Trials and Tribulations of House Greystark

Summary: On the eve of Robert's Rebellion the Greystarks raise their banners against the Targaryens. In response to the deaths of their Lord and his heir. The North remembers and will not let this slight go unanswered. Seeking to reunite with Rickards second son Eddard they prepare their fleet and army to join the new Warden of the North in his campaign of vengeance and justice.

House Greystark Members:

Brandon Greystark (Lord of White Harbor); born 224 AC (Alive)

Lady Jocelyn Stark (Wife of Brandon Greystark); born 212 AC: died 268 AC

Barthogan Greystark (Lord of the Wolfs Den; brother to Brandon Greystark); born 228 AC

Lady ? (Wife of Barthogan Stark)

Kiyara Greystark (daughter of Barthogan); born 247 AC

Theon Greystark (Son of Barthogan); born 251 AC

Lady ? (Wife of Theon Greystark)

Fredder Greystark (Son of Theon); born 271 AC

Joremund Greystark (Son of Theon); born 275 AC

Edwyle Greystark (Son of Brandon Greystark); born 253 AC (Alive)

Arthur Greystark (Son of Brandon Greystark); born 256 AC

Wylis Greystark (Son of Brandon Greystark); born 260 AC

Jocelyn Greystark (Daughter of Brandon Greystark); born 268 AC

Lady ? Flint (House Flint of Flint fingers; wife of Edwyle Greystark) born 254 AC (Alive)

Eddard Greystark (son of Edwyle Greystark); born 272 AC

The cold air coming in from the bay of the White Knife felt like the breath of an Other on his face. Brandon Greystark looked down into his hand at the letter with the seal of the three-headed red dragon of House Targaryen in disgust. His grey eyes glazed over in rage at the contents of the letter. King Aerys is as mad as the tales coming out of the capital. He slowly opened the letter again and read it out loud to those gathered.

To the New Warden of the North,

I King Aerys, second of his name do declare that Houses Stark, Baratheon, and Arynn are named traitors to the crown. These traitorous Houses have risen in rebellion against the lawful rule of House Targaryen. Henceforth Houses Stark and Arryn have been revoked of their titles of Wardens and Lord Paramounts, while House Baratheon has been revoked of their title as Lord Paramount. House Targaryen in light of these Houses transgression atop of revoking these titles has seen to declare them enemies of the Crown. The actions of Lords Rickard and Brandon Stark have been announced as the start of a rebellion against House Targaryen. We call upon all oaths sworn to the Iron Throne to bring these traitorous houses to face the Kings Justice in Kingslanding. All who strike their banners from these houses will be rewarded for their loyalty to the throne. The King declares all who help these rebels with burn with fire and blood. House Targaryen calls upon House Greystark to capture and bring Eddard and Benjen Stark to face punishment against these grievous ventures.

Aerys Targaryen, Second of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhonyar, and the First Men

The tension in the lords chamber felt like it could be cut with a blade. Barthogan Greystark rose out of his seat as his face grew red from the wroth, he was feeling. He screamed into Brandon's face, "You cannot mean to obey this poisonous snake brother. We have stood by House Stark from our founding". Brandon's cheeks grew equally red as he barred his teeth into a grimace. He sneered as he rose from his chair into Barthogans face. He opened his mouth and said, "I will never betray House Stark. Look what they have done to Jocelyns brother and son. They burn them like they are cattle and expect us to bow down and obey. We are of the First Men we bow down to the Stark of Winterfell". His cheeks grew less heated as he collapsed into his chair. He bent down into it as a fit of coughing occurred. Brandon could feel his lungs screaming out in pain as the fit lasted longer than usual. He gazed onto the floor feeling death once more creep closer. His eyes grew misty as he thought of Rickard, 'Why Rickard why did you answer the call of the Mad Dragon? Where did the boys who dreamed of uplifting the North go."

Barthogan quickly grew closer to helping Brandon sit up as his wrath cooled by the concern he felt for his Lord and brother. Time had not been kind to Brandon. Where once stood a warrior of a by gone age was now a man who stood on the brink of death. A light wind seemed like it could even knock down his brother's wispy frame where were once broad shoulders and a body built like an ox. Brandon slowly stood up as he regained control of his body. He stood tall and said in the commanding voice he once used in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, "Barthogan recall all ships from the fleet, send word to raise all levies and vassal troops as we are going to war against the crown. We will personally go to the Vale and see Eddard safely back into the North. He is the Stark in Winterfell and has need of us. Family sticks with family and Rickard and Brandon must be avenged." The time of the wolves has been enacted the pack will sunder the dragon for vengeance and retribution.

Warden: Military title given to Houses who hold military control over a domain subject to the Iron Throne. Examples of this are Wardens of the North (House Stark), Wardens of the East (House Aryn), Wardens of the West (House Lannister), and Wardens of the South (House Tyrell). These titles were given to the aforementioned Houses when they bent the knee to House Targaryen and due to the four cardinal directions of the then expanse of the Targaryen domain.

Lord Paramounts: Lord Paramounts are Houses which hold control over one of the nine regions of Westeros. These include The North ruled by House Stark, Iron Islands ruled by House Greyjoy, The Westerlands ruled by House Lannister, The Riverlands ruled by House Tully, Dorne ruled by House Martell, The Vale ruled by House Arryn, The Stormlands ruled by House Baratheon, The Reach ruled by House Tyrell. Though no such title was held by House Targaryen as they ruled the region of the Crownlands directly.

Author's Note: This is a reworking of my first story Rise of the Grey Wolf. Most of the story will remain the same though I will be changing some things in the stories and working to expand the story. I will keep the original story up till I have gotten to the point where I left off. Many of the earlier chapters will probably remain the same and have some minor tweaks to them. I plan on keeping the characters the same though I hope to have the story more flushed out than its previous iteration. If anyone has some tips or any tricks that can help with the process feel free to PM me or leave a review. I also want to thank everyone who followed and favorited the original story and left a review. I hope to hear from everyone again and I hope everyone enjoys the new and improved version.