Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the A Song of Ice and Fire book series nor the Game of Thrones TV show. HBO owns the rights and likeness to the Game of Thrones TV series. George RR Martin is the owner and creator of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series. This is a work of fiction.
Chapter 1: The Landing of the Sea-Wolf
Summary: King Brandon Stark the Shipwright sailed a fleet of ships and ten thousand men across the Sunset Sea to look for lands to the west of western coast of Westeros. Some had called him foolish as no one had ever returned from transversing the Sunset. Yet the call of the sea filled his heart and called to him. He constructed a grand fleet and gathered a host to see his ambitions fulfilled. His son and Northern nobility saw him and his second son off, yet it would be the last time anyone would see them. In grief at the presumed demise of his father and brother Brandon now King of the North would burn the North's naval strength and vow that no Stark would ever take to the sea again. Yet while the new King of the North and his realm grieved, it would be unknown to them whether those who followed the Shipwright would thrive in a new land.
The light snow fell upon the wooden decks of the ships gathered around the western coast of the Kingdom of the North. The ships numbered around five hundred made up of both war vessels and the support craft needing to successfully transport the gathered ten thousand men. For King Brandon the Shipwright had called for the Northmen to come with him on his expedition across the Sunset Sea. Never had such an ambitious expedition been undertaken by the North, for most of their history was focused inward instead of outward expansion.
King Brandon gazed upon the gathered troops, blacksmiths, seamen, and other support staff as they sought out to complete the final preparations needed for his journey. He had been King of the North for near five and thirty years since he began his rein at the age of two and twenty. His once raven colored hair had turned gray with age. He still held the body of a warrior as he had spent the better part of his latter reign facing Ironborn raiders on the open sea. He stood at around five feet; ten inches tall. He still held the taunt muscles of his youth though he had lost much of his bulk as he aged. His face was the classic long face of House Stark, though now it grew weathered both from age and a life at sea. His eyes were the traditional gray of his house though they still held the spark in them, which had seen him undergo the task of creating the naval power of the North. He looked upon his men proudly as they completed their tasks. For soon he alongside his men would sail across the western sea and discover new lands for his homeland.
His thoughts of glory were interrupted briefly as he looked upon his youngest son talking with some bannermen coming along. His second son Berryck shared his same love of the sea, which was sadly not shared with his heir. Berryck stood at around six feet, two inches tall and had the imposing build of many Stark Kings. His build was that of a warrior, though his son would always be more of a seaman. Berryck shared his father's gray eyes and the raven hair of his youth, along with the long face though his had yet to become as weathered as his. His son was only three and twenty and seemed to still show some of his youth with his rounder face. Brandon could only smile at his youngest son for he had pledged to join him on this expedition.
Brandon had used all the influence he had cultivated through his years as King to gain the funds, manpower, and supplies necessary for this venture. While most Houses were content to send food or material to use for the ships, some had pledged to join him in his quest. Houses Fisher, Umber, Mormont, Frost, Liddle, and even some of the Mountain clans had pledged members of their Houses to join him. Though he would always be proud of the Houses which had joined him, it would be the weirwood saplings which were among the greatest of the assets which he brought with him.
For King Brandon had always thought that there were lands west of Westeros, for if the eastern seas gave way to Essos, then there must be lands to the west as well. It had taken him years yet here stood the fruits of his labor. Men from around the North had answered his call along with ships which would see them go further than any man before.
"Father must you undertake such foolishness. What do you hope to achieve in this foolhardy quest?", said Brandon (Brandon the Burner).
King Brandon could only sigh at the questions of his heir who stood near him. His son had always looked upon his seafaring ways as foolishness of the highest order. For his heir Brandon could understand a fleet to protect their coasts, but to the extent he achieved was deemed excessive. He could only look on in disappointment of his heir, for all the love he held for his oldest son, it had always been hard to connect with him.
"Brandon you may see my dream as foolish, though look at all those who have answered my call. I dream to sail across the Sunset Sea to new lands which may see our Kingdom prosper", said King Brandon as he laid his hand on his heir's shoulders, "Do you not wish to end the hunger of our people when winter comes? Do you not see how new lands can offer our people an escape from the cold embrace of winters chill? My mind is made up though I wish you could see the opportunity this can give us".
Brandon (Brandon the Burner) could only sigh at the words of his father. The love his father had of the sea had been something he could never understand. Why focus on the sea when his people needed their focus on the land House Stark ruled.
"I can never understand your dream and I do not think I ever will. You have been too long at sea to understand the needs of the people on land", said Brandon, "I may not agree with your decision though I hope you are successful".
Brandon (Brandon the Burner) said those last words to his father as he turned away. He was alongside the house guards who accompanied his heading away from the ships. Brandon would never know that this would be the last time he would talk with his father or even see his brother.
King Brandon could only sigh in disappointment as he looked upon the fading visage of his son. His attention soon turned towards the few men who remained around the anchored ships, for it would seem that the last of the supplies and men had already boarded onto the ships. His eyes soon met the similar gray of his youngest as he made his way to their flagship. His legs took him upon the gangplank surrounded by the last men who followed him. It would be the last time he felt Northern soil underfoot as his feet were now on the wooden planks of the ship.
With one last look upon the shores of his homeland he signaled for the seamen to raise the sails. Five hundred identical sails barring the grey direwolf of House Stark unfurled and soon the ships lurched forward. Oarsmen were given orders and soon the clear waves churned as the fleet of ships moved away from the North. In history it would be the last moment anyone of Westeros would see of King Brandon the Shipwright and his armada before they sailed towards the Sunset Sea. Many would wonder what would become of these ambitious Northmen and unknown to all they would set foot in new lands unknown to all.
Berryck Stark: Second son of King Brandon the Shipwright. He alongside his father had a calling for ships and the sea. He spent the beginning of his early life on the deck of a ship leaning to sail and command a fleet. In his own right he is a capable land commander, though he truly shines when at sea. He helped his father develop a Northern Fleet and was one of the first to support his fathers efforts to transverse the Sunset Sea to look for new lands. Berryck would take over the expedition when his father passed due to old age. Unaware of the going ons in his homeland he dreams to return one day with tales of his adventures in these strange new lands.
Author's Note: Hey everybody Articfox11 here, sorry for the little hiatus I have been swamped with work and school. My upload schedule will be very sporadic with all my stories. Currently I will upload when I can. I have also taken the poll down and thank you everyone who voted. I will try to upload Rebirth of a Bastard Direwolf and The Old God's Fill Our Sails more often. I originally wanted to kick off September with this story though I decided to hold off on this one. I was inspired to write this story after rereading The Sunset Starks by SoulGamesInc. I would recommend checking their story out since it is really well done. I had a lot of help from Mandalore the Survivor to get the basic idea of the story. Thank you Mandalore for helping me with this idea and the inspiration to see this story created. I also decided to create another Stark son of Brandon the Shipwright to see the line of succession stay solid, so when Brandon the Shipwright does pass away, the Northman are not without someone to rally around. I hope everyone enjoys the new story. Feel free to leave a review for the story.