Stormlands," Robert suggested. Though now that he thought about it, it seemed less pleasing. He had nothing against his younger brother, but Stannis wasn't exactly the greatest entertainer.

"An excellent suggestion," Sharra replied with a twinkle in her eye. Although it did take Robert a while to lure her out of her shell, Sharra certainly grew on him. He had to admit, her newly found womanly features did aid him in his desire to talk to her more. One had to be blind to not see that Sharra, though still fourteen, was indeed fair. But this was one of the first times Robert noticed there might be more to his new found interest in her than he originally thought.

"My Lord?" he heard another voice say. It wasn't from Sharra, but it was another. The Eyrie became less focused and before long he opened his eyes again. Now there were some camp followers inside Ser Ronnel's tent, all of them female.

"Yes?" Robert asked. One of the followers was twirling her hair and giving him certain knowing glances. She looked fair enough for him, and besides there was down time, so he might pay her a visit later.

"We have been asked to drop off some of Ser Ronnel's gear that had been at the blacksmiths," one of them said

"Do you know..." Robert began. The tent flap opened and then revealed Ned.

"Indeed, thank you for dropping it off." The ladies curtsied to Ned and left the tent. The one Robert had focused on, looked back at him as they left the tent. Ned rolled his eyes and then turned his attention to Robert.

"We're asked to get into mail, Robert. The horde appears to be making movement and has noticed our presence. Ser Ronnel says we meet them as they emerge from the woods," Robert had a smile on his face, and it even made him forget about the camp followers. He would be fighting soon, and get his chance. No sooner did he get up from where he had dozed off, he began to try to find where his mail had been wandered off to. He hoped he would get to fight in the action and not just the supporting role that Ned had suggested.


It was the late afternoon when they reached the positions they would occupy during the battle. The main infantry line was composed of mostly men-at-arms armed with mixed weaponry. Mostly swords, axes and some spears. Ser Ronnel converted most of the pikemen that were mustered to these men at arms. Robert supposed the knight anticipated the clansman would field no cavalry, They were what he called 'wildlings' after all. They stood far from the cavalry, but not far enough to not be within sight.

Robert, Ned and the other squires under the service of the other knights participating in the battle would ride with the light cavalry. While they stood next to the heavy cavalry vanguard, Robert anticipated they would be used for riding down fleeing opponents rather than the typical skirmishing light cavalry had been used for. Besides Robert and Ned, those who rode in the light cavalry composed of older squires, freeriders, and other seasoned riders.

"Look alive, boys. Our guests have arrived," Ser Damon Shett, the one leading the light cavalry commanded. From the wooded area directly in front of the infantry, a makeshift line of clansmen emerged from the woods. Robert could have sworn they had a bestial side to them, even from his vantage point from on his horse. They all wore mismatched armor from what he could see, with a medley for different weapons including spears, swords, scythes and even cleavers used to chop meat. There were indeed a lot of them as they looked like a sea of men as they crossed the treeline.

"Archers!" He could hear one of the commanders from the main frontline sound off. Robert could see the main line infantry begin to shift as the archers stepped forth. The clansman continued to advance, hurling abuse and warlike grunts towards the Valemen, "Aim!" Robert could feel something stir in him at this point. He hadn't felt it ever before in his life. It was like he was invigorated. Like he could run straight into the eye of a storm. Strange, they hadn't even charged into battle yet, and Robert felt like he could wrestle a dragon.

"Loose!" A hail of arrows headed towards the mountain clansman. When they arrived, Robert could see some of the clansmen fall to the ground. Some dropped dead, some trying to pull out arrows from their bodies, others were able to block the arrows with whatever they had for shielding. Still undeterred, the clansmen pressed their lines harder. They ran through volley after volley of arrows. With some of the fire tipped arrows, Robert could swear the main battlefield had turned into the field of fire.

Eventually, the mass of them that survived the barrage collided with the shields of the Vale infantry. The battle cries of men of both sides echoed throughout the battlefield. The clash of metal made for a fine accompaniment to their voices as the battle raged on. Robert could see Ser Damon and not far away Ser Ronnel from the heavy cavalry vanguard observing the action with keen interest.

The battle continued to rage as Robert sat on his horse. A feeling of impatience replaced it as he knew the battle had been going for some time. Ned looked at him with a look of understanding, but Robert knew Ned wasn't eager to ride into battle anyway. He was content to see the mountain clansmen ripped apart, while they watched from a safe distance. Gods, if we even get to charge, I will ride down the first person I see others be damned.

He could see that all of the mountain clansmen, who would join the battle, were there now. There were no longer any making their way out of the woods. Surprisingly, despite the horde's large number, the frontline had been pushed back slightly, but were holding. They had absorbed all the pressure from the first push and had even begun to drive them back. There were more fallen clansmen than there were fallen Valemen on the battlefield. There were visible cracks in the line of the clansman.

The sound of a horn finally filled the air. Ser Damon nodded towards all light cavalry. Robert's heart began racing. This was it. After all the damned waiting, he would finally enter the battle. Though he was a boy of thirteen, he was no less eager than the seasoned men that were fighting alongside him on this day.

"On me!" Ser Damon ordered the light cavalry. Since they were not on plates, they would require speed and shock. Robert tode ahead of Ser Damon much to some of the riders dismay. He had at least a couple yards separation from the riders behind him, but he rode hard anyway towards the exposed flank of the clansmen line. Seven hells I won't sit back any longer. A storm is coming to the battlefield.

The action got closer and closer to Robert's field of view. It was odd to see the Valemen front line right in front of him, as they were a flanking force. It gave Robert more of the perspective of the Black Ears or whatever their clan name was. They were brave brutes, charging into that. The shields with the sigils of House Arryn, Grafton and other noble houses looked like an impenetrable metal wall. They still charged them, however, battering it hoping to break through. Some of them turned to Robert and the light cavalry approaching them, realizing what was happening. One even turned to Robert and raised his shield as he charged towards him.

His death was swift as Robert cut down the lightly armored clansman. His hard speed gave his shield no chance to cushion the impact of his sword. It broke the sorry excuse for a shield he had in two and immediately allowed his sword to cut into his neck. The full shock of the light cavalry battered the flanked mountain clansman as they crashed into them. Left and right Robert slashed his sword at those beneath him. They feebly attempted to defend themselves, which was admirable, but Robert's swords ended their attempts at resistance. He was so engrossed in his portion of the battle he did not notice Ned or any of his other comrades.

He did notice one thing. Like a gate, the shields of the men at arms parted. It made way for the heavy cavalry vanguard that hit the already breaking clansmen frontline. Before long, the clansman reeled back and began to shatter. The cheers of the valemen filled the air as they knew victory against them was at hand.

Before Robert could join in any of the cheers, he was unceremoniously tossed from his horse. He hit the ground hard, knocking all of the wind out of him. Robert made sure to hold on to his sword. He didn't know why, but it seemed easy to get up, like nothing had even happened.

"You're a big bugger aren't you?" Someone said from behind him. Robert turned on him sword at the ready. The man stood with a spear in hand, he was clad in boiled leathers and what looked like a cloth cap instead of a helm.

"Need help with this one Ajax?" Another voice asked. He turned and saw another vale clansman, this one clad in the same garb as the other. From what it looked like, Robert could tell he had mail, though it was in bad condition. His sword was too as he pointed it at him. Robert paced back to make sure both men were in front of him. He knew he always had to protect his own flank.

"We aren't going to run like our other brethren eh, Getorax?" The other one nodded. The noise of the battle still raged on from around Robert. He had his sword at the ready, as the other man lunged from his left. He wasn't going to let them push him around, even if it was a numerical disadvantage.

Robert felt it would be easier if he focused on one and took him out. So he drove his shoulder straight into the man as he lunged at him. Surprised, the man with the sword stumbled back. Robert with all his power gave him a straight chop with his sword. His sword buried into his shoulder, as he made sure to target a portion of his mail that looked in the worst shape.

Robert felt a pain at his side as he saw the other one had poked through some of his mail with his spear. Robert gritted his teeth and with his elbow snapped the spear into two. Beating back the pain he pulled the spear right out of his side, as blood trickled out of the exit wound. He took a brief moment to feel how deep it went by feeling his side. It wasn't deep as the mail had stopped it from going in past the spear point.

Robert gave his neck a crack and unleashed a flurry of blows towards the man that had wounded him. He had forgotten about the pain and just punished the man till he knelt before him. He buried his sword in his chest as he watched life escape from his eyes.

"Should've just ran with the rest of them," Robert taunted. It was the first time had seen a man's life escape him by his own hand. He wondered what world he left behind as he breathed his last. Were the two men brothers, comrades? They knew each other by name from what they said. As the clansman ran from around him, almost all had dropped their weapons and ran. Cheers from the valemen now filled the battlefield. Though it was certainly easier than what Robert had expected, he picked up a reminder of the battle with the wound in his left side. Robert went back to where he had thrown the broken spear and found the broken spear point caked with his own blood. He placed it in his small pack, placing it as the reminder of his first battle. Then it hit Robert that he had just made his first kills as a boy of thirteen. And many more will follow if I live the life I want to lead.


Stragglers were captured, most likely to be kept in Gulltown to await whatever fate they would receive. Robert had rejoined Ned, who he had lost track of during the battle. His side had stopped bleeding, though he would get it looked over by the field surgeons when they got back to the camp later. For now, Ser Damon had tasked them to help salvage whatever could be salvaged from the fallen. He also talked about his actions in the battle and how it was reckless to charge forward. But Ser Damon put his hand on his shoulder and told him that he hadn't seen such bravado from someone so young. Though if he didnt want an early death, Ser Damon reminded him to use that bravado in a more controlled means. Robert nodded, but didn't really take the advice to heart. He would always run towards his problems head on. There was no need to calculate anything if you could just batter the problem ahead.

"I thought I'd never see you alive after you broke away like that," Ned remarked. Robert laughed.

"It would take an entire army to bring me down, Ned. I thought you'd know that by now." Robert picked up one of the swords that he thought could still be useful. Like he thought much of the bodies they had come across were from the Black Ears and the Moon Brothers. It was a harsh reminder that those lying there would never return to their families. Such was war in Robert's mind, those men knew what they were going into when they charged into battle against them.

"I tried my hardest to stay away from the thick of the fighting. I had to cut down one of them as they tried to unhorse me, however. I'm sure you got more than one today," Robert nodded at his friend's question. They were both relatively young when they got their first kill. He compared this to one of his friends, that he was in constant correspondence with Jonos. He probably hadn't killed any one yet and he was a year his senior. But he got to spend his days in the Riverlands in tourneys and spectacles unlike Robert and Ned. But such were the cards that they were dealt and Robert knew he'd rather not have it any other way.

"I had many firsts today, friend. Though I thought it ended abruptly for my liking," Robert mused.

"You'd rather every waking moment be spent in battle, Robert, I unfortunately don't share your appetite for it. War seems to be a difficult business," Ned explained, adding another sword, bracer, and even a shield to the handcart where all equipment was placed. He thought about the men and even some women they had slain on the battlefield. It got him thinking about who would miss him if he was just lying there. Of course he thought his family, like his father and mother, would remember him even if he went out in battle. Even his brother Stannis, though he was less convinced about that. Then he thought of his friends, and strangely Sharra seemed to be on the forefront of this. Would she care if I didn't return to the Eyrie after this skirmish. Of course, that was all hearsay at this point, he would be returning to the Eyrie regardless.

Their conversation was interrupted by Ser Ronnel and some of his retainers riding with him. He was also accompanied by his son, Elbert who had been close to both Robert and Ned. He nodded to them as they put a halt to their scavenging.

"I heard you two performed well from Ser Damon. I'm glad I trusted you two in the fighting. Jon had asked me to put you to the test with some minor action, and you certainly impressed," Ser Ronnel congratulated the two of them.

"Thank you, Ser," Robert responded.

"Well, it's the waning moments of dusk and it will soon be too dark to continue scavenging. Best get your wounds treated as we break camp to return to the Eyrie as soon as first light. One again, good work," with that Ser Ronnel rode off on his horse with his retainers. Ned had started back towards the camp and Robert began to push the hand cart following him. However, something caught his eye.

"Hold on for a moment, Ned. I'm going to check something out," he announced. In the hand of one of the fallen clansmen was an amulet. The gemstone it was made of showed many colours making it pleasing to the eye. Robert wondered why the fallen clansmen had clutched it in his hands for his final moments. It would be interesting to give to Sharra when I returned.

Sharra loved things with a story and curious things like this gemstone. Robert put it in his pack with the spearhead he had decided to keep. He rejoined Ned pushing the handcart.

And certainly as the two made their way back to the camp, they would set off for the Eyrie at first light. The threat of the mountain clansmen have been dealt with, and while certainly they weren't as big a threat as they once were the people of Gulltown would be pleased to know that battle hungry clansmen would no longer attempt to cross Vale proper, ravaging the area along the way, to pillage their homes. Along with it, Robert would return to Eyrie with stories to tell. He had experienced his first steps into his role as a warrior, and learned valuable experiences from it. The stag had charged into battle and come out relatively unscathed. He fought hard under the watchful eyes of the Mountains that towered over him. Would he become like them? Tall, strong, and enduring as only the mountains themselves could stand.


A/N: Greetings hope you all had a good week! This chapter is the first and not the last time we will hear of Robert Baratheon. I know he was thirteen, but squires during these times were required to do fighting as some of them were even older than some knights. It also fits his character of this rough and tumble action man that is needed for the portrayal of Robert's character. I hope you enjoy the action set piece, as we will go to a three-part tournament arc next. I also apologize if it seems less polished as I was out of commission for two days this week and didnt want to delay anyhting, so I only had time to do two drafts of the chapter.

The next three chapters will be during the anniversary tournament in 273 AC. The next chapter will be Darnold's POV and his first one of the story. It the first time he gets to interact with his brother in quite some time and hope you enjoy the dynamic I have planned with Jonos and Darnold. After that chapter will be Jonos and finally the three part tournament arc will end with Sharra. The tournament arc will wrap up 273 and move us into 274 ever closer to year of False Spring, a very pivotal year in the story.

Thank you all for helping the story reach of 50 follows, I know its not a lot, but I was not expecting my return story to get a decent reaction. Sorry if the story kind of drags, as I am very slow in pacing, but if you stick around I promise it will pay off. Until then see you guys on Monday for Darnold's chapter. Also keep an eye of out for a side project I have been working on, as it was a request that I received. It should come out within the next two weeks, hopefully.