A song unsung
Things are going to pick up in this chapter. I mean like really, it's going to be hectic. A lot is going to be happening in a short amount of time but I hope it's easy to read and not confusing. Some things are going to happen that you may not like but please bear with me. Again as I've said before, some things that happened in the book/show will happen here but it might not be in the same way and definitely not the same time as this is an AU.
Chapter 7
299 AC, Winterfell
Robb
The sun had barely risen over the horizon when the young heir ran down the stairs of the main wall of Winterfell. A raven had come to Winterfell from Moat Cailin saying his lord father and his guard had been attacked by bandits a ways from King's Landing. It didn't go into detail on the attack, only that his father had been injured.
He had been standing on the wall when he saw his father's party arrive. He ran down to the keep where they had taken his father. The Stark heir entered the room where Maester Luwin tended to his patients he heard the sobs of his mother. Lady Catelyn Stark stood over her husband with the old maester on the opposite side.
"Mother, Maester Luwin." Robb said announcing his presence, "What is wrong with him?"
The elderly man looked at his father then to him, "Lord Stark has suffered a severe head injury. There is a chance he may not wake up. I've done all I can for now, it is up to him whether he lives or not."
This solicited another sob from the Lady of Winterfell. Robb flinched at his mother's tears. He hated to see her cry. He reached over and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Father is a strong man. He would not let such a thing take him from his family." Robb's words were strong but his face said otherwise. His mother nodded before sitting back down next to her unresponsive husband.
A knock at the door got the attention of the rooms occupants. Robb opened the door revealing a guard.
"My lord, this arrived just moments ago." He handed Robb a letter.
Robb looked at the letter and it was addressed to the Lord of Winterfell. He looked to his mother who had her eyes on him.
"It's addressed to father."
"You are acting Lord of Winterfell, Robb." She told him.
The Stark heir sighed and unconsciously shrugged his shoulders as if to get used to a new weight on his shoulders. He opened the letter and its contents surprised him.
Lord Stark,
I am sorry to inform you that I have chosen to break the betrothal of our children. Our soon to be king has asked for my daughter's hand and I intend on giving it to him. I have already informed my daughter of this choice and it seems she's quite upset so I can assume your son would be the same. The letters she received have been ordered to be burned so there is no memory of what was. I advise you to do the same so your heir can marry another without problem. Again Lord Stark, I apologize for this but you must understand I am doing what's best for my family as you would.
, Lord Mace Tyrell
Robb stiffened as he felt the anger rising within him but the pain, the pain of losing his betrothed, his love. Tears threatened to fall but the anger he felt wouldn't let it happen. Lady Catelyn seemed to take notice of the storm brewing within her son.
"Robb, dear what does it say?"
Robb silently handed her the letter before quickly exiting the room. He heard his mother calling after him but he needed to be alone. On his way out he bumped into someone but he didn't stop to see who it was. Things had gone downhill in mere moments. His father had been attacked and now his betrothed had been forcefully snatched away by an undeserving prick. He entered the lightly snow covered grounds of the godswood. Unfortunately he wasn't the only one looking for a place of solitude. His half-brother Jon Snow stood in front of the ancient weirwood heart tree.
Robb turned to leave but Jon's voice stopped him, "How is father?"
The bastard of Winterfell still faced the ancient tree so he didn't see the flurry of emotions of his brother's face. Robb being Robb tried to steel himself as he went to stand next to his brother.
"Maester Luwin says he suffered a severe head injury. There's a chance he may not wake up, Jon."
A bone chilling wind passed between the two. Both young men fought the urge to shiver. Jon looked into the sky as fluffy snowflakes fell.
"This cold is like nothing we've ever felt. Father wouldn't leave us to fend for ourselves, not when winter is coming."
"She's going to marry that prick of a prince." Robb blurted out. His tone was low and full of pain.
Jon was confused. Who was Robb talking about? First his mind went to Sansa but there had been no talks of that and it wouldn't cause Robb to be hurt, angry yes but not hurt. Then he realized who the unlucky maiden was.
"How can she do something like that? You two have been betrothed since we were kids. Now some prince offers—."
Robb cut him off, "King, he's going to be king now and she doesn't have a choice. Her lord father is using her to get his family a higher standing."
Robb understood why Lord Tyrell chose to break their betrothal. It had happened many a times before but all he could ask was why him.
"A higher standing?" Jon's voice began to rise slightly, "The Tyrells are the second richest family in Westeros and they can field the largest army, what more could they want?"
"A Tyrell queen," Jon flinched at the bitterness in his brother's voice, "They're going to throw away what we have so that fat bastard can say his daughter is the queen."
"I'm sorry, Robb. I know how much you cared for Margaery and her you."
"Care, how much I care for her. I have half a mind to storm into the Red Keep and challenge the prince for her hand."
"Would that be wise, my lord?" A smooth voice said from behind them.
Both boys turned to see their father's right hand, Ser Arthur Dayne. The pommel of the fabled blade, Dawn poked over his right shoulder. He walked towards the two boys.
"Your lady mother informed me of the news. I'm sorry, Robb, Lord Tyrell has always been an ambitious man. Even more so now that his mother is gone, the realm knew Lady Olenna was the real power in Highgarden. With her voice gone from his ear, he is free to make foolish decisions."
"Why did it have to be her? There are plenty of other highborn maidens in the realm." Robb said with despair clear in his voice.
"Tywin Lannister is a smart man, among the brightest in the known world. He has always done what he had to do to keep the Lannisters in power. With the Lannister-Tyrell alliance there won't be a force in Westeros to challenge them."
"I know it's going to be hard but you have to let her go, Robb." Jon said trying to talk sense into his brother."
"I'll never let her go." Robb said with a storm swirling within his Tully blue eyes.
Arthur could see the emotions flying around his former student's mind. He knew what men could do when came to the women in their life. Rhaegar and Robert were two men who were perfect examples and he knew Robb cared for the Tyrell girl strongly. It may not have been love but it was something special. He would not let the boy fall to his emotions.
"Pray on it Robb, you to Jon." Jon looked at him with questioning eyes, "You wouldn't be here if you weren't having problems.
Jon gave a small smile. Arthur allowed the two boys a moment of silence to allow them time to pray to their Gods.
"Training is going to begin soon. We've not had the chance to test your improved skills since your time back."
Robb raised an eyebrow at the silent challenge. He knew what the knight was trying to do but he knew he needed to take his mind off of it, at least for the moment.
"I'll have to decline that offer. I need to go clear my mind. If I am needed I will be in the Wolfswood."
"I cannot allow that, my lord. Winter is nearly upon us and all of the beasts are gathering food in haste." Ser Arthur told him.
"He's right, Robb. It's too dangerous to go out there alone." Jon said adding his concern.
Robb looked at the knight and then to his brother, "Well, why don't you come with me brother?"
"What kind of brother would I be if I were to leave you to the wolves?" Jon asked with a smile.
"Do not be too long, my lord. Remember Lords Umber and Dustin are arriving today." The knight said giving a reminder before leaving to his own duties.
The eldest sons of Eddard Stark readied themselves for their short excursion in the Wolfswood. The two soon to be men sat atop their mounts at the gates of Winterfell. It didn't take much time for them to reach the woods. A cold wind cut through the gaps in the trees causing a whistling sound.
"I've made up my mind." Jon blurted out.
Robb raised an eyebrow but then he remembered one of their previous conversations, "You can't be serious Jon."
"I have no place here Robb. I am bastard and that's all I ever will be if I stay here. If I go to the wall I can be my own person and not just Lord Stark's bastard."
Robb felt a wave of sadness hit him, "Is that how you think of yourself, just a bastard?"
The mood quickly became a solemn one. A period of silence came as the two continued riding through the dense forest. Both brothers snuck glances at one another but didn't meet the other's eyes. Silence continued until something caught Jon's ear.
"Did you here that?"
Robb stopped his horse beside Jon's. He focused his hearing trying to hear what his had heard. He heard the songs of birds. The creaking of the old trees and then a whimper.
"Sounds like a litter of pups, but Farlen hasn't said anything about missing dogs." Robb dropped down from his mount and followed the sound.
Jon was quick to follow his brother. They found a surprise when they found the source of the sounds. Five direwolf pups sat around their injured mother. She lied deathly still but there was a slight rise and fall of her chest indicating life.
"What is a direwolf doing this far south?" Robb asked with his eyes on the smiling face carved into the tree.
"Ser Arthur did say the animals were gathering food for the incoming winter." Jon said trying to make sense of it.
"But it's been two hundred years since a direwolf was sighted south of the wall."
"Are we just going to leave them here to die?" Jon asked.
"What else can we do?" Robb met his brother's eyes, "Jon, no, father wouldn't allow it not to mention my mother."
"We can convince father. We'll be the first Stark's with a living version of our sigil." Jon argued.
"They're direwolves, Jon. We can't turn them into pets." Robb said the words but he couldn't help but feel a connection towards the animals. His eyes drifted towards one of the pups, it had grey fur and yellow eyes.
"We can try." Jon mimicked his brother as his eyes fell on the runt of the pack. Its fur was albino white and its red eyes met his.
"Fine, but one of us has to go back and get help." Jon looked at him, "I'll be back soon. Be careful, the mother may be injured but keep an eye on her."
Robb mounted his horse and sped off back towards the Stark castle. Jon stood with cautious eyes on the mystical creatures beneath the weirwood tree. It was as if the Gods had meant for the direwolves to be found by he and Robb.
The natural-born son shook himself from his thoughts. The sound of hooves pounding against the ground filled his ears. Soon Robb, Jory, Ser Rodrik and Ser Arthur came into view. The master-at-arms had a small wagon trailing him. The three men wore looks of surprise as they spotted the animals.
"You wish to take these beasts on as pets?" Ser Arthur asked.
"Yes—." Robb's answer was cut short by Ser Rodrik.
"They do not belong here, my lord."
"Besides, Lady Stark would never have it." Jory added.
Robb's eyes narrowed slightly, "Well it's a good thing I'm acting Lord of Winterfell."
"What would your father do?" Ser Rodrik asked.
"He would allow it. It's not every day that a Stark comes upon a direwolf, let alone six."
"The direwolf is the sigil of house Stark. It is not by chance there are six direwolves when there are six people of Stark blood." Jon said speaking up, "The Gods meant for us to have them."
A short term of silence befell them. The three elder men looked to each other before looking to the boys in front of them.
"We will help but I will have no part in your troubles with Lady Stark." Ser Rodrik told them.
"Aye, same here, she will have words with you."
They looked to Ser Arthur, "I'm with you boys." The knight said smiling.
"Good, soon the world will know just as the Targaryens have dragons, we Starks have wolves."
The men had already picked up the rest of the pups with the mother in the wagon. They were moving back towards the castle now.
Jory turned towards Robb, "No disrespect my lord but dragons are a different type of monster."
Robb smirked, "Aye, they are but direwolves are special. When I was a young boy, Old Nan told me stories of how the direwolves ruled the lands beyond the wall before the first men came to Westeros."
Jon smiled as he knew the story but the other men did not. They looked at Robb as if he had sprouted an extra arm.
"If it is a story of the time before man invaded these lands then how can she know of it?" Ser Arthur asked curiously.
"It's best not to question Old Nan. She knows many things that seem beyond belief but the way she tells it makes it seem as if she were there." Robb told them.
The dornish knight nodded, "Carry on."
"As I was saying, she told me of the time before men came to Westeros. Beasts only heard of in children stories roamed the lands and the seas. Grumkins, snarks, merlins, whatever your parents used in stories to scare you. Direwolves roamed in packs, hunting whatever they pleased. The leaders of the packs were the kings of winter before we Starks came along."
The young man spoke with such pride. Those around him listened on intently, even Jon who had heard the story before.
"The pack leaders grew to sizes unheard of, to the likeness of the warhorses of the Vale. They stalked their prey with deathly silence and when the time came they pounced on whatever poor beast they preyed on. The packs were merciless, ferocious and strong."
The men were so caught up in Robb's story that they failed to notice Winterfell ahead of them. Jory was the first to snap out of his daze.
"It seems we've run out of time for stories. Now you boys will face Lady Stark."
"Let's hope she is merciful unlike the direwolves of the past." Ser Rodrik added.
Robb smiled, all of the direwolf pups except for his grey one were in the wagon with their mother. He had called for a guard to take them to Farlen in the kennel so he could see to the mother.
The young lord craned his head behind him to see Jon slowly following behind him. He saw the look of apprehension on his face. He would spare him the looks of scorn from his mother.
"You don't have to come with me."
"It would be better that way. I'll go see if Farlen needs any help."
Jon quickly left to his own vices. Robb was soon at the door where his father's room. He took a deep breath, readying himself for what was to come.
He stepped inside and his mother still had failed to notice his entry. She lied with her head on his father's stomach looking towards his face. He stopped short of the bed. Lady Catelyn finally snapped her head up as she heard the whimper of the pup in her son's arms.
"Robb…by the Gods, is that a wolf pup in your arms?" She asked with wide eyes.
"Not exactly," His mother raised an eyebrow, "It's a direwolf pup. One of the five we found."
She released the breath of air she had unconsciously held in, "You don't mean that you brought them all here?"
She asked although she already knew the answer. She did her best to keep her composure. Though soon she believed all of her southern etiquette would soon disappear.
"Along with their mother, I sent them to Farlen."
He stood with defiance clear in his eyes as she opened her mouth, "Robb Stark, what in your mind made you think it was fine to bring such dangerous beasts back into our household?"
"It was a feeling I had. Before you say anything else listen to me mother." He said in a gentle tone but it also held firmness.
"After everything that has happened I felt lost. I didn't know if I could be lord while father is hurt. I didn't know if I could just sit back and watch Margaery be taken away so I prayed to the Old Gods for help. I decided to go to the Wolfswood to clear my mind and then I found them, under a smiling weirwood tree. The Gods answered my prayers and I will not deny their gift. Will you deny me what they chose to give?"
Catelyn stood in silence. Her eyes were transfixed on her son and her lips were pursed. She was torn on what to do. Her son felt so strongly about keeping the direwolves but then again they could cause mass harm to her children.
"I see that I will not be able to stop you from putting yourself in harm's way but you will not do the same to your brothers and sisters."
"I will keep the others in the kennel. I'm sure father will say otherwise when he wakes up. Denying the Old Gods was wrong mother and I pray they forgive you."
With that Robb walked out of the room leaving his mother frozen. Robb released a deep breath as he shut the door behind him. He had never spoken to his mother in such a way nor had he planned on it. Something inside of him fueled a fire that disappeared just as quickly as it appeared.
He looked down at the pup in his arms and it looked up at him. It whined before reaching up and licking his face. Robb smiled but it quickly left his face as he thought about the tough times ahead. He decided to go check on the other direwolves before he retired for the day.
Viserys
Inside a modestly sized room in the manse of his goodfather, Magister Ordello of Pentos sat the incomplete small council of King Viserys III Targaryen. After his marriage to the magister's daughter the Targaryen heir used the resources presented to him by his goodfather and Illyrio Mopatis to start planning his invasion of Westeros. It consisted of the young Targaryen himself, Illyrio, the sellsword Bloodbeard and a mysterious man Illyrio brought with him.
"So there's still no word on the usurper?" The Targaryen asked the men in front of him.
"No, your grace. His location is still unknown. They already plan to crown the prince." Illyrio stated.
"Your time is nearing, your grace. There are things that will break the Lannister hold on the throne." The hooded man said.
"A Baratheon sits on the throne not a Lannister. Don't spout such foolish things, it might cost you your tongue." Viserys spat as his anger quickly reached the surface.
The man chuckled, "Soon the truth will spread across Westeros and the throne will have not a soul to sit upon it. War is near, my king. I advise you to sweep in when they are weak and claim what is yours."
"With what army? My company will not be enough to takeover, even if the Lords of Westeros are weakened." Bloodbeard said putting in his opinion.
Viserys looked on at the sellsword with fury clear in his eyes before turning back to the stranger, "What are you speaking of, what truth?"
The stranger opened his mouth to speak but he stopped and looked towards the door. Viserys opened his mouth to command the man to speak but a guard burst through the door.
"Queen Della says the baby is coming. She is with the healers—."
He didn't get to finish as Viserys sped by him. The exiled king had been excited since the moment his wife told him she held his child. The silver-blonde haired man ran with reckless abandon as he raced towards his laboring wife.
He stopped as he realized he didn't know where she was. His sense of direction was renewed when screams of pain filled the air. The would-be king followed the sounds of anguish. Eventually he came upon the room in which his heir was being brought into the world.
He looked upon his wife. He held no love for the women but he remembered the things he heard as a child. The things his father did to his mother. How their marriage was a loveless one. He didn't want his child to grow up hearing such things. His mind came back to the woman birthing his child. Her long black hair hung in front of her face. Sweat poured down her face. She looked up at him with her green eyes. Viserys flinched as she let loose another pain filled scream.
Not knowing much about child birthing, only that his mother died giving birth to his sister Viserys was full of worry.
"Is she okay? What of my child? I will not have a dragon lost to this world because of your incompetence."
The old woman turned and glared at him, "Leave, this is no place for a man."
The beggar king's eyes filled with rage but he quickly contained it. He promised himself he would have her head after she did her duty of seeing his child enter the living world safely. He silently stalked out of the room.
He wanted to yell and scream about how people should know their place but he had heard the whispers of him being the second coming of his father, the mad king. He knew if he wanted to rule Westeros as its king that he couldn't let his anger rule him.
"Your grace." He looked up to find his goodfather and his former caretaker.
Viserys nearly snarled at the two fat men. He disliked them both. Illyrio only supported him because of the promise of riches and a spot on his council and the other magister owed Illyrio a favor and it came in the shape of his daughter. They didn't respect him or fear him but that would all change when the last dragon sat upon the iron throne once more. He would show why dragons ruled for so long, by fire and blood.
"So my daughter is bringing the Targaryen heir into this world." Ordello said with a slight frown, "There is much pain in her screams, are there any worries?"
Viserys looked down on the fat man, "My son is a dragon. The pain is nothing when compared to being a mother of dragons."
Not sure on how to respond, Ordello remained silent. Time seemed to fly by as the Targaryen heir made his way into the world. The child's crying reached his ears. Without regard for the old woman, Viserys charged into the room shoving the healer out of the way. A major sense of pride entered him as he looked down on the silver haired babe in the arms of his wife.
She looked up at him, "Would you like to hold your son, my love?"
Her voice was ragged and her sweat caked hair still hung in front of her face. She gently lifted the child into the arms of his father. Sensations he had never felt before flowed through him with his son in his arms. His purple eyes met his son's.
"Balerion, Balerion Targaryen." The dragon inside the newly named babe seemed to wake as he heard his name. Viserys smiled as he imagined the screams of his son as the roar of a dragon.
"You're named after the black dread. You will rise and become the black dread in human form. None will think to cross you. I will take back the throne but you…you will bring the glory that Aegon the Dragon had."
Little Balerion looked up at his father as if he could understand what he was being told. Viserys looked back to find his queen sleep. He walked over to the window that looked out at the city of Pentos.
His eyes drifted towards the direction of Tyrosh, "The bastard kings stir in the south."
Then his purple eyes turned west, "The usurper is gone and his kingdom is crumbling."
For the first time in years Viserys felt closer to reclaiming his birthright. He would let the lords of Westeros tear each other apart and then crush any opposition with his forces granted to him by the magisters of Pentos, although he did worry about the new Blackfyre. Aelix Blackfyre had made a name for himself. He could be a problem in the future. Viserys allowed himself to forget about his problems and focused back on his son. He promised himself he would be better than his father.
It had only been two days since the birth of his son. If he wasn't with his son then he was planning his invasion. He was determined to reclaim his kingdom not only for himself but for his son. Balerion had given his life a new meaning. Although he had been planning to take back Westeros he was never so determined to do so. Before the birth of his son he just sat back as if the throne would come to him but now—now he knew he had to take it.
"My king," Viserys turned to see his wife with their son in her arms.
He wasn't in love with the women as husband and wife should be but there were some affection for her. The fact that she survived giving birth to a dragon made him care for her.
"What is it?"
"My father wishes to see you."
Viserys stood and moved away from his desk. He walked to his wife and child. He looked down at his son's light purple eyes and smiled. He gave his wife a brief glance.
"I am king and no man summons the king. If the magister wishes to speak with me he will make the effort of coming to me."
Della frowned briefly but soon it turned into a smile, "You're right my king. I will inform my father of his folly."
In reality the queen was afraid of what could come out of the two dominant males clashing. Her father had been in power for a long time and he didn't particularly like Viserys but he tolerated him due to what he could give him.
Viserys waited for the arrival of the magister but he never came. Instead he sent a servant in his place. The thin man bent down on one knee, looking up at the Targaryen.
"Your grace, Magister Ordello has sent me to bring his word." Anger entered his mind at the slight, intentional or not. The lack of respect Ordello showed him would cause problems in the future. He took the parchment from the man and with a wave of his hand the man was gone. He unfolded the paper.
Do not forget you are not truly a king yet. To be king you need strength and I am giving that to you, pentoshi strength. You are in Pentos, where I rule. Until the time comes where a crown is on your head and you sit on the iron throne you must respect me for who I am. Fear not young Targaryen, these writings hold no tidings of internal problems as you are my daughter's husband and the father of my grandchild but it does hold wisdom. I urge you to learn to step down from your throne and work with those willing to help you.
Sincerely, Magister Ordello
The beggar king inwardly fumed, "How dare he, the dragon rules lesser creatures. It does not work with them, it commands them!"
Though he truly believed he was above anything without dragon blood he knew the magister's words held some truth. His mind started moving in a flurry. He thought back to the Targaryen kings and their methods of ruling. There were those who used fear and power like King Maegor but his rule was nothing but war and death. Viserys didn't want that. His mind moved to Maegor's successor King Jaehaerys II "The Conciliator". The man solved the realms problems and brought peace. Viserys once again shook his head. He was not so peaceful as that man. He soon came to the conclusion that he would be his own man. A man loved and feared, one to be remembered.
Boom! There you go guys. Chapter 7 done, I hope you guys enjoyed what was written. Things are starting to pick up. Robb and Margaery's relationship was revealed. Will it survive now with her due to marry soon to be king Joffrey? Ned suffered an injury after an attack in the crownlands. Jon is still thinking about going to join the night's watch. The direwolves are here! So much going on and next chapter will only add on. Reviews will help, I'd like to know what you guys think about the story so far. Until next time, Lknight out.