Red Lion Amongst the Direwolves
Magi X Game of Thrones
Crossover
OC
Summary: Megara was a slave before Muu Alexius freed her. Since she is too young to join the troops, she stays behind and train hard to become a great warrior. Her dream is to become a part of Muu's Household. Life is peaceful until a failed experiment blast her away to another world. Eddard Stark found her and took her in. Let's see how the game turns out with a Fanalis joining the fray...
Disclaimer: I do not own either of the series. Each of them belong to their respective creators
Warning: OCs, grammar errors, typos
CHAPTER 8
"Bran!" Lady Catelyn throw her arms around her son. Megara can hear her sobbing out of relief and happiness. "Thank the gods... Bran... Bran..." She looked over the intruder. He have passed out. And he stinks. Yuck.
"Mother, what happened...?" Bran asked weakly. He must be very confused right now. His direwolf is sniffing and licking his ear.
"It's all right, sweetling. You're safe now. You're safe. I'm here. I'm here..." Lady Catelyn sobbed.
Megara hears sound of footsteps heading towards them. Judging from the amount of steps, Robb brought people with him. Robb, Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik burst in with half of Winterfell guards. They all looked so lost at the scene before them. Lady Catelyn hugging Bran while Megara is pinning down the intruder. Robb is the first to recover. "Bran!" He hastily approach the bed. "Bran! You're awake!"
"Are any of you hurt?" Maester Luwin ask as Ser Rodrik grab the intruder.
"No, just him" Megara get off the man. "I didn't crack his skull though. Maybe."
Ser Rodrik looked at her strangely but didn't say anything. He ordered his men to carry the intruder to the cells. Maester Luwin is now checking up on Bran. His dire wolf stubbornly stay on the bed. Not that anyone would bother to shoo him right now. "How are you feeling Bran?" Maester Luwin ask Bran.
"Dizzy" Bran admitted. "And hungry."
"Tell the kitchen to prepare porridge, bread and water." Maester Luwin said to a guard. He nodded and left.
"Do you remember anything Bran?" Lady Catelyn asked urgently. "Anything?"
Bran thinks hard. "I-I remember falling... How did I-?"
"Megara caught you before you hit the ground," Lady Catelyn answered. Robb turn to look at Megara, surprised. He has yet to hear about it. "Do you remember who pushed you?"
Bran's face turn fearful. "Jaime Lannister..." Lady Catelyn take a deep breath hearing that. Robb looked troubled as well. "I saw him with the queen. They were doing something weird." While his brother looked puzzled, Megara exchange a knowing look with Lady Catelyn. "How long have I asleep?" He asks.
"More than a fortnight, my sweet," His mother answered. The look on Bran's face turn crestfallen. "Your father and sisters have left. Oh I'm so sorry Bran..." She pull him to another hug. A servant entered the room, bringing a tray of food for Bran. They drop to the conversation to let Bran eat. While Maester Luwin is watching Bran, Lady Catelyn pull Megara and Robb to the side. "You must not tell anyone about this yet. We must wait till we get our answers from that man." She look down on the dagger that is still in her hands. "Have Ser Rodrik take a closer look at this. Is Rickon all right?" Worry returned once again in he eyes.
"Yes, Mother. He is fast asleep in his bed, safe and sound. The fire is being put out as we speak," Robb answered.
"Good," Lady Catelyn sigh in relief. "Good." And then she doubled over.
...
Lady Catelyn have reached her limit. She sleep deeply for more than half a day. The lack of sleep have caught up to her. Nevertheless the entire castle is brightened by Bran's awaking. Rickon is overjoyed to have his brother back. Now they are playing in the yard, under the watchful eyes of Jory and several others. Megara entered Lady Catelyn's chambers bringing over her meal, with Robb, Theon, Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik. The lady sat up straighter in her bed.
"How is my son?" Lady Catelyn asked.
"He is well, my lady. He is playing with young Rickon at the moment. With their direwolves. Jory and several others looking after him," Maester Luwin answered. Lady Catelyn smiled at the news and start to eat. Hot bread, butter and honey and blackberry jam, a thin slice of baker and soft boiled egg, a wedge of cheese, a pot of mint tea. "Someone has tried to kill my son twice. Someone sent him. He kept muttering that I'm not supposed to be there. Who was he?"
"Says his name is Pete. My men have seen him here and about the castle, m'lady. He is certainly no man of Winterfell though. He is Lannister's." Ser Rodrik answered.
"He'd been hiding in the stables," Theon said. "You could smell it on him."
"We found where he's been sleeping," Robb said. "He had ninety silver stags in leather bag buried beneath the straws." He paused.
Ser Rodrik pull of a dagger, the dagger that the would be assassin had with him. "Did you notice the dagger?" He unsheathe it before them. "It's too fine a fine dagger for such a man. The blade is Varylian steel. The handle dragon bone. Someone gave it to him." Varylian steel? Maester Luwin told her that it's the rarest steel in this realm, supposedly made with magic and dragon fire. Lord Stark's sword is Varylian steel.
"Did he says which Lannister?" Megara asked. It could be the Kingslayer, the queen or the dwarf.
"No, he keep his mouth shut on that one"
"They come into our home and try to murder my brother," Robb said hotly. "If it's war they want-!"
"What? Is it going to be a battle in the godswood?" Maester Luwin comment. "Too easily words become axe of war." Robb looked abashed, ashamed of his rash words. "Lord Stark must be told of this."
"I don't trust a raven to carry these words," Lady Catelyn shook her head.
"I'll ride to King's Landing," Robb offered. Once again, Lady Catelyn shook her head.
"No. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. I will go myself. Megara," She looked up to the woman. "You will go first and tell my husband. They should be still in Kingsroad by now."
Robb, Theon and Ser Rodrik looked at her with wide eyes. "Megara? Why Megara?"
Lady Catelyn turn to face her and look straight into her eyes. "Megara have saved Bran's life. Twice. I am forever indebted to her. I put my absolute trust in her."
Megara found herself speechless with what she just heard, and touched. "I... I'll be honoured." Lady Catelyn smiled at her.
"I'll send Hall with a squad of guardsmen to escort you," Ser Rodrik said.
"No," Lady Catelyn sternly refuse. "A large party attracts unwelcome attention. I would not have the Lannisters know I am coming. After relaying the message, Megara will escort me." This doesn't bode well with everyone present except Maester Luwin. "Like I said just earlier, I trust her. Megara is strong. She defeated the assassin. We'll meet each other halfway."
"Let me accompany you at least," Ser Rodrik volunteered. "Kingsroad can be a dangerous place for women." At least Lady Catelyn nodded at that.
Theon is still incredulous with the idea. "Megara? Is she really is that strong? She's a girl! It's sheer luck that you three are unharmed!" Robb too, have a doubting look in his eyes. To lesser extent, Ser Rodrik as well. To Megara's surprise, Maester Luwin stare sharply at him.
"Let me show you then," Megara turn to Theon. "Ser Rodrik, can you please bring our friend Pete to the godswood? I think I know how to make him spit out which Lannister is truly responsible."
Albeit confused, Ser Rodrik did what she asked. Moments later they all gathered in the godswood, Ser Rodrik bringing Pete who is in chains. He flinched at the mere sight of her. Megara give the boys a look before walking towards Pete. He still stank of horses. The cells must be making it even worse. "You will tell me who hire you to kill Bran." Pete simply glares at her. She exchanged looks with Lady Catelyn and Maester Luwin. Megara step forward, grab Pete and toss him up to the air. His scream surprises the birds nearby as he gets higher and higher. Everyone's jaws drop except Lady Catelyn and Maester Luwin. His screams turn louder when gravity pull him back to earth. Megara effortly catch him before he hit the ground. She snort in disgust when his breeches turn dark. Gently she set him down on the ground. "Will you tell me who hire you? And why?" She asked kindly.
Cowering in fear, Pete have his eyes glued to the ground. "Prinshe Joffreh. He wanss meh to giff da boy merceh."
...
The knowledge that Prince Joffrey is the one who sent the assassin shook everyone. Megara is no exception. The crown prince is a sexist and over confident brat but even she is surprised at how vile he is. He and Bran never even talk so why would he want the younger boy dead? Mercy? Joffrey is rude and judgemental. She doubt that he even know the word mercy. Upon hearing the revelation, Robb continue to curse under his breath and mutter threats. No one reprimand him this time. Everyone is shocked. Lady Catelyn looked particularly disturbed.
On lesser note, Maester Luwin have filled in the other three about her abilities. They were unbelieving at first but after another demonstration (jumping around with Ser Rodrik sitting on her shoulders), they come to accept it. Theon would look at her with more interest now (the display of her bare legs during demonstration may contribute as well). They are now sitting by the windows, watching Bran and Rickon playing. Ser Rodrik is preparing supplies for Megara for her journey ahead. Lady Catelyn is cleaning up.
"So when will you tell us about... This?" Robb gestures to her.
"The opportunity never came up." Megara shrugs "I've told your parents and Maester Luwin weeks ago. I thought you will want to hear it from them first."
"So all... Fanalis are as strong as you?" Theon asked.
"That depends actually. The older ones are definitely stronger but there's also the half Fanalis. People with a Fanalis and a normal person as their parents. They are considerably weaker than the purebloods but still stronger than normal people. I'm a pureblood. Most Fanalis who were once slaves are pureblood. Many halfblood I know are too young to join the military though. Doesn't mean that they are not as destructive as the purebloods. My big brother is the leader of all Fanalis in our kingdom. He is a halfblood. I dare say he's a greater swordsman than the Kingsguard."
Neither of them said anything. Maybe they see the truth of that. Imagine how deadly Fanalis can be when you give them a sword. Most of them don't bother because they already have their impressive physical prowess. Some doesn't like it because how easy it is for the sword to slip from their hands. Big Bro Muu might be an exception but Megara observe that Fanalis prefers bigger and heavier swords. Maybe Megara should try her hands on swordsmanship, see how far she can go.
"No wonder you get along so well with Arya," Robb mused. "You two are so much alike. She would be delighted to hear your story." He broke out to a grin "Remind me to never make you angry." Megara grins back.
"Megara!" Ser Rodrik called out for her from the yard.
She looked at the boys. "Time for me to go"
They all gathered once more, this time in front of the gate. Ser Rodrik handed her a cloak and a large leather bag filled with map, food, clothes, water skin and so on. Lady Catelyn and Ser Rodrik will depart in a few days. They are waiting for her to recover first. They all blink when Lady Catelyn handed her the Varylian dagger.
"Show this to my husband. Tell him to talk to the king. Ask him what he knows about it." She said urgently. "Warn him. Tell him to watch out for our girls."
"I will, my lady" Megara salute her, Reim's salute. "Now if there aren't anything else..." She pull her shoes and set them on the ground. "I'll be going then" Megara pull up her skirts and tie them. She can clearly hear their gasps when she leap forward, already tens of foot from them. Dust trailing behind her at every step she take. She can't help but grin.
She is finally able to use her power without hiding.
It took everything in Ned's power for him not to yell. Red eyes looking down at him, watching him on his bed. He almost grab his sword when he notice the linings around their eyes, the red hair peeking out from their hood, the size of them person. It is Megara. She curtsey before him.
"Pardon my intrusion, my lord. Your wife have sent me here. I bring you news from Winterfell, along with her message," Her face is dirty and her feet even more so. How long have she been travelling? They've been on the road for almost a fortnight. Then Ned remembers her Fanalis strength. For her to catch up to them this fast... The sun is barely up, judging from the lack of light outside his tent. Heck, it might even still the hour of the wolf. "Do you want to be dressed first?" She tilted her head to the side. Ned remember that he is only wearing his breeches. The child turn around, giving him time to grab his robes. "No spies. I've checked."
Ned sit on his cot while Megara sit on a stool. "Bran has awakened," She started. He take a deep breath, relief filled his being. "Someone tried to kill him though." And the relief is gone now. "He's just a dirty little man, following the king's party. He said he was supposed to give Bran mercy, putting him out of his misery. They payed him 90 silver stags to do the deed. They gave him this," She pull out a dagger from inside her cloak. "Varylian steel Ser Rodrik said. We're looking for someone very rich." Ned grab the dagger, meaning to inspect it. The audible sharpness when he half unsheathe it is just like when he pull out Ice from its scabbard. No doubt that it's Varylian steel.
"Do you mean the...?" Ned didn't continue. But they both know he mean the Lannisters.
"Not them. Well, you could say he is one of them but no, it have nothing to do with what Bran saw in that tower."
Ned is thoroughly confused. "Explain"
Megara looked behind her shoulder, to the entrance of the tent. In the dim light, Ned can somehow see her nose moving. She's sniffing the air to make sure no one is near. When she is satisfied, she beckon him to bend down a bit. Ned did, leaning towards her. She bring her mouth closer to his ear. "It was Prince Joffrey." His blood went cold hearing those words. Megara looked as troubled as he is. "Lady Catelyn urge you to show His Grace this dagger, see if he knows anything about it. Without the Lannisters know, of course. She also wants you to keep a closer eye on Sansa and Arya. Lady Catelyn and Ser Rodrik are on their way to King's Landing as we speak. She wants to meet you in person. She don't trust the raven to send word to you. Hence why I'm here."
Ned take a deep breath but found that it can't calm him down. The revelation that the crown prince sent an assassin after his son is too... That's it. He must tell Robert that the betrothal cannot go on. But he need an excuse first... Ned looked down at the dagger in his hands. This dagger is meant to take Bran's life... If they didn't stop the assassin... He shudders at the mere thought. He sheathe it.
"My wife is on her way here?" He rubbed his temple, a headache forming.
Megara nodded. "With Ser Rodrik. Lady Catelyn said a large party attract too many attention. I figured they will board a ship at White Harbour first and then reach Riverlands. I'm going to stay with you for a few days. Don't worry I'm good at hiding. You won't notice I'm here at all. Except when I steal your food."
"...I'll bring you food," Ned said. Megara smile brightly at that. "Where are you going to sleep?" The child simply smiled at him and curtsies, before leaving the tent. Ned sighed once more. His drowsiness has completely gone. He take one more look at the Varylian dagger before put it in his trunk. Alyn entered his tent at the very moment he close the lid.
"Pardon my lord. The king summoned you to ride with him," He told him. Ned rubbed his temple. "He is already mounted and waiting for you" He can't deny the king. But this is a perfect opportunity to ask Robert about the dagger. Alyn stepped out of the tent to let him get dressed. Ned slipped the dagger inside his cloak. When he step out from the tend, Ned found Robert already mounted on his black destrier. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn waited behind him with a dozen guardsmen. One of his men brought him his horse.
Robert set the pace, driving his horse hard, with Ned galloped along beside him, trying to keep up. They soon left the Kingsroad and took off to the rolling plains. By then the guard have fallen back a small distance, safe out of earshot. Dawn broke when the king finally pulled up. They were miles from the party. Ned wonder if Megara is not far from them at the moment. If she can catch up to them from Winterfell in just a few days, what's a few miles for her? The stewards set up a table and chairs for them, as well bringing out food for their breakfast. A basket full of fruits, cheese, bread, stripes of bacon and a pitcher of ale. Ned sat down first as Robert went to take a leak.
"Gods! This is country!" Robert happily said as he return. "I've half a mind to leave them all behind and keep going."
"I've half a mind to go with you," Ned slightly smiled.
His friend laughed "What do you say? Just you and me on the Kingsroad, swords on our sides, a couple of tavern wenches to warm out beds tonight."
"Would that we could," Ned said. "But we have duties now, my liege."
"There were wars to fight, women to marry... We never had the chance to be young," Robert grab a fruit.
Ned stroke his chin. "I recall a few chances."
This earn him a laugh from Robert. "That was that one. What was her name? That common girl of yours? Becca with the great big tits that you could bury your face in."
"Bessie," Ned corrected him. "She's one of yours."
Robert grinned. "Bessie! Thank the gods for Bessie! And her tits! Yours was... Aleena? No. You told me once. Er... Meryl? Your bastard's mother?"
"Wylla," Ned answered him cooly.
"That's it. She must have been a rare wench to make Lord Eddard Stark forget his honour. You never told me what she looked like."
"Nor will I," He looked to the side.
Robert's gaze softened. "We were at war. None of us knew if we're gonna go back home again. You're too hard on yourself. You always have been. I swear if I weren't your king, you'd have me hit already."
"The worst thing about your coronation, I'll never get to hit you again," Ned said.
"Trust me, that's not the worst thing" The king pull out a piece of paper. "There was a rider in the night."
Ned unfold it and read it over. "Daenerys Targaryen has wed some Dohtraki horse lord. What of it? Do we send her a wedding gift?"
"A knife perhaps, a good, sharp one," Robert pick up his mug, "and a bold man to wield it." Ned is not surprised. Robert's hatred for the Targaryens is his madness.
"She's a little more than a child." Daenerys Targaryen should be around Robb's age this year.
Robert's words is dripped with hatred "Soon enough that child will spread her legs and start breeding."
"Tell me we're not speaking of this," Ned hold his temper.
"Oh, so it's unspeakable to you? What her father did to your family, that was unspeakable. What Rhaegar Targaryen did to your sister, the woman I loved. I'll kill every Targaryen I get my hands on." The king said angrily.
Ned knew better than to defy him when he is angry. "But you can't get your hands on this one, can you?"
"This Khal Drogo," Robert grimaced, "it's said he has 100,000 men in his horde."
"Even a million Dohtraki are no threat to the realm, as long as they remain on the other side of the Narrow Sea." Ned replied calmly. "They have no ships, Robert."
"There are still those in the Seven Kingdoms that call me usurper. If the Targaryen boy crosses the Narrow Sea with a Dohtraki horde on his back, the scum will join him."
"He will not cross," Ned promised him. "And if by chance he does, we'll throw him back to the sea." He can imagine Megara easily flung Viserys Targaryen to the sea like a child would throw a small rock to the river.
Robert is quite for a moment, taking a gulp from his cup. "There's a war coming, Ned" He finally said. "I don't know when, I don't know who we'll be fighting, but it's coming." He said with certainty. Both fell silent afterwards, only the sound of Robert drinking can be heard. Ned suddenly remembered the dagger in his cloak. Wordlessly he pull it out. Robert look at the dagger "Where did you get that?"
"It was mixed up amongst our weapon storage back in Winterfell," Ned lied. "We have no Varylian other than Ice so I figured this belong to you. How did it got there, I don't know." He put it on the table for Robert to take it. "Handsome dagger"
Robert laughed heartily, his anger vaporised just as quickly as it came. "Won it from Littlefinger. We bet it during one of my tourneys. Jaime Lannister against the Tyrell boy, Loras. I bet on the boy. You should have seen the look on Cersei's face when her bother fell from his horse! By a boy!" Robert continue to laugh. "Gods, I almost forgot I have this dagger." He rubbed his belly.
Littlefinger? Ned narrowed his eyes. Catelyn told him about that man. How he fought against his brother Brandon when they first got betrothed. But he don't have anything to do with the assassination attempt on Bran right? The dagger might have been formerly his but it was Prince Joffrey who pick it... But why would the prince want to kill his son, other than to give him 'mercy'? Whatever his reason is, Ned can't let his daughter marry that boy. But he can't just tell Robert that without a cause. His friend will get suspicion. And now that he is king, Robert will be offended.
He need to break the betrothal soon but how?
Many people suspect it was actually Joffrey who hired the assassin. The theory is he heard Robert's comment of putting Bran out of misery (killing him) and in a twisted kind of way, want to do just that in order to get his father's affection. Joffrey pick his 'father's' Varylian dagger and gave it to the assassin. Symbolism I suppose? Talk about disturbing.
Pete is a random name I pick. His speech is a little weird because he's missing several teeth thanks to Megara.
In the flashbacks, Masrur is using heavy sword when he was a slave. Muu's sword is also pretty big/long. He is taller than normal men. Possible aversion is Kouha. His sword is as tall as he. He's not a Fanalis though. Anyways, I figured Fanalis will need weapon that can keep up with their sheer power.
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