A song unsung
I'm sure you guys have plenty of questions and they're going to get answered, eventually. The start of this chapter takes place at the same time as last chapter and the second part is after a short time-skip. I know things have been slow but things are going to start picking up and the story is going to progress, so I hope you guys enjoy what I'm going to be putting out.
DestinyVain: You know the fatal flaw of the Starks, honor, but do not fret Ned is not the same as his book/show counterparts. You'll just have to wait and see how he sets himself apart from canon-Ned.
Chapter 10
299 AC, Vaes Dothrak
The wails of a child could be heard throughout the Dothraki sanctuary. Daenerys Targaryen had given birth to her son, Rhaego, prophesized by the Dosh Khaleen as the Stallion Who Mounts the World. He inherited his father's copper skin but he had the violet eyes and silver-gold hair of his mother. In a time of loss and peril, Rhaego was the one bright spot in his mother's life. Her husband had taken ill after a battle festered. The majority of the Khalasar had abandoned them as soon as Drogo lost his ability to ride, as no man was would follow a Khal who could not ride. At the behest of her most trusted friend and advisor Jorah Mormont she traveled to Vaes Dothrak for sanctuary. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew Drogo would not survive much longer, in Vaes Dothrak he would die in a familiar place instead of in a desert.
She weakly tried to stand as her body heavily protested. Her handmaidens Irri and Jhiqui jumped to help her. Holding her son tight as he calmed down the new mother made her way out of the room. Drogo's room was next to hers. It pained her to see her husband in such a state. Rhaego seem to calm as he neared his father.
"My sun and stars," She caressed his cheek, "Do not leave your son without a father."
It hadn't really occurred to her but she was a totally different person from a year ago. She wasn't the little girl who was married off for an alliance. She was a Khaleesi, though her khalasar was only made of four bloodriders, an exiled westerosi knight and her handmaidens. The Gods finally seemed to hear her cries when they protected her family from the men abandoning Drogo. It wasn't unusual for a weak Khal and his family to be killed by a challenging warrior but they were lucky, the men of the horde just went their own way.
The creaking of the door caught her attention. She turned to see her loyal bear. The man had openly forsaken his old home for her. He had been there at her side the longest and he wasn't going anywhere, it seemed.
"Khaleesi, the Dosh Khaleen have sent for you."
299 AC, Castle Black
Eddard Stark sat in the room given to him by the Lord Commander. His hand ran through the fur of Winter. Stressed wasn't strong enough a word to describe what he was feeling. In the time of two and a half moons he had lost his best friend, been attacked and received news of the largest wildling attack in history.
Things had been quiet at the wall giving him time to think on the future of his family, the possible threat of an enemy he had only heard of in stories and the news he received from across the narrow sea. Unfortunately a knock on his door interrupted his thoughts before he could start sorting through them.
"Come in." He instructed.
The door opened and a less than impressive man stepped into the room. The man was short and thin with black hair. His long hair hung down covering his face. To those who did not know the man he would seem to be not a threat but to those who did, he was a man you did not want to cross.
"Torick, you have news for me?" Lord Stark asked his skinchanger messenger.
"I do, mi' lord. Mance and his people have set up camp at the Fist." Torick's common tongue had come a long way, though still slightly broken.
"Is the host as large as they say?"
"Bigger." That single word brought tremors to Eddard's being. It wasn't fear he was feeling but something else. He could feel a small part of him ache for battle but he was smarter than that. He was no longer the young man that slew the White Bull in single combat. Yet he was still a dangerous man, a wolf.
Eddard sighed, "By the Gods, a force stronger than 100,000?" Torick only nodded affirmatively.
He suddenly felt thankful for having an open mind all those years ago. If he had killed every wildling that wanted a life south of the wall then things would be much worse. He even managed to get a few skinchangers in his service. Torick was the best of them. Their abilities proved invaluable in many situations, mainly scouting but they could hold their own in a fight.
"Send word to Lords Umber, Karstark, Dustin and Bolton. I want them to be ready if this wildling king should feel he's ready to move."
Torick nodded, though he remained in his place. Eddard looked up at the reformed wildling with eyes that asked a silent question of why he was still there.
"Mi' lord, there…there is something else I must tell you."
Ned straightened himself and focused on the man in front of him. In the four short years that he had known the gaunt wildling he never stumbled over his words.
"What is it, Torick?" Eddard asked with a hint of worry behind his usual commanding tone.
"While I was one with Aka I felt something, it almost broke ma' bond wit' Aka. You know me mi' lord, Torick is not one to scare but the cold I felt brought fear to ma' heart. As your family says mi' lord, Winter is Coming."
"Gods, Ben where are you?" His brother was the first thing that came to his mind. A week or so before he arrived at Castle Black a group of rangers that his brother led returned without him. They came rambling about warriors made of ice. Ned chalked it up to stress. They set out as a group of fifteen and only three returned. He had hidden fears that they weren't just rambling and his house words were finally coming into play. A year ago he would have never believed such a thing but recent happenings had drastically changed his outlook on what was real and what was not.
Ned dismissed his scout and quickly rose to go speak with the Lord Commander. Arthur fell in from his spot guarding the door, Winter trotted alongside him as he walked through the chilled halls of Castle Black. They continued on before a white streak crashed into Winter.
"Ghost get back here!" Ned looked up to see his natural-born son.
Ghost continued to harass his mother. Winter calmly stood while her pup nipped at her. Ned chuckled at the sight. Even with their sudden growth the pups weren't big enough to challenge their mother, who was larger than some smaller horses. Winter used one paw to swat the runt of her litter away. The scene reminded him of the days when Robb and Jon were but boys barely off the breast trying to spar with him and Arthur.
"Sometimes we forget that they're still just pups." Ned said looking Jon in the eyes.
Jon felt that his father was talking about more than the direwolves. He understood his father's worry. In a short matter of time things had gone from peaceful to war. First the king had gone missing, then his father was attacked, they arrived at Castle Black to find out his uncle had gone missing and now a force far larger than their own threatened to further disrupt their lives.
"A raven has arrived." Jon said handing his father a scroll.
Ned opened the scroll and scanned the contents. His hard gray eyes moved side to side as he finished reading. Jon tried to discern what could the letter be about but as usual his father's face was stern, so it was hard to tell by sight.
"A letter from Robb, it seems the newly crowned king wants Bran to be fostered in King's Landing and—." Ned looked far older than he was at the moment.
"And what, father?" Jon asked curiously.
"Sansa's hand in marriage." Ned sighed before running his hand through his hair.
So much was going on. He thought back to simpler times. Times when he was a second son when the only thing he looked forward to was serving his brother. Then it all changed, Brandon thrust himself out of the line of succession and all of his future duties fell to Eddard. At first he felt a small amount of resentment towards his brother but as time went on he realized he loved the life he had and Brandon loved his. At one point he thought himself mad, the notion of him and Brandon being born in the wrong succession. Some would say Eddard was born to be Lord of Winterfell and Brandon a second son. Now he could curse Brandon through all seven hells.
Jon could feel the rage build up in his face. If he could see himself, he would see the fury threatening to burst free. First they took his brother's betrothed, now the same man wishes to wed his sister.
"This cannot be a serious request. He is set to marry Margaery. The High Septon will never allow him to keep two wives.
"I don't have time for this now."
Ned knew it a serious request or rather a command but there were more pressing matters a hand. He would deal with Robert's boy another time.
The Warden of the North once again journeyed towards where he believed the Old Bear to be. His search was cut short as the Lord Commander found him. The robust Mormont man was flanked by Thoren Smallwood, Othell Yarwyck and Bowen Marsh, the acting First Ranger, First Builder and Lord Steward respectively. On his day of arrival at the wall Ned had been met these men, the highest ranking men in the order. Ned had only met the First Steward once before when he escorted his brother to the wall to take his vows. The other two men he had no experience with.
After greeting each other the six men made their way to a more private location. The Lord Commander suggested they go to his solar in the Lord Commander's Tower. Exiting the King's Tower they walked across the frozen courtyard. All around them men were scuffling around, tending to their duties. Some men trained, some gathered firewood and Eddard even saw a group of men repairing the ragged buildings they called home. The Lord of Winterfell had heard of the frightening decline of the ancient order but now he was seeing it with his own eyes.
He had done what he could to help the black brothers but it seemed it wasn't nearly enough. They numbered barely over a thousand, just barely. Most of them were criminals who chose the life of the wall instead of death. They were men who raped, killed and stole, there were very few volunteers these days and for that the lands would suffer.
Lord Stark's mind was taken from his troubled thoughts as the group of men arrived at the door of the Lord Commander's solar.
"So Lord Stark is there any word from your scouts?" Jeor asked. The Old Bear had been skeptical of the skinchanging business at first but after a few demonstrations he relented to let the wildlings under his fellow northman do the scouting, though begrudgingly.
Ned nodded, "Torick has confirmed the massive size of the wildling army. They number more than 100,000 but they still sit idle at the Fist of the First Men."
Jeor grumbled, Thoren's face was full of fear, Othell wore a stern expression but fear and doubt hid behind his eyes and Bowen had an undiscernible look in his eyes. A short silence came between the men.
"If they have numbers like that, why are they waiting?" Bowen asked.
Eddard chose this time to speak on his recent findings, "The Others" His voice seemed to carry a frosty wave of air as he spoke the words, "They are back and Mance and his wildlings know it."
"Seven hells, they can't be real. They're just wildlings playing with snow!" Thoren exclaimed.
"Your own brothers gave their lives to warn us. You would be foolish to ignore the signs." Eddard said in a dangerous tone.
"And what signs would that be Lord Stark?" Jeor asked, breaking his silence.
Eddard turned his hard gray eyes at the man, "The cold—." Before he could continue Thoren rudely interrupted him.
"We live next to a block of ice in the bloody North!"
The southern knight was given a scathing glare by is commander. Jeor could understand the younger man's argument but he was of the North and he knew the cold Lord Stark spoke of. He had lived in the North his entire life and now he served on the wall, he knew the cold. He wanted to believe Lord Stark but he couldn't bring himself to believe that beings made of ice roamed the lands. Lord Stark was the most honorable man he knew. He had to know what was going on himself.
"I'll lead a ranging party myself—." The Old Bear was cut off.
"Lord Commander you can't, it's too dangerous." Othell argued, clearly afraid.
"I'm no child to be coddled, Yarwyck!" He boomed, "I've fought from the wall to the Stepstones. If I want to lead a ranging party, I will damn well do it."
Thoren not wanting to challenge an angry bear remained silent. Eddard was no such man, he would speak his mind. He knew Jeor to be a fierce warrior and nigh fearless, but he also was stubborn. Ned knew Jeor didn't believe him, at least not fully. Because of that he was set on putting himself in grave danger.
"You should rethink this Lord Commander."
"Not you to, Lord Stark."
"If the Others have awoken, coupled with the army of wildlings, this is not your usual ranging. Let Torick and the others search the land again." He himself was still mildly skeptical but as the days passed, the more he was convinced.
"I will hear no more of it. Thoren, go fetch Oswell, I'm sure he will stop acting like a child now. Bowen, you gather the men in the common hall. Lord Stark, you can attend if you wish." The Lord Commander had spoken and now it would be done.
The common hall was full of Night's Watchmen. Rangers, stewards and builders alike conversed with each other. It wasn't often a meeting of this scale happened. Many of the men were curious as to what made the Lord Commander to gather the men of Castle Black. Things had been tense lately. Word had come back that man had united the wildling clans and crowned himself King-Beyond-The-Wall and now a massive wildling host sat somewhere north of the wall. Weirdly enough, there hadn't been many attacks since the so called king crowned himself.
Lord Stark stood at the back of the hall with Arthur to his right and Jon to his left. He was still against the ranging but he had not the power to stop it, although he would lend help if needed. There was a pit in his stomach. He couldn't place the source of his discomfort but something was going to happen or worse—it already had happened.
"Lord Stark?" He was pulled from his thoughts by Arthur.
"Lord Commander Mormont is about to begin."
Ned looked up to see Jeor flanked by Arthur's former sworn brother. Oswell had been urging his commander to send out a search party for Benjen but to no avail. Ned was thankful for his brother's friend. If anyone found his brother, it would be Oswell. Eddard felt no pity for the wildlings that crossed the Black Bat's path. His sword had only been sharpened by the harsh life in the North. His martial skills were put use rather than being wasted sitting idle behind a mad king.
Jeor looked out at his subordinates with a grim face. Determination set in on his aged face. His avian companion sat quietly on his shoulder.
"We've been on tough times lately…"
Ned once again drifted into his thoughts as the Lord Commander began speaking. He was trying to put together how things went to seven hells so quickly. One day he was enjoying a day with his family and the next he was at the wall fighting against an impossible enemy.
Now the son of his best friend, the same boy who snatched his heir's betrothed from his arms, wanted his daughter's hand. He had no reason to deny the king. If Robert were around he would definitely put forth the match to unite their families. In the back of his mind, in the depths of his being there was something stopping him from uniting two of the great houses of Westeros. He didn't know what it was but for the moment he would trust his gut and focus on the campaign against the wildlings.
He knew and they knew what was happening. Going back to the founding of his house with Bran the Builder, the Starks had warned the realm of the oncoming phenomenon that was winter. At the same time they were striking fear into the heart of the inhabitants of Westeros. Winter was a harsh time and like its counterparts, it could last for years on end. Winter had become synonymous with death and with death came fear. Eddard had seen winter but his children and the newer generation had only known spring and summer.
"Hmph." He scoffed aloud, unknowingly.
"What was that, my lord?" Ser Arthur asked from beside him.
Eddard saw no reason not to share his thoughts with his friend, "I am of the North, a Stark of Winterfell no less but yet I curse the times when winter comes."
Arthur saw the wry smile on his lord's face, "Why wouldn't you, when winter finally greets us the fields go barren, death's embrace comes closer and darkness falls sooner."
For some reason Eddard felt a pang of anger as if he had been insulted. He couldn't fault Arthur for thinking in such things, he was a southerner after all. They only know winter as a devastating time that brought about death and famine.
"I fear my ancestors the Kings of Winter would look down in shame. Maybe it's time for the Starks to embrace Winter once more."
Arthur opened his mouth to speak but he was interrupted by Ser Oswell. The former kingsguard stood with his usual grim look.
"Pardons." Eddard and Arthur turned their attention towards the man, "The Lord Commander requests your presence."
With a nod Lord Stark rose from his position with Winter right behind him and they followed after the ranger. Arthur took his place to the right of his lord and Jon and Ghost left to their own vices. They arrived and after formalities Lord Stark was asked if he would provide troops to combine with his one hundred. Eddard agreed, he would send two hundred men along with Lord Hornwood to supplement the Night's Watch force.
The days passed and the men were set to make their leave. One event that stalled ranging was the late arrival of Robb. His party had met trouble in the Shivering Sea in the form of Ibbenese pirates. After reassuring his father of his wellbeing he and his men were showed to their quarters. Now Lord Stark, his sons, their guards and their wolves stood on the other side of the wall watching the group of men venture into the harsh lands north of the wall.
"Do you believe they'll return?" Robb asked.
The northern heir had been told of the challenges they faced north of the wall. The united host of wildlings and an enemy not seen for centuries. The odds didn't seem to be in their favor. He was a Stark of Winterfell and it was his duty to protect the North from all dangers, no matter the odds.
"Only the Gods know, son." Eddard said turning back towards the wall.
As if the Gods gave them an answer, a chilling icy wind rushed over them. The sharp whistling sound of the breeze cutting through the air filled the ears of the Stark men and the lone southerner. Eddard and Robb seemed undisturbed by the sudden freezing wind, Jon shivered only a bit. Arthur had the worst reaction, his body gave a small spasm as the cold reached him.
"Owoooooooo." The sound of the three direwolves howling cut through the air. The chilling sound sent ripples up the backs of the men present.
Arthur wasn't a pious man but something about the whispering wind and the eerie howls of the direwolves made him believe a little bit more. He stopped calling on the Gods the day his sister was robbed of a child and with it her joy and will to live. But now something had passed through them, maybe his liege's Gods were speaking to them.
"Maybe we should head back, my lord." Arthur suggested.
"Aye, it would be wise. We know not what lurks in these lands." Lord Stark said eyeing the frozen lands in front of them.
The four men and three direwolves started their trek back to Castle Black. They made it back without a problem. Before he left the Lord Commander had given command of Castle black to Bowen Marsh. With Majority of the men stationed at Castle Black gone on the ranging, Ned had to give orders to his men to fill in the jobs left vacant. One job left vacant was the command of the Nightfort, the castle where Lord Hornwood had command.
"Robb, you will take Jon and the rest of your men to the Nightfort. Lord Hornwood's son, Daryn, is there with a force of two hundred men. You will take command, ensure you have scouts at all times and report to me if anything happens."
Lord Stark could see the joy appear in his son's eyes as he was given command. It was time, Robb was a boy or rather a man of ten and six. Commanding the Nightfort would give him experience as a leader as one day he would be.
"I will not let you down, father." The heir looked to his base-born brother, "Well, what are we waiting for brother?"
Eddard looked on with proud eyes as he watched his boys walk away. He had done his best to raise them to be a better man than he. Robb would be Lord of Winterfell and Jon would be his most loyal bannermen or so he thought.
Night had come and Robb had settled in his room, with Grey Wind sitting at the end of his bed. He hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in a long time. Somehow here on the wall he felt he would sleep better, it was odd seeing as he was there to fight off a wildling invasion. He surmised it was the cold. He always felt better when the cool air of his homeland brushed against his skin. Once again he heard the whispers in the wind just as he had earlier.
He wasn't sure if his father, Jon or Ser Arthur had heard it so he kept it to himself. Now he was alone and he heard them. He couldn't make out what was being said no matter how hard he focused. Soon he closed his eyes and let the strong embrace of sleep take him.
Night had come and gone. The morning sun shone down on the men inhabiting the Nightfort. At the moment Robb was giving orders to his brother.
"When the men are finished breaking their fast I want the sentries atop the wall relieved for the moment and—." Robb stopped as he once again heard the whispering voice but this time it was coupled by a calm yet powerful presence.
"Come to me."
"Did you hear that?"
Jon looked at him as if he were mad. Robb continued to swivel his head in search of the source of the voice.
"Follow my voice, child."
"Tell me you heard that?" Robb asked with a hint of pleading in his voice.
"Robb, I hear nothing." Jon said looking at his brother with worry filled eyes.
"You must find me, child. Follow my voice."
Robb growled in frustration. He was hearing voices but there were only he and Jon and their direwolves. He looked down at Grey Wind but only found an empty spot. The largest of the litter had begun moving towards the once home of the fabled Night's King.
"Make sure the men are doing their jobs. I will speak to you later when we sup." Robb said hurrying after his canine companion.
He easily caught up to the trotting direwolf, silently following him into the ancient castle. They eventually came to the commander's quarters. Robb eyed the doors warily. It was the room where he was supposed to be sleep in but rumors of it being cursed by the Night's King and his corpse bride was enough to keep him away. He looked down at Grey Wind who whined.
"The time is now child. Winter is coming."
Robb sighed before pushing the doors open. It was not at all what he expected. From the tales told of the room you would think it to be a dark place with a lingering sense of death but it was not. It was just a normal room, albeit you could tell no one had stepped foot inside for years.
He took another step into the room. A sudden chill gripped his body. Normally a person would shiver in such a position but Robb found it refreshing.
"Find the door and you will find the answers." The voice was louder, stronger now, as was the presence.
"Door, I see nothing of the sort." Robb responded, he looked down at Grey Wind hoping he would lead him again. The direwolf remained still at his side.
"It seems you are not yet ready. You lot have forgotten what it means to be of the North. Seek knowledge of your ancestors. I will return to you when you're ready."
"Not ready, ready for what?" The question went unanswered.
Robb closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. He was frustrated, he was hearing voices that no one else did. To make matters worse he gave not a second thought to if it was real or not. Nonetheless he believed it so far so he wouldn't stop now.
"Robb!" He turned to see his natural-born brother. Jon and Ghost made their way over to their brothers.
"Father wants us at Castle Black."
"Castle Black, has something happened?" Robb asked a bit worried. He had just settled in as commander of the castle. Why would his father call him to Castle Black so soon?
"The messenger just said he wanted us there as soon as possible."
Robb nodded, they began walking towards the stables. Upon arriving they met with Jory, who was there waiting for them. With nothing left to do there they were on their way to the Night's Watch headquarters.
Robb eyed the faux castle as he dismounted his horse. Castle Black wasn't as impressive as the Nightfort. It was still impressive enough though, it had been the main base of operations for centuries. He assumed his father was waiting for him in the common hall, he was right.
Ned stood with a grim look on his face, grimmer than usual. Ser Arthur who usual threw a smile at Robb when he saw him had the same look. Seeing this, both of the Stark boys knew something was wrong.
"Father." They said simultaneously, not sure what else to say.
Behind their lord father's hard gray eyes a storm was brewing. There weren't many times they saw their father like this. Good news never followed such a somber stare.
"Jon Arryn is dead." The words left as soon as they came, flying off into the wind as they left his mouth.
Jon felt a hint of sadness, this was the man that defied his king to save his father. He never knew the man personally but the loss of such a person would be felt throughout the entire realm.
The news hit Robb a little harder. He was fostered in the Vale just like his father before him. Jon Arryn was a fabled name throughout the Vale of Arryn. His foster father, Yohn Royce, spoke very highly of the man. The first time Robb met Jon Arryn he was amazed. He was in great shape for a man his age and he still could hold his own in the tiltyard. Now he was gone.
"How…how did he die?"
"A fever." Ned answered almost as if he was angry his mentor died in such a way. In reality he was having an internal conflict. He had been feeling odd for the last few days. There was a pulsing feeling in the back of his mind, like something wanted to escape. He would deal with that later. Right now he had to make sure his family was secure. He turned his eyes to Robb.
"Robb, King Joffrey has presented himself as a potential suitor for Sansa."
Instantly Ned could see the cold fury appear in his son's Tully blue eyes. They reminded him of frozen water. His fists were gripped, causing his knuckled to go white.
"HE DID WHAT? FIRST THIS BASTARD STEALS MARGAERY AND NOW HE WANTS MY LITTLE SISTER?" Grey Wind began growling beside his master, mimicking his emotions.
Jon looked at his brother with wide eyes. He had never seen Robb so angry. He had always been able to keep his emotions in check.
"Robb?" Jon said reaching for his brother only for his hand to be violently swatted away. A quick burst of anger allowed Jon to grab his brother's hand.
Robb turned his frozen azure eyes to Jon's sharp Valyrian Steel ones. An intense silence fell between them as their eyes met.
"Stop it!" Ned roared.
The effect was instant. Jon released Robb and they both hung their heads in shame. Their father was clearly still mourning the death of his foster father.
"I'm sorry." They said at the same time, again meeting the other's gaze, a silent agreement that they would speak on it later.
"There is more I must tell you. Sansa will be traveling to King's Landing and with her Bran and Arya. They will be fostered there."
The eldest of the Stark brood were surprised. Bran and Arya were going to be fostered in the same place where their grandfather was burned to death. They knew Bran would love it, he always wanted to meet Barristan the Bold. Arya was a different story.
"Jon, you will go with them as lieutenant of their guard."
The words hit Jon like the doom hit Valyria, unexpected and hard. Why would his father choose him for such a job?
"Ar…are you sure father? I'm sure there are other men better suited for the job."
Ned knew Jon was only a boy of six and ten but for some reason he felt now was the time to get his sons accustomed to being in control. Jon always doubted himself because of his status but he was a Stark like the rest of them.
"Aye, besides Arya listens to you." Ned said in slight jest, "Now go prepare your things. You leave before night arrives."
Jon nodded, he turned to Robb and gave him a sad smile. Robb put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, he would be alright.
Robb met his father's eye. Ned turned back towards his loyal knight and gave a silent command.
"If you allow it, my lord, I would go teach these black brothers how to properly handle a blade?"
Ned gave a nod in the affirmative. Now only Lord Stark and his heir were in the room. Silence ruled but only for a moment.
"What else is there, father?" Robb asked, almost afraid of the answer."
"Margaery is to marry prince Tommen." Once again Ned watched his son's eyes seemingly freeze over. This time he remained silent.
"I can't say I know how you feel but there is nothing we can do. Joffrey is king and Lord Tyrell is an ambitious fool. Winter is Coming and we have a serious threat on the other side of the wall. We don't have the luxury of being unfocused."
Robb gave a stiff nod, "Is that all, may I return to my post?"
Ned nodded, "Yes, tell Jory he is to replace Jon as your second in command."
It was just him and Winter. As he usually did when he was thinking he ran his hand through his direwolf's fur.
"Winter is Coming, girl and with it a new age." Ned whispered.
I'm so sorry about the wait. Between my physics and architecture classes and my job, I have very little time to write. That'll change next semester though (I hope). I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I think this is the longest or the second longest chapter of the story. Robb and Jon will have huge roles in the coming time. They will be different, yet the same from their roles in the books/show. Rhaego survived also, I can't wait to show you what the Stallion Who Mounts the World will do. Remember what I said in the beginning, magic will play a large role in this story, just wait! Until next time, Lknight out.