A song unsung
Guest: I wouldn't call Ned an idiot but he certainly isn't himself right now. He has a lot on his plate and he's dealing with it, albeit slowly but don't count him out just yet!
Chapter 13
299 AC, Riverlands
The Rose of Highgarden wasn't use to being at the mercy of the more savage side of nature. Unfortunately for her, nature seemed unbalanced at the moment. The Riverlands was in the middle being bombarded by continuous rainfall. Rain and mud was all she had known since fleeing from King's Landing.
Margaery sat in her tent as rain continued to fall. The Tyrell lady had seen better days. Bruises adorned her once unblemished face. Unseen were the bruises on her stomach and legs. The pain from the attack still lingered in every movement. She blamed herself, she knew the type of person the king was and yet she still tempted him. She had played her part but Joffrey played his as well. He would pay for what he did. His actions caused her to lose a part of her she had only just met.
The troubled lady unconsciously rubbed her hand along her stomach. She finally realized what she was doing. Tears began welling in the corners of her golden brown eyes.
A disturbance directly outside her tent caught her attention, "Lady Margaery does not wish to be disturbed."
She recognized the voice of her original sworn sword, Ser Bartimus. After the death of her grandmother Sers Erryk and Arryk swore themselves to her at the behest of her late grandmother. She sent the two men out to scout the road ahead. Ser Bartimus had been at her side for most of her life. He had saved her during a raid by the ironborn during their rebellion. Afterwards the man pledged his services to the safety of the young girl. Since then, no living being could get to her without him blocking the way, even family.
"We are family, you know this, Ser Bartimus." She recognized Elinor's voice.
In another time she would have laughed as the two continued to go back and forth, as they had many times before. Now was not such a time, her heart was full of grief and her mind clouded by anger. Quickly the voices became irritating and only served to aid her anger in overtaking her.
"Enough!" She hissed, getting up from her position, "I mean to take a walk, will you accompany me Elinor?"
Inside it was killing Elinor to see her cousin in her current state. Margaery had always been strong, especially after Lady Olenna died. Margaery felt that she was the only one that could fill the void that her grandmother left. She was strong but she could only ignore her own wellbeing opposed to others for so long. After the attack on her cousin, Elinor wanted to write Lord Tyrell and tell him what had happened. Her suggestion was supported by Alla and Megga but Margaery refused. She ordered her household to pack and they left not even a day after the incident.
"Of course my lady." Margaery flashed a smile that would make men drool and women jealous but Elinor knew her well enough to know that it was not real. Her large brown eyes gave away the truth, the sorrow, the anger she felt. In any event Elinor would support Margaery. King or not, she wanted Joffrey to pay for what he did, for what he took.
Nonetheless the handmaiden walked alongside her lady and cousin. The rain had stopped, at least for the moment. She threw Ser Bartimus a glare as he silently stomped behind them. The knight ignored the woman as he kept his head on a swivel.
"I thank you for your continued support, Elinor. You could have easily returned to Highgarden when I chose to leave King's Landing."
"Of course, you are my cousin and we've been close nearly since birth." Elinor replied with a smile.
"The road to Winterfell will not get easier. In fact the lands of the north are harsh and unforgiving." Margaery told her as they walked through the small camp.
"Are you sure your young wolf will give us sanctuary?" Elinor flinched as Margaery turned with a deathly sweet smile, "You…you know with possible consequences from the crown?"
"Robb will not abandon me." Saying his name brought up fond memories. Hope was the only thing keeping her sane.
"We have to be sure, Margaery. Though I have heard of Lord Stark's staunch honor, surely he would want justice for the loss of a gran—." Elinor stopped herself from finishing the last word. She turned to see Margaery frozen. Her eyes full of pain, once vibrant golden brown, now likened to the muddy grounds they stood on.
Tears threatened to fall from the distressed beauty's eyes but the dying words of her grandmother echoed in her head.
"With me gone, you will be the one to preserve House Tyrell. You can't show weakness in a world like ours, keep growing strong."
She moved to console her "Margaery I'm—." Ser Bartimus stepped in between them. He stood stiffly looking down on her with a look of disapproval.
"I enjoyed our walk. Remember we leave at first light." Elinor choked on her words as Margaery walked away, graceful as ever.
"Are you okay, my lady?" Ser Bartimus spoke in a deep, dry voice.
"I am fine, though I would love to be at Winterfell already."
Ser Bartimus nodded. He remained silently as they continued walking. Soon they came upon a small pond. Margaery stood looking into the water.
"My lady." Margaery craned her head to look at the guard, "May I speak freely?"
"You've been my shield against all things for what seems like centuries. You have earned the right to speak freely." Margaery told the man with a true smile, rare in recent times.
"How do you know Lord Stark will allow us in his lands? You heard the whispers of the Stark girl. With you gone he's going to marry her. Even if he doesn't, the Stark children can be used as hostages, you for them." He knew it a sore spot but he only thought of her safety. He still blamed himself for what happened. For nine years he had protected her from all things and yet the one time he failed, it cost his lady the most.
Margaery turned towards him with her golden brown orbs gleaming with emotions. Outwardly the knight stood firm but inside the look in her eyes had him slightly shook.
"Lord Stark is a wise man. Word of Joffrey's temper is heard all through Westeros, he will see it the truth of it. I lost a child because I would not let a man I did not have me, a man who think's because he's king, he can have all things."
The invigoration soon disappeared. The anger turned to sadness, the strong façade she held crumbled like a withered rose. Tears danced down her rosy cheeks.
Like the day Lady Olenna passed, Ser Bartimus took the girl into his arms. Margaery didn't fight the man. She only continued crying into her shield's chest. Her sorrow continued pouring out for a short time. She wiped her tears away before going back to her tent.
Margaery didn't realize how tired she was until she got back to her tent. Sleep quickly embraced the young woman. That night she would dream of the future, whether it would come to be was another matter.
When the morning light invaded her tent Margaery had already been up. She was ready to continue the journey to Winterfell, to Robb. The twin knights, Erryk and Arryk had returned during the night. With information of the roads ahead of them the small Tyrell party continued north.
Castle Black, 299 AC
The threat at the wall was becoming more rumor than truth. True Ned's scouts had seen the army of wildlings but they had not moved against the wall once since he arrived. As strange as it sounded the peace was starting to make him paranoid. At a point in time there was a supposed threat of a large wildling army and a mythical threat but now—now there was nothing.
He had been spending his time looking over the wall. As the days went by Robb was out there, though he wasn't alone. Ned himself didn't know the lands beyond the wall but he knew them to be harsh. As a child his father told him that the winds of winter lived beyond the wall. As a child and still as an adult Ned never knew what he meant. His father's voice echoed in his head.
"Winter never leaves those lands, it is alive and well. The winds of winter can take life but they can give life as well." He remembered his father's hard gray eyes focus on him, "Never forget, Starks are of Winter."
Lord Rickard Stark wasn't a talking man but when he did he always left you thinking about what he had said. As a second son Ned always felt he would always be one step behind Brandon. While his lord father didn't treat any child better than the other, he did spend a lot of time with Brandon. Eddard never resented his father or his brother for that because he understood Brandon's position as heir. Now things were different.
"Lord Stark?" Arthur's voice came from the other side of his door.
Eddard lifted himself off of his bed. Winter stood right beside him as he walked towards the door. He opened it revealing Arthur standing alone.
"What is it?"
Arthur handed him a letter. Ned took the parchment in his hands. Unfolding the paper his eyes began scanning it. The first line caused a hitch in his throat. As he read on his eyes turned into gray pools of molten steel.
Arthur noticed his liege's quick change in mood. His worry for his friend only continued to grow. Since Robb left the man had taken to standing on the wall looking out at the blinding snows of the far north. The second letter in his hand grew heavier as Lord Eddard's eyes rose with a troubling look. He knew not of its contents but something felt off.
"The king rides for Winterfell." The winter storm brewing behind the eyes of Lord Stark gave Arthur reason to pause. Lord Stark was a man in control of his emotions but at the moment the look in his eyes said otherwise.
The North seemed to mimic his sentiment. Freezing winds snapped open the lone window in the room. The winds cut through the air like blades in the tiltyard, reminiscent to a song of steel. As the weather came back to a silent calm, Arthur looked to Eddard with curiosity.
"What purpose does his grace have here in Winterfell?"
Eddard offered the knight the letter. Arthur let his eyes scan the piece of parchment. As the letter went on, the more he felt things were getting worse.
"Surely Lady Margaery isn't capable of such things." Arthur said more as a statement. It was foolish to think the Tyrell girl could do such things. The Dayne had met the girl on her visit to Winterfell; she was everything a southron lady was thought to be, in the positive sense.
"The king seems to believe she is and that she is on her way to Winterfell."
"Do you believe she will go to Winterfell and not Highgarden?" Arthur asked. Despite his recent behavior, Arthur had full confidence in his Stark lord. Throughout the years of his service he had witnessed the man prevail over every challenge that presented itself.
"Aye, after her grandmother passed, Robb became her light. Lord Tyrell finally had to rule his lands without the help of his mother. In her letters she told Robb her father had changed after the death of his mother. I know not of Lady Alerie but she and Robb she knew love. We both know what love can make us do."
"What will you do, my lord?"
"What's right, I will not see an innocent girl suffer for the wants of a boy-king, Robert's boy or not." Eddard looked to his most loyal soldier. He could see the apprehension in his eyes. Daynes violet met Eddard's gray.
"Do not worry, my friend. I will avoid war as best I can."
"That is not the root of my worries, my lord." Arthur presented the second letter. Eddard reached for the letter and took it into his hands.
Having already received bad news, Ned prepared himself as his eyes fell on the letter.
"All men know me for the trueborn son of Steffon Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, by his lady wife Cassana of House Estermont. I declare upon the honor of my House that my beloved brother Robert, our late king, left no trueborn issue of his body, the boy Joffrey, the boy Tommen, and the girl Myrcella being abominations born of incest between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime the Kingslayer. By right of birth and blood, I do this day lay claim to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Let all true men declare their loyalty. Done in the Light of the Lord, under the sign and seal of Stannis of House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms."
"It seems war will come." He once again handed his personal guard a letter.
Despite being a master of his emotions, Arthur couldn't stop the frown from forming on his face. He had dealt with the incest of the Targaryen's during his time as a kingsguard but that didn't mean he liked it.
"How can this be, Jaime has been at Casterly Rock since the rebellion." Arthur asked.
Eddard shook his head, "I can't be certain but Stannis is a just man, he would not lie about such a matter."
"What will you do, my lord? Your children are nearing the crownlands and the king is on his way to Winterfell."
"You and I will ride to Winterfell. We will await the king's arrival with the wolves at our backs."
Eddard said no more as he prepared for his departure. Before he could leave he needed to write his wife and goodbrother to inform them of the new revelations. Edmure could be of great help. He hoped one of the southron river lords could stop his children before they entered the crownlands. He quickly wrote the letter and took it to Chett, one Maester Aemon's helpers.
Next he had to give control to his forces to one of his commanders. He had choices but one was clearer than the rest, William. He sent word to Oakenshield and his friend was there within the hour. Lord Dustin was a tall man with broad shoulders. His brown hair hung over his face, hiding the scars from his numerous battles. William was a man Ned trusted with his life.
"Gods Ned, you look like an old man." The Lord of Barrowtown said as soon as he laid eyes on his friend. William never was one for formalities, a man who spoke what he felt. It was one of the reasons they became such good friends. Despite Ned being a Stark William treated him like a man and just that, though he gave respect where it was due.
"Times are bad, my friend." Ned then began to tell William of the recent events.
"The queen, a brother-fucker and her children bastards of incest?" Eddard gave a positive nodded. Lord Dustin scoffed at the situation.
"And this bastard king is going to Winterfell and might possibly have your children hostage?"
"Yes and that is why I must go. William you have command of the army while I am away. I may need you to lead them south."
William nodded, "What of the threat beyond the wall?"
"We will deal with that when it comes but for now the south is the bigger threat. We've had little to no interaction with these wildlings. Something is keeping them from marching on the wall. I pray they see the foolishness in their endeavor."
"I will hold the wall until the end of days for you, my lord."
Ned gave a thin smile, "Who runs Oakenshield in your absence?"
Lord Dustin broke in a large grin, "My son and heir, Roderick. The lad takes after his Umber kin, nearing the size of Jon and his boy. He'll make a fine lord one day."
Eddard smiled as his friend words were full of pride. Ned had met the boy only a few times but he knew as a son of William he would be good for Barrowtown.
"I must go, my friend." Ned said standing up.
After quickly saying goodbye to one of his most loyal lords, Ned was on the back of his horse with Winter standing below him. She stood near half the height of his steed. It still left him in awe of his wolf's size. Arthur sat on his pale mare next to him. Darkness had begun to descend on the lands but Lord Stark wanted to make it to Winterfell as soon as possible.
The three sped through a forested area. They had made good time but now it was pitch black. This dark was not a darkness that he knew. Something was different about. Ned looked around and swore he saw figures moving in the darkness but not coming any closer. There were two things he knew he saw for sure. Winter's eyes gave off a mystical glow and Dawn pulsed with life as it sat on Arthur's back. He didn't feel right riding in such darkness.
"We camp for the night." He told Arthur as he began to come to a stop.
Ned quickly brought fire to life in the middle of the small camp. The fire seemed to bring life to the shadows around him. An uneasy feeling welled up inside him but he linked that to the mess the Lannisters had brought down upon the kingdom.
He watched as Arthur came and sat across from him. The day Arthur saved his life was still fresh in his mind. His moment of reminiscence was cut short by a familiar growl.
He turned to see Winter with a score of snow hares hanging from her mouth. Blood covered her muzzle as she dropped the poor animals to the ground.
The night went well, Winter's catch was put on the fire. After eating Arthur was set to guard. He wasn't alone as Winter sat on her haunches next to him. Soon his eyes became heavy. There was an odd constant breeze flowing through the camp. It somehow eased him into a slumber. As he closed his eyes and sleep took him, he had no worries of danger in the night.
The morning rays seemed dull as Eddard and Arthur readied their horses. Dawn was bleak, clouds loomed overhead blocking much of the sunlight. He saw a red hue in the sky above.
Eddard saw it as an omen. Darkness was keep light at bay, a lot of blood would be shed in the coming days. Powered by the need to protect in family from the madness to come, Eddard rode faster than he had in a long time.
Time passed quickly. Invigorated with new energy the trip took a little over a fortnight. The sight of his ancestral home brought a wave of joy to him. It looked better than ever due to he and his father's improvements. After his father rebuilt and fortified Moat Cailin, he turned his attention to Winterfell or rather Winter Town. The late lord Stark improved the life of the small folk of the small town. Existing homes were improved, new homes were built. The improvements caused a boost of morale which in turn meant work was finished. The Starks and the North flourished all on their own.
Eddard himself could do more after his gains from the rebellion and the help of his brother, Brandon. The ancient first keep had its walls renewed and its grounds cleaned. His biggest and most costly project was the broken tower. Its height made many men weary of working atop it but a score of brave men worked tirelessly to bring it back to glory. It now stood as the tallest watchtower in Winterfell once more.
"My lord, Ser Arthur, welcome back." The gate guards greeted simultaneously.
"It's good to be back." Lord Stark said.
The two men and the direwolf strode through the gate. Ned followed his first thought and went to the sept. There on her knees in front of the stone renditions of the seven. The light of the candles flickered from a cold wind as Eddard stepped into the sept. He looked back towards Arthur giving him a subtle nod, signaling to give them some privacy. Surprisingly Winter trotted off with the knight. Maybe she felt uneasy in a place for foreign gods like him.
He shook the thought, "Catelyn."
The lady of Winterfell stiffened. She looked at her husband as if he were a dream. There was conflict in her eyes. A war of emotions, it pained Ned to see his lady wife in such a state. Her hard exterior crumbled, she was soon crying into his shoulder.
"Our children, Ned." His heart clinched at the amount of pain in her voice. There love was true, he felt every ounce of pain coursing through his wife's being.
"I know I've failed as a husband…as a father." He could only blame himself.
Catelyn stopped her crying. She looked up at her husband with sad eyes. Her soft hand went to Lord Stark's cheek. A jolt of hurt stung her heart as he refused to look at her. She knew him and she would not sit idly why he destroyed himself with guilt. This time she used a little more power and forced him to look at her.
"Do not blame yourself Ned. You did not know Robb would leave without your permission and you did not know that war would make our children hostages. You are their father, how will you get them back if you continue to drown yourself in guilt?"
Ned allowed a thin smile to breakthrough his tough exterior. He tightly embraced his wife in his arms. She always knew what to say to bring him out of the darkness. It was one of the many reasons he loved her. He gave her a quick but passionate kiss before looking into her Tully blue eyes.
"I promise I will get our children back."
"I know you will, Ned. There's someone who wants to see you." She said smiling.
The Lord of the North smiled. His wife led him out of the sept towards the tiltyard. The gods seemed to be looking down on him as everyone he needed to speak too was present. Off to the side was Rickon playing with Winter and his own direwolf, Shaggydog. Ser Arthur stood talking with his captains while some of his men sparred.
Eddard silently walked over to his son. His approach was cut short as the black direwolf set his unnatural green eyes on him and released a growl. Winter moved like the wind as she made it to Eddard's side. Shaggydog whimpered as his mother's eyes leered down on him. Rickon looked up and a large smile appeared on the youngest Stark's face.
"Daddy!" The long haired boy rushed into his father's arms.
"You've gotten big. Almost too big to carry." Eddard said with a smile. The boy's innocence would be something he would treasure in the coming times. He would keep him away from what was to come at all cost.
"I missed you, mother said you were gone fighting the bad men from beyond the wall." His eyes were full of curiosity.
"Aye but I didn't do much fighting, just watching."
"Watching for what?"
Ned sighed, "The night, son. It seems you will get to know what winter is really like."
"I can handle it, I'm a Stark." Eddard chuckled at his son's words.
"Aye, Starks are made for winter. Though this hair of yours will give you all the warmth you need." He ruffled Rickon's hair causing the boy to laugh and squirm in his arms.
As father and son enjoyed their reunion they failed to notice Ser Arthur and two of his captains in front of them.
Arthur cleared his throat, "My lord, we should begin preparing for the king's arrival."
Eddard finally looked up and saw Arthur, Harwin and Elias Umber. Seeing it was time to prepare he sent Rickon back to his mother. He led the three men to his solar to discuss his plans for the king's visit.
Though I'm confident in my writing ability, I'm not sure if I'm capturing the characters of asoiaf correctly. I want this story to be great and I can't do that if it doesn't read like an asoiaf story. I understand that might be hard as some characters are different due to certain changes in this story but still I want Eddard Stark to seem like Eddard Stark.
Anyway this will be the last chapter for some time due to a combination of real life interfering and me wanting to write a few chapters ahead. I can tell you next chapter will be a single POV chapter, a very exciting one I might add. Please feel free to leave any criticism, positive or negative. Until next time, Lknight out.