Chapter 5

Rosfield's in the North

The voyage north was a long one for Clive Rosfield. Every day was spent sparring with Rex and Cody, watching over Joshua when he could, and keeping Torgal out of the kitchen…assuming that was ever possible without Jill's help. No amount of time spent with her ever seemed to help his understanding of how she could keep Torgal under control so much better than he could. It was as if the traitorous pup would act up just so that she would carry him around whereas if Clive tried to wrangle him there would be more damage done.

"As if he knows what he is doing," Clive grumbles on deck as he goes through the motions with his sword "By the Flames…if I find out Torgal is doing this on purpose."

"You'll do your best to learn from his antics," Clive nearly dropped his sword in surprise as Elwin approached him, fatherly smile firmly in place "You are supposed to be learning from him as well Clive, not just getting into trouble with him."

"What can a dog teach me? Father I…I don't understand any of it."

Elwin chuckles, clapping his hands on the boy's shoulders "You know, you don't have to look at every problem like it were an instruction for battle. You think too much with your fighting instincts, and not so much with your peaceful side."

"And that means…?"

"That not every problem is to be solved with the swing of a blade, for some can be solved with an open mind or even a quill in hand."

Clive examines his weapon. The smith had finished it just before they left for Port Isolde, said it was the finest piece he had crafted for a shield of Rosaria. "So…battle is not always the answer?"

"Correct," Elwin motions for Clive to follow him as he walks over to the port side "You see that off in the distance? Those little islands?"

"The Three Sisters," he responds immediately "I might have studied the map while on guard duty with Cody."

"Very good. Now, what do you suppose would be the best course of action should we meet whoever lives there?"

"That depends on the Lord in charge. Were it a Northern House, I would say peace should be the first option or at the least a declaration of intent as the North prefers a more blunt and honest approach."

"And if it were a Southern House?"

"Then we would have to rely on mother and her usual words to ferry us to safety." Clive blushes, feeling his fathers gaze on him, studying him closely "I do not know much but what little I remember is that the South is very much more like the Empire of Sanbreque than anywhere else…most see the North as being uncivilized, like the Crusaders."

"Both different groups of people, yet you found a peaceful solution first," Elwin smiles "Now, what if it were the Iron Kingdom?"

"Peace isn't possible." Clive frowns, thinking back on the books he had read, the stories he had heard "The Crusaders pillage and plunder, they take hostages, prisoners, and ritually sacrifice any who show signs of wielding magic."

"Now why do you suppose I have not tried to wipe them out?"

"Because to do so would mean death for all of them. Every man, woman, and child."

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown, Clive. Remember those words. No good ruler jumps at the chance to slaughter innocent people, nor does he revel in it. A good ruler looks after his people and looks for ways to maintain peace with war being the last resort."

"Yes father…I will try to remember that." Clive flinches, fingers tightening around his sword handle. He brings the weapon up, examining it and his hand but finds nothing "Father…you don't…you don't think that they will want me to stay, will they?"

Elwin laughs "No, no Clive you do not have to worry about that. None from Westeros will recognize you, not with all of us around. You look far too different than when you left, I'm certain they will see exactly what we want them to see…unless, you are having second thoughts?"

"No father!" the boy shook his head quickly "I just…every night in the beginning I would think about it, wonder if they missed me…if they were looking for me, and every night since you said we were going to sail north I have wondered it again. I've chosen this life, to be who I am…but even so my blood is still that of the Starks. Of the North."

"North, South, Sanbreque or Rosaria…your mother and I never cared about any of it, we only ever wanted what was best for you, Clive." Elwin puts his hand on Clive's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze "You are more than they ever knew, much more than they ever could have dreamed of."

"Thank you, father."

The brief father-son moment was interrupted by a cough. An apologetic Rex standing a few feet behind the pair. "Your Grace, Lord Marquess."

"What is it Rex?"

"Your Grace, Cody requests your presence. W shall be arriving within the hour he thinks to White Harbor."

"Very well, I shall be along shortly." Elwin leans down to Clive's level "You just try to stay out of trouble before we arrive, wouldn't want your mother to reprimand you in front of Jill now, would we?"

Clive blushed, sputtering out defenses as his father walked off, laughing all the way. Rex, however, still lingered. "What's wrong?"

"Deployment plans. Cody and I will ride with the Archduke as his protection, you and Thorn will cover either side of the wheelhouse, while the rest pull up the rear."

"Eight men to protect three people…not made any easier by father being at the front." Clive sighs turning his gaze back out to sea "Funny…and here I thought coming back would be easy. Do we have a plan if we encounter bandits?"

"Do we ever have a plan beyond killing them all?"

"Good point." Clive glances up at the sound of gulls overhead "Seems we are getting closer to shore then, suppose we should go and get the chocobo's ready for when we dock?"

"Better now than after Cody starts shouting for us to do it later," Rex agreed.

Wyman Manderly was not a fool as one might think by appearance. Never one to miss out on a slice of pie at dinner or on the freshest roast available, Lord Manderly was often mocked for his appearance but appearances, as they say, were deceiving. While the Lord of White Harbor was fatter than most you would meet in the North, he was far more cunning than many of his contemporaries here. He took his duties seriously, and he certainly did not allow anything unusual to go on for long.

So as things would have it, when a mysterious vessel pulled into the harbor to dock, he had to investigate. His own men were nervous as the ship settled. Great big sails and a flag at the top of the central mast, blood red with a white symbol upon it that was unfamiliar to him. There was a murmur about the Targaryen's being back but theirs was a black flag with a red three-headed dragon on it. This was someone else…someone new. Wyman would bet his next week's meals on it.

"What do we have Marlon?" Lord Manderly spoke in a gruff tone giving away nothing save his seriousness as he gazes upon the vessel in port "Southerners?"

Marlon Manderly, cousin of Lord Wyman Manderly and commander of the guard of White Harbor was a stout man, taller than many he had faced in his youth, he had grown grim over the years "Not any Southrons I have seen before. Closest I can recall is Connington, red and white…with a winged beast as a sigil. But this…you don't think Jon Connington is alive and comes here so boldly with an army, do you?"

"If he has, then we shall send him back to Essos after we break him again."

There was a commotion. Heads swiveling around, arms being drawn as a loud cry of some sort of animal pierced the air. It's horrifying sound making every man, woman, and child that heard it freeze, body's tensing as they searched for the source of it. A sound unlike any other that they would not forget for as long as they lived. A sound of…

"Kweh!"

Wyman stood, stupefied, as what he could only describe as giant chickens walked down the ramp onto the docks. Great big birds with feathers that looked like they were made of gold, big and bright with saddles on their backs. There were even two with white feathers in the middle. The men atop the birds looked like fighting men, the armor they wore and the colors adorning it had them on edge. Red and black leather, silver helmets atop their heads…there would be fire and blood if Wyman was correct in who they were. He prayed to the Old Gods that he was wrong.

"Halt!" Marlon shouts, moving to the front of the formation of…chickens "You are in White Harbor strangers, identify yourselves or return whence you came!"

Wyman observed the three men at the front of the formation. Their unique choice in mounts could look a grown man in the eye, their riders towering over all others with ease. The leader, however, struck him as alarming, not for his size or his armor but for his resemblance to a Warden of the North he knew.

"Apologies," even his voice, respectful in tone and noble in the way he spoke, sounded like Ned's "I am Elwin Rosfield, Archduke of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, my entourage and I…we have travelled here from Valisthea, our homeland, to discuss in person the potential for trade deals."

"Trade deals?" Wyman asks, mind running through the possible reasons for this sudden appearance "How did you even know of us in the first place?"

"A trader of ours sailed north and found the kingdom of Dorne," Elwin explains "They shared history books, maps, stories of your lands. In exchange we were allowed limited trade with them, but the Dornish are not…agreeable with our products. From what we understand the North is in fact more like home for us."

Marlon and Wyman shared a look. Neither trusted these strangers completely. Who would? They spoke of places they either did not know or did not trust. But if he denied them a chance to establish trade with the North…Ned would have words for him when he found out. "Very well, but I cannot negotiate. Lord of White Harbor I may be, you will want to discuss this with the Warden of the North, Eddard Stark of Winterfell."

"How might I find this…Winterfell?"

"Follow the river once out of town…follow it's split west till you hit the Kingsroad, you'll reach Winterfell shortly after."

Elwin dipped his head in thanks, slowly urging his chocobo forward while the rest followed suit. Wyman didn't trust them. As the wheelhouse passed by, he could make out three faces inside, likely the Duchess and two of their children. Then there were the rest of their escort. One of which, a dark-haired boy, caught his eye. He looked familiar but perhaps that was just his resemblance to Lord Rosfield…but even still, he could not shake the feeling he had seen that face somewhere before.

"What are we to do about them?" Marlon, ever on top of things, asks as his eyes shift between the small travelling group and the ship "More could be aboard you know."

"Aye…gather your men," he commands "We will search the ship once Lord Rosfield is away from White Harbor. If we find anything of concern, then we take it. Should they resist, then we throw them in the cells."

Further on the road, Clive rubbed the back of his neck. That heat was returning. He was sweating even here in the coldest of the seven kingdoms. From within the wheelhouse Jill could see him, a frown on her face as she worried over his health for him. Torgal, seated on her lap, tried his best to keep her spirits up. The little pup stood on his hind legs, licking her face to distract her.

"Torgal," she says in reprimand as the pup barks at her "Thank you."

"You are concerned about him?" The Duchess' sudden question startled the girl. Jill shook her head, trying to come up with an excuse for her behavior. "It is alright, I worry about him as well. Clive is a good soldier as his father puts it, but some days I wonder if being a soldier was the right choice. Far too often are we concerned for their safety, more than our own."

"But Clive is a good shield mother," Joshua, ever the supporter of his brother, rose to his defense "Nothing can stop him, he always finds a way to do his best."

Anabella smiles down at the little boy beside her. Jill can tell the smile doesn't reach its full size, doesn't tug at her face like it normally would "You are right, my precious boy, he always does."

"You think something might happen to him…your grace."

Jill worked hard not to flinch at the piercing gaze from Anabella "I do. I would prefer that both of my sons weren't so heroic at their ages. That they had some sense to stay out of trouble, but alas, that is not something that I shall ever have."

As they trudged along Jill could only run her hand through Torgal's fur absentmindedly as she was stuck in thought. All the while, Clive felt that something was wrong with him as he rode on. Ambrosia did not seem bothered by her rider's presence, nor the great heat that he himself felt within his body.

"Focus," he mutters under his breath "You are the First Shield of Rosaria…you won't let some warmth bring you down."

But why was it affecting him so badly now? He had the blood of the Starks in him, blood of the First Men even, this shouldn't be happening…not to him. As night fell, Clive found that being further from the campfire helped to soothe his body somewhat. The heat of the flames would not reach him as he took up his post as the first sentry of the night. Even still, his body felt warm inside despite the winds of the North blowing through.

"What is wrong with me?" he asks, staring up at the stars "Why now that we are here…why do I not feel like myself?"

There was a snap behind him, a twig being crushed underfoot. Clive whirled around, hand grasping the handle of his sword as his eyes adjusted to the sudden light from the campfire in the distance. Clive lowers his sword, feeling the heat within slowly build up even more as he stares his new companion down.

"Joshua, you shouldn't be out here with me, you should be back with mother and father by the fire." Clive felt the heat rising to his head, his body swaying slightly in place.

"I saw you earlier, you looked unwell Clive I…I just wanted to help," Clive felt a bit guilty as he watched his younger brother look so defeated.

"It's alright…but we are in foreign lands, as your shield it is my duty to ensure your safety and right now you are safest with the others."

"But I'm safe with you too!"

Clive felt the heat rushing down his left arm, he winces "Joshua, please, go back to the others. I'm supposed to be on lookout tonight."

The boy frowned but he acquiesced to his brother's request. While neither was happy with it, it was for the best. Clive watched him walk back to the fire, and slowly the heat began to settle. "Something is not right, one way or the other."

"Are you sure Jory?"

"Positive, eight riders atop large chickens with a wheelhouse pulled by one. Just as Lord Manderly described."

Eddard 'Ned' Stark frowned, face set as he pondered what to do. A letter came by Raven just yesterday, and now here he was learning that the very strangers one of his lords had written about were on their approach to Winterfell. These were not people he knew of. Not nobles from the South far as he could tell. No ravens had come from any Lord or Lady of Westeros, not even Maester Luwin could tell him whose house they may belong to. And that alone had him on edge.

"Jory, have Ser Rodrick arm the guard just in case, then gather my family in the courtyard."

Jory looked ready to protest. He was young, but he had enough experience to know what to do almost by heart in this situation "My Lord…are you sure that is wise?"

Eddard smiles "If they be friend then we shall treat them as such, but if they prove themselves to be foes…we will not give them the satisfaction of an easy fight."

As Jory left the solar, Ned examined the letter again. The possibility of a foreign power not native to Westeros was terrifying to him. If they came from Essos or Braavos then they would be a dangerous foe should their goals be something as high as the Iron Throne. If they were loyalists, then he would be duty bound to apprehend them and hold a trial to deliver the king's justice. But no one in Essos had ever been known to ride the kind of animals Wyman had described. Golden feathered chickens as large as a full-grown man? That sounded like something out of Old Nan's stories. Grabbing the Stark ancestral sword, Ice, Eddard left his solar ready to greet their guests.

As the walls he had not seen in over a decade slowly drew closer Clive felt cold for the first time since coming this far north. The heat that had been building up had subsided as he spied the guards along the walls. Archers, all of them ready for the command to fire down upon them. Up ahead he could see Cody and Rex tensing as Elwin led them forward into Winterfell proper. The number of men assembled and armed was far more than they could hope to fight with their numbers. Elwin raised his right hand, chocobo's coming to a halt as the Archduke stared down upon a group of guards and who he assumed were the nobility of the castle.

Elwin dismounts his chocobo, cautiously taking in every new face before him in search of just the one he needed to see for himself. Eddard Stark. Elwin did not see the resemblance at first glance, the man's hair was too long and darker than Elwin's own, his face far too long, and that cold look in his eyes was certainly nothing like…his. Elwin's face settled on a kind, if not polite, look. It seemed some things were similar after all.

"What business do you have here in Winterfell?"

Elwin paused mid step. Straight to business as well. "I am Elwin Rosfield of Rosaria, I have come here to discuss possible trade agreements with the North…your man, Lord Manderly in White Harbor told me I would have to discuss this with Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, I assume that is you?"

Eddard gave a slow nod of his head, eyes locked on this stranger. As Wyman had said the resemblance was uncanny. "I am. I do not recognize your house or homeland Elwin Rosfield…however, so long as you are here, I shall offer you the same rights as all men of this land. I offer you guest right, Lord Rosfield, so long as you remain as such."

Elwin nods, smiling as he removes his helmet "My thanks, Lord Stark," he bows slightly, motioning for Cody and Rex to step forward "I believe that introductions are in order but if you will allow my men here to see to our Chocobo's that would be most appreciated."

Eddard allows it. The entirety of his household watching the two men slowly lead the strange creatures off to the stables. They seemed…harmless enough. Though he sincerely hoped he would never be on the receiving end of their talons. "Strange beasts for these parts."

"Indeed," Elwin felt like smirking but thought better of it. No need to annoy their host just yet. His smile turned bright as Anabella approached with Joshua and Jill, Thon and Clive flanking them on either side "Allow me to introduce to you my lovely wife Anabella, Duchess of Rosaria."

"It is a pleasure to be here in your kingdom Lord Stark," she curtsies.

"Our youngest, my heir, Joshua Rosfield."

Joshua gives a nervous wave "H-hello."

"Our ward, Jill Warrick."

Jill, ever the proper young lady, curtsied. Clive felt himself frowning as he caught a boy he did not recognize, older than him or Robb, smirking in her direction. He did not dare glance at Thorn, but he knew the older boy had a similar expression as he. Neither of them liked the other's closeness to Jill, but they both agreed at this moment that whoever this new boy was, they did not like him.

Clive felt tense as he took in the reactions of the Stark House. His heart somewhat ached to be so close yet so far. Sansa had grown up; last he saw her she was but two years old. He did not recognize the younger three of the children, the youngest was only two just like Sansa was all those years ago. But when he saw Robb and his…Lord Stark. When he saw them, he thought the walls he had built up around those memories might come tumbling down. It was only thanks to the heat building up inside him that Clive remained silent and in place.

"And lastly is my oldest, Clive," he heard his name, blinking as all eyes were on him suddenly.

"It is an honor to be here, Lord Stark," he says with a deep bow. There was a light giggle off to his right. Jill seemed to find his position amusing. Least someone was enjoying themselves.

Then came the barking as Torgal, ever present and by Clive's side, did not take kindly to being ignored. Elwin chuckles, shaking his head fondly as he says "Yes, how can I forget? Our ever-faithful hound, Torgal."

There was a soft cry of "Puppy!" from the youngest boy of the Stark family. Clive found his heart aching somewhat as he watched he boy's eyes light up, his mother holding his hand tightly to keep him in place. Even the rest of her family was amused but not her. Never her, never Catelyn Stark.

"Well met Lord Rosfield," Eddard began "Now allow me to introduce my own family. My wife, Lady Catelyn. My heir, Robb. My daughters Sansa and Arya. And our youngest boys, Brandon and Rickon."

Eddard seemed to pause, almost hesitating but Clive never knew the man to be like this when it came to anything. Anything, that is, except the identity of his mother. He gestures to the older boy in line "My ward, Theon Greyjoy."

Greyjoy. Greyjoy? Clive's fists clenched at his side. He did his best to look like it didn't bother him, but he had no idea if it was subtle or not. Why…why was one of those monsters here of all places?

"I hope that our unexpected arrival does not take up too much of your time, my apologies for not sending a message ahead, we had no idea we would be travelling here as well."

"We can discuss the deal further in my solar Lord Rosfield," Eddard gestures back towards the castle "If you will follow me, your men free to accompany you."

"Yes, I understand. Rex, Cody, with me if you please." Clive made to follow but Elwin stopped him "You stay with your brother; we do not want him to wander off on his own here."

"Yes, your grace," Clive knew why he had to be the one to watch over Joshua here. He was the First Shield after all. "Even if part of me wishes I could protect you from this place."

Anabella watched her husband, and his personal guards, enter the castle. It was time for appearances to be kept up, even if they both wished they had no need for it. "Jill? Why don't you go and spend some time with Lady Sansa and Arya, being from a northern kingdom yourself, they might be just the friends you have been wanting to make."

Jill did not let it show immediately but she was eager for the chance to talk to someone, anyone, who knew what it was truly like to live up north away from the other realms. "Thank you, my lady."

With the girl running off to join the others, and her boys sticking close together, Anabella was left with the subject of her own frustration. A personal trial she had many years to think about and work towards overcoming. Catelyn Stark. This trip would be one she would remember for many, many years to come.

AN: Another one for the books, as they say. This is where the fun begins for the changes. Hopefully as you have seen here some things are the same, some not so much. They won't all be obvious changes, there will be more subtle ones. But enough about that, let us get to the reviews because…wow you people got a lot to say huh?

furvustocs: I'll just address your question on what I thought of the game, seemed like the only actual question in there. *shrugs* So…I will not say it is or was a 10/10 experience, I personally do not believe any game is ever a 10/10. Not Zelda, nor Pokemon. None of them. I did enjoy the game; I thought the soundtrack was brilliant, the combat wasn't challenging in the default but the way it handles was easy enough to grasp as to make it fun and hopefully will be perfect for NG+ once I get into combat…still haven't picked it back up due to writing this mostly. The main pairing will be fleshed out more, this was something I had to really think about because of how the game handles it. I do not want it to feel rushed, nor do I want it to feel like it takes too long. A healthy balance, y'know? There will be more moments, there will be a buildup etc. But it won't just happen immediately. These things take time, even when you click easily enough.

RedAlpha22: Glad it grew on you; though wouldn't it be so much worse if I had made this a triple and he got a third name? …I am not that cruel, nor that foolish ladies and gentlemen. Though if I lost a bet, I might just do it. Don't worry, it's just Jon/Clive, or Clive/Jon in this one, no third name.

Ardyn 1997: You are right, it is about 1-2 years…more so 1 and however many months away. There are plans, don't you worry Chancellor, but I should warn you that overthinking it will just worry you even more, even if you get it right or wrong…just keep tissues on standby…or torches and pitchforks. Because you and everyone else will either hate me when you see what is coming or hate me because it came, and you think it's too cruel. Who knows? I don't.

Jamieoeyes: Funny thing about that…Anabella figuring it out, of course if anyone just uses common sense and looks at the facts without being blinded by the politics of the time it makes sense. Now…I won't say what does happen, but I will say this: Clive/Jon is basically 90% Clive at this point. His main concerns are just about whether he is good enough for the name he chose to honor the family that chose him. He might not see Westeros as his home right now, but part of him will always be drawn back to it considering he doesn't know the big details about a certain mother of his. Remember: The adult Rosfield's know, no one else does. …well, you readers know, and I know, but still.

Fen: Finally, FINALLY a guest with a name! New favorite guest is you. OK…considering that Dragons are actual enemies in FFXVI, Eikons will not be used for them…unless it's something much bigger…not sure if we would count Balerion the Black Dread and the other Dragons of the Conquest to be of a big enough size or not but do not worry…there are plans for Eikon fights. Big plans.

ww1990ww: Something tells me that when we finally get to the White Walkers part of the plot, you'll be surprised by how big that goes. Yes, I do have plans for Phoenix Gate…feel like I say this a lot, and there are plans for after that but do be mindful that there are 13 years between Phoenix Gate and the Shiva vs Titan fight…so that is about 13 years of a playground for me to work with, and you get to see them happen regardless of if there is a time skip or not.

HoJ Roxas: Well first, Jon being Clive was never actually needed. Fanfiction is just us fans of said fiction having ideas that won't leave us alone, sort of like a horribly clingy ex, until we write them. Second, Jon being Clive was completely needed just for the purpose of Westeros being added in. True, Ironborn could have done the job but without the maps and no reason to go over there, there was no need. Crossover would have been a brief one. Then there would be no changes to the plot line either. Third, maybe final point here, trust me when I say that the things that have changed are not just Jon being raised as Clive. That would not be much fun. Sadly, it just takes time to get things going because we have a lot of ground to cover before the big stuff can happen.