The Winter King
Author Notes:
Chapter 06: Barring Fangs
Harry was working on some papers that required Ned Stark signature. It was strange just a two days ago Robert Baratheon wanted the Targaryen girl dead, before she could get an army across the Narrow Sea. Now he agreed with Eddard Stark in not having the girl assassinated.
What disturbed Harry was when he looked inside Arya's memories of her adventure down in the dungeons of the Red Keep.
It would seem Varys true loyalties were to the Targaryen restoration. Meaning that while he played the loyal servant, he was in truth seeking to put Daenerys Targaryen on the Iron Throne.
A noise suddenly brought Harry out of thought as the door opens and Lannister men walked in.
"You boys are lost. This room is for the Hand of the King." Harry said.
"That may be Stewart, but we have been sent to relieve you of your duties." The Guard Captain said.
Harry looks at the increasing guards. A total of eight of them. Harry grabs his sword and unsheathes it.
"You boys really want to go down this path," Harry said.
"We are trained men who have master the sword. We're more than a match for one Stewart." The captain said.
Harry paused as he looks behind them to see the two dead Stark guards.
"So be it," Harry said attacks the guard captain with surprising speed who was suddenly caught by surprise by Harry's suddenly quickness.
The Guard Captain falls to the ground trying to nurse his injury. It wasn't fatal, but he was bleeding from his forearm badly.
Harry brings his sword up and blocks the blow from the guardsmen before swinging his sword down and using that momentum of the guard's sword to block the other guardsmen blow.
With his sword firmly underneath the two swords, Harry swings cutting the Lannister guardsmen in half on his right. Then he quickly takes a step back to avoid a spear that nearly was shoved into his face.
He grabs the spear the moment it was safe to grab it and pulls the Lannisters towards him as another Lannister swings his sword at Harry. Instead of hitting Harry the Lannister with the spear was cut down. Wasting no time Harry shoves his sword into the Lannister causing him to drop.
Grabbing the Lannister's sword Harry blocks another blow before the swords his right sword into the Lannister.
Harry stood in the middle of the room as the four remaining Lannister Guardsmen look at each other nervously. It was clear they had greatly underestimated him. Harry grips his sword and the other one firmly in his hand.
A spear drops as the Lannister moves for his sword. He holds it firmly.
Then Harry struck. He throws the sword in his left hand towards the person on his blindside. The sword went through him with ease as he grasps it with his hands before he falls to the ground dead. At that exact moment, Harry grabs his small dagger and tosses it at the Lannister in front of him, hitting directly in the throat. Harry then moves left and swings at the Lannister who brought his sword up in time but the blow at caused him to drop his sword. Harry stabs him before turning around and using his body as a shield. The last Lannister was charging, with his sword high. Harry shoves the now dead Lannister guardsmen at the charging guardsmen causing him to lose his balance and his guard.
By the time he attempts to reposition himself, Harry swung his sword and a cut to the throat cause the last Lannister to fall to the ground, choking on his own blood to death.
Harry looks at the Guard Captain who was trying to get back to his feet.
"Sending eight was an insult. You should have sent twelve." Harry said as he picks up a hatchet on the desk and walks to the Lannister Captain. He swings and kills the man before he got a chance to grab his down.
Harry quickly grabs his things knowing that more men would be coming.
He walks outside and looks at the two guardsmen who were supposed to protect him.
Harry first thought was to find Arya and Sansa. Ned Stark took most of his guards with him to confront Cerci Lannister. Something in his gut told him that something terrible has happened.
Harry tore down the corridors while throwing on his invisibility cloak. He would have to move unseen.
However, Sansa was already captured by Lannister's and Arya was nowhere to be found. Ned Stark was being dragged into the dungeons. Harry followed, knowing his magic would allow him to help Ned Stark.
Harry waited for the guards to move away before removed his invisibility cloak.
"Lord Stark," Harry said as he appeared from the darkness before Eddard Stark.
"Harry." Eddard Stark said with a smile on his face.
"What happen?" Harry asks.
"I was a fool like Robert. I trusted the wrong man."
"Littlefinger," Harry said.
"The City Watchmen cut my men down and I was captured. I should have listened to you, should have done something sooner."
Harry said nothing but offers Lord Stark some water.
"Where are my daughters?" Ned Starks asks.
"Sansa was captured by the Lannister's. Arya is nowhere to be found. I have heard, that Robb is raising an army and will declare war on the Iron Throne if you, Arya and Sansa are not released." Harry said.
"Stop him. I don't want him to die young." Ned Stark said.
"It's already in motion. The Lannister's are moving their army to meet Robb's. The battle will happen any day now." Harry said.
"Protect him for me will you Harry."
"I will. Robb is my brother. We may not have blood between us, but we are brothers." Harry said strongly.
Ned Stark smiles before he groans and holds his wounded leg.
"When I first met you, there was something about you that made me trust you. If I had been your father, I am proud of the man you turn out to be."
"You are my father," Harry said strongly. Ned Stark looks at him.
"You were the closest thing I had to a father and you took me when you could have made me a blacksmith," Harry said.
"You are my son. Yes, even though our time was short, you were indeed my son. If this war happens, Robb will need all the support he can get. Who stands beside him?"
"The North Stands with him, the Tully's and most of the Riverrun."
"The Tully's will be a powerful ally to Robb. He is young, but he will try to carry the burden himself. Whatever happens to me, I want you to return to Robb immediately."
"I cannot leave without Sansa and Arya…"
"You will return to Robb at once. Sansa will be a prisoner for much of the war. As will, I. Help Robb secure victories. Push the Lannister's into peace talks will secure our release. Robb will need your support and aid to win the war against the Lannister's." Eddard Stark said.
Harry didn't like that. But he slowly nods his head.
A light caught Harry's attention and he quickly puts on his invisibility cloak. Disappearing from view once more.
Harry left, knowing he may not get another chance to speak to Eddard Stark.
The days past and Harry quickly moved through the capital mostly in his invisibility cloak. An announcement was declared that Eddard Stark attempted to stage a coup against the throne. Harry knew it was lies but he couldn't exactly shout it out. He was being searched for as well.
Then something happens unexpectedly.
Joffrey announces Eddard Stark's execution.
Harry went quickly to see if it was true.
He pushes through the crowd just as Lord Eddard Stark was being dragged by two Kingsguards. People were jeering at him throwing rotten food at him.
Harry watch carefully as everything went down.
"As long as I am king, betrayal will not go unpunished. Bring me his head!" Joffrey shouted.
Sansa screams in protest as the Guardsmen put Eddard Stark in position.
Harry jumps down and walks out, unable to bear witness to the person who was like a father to him die like a criminal.
Harry jumps down knowing he had to tell Robb and Lady Catelyn Stark the news before they heard it from other sources.
Harry races to the gate and grabs a horse.
"Hey, thief!" The owner shouted.
Harry paid him no mind as he races down the road and started heading North.
His heart hammering, he knew he had to get to the North as fast as possible.
It took Harry about a week as he rode his horse hard. The horse was on the ground resting from riding so fast.
"Hold you." A guardsman shouted.
Harry looked at his banner. He was from House Cerwyn. An ally of the Starks.
"Is Robb Stark here?" Harry said.
"You are not to go near Robb Stark." The Guardsmen said as he went for his sword.
"I need to see Robb Stark," Harry repeated.
The guards drew their swords.
"Harry?" Lady Catelyn Stark said as she emerges from the tent.
"Lady Stark," Harry said as he bowed his head.
"It's alright, he's a Ward of my house."
"Forgive me, my lady." The guardsmen said.
"Harry what are you doing here? When we heard what happen at King's Landing we feared…." Lady Catelyn Stark began but she stops when she realized what Harry was holding in his hand. Ned Stark's ring.
"No. No, no no no. Tell me it isn't so." Lady Catelyn Stark said as she begins to show signs of tears.
"Joffrey had Eddard Stark executed a week ago. He's dead my lady." Harry said in barely a whisper.
Catelyn Stark fell to her knees as her hand covers her mouth.
"Let's get some help," Harry called out. Harry grabs Lady Catelyn Stark and holsters her help but she had lost all strength in her legs.
"Give her something to sit on," Harry said as the men all help Lady Catelyn Stark up to her feet.
"Where's Robb?" Harry asks.
"He's on the other side of the camp." A guardsman said.
"Bring him here. Tell him I'm here."
Harry didn't like being the bearer of bad news. He knew Robb would take his father's death hard.
When Harry told him, Robb began beating up a tree to vent his frustration.
"Robb!" Harry shouted.
"I'll kill them! I'll kill every single one of them!" Robb declared.
Harry embraces Robb and holds him.
"I am your brother Robb. I feel the same way."
"What of my sisters?" Robb asks.
"The Lannister's have Sansa. Arya is nowhere to be seen. It's possible she's heading North as we speak." Harry said.
"I swear I'll kill them if he so much as touches them," Robb said.
"I'm standing with you Robb, you know that. The Lannister's are moving as we speak and we need to prepare for them."
"What do you know?" Robb asks.
Harry pulls out some maps he had stolen back at King's Landing from the Council Chambers.
"Gather your war council."
"Tywin Lannister has gathered a force of about sixty thousand men. Right now they are about a mile from the Riverlands." Harry said.
"Forty thousand, you are certain of the number," Robb said.
"I'm sure. They'll arrive at the Green Fork within a couple of days. Their vanguard should be there soon."
"No way we can beat that." Lord Glover said.
"Yes, there is. When face with a larger army we use one element that we posses, but our enemies do not. Surprise. If we strike first and strike hard, we could kill ten thousand before they can regroup." Harry said.
"If we attack, then we may have attacked again," Robb said.
"Not exactly. We'll attack at night. Hit hard and fast. Most of the men will be asleep and we will burn their supplies. Then we will fall back. Jaime Lannister is trying to cut us off at the Whispering Wood. We backtrack and attack Jaime Lannister's forces while Tywin Lannister licks his wounds. If all goes well, the Lannister's will know not to mess with the North." Harry said.
"We would have to move fast our timing has to be right," Robb said.
"Then we best assemble our men quickly," Harry said.
"Have the men get ready. We have a tough day ahead." Robb said.