The Prince in the North
Chapter 5 – A Hunt and Fall
By Jamnaz79
Beta: OlorinTheMaiar
Note: I do not own Harry Potter, Game of Thrones (Song of Fire and Ice) or anything associated with it. I can say that I would never be able to write a masterpiece like Mr. Martin does and I hope you forgive my horrible try. I also do not own the Song of Fire and Ice, Game of Thrones or anything else associated with it. I do not own Robert Jordan's wheel of time. I also make no money off of this writing. God help the person that would pay me to write as my stories are not close to being good enough to deserve to be paid for it. Then again I hope I don't do a chapter every 5 years like Mr. Martin too. But, the books are always worth the wait!
When Benjen finished reading silence settled over the chamber. The old man didn't move a muscle; he simply stared out of the window. After a few minutes of this silence and realizing that the ancient man wouldn't speak, Benjen carefully folded up the letter and placed it in the hands of the old man. Only then did the ancient man move and that was to wrap his fingertips around the letter carefully.
It was only after the Ranger had left the room and his footsteps long faded down the stone steps that Aemon Targaryen son of Maekar I allowed tears to run down his cheeks. He whispered softly to the wind, "Please gods the North, South, Seven, whomever, protect the foolish boy. Fire and Blood…"
~~~ PitN ~~~
Ned Stark left the bed and his naked wife to stand before the window. The room was the hottest in all of Winterfell with the warm springs running through the walls to pour their heat into the chamber. Despite the years his wife still loved the heat from the south, but not him, he was of the North. For this reason the man sought the cool night air which he had always found pleasant on his skin.
Despite the energies exhausted and enjoyment that he just had with Catelyn sleep would not claim him. He was concerned over the proposal by the King. Not only was he concerned about the position of King's Hand but also the danger now for his nephew and the offer of marriage given after the boy left between Sansa and Prince Joffrey. He would be the father of a Queen and grandfather of a King but something in his heart warned him off this path.
His father and brother both had rode south and neither returned. Now it seemed his family was to repeat that mistake either by choice or being forced. What was more terrifying was the letter that he had discussed with Maester Luwin and his wife. The letter written by Catelyn's sister alleged that the Lannisters had murdered Jon. Jon had been like a second father to him, he had risked everything for him and Robert. How could he not go to find out the truth about the man's death? How could he not travel south to protect his brother in all but blood Robert if the Lannisters were responsible?
Ned rubbed his chin slowly in consideration of what they had decided for their plans. He would take Sansa, Arya and Harry with him while the others would stay here. Catelyn would remain and teach Robb and help train the boy on ruling his lands. His heir needed to learn to run the North; he would get a chance to get the experience that would be necessary someday to take over for Ned. Catelyn would be able to properly teach him everything that he might need for Winterfell.
Sansa would do well in the Capital. She had a heart made for the South and would be considered a beautiful treasure. Plus her being engaged to the Crown Prince assured her future. Arya would be a different story; she was still head strong and a tomboy. She was a wild child just like his sister. She would need time and a calming influence. It was ironic that the influence my just be her cousin Harry, Lyanna's son. The boy always seemed to be a composed guidance for Arya and got along great with his younger daughter.
Still the thought that he was bringing the son of Rhaeger to King's Landing was ludicrous. A part of him still wondered how the boy had talked Robert into allowing him to become his squire. The youth always seemed to have strange things happen to him when he was growing up. There had been dozens of bizarre occurrences that happened when he was a child. He remembered that in the middle of a snowfall Sansa mentioned she wished it would stop and she could smell the roses. Out of the blue the snow stopped for ten minutes and one of the winter blue rose bushes bloomed. That was only one of a dozen circumstances that simply did not make sense. Despite that Harry was a good boy. No a good young man now. He might get into mischief but he was polite, took his training and studies serious and followed any chore required of him.
The Lord of the North turned his gaze back out into the darkness of the night. He could see to the far north clouds seemed to be rolling in. A brisk wind was blowing from the north carrying them and the light chill that hinted that cold would be coming soon. It brought a simple fact to Lord Eddard Stark, Winter was coming and he was leaving his wife and heir to go south. He let out a frustrated sigh and spent the next hour watching the stars and cold sky.
~~~ PitN ~~~
It had been a pleasant few days since the welcoming feast for Harry. He had settled into is role of a Squire for the King easily. In truth his Uncle had required far more from him as his Squire then the King did. His Majesty already had servants who took care of his clothing, food and other normal duties of a knight. Harry however insisted that he would be the one to clean the King's weapons and armor. While the large man never wore it, he still kept packed with him to Winterfell the massive warhammer he was famous for. Along with the warhammer the King had packed a few daggers and swords and a suit of armor that he would require iron grips and gallons of grease to be forced into.
It was on the second day of cleaning that Harry was noticed by a few of the knights who traveled with his majesty. He was so busy scrubbing away at the warhammer with pride to try to bring out a bright shine when a voice interrupted his work. "That is a good way to get muscles lad. Good hard work never hurt anyone."
The youth turned his lilac eyes up from his work and blinked in surprise. The man that stood before him was far too old to be a knight normally. Yet, just from a glance and how the sword rested on the man's hip it could be told that he was still graceful and strong. He had long white hair that was unbound to his shoulders. His face had wrinkles from age and worry but his eyes were still a crisp blue. For a brief moment as their eyes met Harry could swear he saw and felt a deep sadness in the man but it disappeared in an instant. "Thank you for the advice my Lord. Is this how you gained your own strength?"
A deep chuckle rumbled from the man's chest as he studied the boy's enthusiasm. It reminded him so much of the man whose eyes the child had. He still remembered it like it was yesterday when Rhaeger came to him and told him that he wanted to learn to become a knight. This youth had the same fire, the same eyes as that young man. He smiled at the teenager, "Indeed that was exactly how I started out along with a good work out strategy."
"What was your workout strategy Ser Barristan?" Harry asked with enthusiasm slipping into his voice.
"I worked in the yard with my blade against anyone who would give me the chance to learn from." The old knight knelt down and looked at the cleaned warhammer with a smile, "Perhaps if you clean my armor and weapons I might be willing to give you a few pointers."
The eyes of the boy got even larger if that were possible as excitement danced in them. He bowed his head deeply with a bright smile, "It would be my greatest honor Ser Barristan. I will make certain to clean your things and take care of your horse when I do such for His Majesty."
"Good, then you have work to do, enjoy the day after this lad and tomorrow I will start to give you a few lessons. I hope you don't mind being sore." The old man stood up and seemed a bit lighter of step as he turned and started to walk off. I haven't had a squire in a long time. I hope you will be able to live up to him.
~~~ DP ~~~
The young man stood outside of the women's solarium. It was where Sansa and Arya would take lessons in knitting, being a lady, and other things that Arya normally ignored. A slight smile slipped over the young man's lips at the thought of his poor cousin being tortured by the hard working Septa. But, then the reason he was here crashed back on the young man. He looked down at the ghost white wolf pup at his heels. She had been following him around even when he was off in training. Unfortunately with horses, knights, free riders and others it was not safe for her there. She was just too little so he had come here with a plan. Bringing up a bit of courage he slowly raised his right hand and rapped his knuckles on the hard wood.
It took only a minute for the ancient septa to answer the door, but to Harry it felt like ages had past. The woman opened the door with a raised eyebrow. While she had nothing against Harry, the boy was friendly, polite and honest normally in her eyes, he was a boy and this was not the proper place for him. This young man, noble though he might be, was interrupting her lesson? Her lips pressed together into a firm hard look at the young man. After all she had royalty in her chambers at the moment and an interruption was not at all appreciated.
Before she could speak Harry offered his most charming smile and executing a perfect bow to the woman. His eyes seemed to shimmer as they widened a bit like a puppy dog before he spoke calmly firmly, "Septa, I beg your forgiveness to have interrupted your lessons. But, I must beg a favor from her Highness. I had hoped you would understand as it will only be a few moments."
The stern woman hated this; every time she had caught the boy at some mischief he somehow would turn this look on her. It was shameful that she had never been able to cast it aside. It was almost like it was spell-craft the way he could enchant those around him with those eyes and that smile. Even for an old woman like the Septa her heart softened for the young man. She let out a slight huff of breath she didn't realize she had been holding but still managed to keep up the stern from at the corners of her lips, "Very well my lord, but you have five minutes. Not a moment more."
"As always my lady Septa, I am in your debt. Your heart is as generous as your lessons are wise." He executed another bow before the woman waiting for her to open the door.
"You are wasting time my lord." Slowly she opened the doorway to allow the young man into the chamber. The room had glass panels on the ceiling and sides that allowed in the sun and the warmth from it. But, it was filled with comfortable looking chairs wrapped in leather and a number of books filling a wall. There were numerous different plants including a few rose bushes and lavender which filled the room with a wonderful scent.
In the room were his two cousins, a smiling happy Sansa working away at her needlework as she chatted with her friend Jenna. Of course Arya was there as well grumbling under her breath doing something that looked like stabbing the yawn together. Both of them had their wolf pups laying down next to their chair watching over them.
The last presence in the chamber was the one that Harry had come to see. The sunlight reflected off of her curls as if it was spun gold. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as emeralds as they cast the light about. Finally her lips were full and red like a strawberry. He rather enjoyed watching that beautiful face, so like her mothers. It was strange almost that he saw nothing of her father in her.
Harry offered a smile at both of his cousins before he stepped forward to drop to one knee before the Princess. He gently bowed his head downwards, his dark hair falling over the features of his face till only the twin purple orbs peeked out at her, "Your Highness, I apologize for disturbing your lessons but I have a humble request of you."
The girl looked at the slightly older teen and blinked in surprise. She had not expected the visit by Harry today. A bit of curiosity leaked into her emerald gaze as she studied him. She did not answer him at first instead enjoying the sight of the wild young man who showed her around the Castle humbling himself before her. When she did speak she could not help but have a hint of crimson brushing against her cheeks, "You may ask your request good Squire."
He raised his head upwards as his lilac eyes locked onto her emeralds. Harry's face lit up with a bright smile as he spoke, "Thank you for hearing my request Princess. As you could guess my new duties as your father's squire have been added to my normal training. I have also undertaken an agreement of tutelage from Ser Barristan the Bold in my sword work and physical exercise. Unfortunately I find that during these times Hedwig often wishes to follow me. I am sure you understand that the place for a pup is not around blades, horses and fighting. Though I am certain there will be a time for it in the future."
Harry turned his gaze down to the small white dire wolf pup. Even after only a few weeks he was growing swiftly soon he would be larger than the bitch that had weaned him and his brothers and sisters. He gently ruffled the fur on her head before rubbing to her left ear. The pup let out a few small growls playfully which caused a giggle from the Princess. He looked back up at her with a bright smile, "My Princess, would you do me the honor of helping to watch my most precious friend Hedwig while I train? I would be honored if you would allow her to join you in your studies sometimes with Lady and Nymeria."
The young Princess' eyes lit up as she glanced down at the dire wolf pup. Her mother had told her not to touch the things as they were dangerous creatures and could harm her. But when she had seen how much Arya and Sansa loved and adored their wolf pups. When she saw the smile of the young noble as he met her gaze she couldn't help but feel warmth fill her chest. Slowly she reached down reached down a bit of fear seizing her throat to touch the fur of the pup. Myrcella smiled timidly ran her fingertips through the pup's fur. It was soft and warm. She gaze a little jump her hand was wrapped by Harry's own as he guided her touch to the ear of Hedwig. The teenager's voice was a whisper but filled up her cheeks with warmth again, "She loves to be scratched behind her ears. It is her favorite."
Myrcella watched Hedwig closely as she started to scratch behind the ears of the large wolf pup. The beast raised its red eyes to meet the emeralds of the young woman. It was a surprise when she leaned up and licked the arm of the princess. A soft giggle slipped from the lips of the girl.
Harry withdrew his hand and slowly stood up away from the pair. He turned his eyes onto his cousins and offered a small smile. Sansa looked at him with stars in her eyes most likely thinking how romantic it all was to her. Arya seemed bored of it all as she continued to stab her needlework torturing the poor yarn. His gaze shifted back to the princess who by now was enraptured by his friend, "I must go to meet Ser Barristan for some sword training. I promise to return as soon as I am done to pick up Hedwig."
The girl seemed to barely hear him as she watched the wolf pup now with both hands scratching all over her new friend. She realized she was ignoring the boy and raised her eyes to look at Harry, "I promise to guard her with my life."
The irony of the statement was not lost on Harry who smiled back at the girl with a swift nod. He executed another bow then turned to start to walk from the room. At once he knew his shadow was back as he felt Hedwig step to behind him. Again he stopped and looked down meeting the red eyes of the wolf pup. He stared at his little friend then spoke firmly, "Stay Hedwig. Stay with your sisters, I promise I will return."
The wolf was silent as the dead as it stared at the boy. For a moment when their eyes connected he could almost feel the thoughts of Hedwig but then it was gone. He slowly raised his hand to point towards near the princess. The pup seemed to almost strut back over towards her with tail wagging back and forth. Harry shook his head with a slight smirk lingering on his lips then turn and left for his duties knowing a hard day of getting beaten with a training blade awaited him.
~~~ PitN ~~~
The hunt had been amazing for Harry. They had spent three days and nights in the forests not too far from Winterfell. There he was able to hear stories of Knights and men that rode with the King. He helped cut the King's meat and poured his drink while setting up his tent and laying out his clothes. But, what he enjoyed most was the camaraderie. He felt like he was truly a Squire at range for his knight. Even at campfire he would spend time with Ser Barristan the Bold. There he would hear stories of the past, great leaders of the Kingsguard, great knights and lords. Many of these stories filled the boy's head with dreams like Sansa was filled with romantic hopes. At the same time though the Knight kept the boy grounded firmly, reminding him of his surroundings always, to keep vigilance at all times. Whenever he heard that lesson he always smiled and felt the need to say Constant Vigilance, it was an echo from one of his dreams. The old knight also passed on in whispers to the boy that he should be careful who he trusts when he gets to the capital.
When they left Winterfell it was with the hope to hunt boar but on the first day none was found in sight. Yet, Harry on the second day was able to with the help of Hedwig flush an eight point buck. It made a wonderful dinner of venison for the hunting party and the King was very pleased with him.
It was on the third and final day before heading back to the castle that his majesty got his wish. A boar was startled by the party and a lucky arrow blooded the beast. A chase was undertaken for the creature. The dogs let chase and finally cornered the beast before it was killed. King Robert of course was happy with the success of the hunt. He had gotten the chance to strike the final blow. Whenever the King is happy then everyone in the hunting party, except the board was happy. So the party returned to Winterfell in high spirits of joy. Unfortunately that is when the terrible news came.
Of all of Harry's cousins he had always felt a closeness and kinship with Bran the most. The boy loved the outdoors; he loved to climb and loved the godswood. He even learned to climb from watching Harry do it. He had far surpassed Harry and the boy seemed to be part squirrel. Still he could always feel closeness, warmth with his cousin. It was almost as if the boy was different like he was. Perhaps he too was born with some of the power, but it was a subject never bridged with the boy. Instead he always was there to help or offer advice or anything he could for his cousin. Bran had even commented he was closer to Harry then Robb once.
That is why it was all the more devastating to hear the news that Bran had fallen while climbing. The boy had loved to climb. He was amazing at it. He would climb and sneak around better than anyone he had ever met. Even when Maester Luwin had tried to get the boy to stop by tossing a clay boy from the walls and making Bran watch it shatter it would not deter him. He was just made for heights.
It is for that reason that it was such a surprise that Bran had fallen. He now was deathly hurt with the possibility to never recover. His Lord Uncle and Aunt were with the Maester were at the boy's side while the rest of the family was not allowed to visit yet. Harry wanted nothing more than to go to the boy and try to help. Even if he didn't know a thing of medicine, he wanted to be there and show support somehow. While he was not allowed in the room that did not mean he could wait outside. So he curled up next to the room where Bran was sitting down against the hard stone walls and waited.
It was well past the midnight hour when he was awoken by a hand on his shoulder. He felt a weight in his lap which was his wolf pup curled up against him. The teenagers eyed opened quickly as his left hand went to his hip and his dagger but stopped when he saw who was before him. Lord Eddard, his eyes raw and red stood before him. Harry gently tried to place Hedwig down at his side but the wolf was already awake and stood up at his side. Harry slowly stood up bracing his hand against the wall. He wet his lips then spoke in a whisper afraid that his voice too loud may cause harm, "Is he alright Uncle?"
The fact that Lord Eddard's eyes were red was a shock to the boy. He had never seen or heard tell of his Uncle with tears and yet here the man was. What was more he could see desperation in the eyes of the man. The normal fire that burnt in the hard honor driven man was dimmed at what the family was going through. The voice of his Lord sounded like rocks grinding together, "No Harry, it is not. We do not know what will happen but the Maester is sure that he will not walk. I …"
Lord Eddard was a strong man, firm in spirit and body. He had always been able to handle and do whatever was necessary while living by his code. He was a man of the old ways, the old gods. He knew his nephew was different. He had seen many strange things about him that made him realize it a long time ago. Whether it was the old gods or the dragon blood he was not certain but Harry was unique and special. He reached out to squeeze the shoulder of the boy at the deep sadness he saw in the youth's eyes. Sadness echoed in his own body. Then he broke the silence, "Maester Luwin has gone to rest for the time since it is a few hours before the dawn. Would you like to see him? Perhaps you being near will help."
"Of course Uncle, I will do anything I can." Harry smiled brightly, happy at the possibility he could see his younger cousin. He followed Lord Stark into the room quietly. Hedwig slipped in behind them and curled up next to summer by the doorway without a sound.
It was one thing to be told someone you cared about was in a bad condition but it was something different to see it. Bran was pale as a ghost while lying wrapped in numerous blankets. The boy's eyes were closed and his hair was covered in sweat. The only sign that he was alive was the shallow rising and falling of his chest.
Lady Catelyn sat next to the boy her eyes red rimmed and darkened. It was obvious that she had not slept and she sat there holding Bran's hand. She clutched his hand as if it were a lifeline hoping to steer the boy home through a storm. She didn't turn or look at the doorway, instead only keeping her eyes on her baby boy.
Lord Eddard ushered Harry to the chair across the way from lady so he could sit next to his cousin. He gently reached forward and lightly touched the hand of his good friend and family member. The voice of Catelyn was eerie as she spoke so softly it was but a whisper, "I know you are different Harry. You are special, even to one who follows the seven. We never talk of it because it is not right. If others were to find out you may be even more danger then you are because who your parents were. But, I raised you as if you were my own son. I loved and cared for you as if you were our own child. I beg of you, if you can do anything for Bran, please do it. I don't want to lose my baby boy."
Harry met the eyes of Catelyn Stark nee Tully with sadness within him. He wet his lips then tried to force a smile that he didn't feel. His lips parted as he whispered, "I will do anything I can. But, I have never been able to control it. Things just happen normally. If I can help him I will do so Aunt Catelyn. I love my family and I want to help."
A large hand gave a squeeze to the shoulder of Harry drawing the boy's eyes up to lord Eddard. He spoke softly but firmly, "We know Harry. Maester Luwin thinks there is a good chance he will not live the night. We don't expect you to do miracles, but please just try."
The unspoken sentence that they didn't expect him to do miracles but they hoped. Harry closed his eyes, squeezing them shut as he reached down into himself. He felt so large of a mixture of emotions, fear, pain, sorrow, worry mixed with anger at himself and fear for his kin. One by one they were slowly tossed to the fire, filling the blaze one log at a time till it burned away all emotion and thoughts. He let only one thought fill him, Bran.
He reached down into himself, looking deep as possible into his body searching for that power he knew that was there. At first it was like a misty morning just after dawn there was light but it was clouded. He could not pass through that fog. Harry walked into the middle of it searching the cold moist fog for the power, the light that was filtering through it. It came in all directions and none at once. He wandered for what felt like hours but was only minutes. Frustration started to set in even through the void as he looked within himself trying desperately to find the true power. This was different than just using his voice to fool someone, different than reading or adding a thought. He was looking for power to save someone to do something never thought possible. It was when he had walked truly into the fog that he started to become lost on the way. He felt the mist brushing against his skin no matter which way he turned. He felt it caressing and teasing, toying with him. He could almost taste the power in the middle of the mists but just as he could see the light he could not find it. Finally it clicked, the mist was the power, the strength, it was him.
As soon as he realized the fact then the mist started to clear, it soaked into his flesh bit by bit starting to form together into a ball at the center of his being. He could feel it pressed against his stomach and chest entering him with a burning agony of a thousand suns. The power was so joyous and yet so scary. It was him, his faults and strengths, his passions and desires mixed with his fears. It was so wonderful a feeling that words could not describe it.
He opened his eyes and looked down on the boy whose breath was slowing. Harry's eyes glowed an unearthly purple filling the room with a brightness of a star. Slowly the young man reached forward to lay his hand over the chest of the boy. His fingertips placed just over the heart of his cousin. He could feel that heart slowing; it was losing the battle against fate. He willed it to continue, to push his strength into the boy. He pushed his power into Bran trying desperately to heal him. He could feel it slowly flowing from him, and growing weaker. At first his cousin's body resisted it fought against the intrusion but firmly pushing past that Harry overpowered the force stopping him. It was almost as if he was ripping his cousin from the icy walls of death itself. He pushed and pushed till he could feel no more. Harry gave all of himself that he could till the power dimmed and the light that filled the tower room disappeared. He felt as if he had no more to give, the power was still there but it was empty of strength for now and he had no will left to control it.
The gasp that Harry heard came from Catelyn; he opened his eyes and looked up as he saw Bran waking up his eyes looking around in confusion. Harry smiled at the sight as Catelyn Stark leaned forward wrapping her arms around the boy with a crushing embrace. Yet, he could not keep his eyes open; he could not fight the weakness any longer. The last thing Harry heard before he collapsed was Lord Eddard whispering, "Thank you nephew."
Author Note: Yes I know in the books Ser Barristan the Bold didn't go north, but I think he would want to come under these circumstances. Since he controls the rotation of knights it makes sense for him to be along. As for Myrcella I never said she would or would not be the final pairing but the kid has a crush. Most likely his first crush since his normal female interaction would be his kin or perhaps the whores in town. I should have another chapter up and ready soon. I also expect to start to have some of his magic start to leak more into the story since he consciously caused a change for bran. I am undecided if bran will have use of his legs or not. Hope you all like the chapter and story so far.