The Winter King
Author Notes:
Chapter 04: A King's Take
If there was one thing about being a Northern that was different from the rest of the seven kingdoms. Is that they hated the Southern Kingdoms and hated how they dictate their lives. Harry had developed this himself over the four years he's stayed with the Starks. The moment he heard the King of the Seven Kingdoms was arriving with his royal entourage; his stomach turns and he had the urge to vomit.
If he wasn't a ward of the Stark family, Harry would have just skipped the King's arrival and do what he wanted to do. Even though the Starks were a Great House of Westeros. Meaning in many ways, they themselves were like royalty even if they did not consider themselves as royalty.
Harry knew why Eddard Stark was accepting the King's arrival. For starters, the two were friends from the Rebellion War.
The main reason why was to keep the peace in the Seven Kingdoms. Despite the many angry Northern Lords, Eddard Stark always found a way to keep the peace between the Northern Lords and the Southern Kingdoms.
However, even Harry could tell the raise in the taxes was making many Northern Lords angry. Hopefully, the King had arrived with an answer. Something to cool the Northern Lords.
Harry almost kick himself in the head knowing full well the King wouldn't care.
However even he was curious to know why the King would be arriving.
Harry looks up to see the King was arriving. He slips into the shadow and watches carefully. His custom made recurve bow and its arrow was ready. He doubts the King would kill Eddard Stark, but he still wanted to protect the man who was like a father to him none the less.
"You've gotten fat." The King said in a blunt tone of voice.
Harry thought that was rude as the King was larger than any man he arrived with. The only person bigger than him was Hodor who a big man himself. Well, Hodor could be considered a small giant. Maybe a half-giant like Hagrid, but the King was defiantly fat.
The King suddenly burst out laughing as Lord Eddard Stark laughs as well. The two embrace as Harry watches the King greet the rest of the Starks.
Harry says nothing as he puts away his bow and puts on his hood. For the time being, he would keep to the shadows and watch from afar.
Harry follows the King and Eddard Stark down into the Stark Family Crypt.
He knew the King would take offense if he was discovered so he put on his invisibility cloak and follows them, careful to keep a close eye on the King for any movements that would have appeared threatening. He kept his wand at the ready, tried to listen to what they were saying.
He watches in amazement as Eddard went to his knees but the King gesture him up.
"I'm not trying to honor you, I'm trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink and whore myself into an early grave." The King said with a chuckle.
Harry was getting the sense the King was more of a fighter without a brain. He was hardly a good ruler.
Harry follows them for a short time until they reach a statue of a young woman.
"Did you have to bury her in a place like this?" The King said in a sad but angry tone of voice. "She deserves to be on a hill somewhere, with the sun and the clouds above her."
"She was my sister." Eddard Stark stated. "This is where she belongs." Eddard Stark stated ending the conversation.
"She belonged with me." The King challenged. "In my dreams, I kill him every night."
"It's done your Grace. The Targaryens are gone." Eddard Stark stated. It was clear to Harry he didn't wish to have this conversation.
"Not all of them." The King suddenly declared.
"Let's go to the feast, Ned!" The King suddenly said.
"Give me a moment." Eddard Stark said as the King nods his head and walks ahead.
Harry waited until he was away before removing his cloak.
"How long have you've been there?" Eddard Stark said.
"How did you know?" Harry asks.
"I heard a noise when I kneeled before the King. I look out the corner of my eyes and saw nothing. That's when I realize you were following us in that special cloak of yours." He said with a smile. Harry could see that smile on his face as he looks at the statue of his sister.
"That's your sister; Lady Lyanna?" Harry asks.
"Yes." Eddard Stark said. He holds his hands together in prayer.
"She's Jon mother isn't she," Harry stated.
Eddard turns his head to look at Harry so sharply; Harry wouldn't have been surprised to hear his neck crack.
Then Eddard Stark smiles.
"How long have you've known?" Eddard Stark asks.
"Just now," Harry said. "You never once have spoken about Jon's mother. Yet at the same time, you never spoke of your sister. It didn't take long for me to figure it out."
"You are truly intelligent."
"I have to ask because this next question needs answering. I know you're not Jon's father, so who is?"
"You cannot tell anyone. Not to Jon, and do not tell Robert." Eddard Stark suddenly said in a stern voice.
"It's Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Isn't it?" Harry suddenly said.
It suddenly dawns to Harry as he slowly remembers how the War of the Usurper began. Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen had kidnap Lyanna Stark. Lyanna Stark had been for the entire course of the war, a prisoner and hostage. The real spark was when the Mad King executed Eddard's father Rickard and his older brother Brandon after they demand Rhaegar release Lyanna. She would die shortly before the Sacking of Kings Landing.
"You are very sharp. I take it you look at the history closely and was able to figure it out." Eddard Stark said as he turns to look at Harry.
"Why haven't you told Jon?" Harry asks.
"You don't think I want to. This is one secret I must carry with me." The Lord of Winterfell proclaimed.
"Jon is a man now. He deserves to know the truth." Harry argues.
"Not while Robert lives." Eddard suddenly said.
"He will kill him? For being a child of a Targaryen?" Harry said in shock.
"I know Robert very well. He wants to remove all Targaryen's and any memory of Rhaegar Targaryen. Lyanna knew as I did, that if Robert ever found out Rhaegar Targaryen fathered another child, he would kill him regardless of who is the mother. It's why I raised him and proclaim him as my bastard son."
"You love your sister so much, you honor her wishes, even beyond the grave," Harry said.
"Yes." Ned Stark said sadly.
"My mother did something similar to me," Harry said.
Eddard Stark looks at him as Harry explains what happened to him when he was a year old.
"Your mother was very brave. To face death and shield you. She sounds like a woman I would have like."
"I never really knew her. I only heard stories, but hearing stories aren't the same." Harry said sadly.
"No, it is not." Eddard Stark agrees with a smile on his face. "Come, let us join the feast."
"It's best if you attend my Lord," Harry said with a smile. "While I enjoy the feast, something tells me I'm not going to enjoy this one."
"Perhaps that's for the best," Eddard Stark replies. "Robert can be bit disgusting."
The two left the Crypt with Eddard heading to the Stark Hall, and Harry joining Jon outside.
Harry grabs a quiver full of arrows and his recurve bow. He stands a good fifty feet from the hay bales before firing his arrow. Years of firing spells and aiming with his wand had made Harry a master at aiming and accuracy. It didn't take him long to master the art of the bow.
The arrow hits the target dead center as Harry draws back the next arrow. Again he releases the arrow and the second one hits the target dead center; close to the first arrow. Harry draws back the third as releases.
"You're pretty good." A voice suddenly said to Harry's right. Harry looks at a half size man looking at him.
"You're Tyrion Lannister, the Queen's brother," Harry said slowly.
"My greatest achievement," Tyrion said in a sarcastic tone of voice.
Harry pays the dwarf no mind and returns to shooting his arrows. Again, he hits his mark.
"Have you've ever missed?" Tyrion Lannister asks.
"Not in four years," Harry said. He releases his fifth arrow and once again, he hits his mark.
"It's rare to find a master marksman at your age." Tyrion Lannister said.
"Perhaps you should see me with a sword," Harry replies.
"Oh I'm sure I would, but if it's a swordfight you want then I'll have my brother do the honors," Tyrion said.
"The Kingslayer?" Harry said as he releases his sixth arrow.
Tyrion fell silent for a moment.
"Yes, that name will never truly go away and I'm sure my brother will be called that even after he dies. However, I can tell you this," Tyrion said as he stands up straight. "In the all the Seven Kingdoms, there are only three others who can match my brother in a sword fight. And you, whether you like it or not, are not one of them."
Harry lowers his bow and looks at the smaller man.
"Tell me, is it the custom of the South to look down upon those from the North?" Harry asks.
"Apologizes, I never meant to insult you. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go inside and join the feast." Tyrion Lannister said as he walks inside leaving Harry alone.
Harry pulls back his bowstring and releases the arrow. Once again, he hits his mark.
In the past four years since he's been with the Starks, he has heard and seen how the North feels about the Southern Kingdoms. The South has for many years, push the North. Even Harry could see if things don't calm down soon, war will erupt.
He's own opinion of King Robert Baratheon wasn't very high. And he was sure the King wouldn't have things mellow out before the North got fed up. Harry knew it only took a little push before the war would have erupted.
Harry sighs and pulls back the bow before releasing the next arrow.
The next day, Eddard Stark gathered his family to tell them what had transpired.
"I'm accepting the position to be the Hand of the King." Eddard Stark told them.
"Is this the King's way to shut the North up?" Harry asks.
"No. Robert cares very little about politics. However, I'm accepting this because it's a great honor the North has never received before. It will quell things down in the North. I will also be in a position to make things better for the North. Robb," Eddard said before turning to his oldest son. "As of this moment, I'm naming you the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. I cannot carry my responsibilities in the capital and up here in Winterfell."
"Father, I am not ready…" Robb began.
"You are. I have seen you become a fine young man. And I am proud of you." Eddard Stark said as he reassures his son.
"When you return father, you will be restored in your duties. I will accept as the acting Lord of Winterfell." Robb said.
"It is time you learn how to rule. You're going to one day. I have raised you the best I could, and I am proud to have been your father." Eddard Stark said.
Eddard turns to Jon and looks at him.
"Benjen says you wish to join the Night's Watch."
"I do," Jon said strongly.
"It's not something I wanted to you, but if that's what you want then I'll accept. You will travel with Uncle Benjen and Lord Tyrion to Castle Black."
"Are you going to bring anyone with you?" Lady Catelyn Stark asks.
"I'll bring Sansa, Arya and Harry with me. It's a long journey ahead and we have much to do." Eddard Stark said.
Harry said nothing, as he got the horses ready for their journey.