Summary: Before his duel against Sir Arthur Dayne, a stranger stands before a young Eddard Stark and tells him that things are not as they seem when playing The Game. Gifted with a strange power to improve himself and his lands, the Lord of Winterfell embarks on a journey that will bring his sons to their ultimate destiny.

1: The Ring of Foresight & The White Raven

Eddard Stark was very much in the mood for battle as his argument with his long-time friend and sworn brother, Robert Baratheon, still raged inside his head as he and his fellow Northern warriors marched toward the Tower of Joy to put an end to Robert's Rebellion once and for all.

"Ned, perhaps we should have brought more men?" Howland Reed said from his right, "Sir Dayne would most likely surrender if we outnumbered him."

Eddard did not turn, nor did he slow his pace, "What we have is enough." He said with a determination born of wrath and pain throughout the war. "One way or another, this ends today, and my sister will be free."

Ice was gripped in his hand so tightly that his armor creaked around his knuckles. Arthur Dayne may have been haled as the greatest swordsmen in the lands, but that was not going to stop from seeing justice done.

As the small group began to crest the hill, a tall hooded figure appeared in front of them. Eddard frowned and leveled his blade at the figure, "Out of our way!" He commanded, "We've business at the tower!"

"Of that," the figure said in a deeply cold male voice, "I have no doubt." He said as he turned to face them, lifting his hood to reveal a man dark greying hair, and long beard, one eye missing from the left side of his face. His remaining eye held Eddard's right from the moment they met as it held an authority of such strength that Eddard felt he was facing down his own father. "Greetings young Lord Eddard Stark. I have come quite a long way to speak with you."

"I have no time for idle blather!" The young lord shouted.

His ire seemed to amuse the strange being, "Have you not?" He said, making a small gesture behind him.

Eddard turned and saw that Howland and his companions had stilled and did not appear to even breathe. His eyes widened as he slowly turned his eyes back to the stranger, and was shocked to see that the man had moved to stand mere feet in front of him without even making a sound. "What are you - ?"

"I am many things," he said, sounding forlorn, "Yet I have forgotten what I truly am if I am to be entirely truthful." He said with the barest hint of a smile at his gnarled lips, "As I said, I have traveled far to speak with you." He reminded him, "I have stopped the flow of time so that your rush to see your sister will not hinder your judgement. You will see her, Drengr. Though I believe you will not find what you expect."

The young lord of Winterfell did not know how to react to this being, but a glance around him saw that time, impossible as it seemed, had indeed come to a standstill. A bird that had taken flight from a branch was frozen midair on the downward flap of its wings. A leaf that had come away from the branch lay suspended in the air, refusing to drift to the ground.

"Speak." Was all that the young man could say.

The being nodded, "Lord Eddard Stark, I come to tell you that you are about to take a step down a dark path of destiny." He said with a hint of sadness in his voice, "Ten and six years hence, you will die by the hand of a false king, as will the majority of your family as your death will sound the drums of war once again."

Eddard frowned at the man incredulously, "You...claim to know of the future?"

"As can you," he said as he held out his hand, revealing a sapphire ring between his fingers. "Should you choose."

Eddard reached out and plucked the jewel from his fingers, "A ring?"

"It is Vilya; the ring of foresight." The being said with a slight nod of his head, "When placed upon your hand, you will see your future, or a possibility of your future as it has not been carved out, yet."

"And you wish me to wear this?"

"The choice is yours alone," the being shrugged, "However, it will show you that I speak the truth." He told the young man, his lone eye beginning to glow a faint blue as he spoke, "You are a man of honor, Young Eddard, that much I have seen throughout your life, as you were taught by a man just as honorable as yourself." He said as the young man cast his eyes down at the thought of his father, and Jon Arryn, "An honorable man may seek out glory in battle, yet he may wish to avoid unnecessary deaths, as you witnessed in King's Landing with the deaths of the late prince's former wife and two children."

Eddard nodded, "Elia and her children did not deserve such a fate."

"Nor do the people you are about to face," the being said, gesturing for him to use the ring, "But you will see all of this for yourself. You've only to place the ring upon your finger."

Warily, the young lord sheathed the Valyrian Steel blade, and removed his right gauntlet. "I do warn you," the being said as he held up a hand, "What you will see may break you."

Taking a deep breath Eddard slipped the ring onto his middle finger...and his entire world shattered into a thousand pieces.

He saw himself knelt next to his sister, holding a small babe in his arms. His sister told him of the child's origins, and the truth that she was no longer Lyanna Stark but Lyanna Targaryen (nee Stark). The child was Aegon Targaryen, her trueborn son by Rhaegar Targaryen. She pleaded with him to take care and protect her son from Robert's rage and hatred of the Targaryens with her last breath as he made his promise.

The child, whom he would go on to call Jon Snow in the guise of his bastard son, would go on to grow into a man alongside his children given to him by a jealous Catelyn Tully, his wife, whose hatred of the child she viewed as a stain upon her honor only grew with each day he lived. But his children would love him as one of their own, be he baseborn or trueborn.

In that moment Eddard was proud of the children that would come into his life, and loved them even before he knew them.

Then came the death of Jon Arryn. Robert's coming to Winterfell to demand he be Hand of the King just so he could drink and whore himself into an earlier grave. Eddard felt disgust grow in this heart as he saw the man that his friend would someday become. His disgust grew when he saw Jaime Lannister push his son Bran from the ruined tower for catching himself and his sister in the middle of incest.

He screamed in fury as his son fell, struck the stones of the tower, and hit the ground, forever crippled.

Jon would then go on to the Wall to take the Black, while he promised that he would reveal to him his mother when next they met. A promise that he would never get to keep as his own daughter unwittingly sowed the seeds of his demise in her naivete to become the next queen as the cruel crown prince's wife. A lying, cowardly boy that whined and kept hold of his mother's skirts as if he were still a suckling babe.

Then came his execution.

The ring fell from his hand as he hit his knees, gasping while bile rose in his throat. "Gods!"

The being looked down at him with sympathy, "I'm sorry, my young friend, but there is so much more to see before the ring is finished with you." He said as the young man glared at the ring...before snatching it up and jamming back onto his finger.

Robb's death. His wife's death. Jon. Rickon. All of them would die. That was far from the worst of what he had seen. His eldest daughter, even though she had survived, had been raped repeatedly by Roose Bolton's bastard who had gone on to murder his own father, his elder trueborn brother, younger baseborn half-brother, and Eddard's youngest son. His heart grew cold as he saw his youngest daughter become an emotionless assassin.

After what seemed like hours, Eddard was gazing down at the ring nestled in the palm of his hand, "This cannot happen."

"Oh, but it can, and it will should your path remain as it is," the being said with sympathy. "However, I do believe that your path has begun to change, has it not?"

Eddard nodded, "It must." He said, "But what must I do?"

"Are you perhaps asking me for my help?" The being asked.

He looked up at the being, "Who else is there to turn to?"

The being smiled then, and held out his hand for the ring, which Eddard gave over with trembling hands. "This ring has other abilities." He held the jewel between his thumb and forefinger, "Many of which you may make use of, but will also mark you as someone not of this world." He looked down at the young man, "It has shown you all that you need to see, for now, so there is little risk of you losing your mind because of those same visions." He said, his lips turning up into a smirk, "I am able to grant you other things as well."

"Such as?"

The being chuckled, "Do not take my meddling lightly, my young friend," he said to the utter confusion of Eddard, "For you see if I offer my help, and you accept it, this world will be utterly changed in many ways that you cannot even imagine." The being said as the young man frowned, "Things that should not exist shall exist as you and I do in this very moment. Things that should exist will not be there. And you will be forced to do many things both terrible and great." He held up three fingers, "What say you, Lord Eddard Stark? Do you still wish for my help?"

Eddard nodded, "I do! I'll do anything for my future family, I - !" The being reached out and touched the three fingers to his forehead running them down over his nose and eyes. Eddard gave a bark of pain as his head was wracked with pain. "What are you -?!"

He groaned in pain before he opened his eyes, and saw a small...window...panel?...before his eyes.

Character Information

Name: Eddard Stark | Level: 1 {250/500}

Race: Human

Job: Knight | Fatigue: 5

Title: Lord of Winterfell & Warden of the North

HP: 100

MP: 0

Strength: 10 | Vitality: 10

Agililty: 10 | Intelligence: 10

Sense: 10

Remaining Status Points: 3

Skills:

Strong Attack: Allows you to perform strong attacks which ignore enemy armor.

{No Skills have been unlocked.}

Fast Attack: Perform fast melee attack with either sword.

{No Skills have been unlocked.}

Author's Note: With each level gained, HP rises by 100 points. 3 Status points are awarded with each level as well as 3 additional points for each quest completed.

When adding points to Vitality, HP will also increase by five points.

Eddard shook his head, reaching up to try to touch the panel only to have his hand pass right through it. "You won't be able to touch it," the being chuckled, "If you want to distribute the points, then all you need do is think of the area you want them to be placed in, however, you must choose carefully, as you cannot undo them once they have been placed."

"What is this?" Eddard demanded as he glared at the being, "What have you done?"

"It can be seen as a gift in this instance," the being said, "As you have most likely guessed, as your level grows higher, you yourself shall grow stronger." He said before holding out the ring once more, "And you may keep this. When the time comes, you may pass it on to your heir, along with two others."

"Two?" Eddard said just as another window popped up; this one titled Inventory.

Inventory

Wolf Armor (5% Physical Damage Reduction) {Equipped}

Wolf Boots (5% Physical Damage Reduction) {Equipped}

Wolf Gauntlets (5% Physical Damage Reduction) {Equipped}

Valyrian Steel Greatsword {Ice} (100% Strength Enhancement) {Equipped}

Vilya [Ring of Power] {Equipped}

Narya [Ring of Power]

Nenya [Ring of Power]

Eddard frowned, "What...what am I to do with all of this?"

"Why prevent the world from falling into chaos, of course," the being said, "Though I doubt you'll do it alone. The bearers of the other two rings, and possibly another bearer of the one you wear, will be detrimental to the future of this land." He said, "You will also be gifted with Nine lesser rings to gift to those whom you trust above all others. Nine other lords that are loyal to you, and your House only. Choose wisely, for those Nine Rings have the potential to fall to corruption from those who bear them."

Eddard nodded, "And the...great and terrible things?"

"They are the path you must take to grow ever stronger, Young Stark." The being said, "These small windows you are seeing before you will appear to you daily for randoms exercises and quests that you must complete. However, at times you will receive greater quest that will require you to do something greater than even your king is capable of. These labors you must complete, to gain wealth, power, influence and companions for the future of your House...or, in few cases, they may be the end of you should you fail."

"And the changes that you said would come if I accepted your aid?" Eddard had a sinking feeling that he would not like the being's answer. And in answer to his question, the being gestured to the sky north of their position where a shimmering area beneath the clouds was slowly materializing. "What in the name of the Old Gods?"

"That," the being said, "Is part of the changes that have come about." The shimmer began to take shape, and Eddard bore witness to what could only be called a small Dragon being placed in the sky! "That is a draconid, a lesser Dragon if you will, called a Wyvern. They do not breathe fire, nor do the grow as large as their cousins, yet they are no less dangerous if encountered." The being looked at him, "And that is but one of the monsters that will be born into this world now that you have accepted my aid." He gave the young man a sad look, "My aid comes at a varying price. And it would seem that your price is a more dangerous wilderness to deal with. Not a terrible price, but not a fair price, either."

Eddard shook his head, "I...I will endure it...that is the North's way."

The being nodded, "That was well said." He smiled as his form began to fade, "Before I am forced to leave you, I must warn you of yet two more rings."

"More of them?" Eddard groaned.

"Two that were out of my possession, and my control." The being said, "They appear as simple gold and silver bands, yet these two rings are possibly the most dangerous out of all of them." He grew dimmer, "The golden band will draw in the weak of will, and both will give the bearers power over all of the others save for the three that you have in your possession. The Nine will be under their control." He shook his head, "However the silver band does not corrupt the bearer, rather it fortifies them, and grants them strength to oppose its brother. Only the bearer of the opposite ring may destroy the other."

"Wait! Who are you!?" Eddard suddenly grew desperate as the being began to fade away, "And how do I find these rings?"

"They will find you." And with that, the being was gone, leaving a white raven in his place as it took flight, and Eddard felt the world begin to move again.

Eddard looked around as Howland began to move again and came up to his shoulder, "Ned?" He asked, "Are you well? You look as though you've seen a ghost."

Eddard shook his head, "I think I may have...come on, we've little time," he sighed as he trudged up the hill, "Sheath your swords, and do nothing to upset the guards."

Howland and his fellows nodded as they crested the hill, and came face to face with what remained of the Kingsguard.

Arthur Dayne glared at them stoically as a window popped up in front of Eddard.

Quest Alert {The Sword of Morning}

Your actions will now decide the fate of your party, and those of the Kingsguard. Choose wisely, and you will live, and may gain the favor of an important character. Choose poorly you will lose the opportunity to gain a strong supporting character, as well as your men.

Eddard frowned, and took a deep calming breath, "Sir Arthur Dayne," he spoke calmly, "I would view meeting you as an honor if the circumstances were not so dire."

Arthur nodded his head at the young lord, "And I have heard tales of your bravery, Lord Stark," he said, "You are as honorable as your father, may he rest in peace."

Eddard bowed his head, "Your words are kind, Sir," he raised his eyes up to the tower, "Will you allow me pass?"

"I cannot," the Kingsguardsmen said, "I am sworn to protect those in this tower with my life, no matter who they may be."

Warning! The character in front of you is growing hostile. If you do not calm them, a battle will be unavoidable.

Name: Arthur Dayne | Level: 80

Race: Human

Job: High Knight

Title: Sword of Morning

HP: 2000

MP: 1000

Strength: 848 | Vitality: 848

Agililty: 848 | Intelligence: 848

Sense: 848

Hostility - 75%

Eddard gulped. [If what I've learned is true, then he's much stronger than I am.] He thought, desperate to avoid a fight and see his sister, and his newborn nephew. He looked down at his sword, and sighed, [An honorable man may seek an honorable end, but may also wish to avoid needless bloodshed.] His mind echoed the being's words to him once more.

He reached for his belt, unclasping it, and tossed Ice to the ground. "Disarm." He order his men, who looked at him in confusion. He turned when they did not obey, "I said disarm!" He roared.

They hastily did as they were told and soon his sword was joined by their weapons. Intelligence +5. He ignored the notice for a moment and looked back to Arthur, a look of plea on his face, "I am not Robert Baratheon whom would only see dragonspawn where I see innocent children." He told the man as he gave the young man a look of mistrust, "I am Eddard Stark; Lord of Winterfell and the Warden of the North."

Hostility - 35%

"If you see me as a threat, then bind my hands if you must," he offered up his wrists, "But I will see my sister...and our future king."

Sir Dayne's features softened then, "You know?"

At this, Eddard gave a small snort of laughter, "I would be a fool to believe that anyone could kidnap my sister, Sir Dayne," Eddard replied, "Let me go to her," he dropped to his knees, "I beg of you."

Hostility - 0%

"On your feet, Lord Stark," Arthur said as he stepped aside, "We must greet our new king."

Eddard sighed in relief, wondering fleetingly if the Quest was complete as he followed the knight up the tower.

He thought he had steeled his heart for what he was about to see. He thought he was prepared.

He was not.

Lyanna lay on a birthing bed, the stench of blood ripe in the air as the midwife cradled a quiet little bundle in her arms next to his sister's face as she smiled at the babe. She looked so tired. As if she lay on the bed defeated after some great battle. And she had. He knew that she had won the battle against the birthing of her son, but the war to survive was long lost.

Then her sunken features landed on him, "Ned?"

"Hello, sister," the young man breathed out as he stepped forward slowly, sinking to his knees next to the bed with Arthur close behind him, "Hello, my queen."

Tears flowed from her eyes as Lyanna looked up at her brother, "Oh, Ned, I'm so sorry that you had to find me like this."

Eddard shook his head, "It's not your fault. Benjen was too afraid of father to tell him the truth," he said, looking up at the knight, "So he told him what he wanted to hear the most. That you would never disobey him. That you would never run off to marry Rhaegar Targaryen willingly."

"What news of my beloved?" Lyanna asked wearily, her eyes growing cold with malice as her brother shook his head, "Robert."

"Aye, Robert," Eddard sighed, "His jealous rage was a key factor to winning the war, but not his sitting on the Iron Throne."

Lyanna looked at her babe, "If he knew about my son...about Rhaegar's son...!"

"He won't," Eddard hushed her, "I will not let him spill anymore innocent blood."

Lyanna smiled at him tiredly, "You would truly look after him, then?"

"On my honor," Eddard said with a determination that put all else to shame, "He will be protected from all that may harm him. He will be my son in all but blood."

Arthur looked down at him, "And if he should ask you to help him take the throne?"

"If that is what he wants, then so be it," Eddard said with a nod. He had seen many kings ascend the Iron Throne thanks to Vilya, and the one person he thought would be the best would be the young man that never wanted it, but should have had it from the beginning. "When he becomes a man of six and ten, I will tell him the truth of his birth, and should he wish to reclaim the throne, then the North will declare for him."

Lyanna smiled weakly at him, "All I would ask is that you protect him," she said, "I care not if he ascends the throne, but please...please help him grow, and be happy."

Eddard nodded his slowly head as he reached for the child himself, cradling him against his chest, "He will grow, strong, hale and healthy, and I will make certain that he finds happiness, whatever form it may take."

Lyanna's tears flowed as her brother held her babe close to her and allowed her to kiss his forehead, "Blessings of the Old Gods be upon you, my beautiful Aegon."

Eddard stayed with his sister until she breathed her last, his own tears joining hers as she passed from the world, leaving the little boy in his arms bereft of a mother.

Quest Alert {Sword of Morning - Complete!}

You have gained the support of the loyal knight, Sir Arthur Dayne, former Kingsguard of the Targaryens. You now have the potential to add his strength to your House as a trainer/teacher/guard.

Reward: 500 exp. {750/500} You Have Leveled Up! 3 Status Points will be added. Current Level: 2 {Exp. to next Level: 250/750}

Supporting Character: Arthur Dayne

Title: The Humble Lord [Gains more respect and adoration from all characters for being humble enough to plead with another.]

3 Status Points will be added for completeing the Quest.

Quest Alert {The King is Dead Long Live the King!} [Main Quest]

The Usurper King, Robert Baratheon, sits on the Iron Throne. The true heir must be cared for and protected until he is of age to decide whether or not to take back what is rightfully his. Raise the heir as your own. Teach him the ways of the North, and make sure that the madness of the Targaryens died with his grandfather.

Quest Alert {Legacy of Fire} [Side Quest]

Dragon eggs are rare and valuable, but not impossible to find. Find and hatch a Dragon egg to gain the beast's loyalty.

Eddard wasted no time at all in riding to Winterfell with Sir Dayne and his men at his side to protect the young babe that was now known as Jon Snow. Both men had agreed that it was best that the child be known as a bastard of Eddard's until he was of age, damn the stain it would put on his honor. Many a Northern Lord had a bastard or two tucked away. His greatest obstacle would be his wife, the Lady Catelyn Stark nee Tully, as she was a proud Southern woman that viewed bastards with great contempt.

Thanks to Vilya, however, Eddard knew what to expect, and would readily reveal the child's identity to her before she could grow to hate him. He would not subject the boy to the glares and the disdain he had seen through the power of the ring which was now tucked away in his armor on a leather cord.

What worried him were these Quests he would have to take up. Keeping Jon safe was going to be hard enough, but finding a Dragon's egg? How was he to do that?

Character Information

Name: Eddard Stark | Level: 2 {250/750}

Race: Human

Job: Knight | Fatigue: 0

Title: Lord of Winterfell & Warden of the North

HP: 200

MP: 5

Strength: 10 | Vitality: 10

Agililty: 10 | Intelligence: 15

Sense: 10

Remaining Status Points: 9

280 AC. - Jon Snow is born. Sirs Dayne, Whent, and Hightower swear to protect the hidden prince, and the House of Stark.

280 AC. - Robb Stark is born.

Author's Note: I've seen them all over, so naturally I had to try my hand at a Gamer-type Game of Thrones fic. Now this one will have elements from Lord of the Rings and Witcher 3. Now, this is only the first part of what I think is going to be a 3-part story, the first part being Eddard raising the North up, and gaining allies, not gonna be a long book that first part. Second will be Jon gaining the same leveling system as Eddard eventually.

Anyway, if ya like it and wanna see more, ya know what to do! Adios Amigos!