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The Wizard of Winterfell
By Jamnaz79
Chapter 3: Robb's Folly
Notice: I do not own Harry Potter and I do not own Game of Thrones. I just love the tv shows, movies and stories written by Mr. Martin and Ms. Rowling. I do not take any money, I am sure nobody would want to pay me either. I just enjoy writing my thoughts and ideas down and hope someone gets some enjoyment from them.
Luwin would swear to his dying day he could see the passion in the young man literately glowing in an emerald light in his eyes. Whether it was the First Man blood or something else, Harry Stark was deadly serious and had a conviction that spoke volumes of what he was planning.
The men in the room with them, about ten of the senior guardsmen there cheered for their young Lord. The North had been attacked first, bloodied but not beaten. But the North remembers and now it would have it's due.
~~~ WoW ~~~
There are a few things in life that can make a true warrior afraid. Everyone may fear death but at the height of battle the sheer adrenaline and willpower of the warrior takes over and they lose that fear. They may feel exhaustion, they may feel pain, and they may even know their death is coming. They could fear losing the battle or the consequences but rarely do they fear the swing of the next sword. They must trust in their skills, believe in themselves or else they may fail and it will be for naught anyways. That is what Robb was always told by his father, and he found it to be relatively true.
Now marching at the head of a host Northerners and Riverlands knights and warriors Robb was not surprised to feel more fear then he had when heading west. That was because now they were marching to see his mother and tell her of what took place. More importantly he feared her reaction to what he had done, which was why he had silenced any message of his actions from being sent out to his mother.
The campaign in the Westlands had been successful. While they had not taken Lannisport or Casterly Rock. They had instead destroyed a Lannister host, raided multiple smaller settlements and even took three keeps. It was enough of a series of raids that would cause distress to his enemies and send a clear signal to Tywin Lannister that he was here and he was deadly. Robb fully expected that now the Lord of the Lannisters would be forced to rush back to defend his domain. Hopefully this would be enough to unsettle the situation in King's landing and force their hand to release the North and Riverlands from the Iron Throne.
The reason for his concern though was not for failure but instead because of what happened while he had been successful. While taking the Westerling keep he had been wounded by an arrow to the leg. The time spent with the young Jeyne who took care of him. During these times he fell for the beautiful, caring young woman. One night of passion led to another night and eventually led to them secretly wedding. It was the honorable thing to do, and he was his father's son. Honor was what he believed in and he would live up to the standards that his father had set for him. He was not like Harry, the wild wolf, but he lived by his creed.
The fact that he had married her though would cause problems. Already the Frey had distanced themselves from him and he was certain that they would abandon him for the insult. He was not a fool and knew he had made a strategic mistake. Hopefully it would not be one that cost him too dearly and they could make amends.
"Your Grace we are almost there." The booming words of Great-Jon Umber brought him out of his thoughts.
A grimace split the lips of the young King as he saw the Frey men peal out of formation and leave at once towards the North. He knew he could not stop them so he simply turned his gaze away from them to one of his Lords, "Thank you. I was considering our next move."
"Don't worry about them. They wont cause any trouble. I am sure your mother will patch things up. She is good at diplomacy, a woman's work." The huge man said with a bellowing chuckle.
Robb still distracted by his thoughts, glanced back towards the middle of the troops where a set of carriages carried his young wife. Before he looked ahead to the gates of the keep as they were let down. He put his boots to the flank of his stallion to head into the courtyard of the keep leaving his Lords to deal with the displacement of the troops.
The look on his face must have betrayed them because his mother's face went from a smile at seeing him healthy to worry filling her eyes. "Robb, what is it?"
"I will explain in a moment mother. First there is someone you must meet." Robb's words were timed well as a carriage, not close to the monstrosity that the Queen used to go to the North a few years ago, wheeled into the courtyard. Robb walked over as a Squire opened the door for the carriage and he helped down a slim young beautiful woman.
Jeyne Westerling would not be called the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms but she was far from ugly. She was slim as a reed but had a modest bust and a well shaped birthing hips. She was pale in skin, more of the look of the First men then those of the South. She had chestnut curly hair that fell down over her shoulders helping to shape a heart shaped face that had a little nose and deep brown eyes.
Robb flashed her a smile filled with confidence that he didn't feel at this moment before he turned to his mother, "Mother may I introduce you to Jeyne Stark, my Queen."
For a moment he thought his mother would faint as she grew so pale it was distressing. He had heard of people having moments of news so terrible that they fainted or worse developed shaking that caused them to die. But thankfully Catelyn Stark was made of sterner stuff. Instead she lowered into a curtsy, "Your Grace, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Please call me Jeyne Mother." The young woman said with a bright smile.
"Of course Jeyne. Welcome to the family. Please come inside and I shall make certain that everything is setup for you. You must be weary after the long trip from the Westlands." She said all of this with a perfectly polite if not warm smile while her eyes did dart to her oldest child with a look of concern. "Please come inside and let's get you settled."
~~~ WoW ~~~
The room was not large but it was larger then necessary for Rob. It served as a study area with a window looking over the Trident. It was a room that his grandfather used to use for his work and to review his letters. It was here that Rob came to for a bit of peace. His mother had been looking at him all evening like a hawk wanting to swoop down onto her prey. He knew she was angry, correction she was pissed at him. What he had done was for love. Was it wrong to love? His father and mother loved each other and were happy. Couldn't she understand that he wanted that same happiness?
The other side of him knew why she would be upset and completely understood it. What he had done was a foolish moment of childishness. He was supposed to be a King and the Kings of the North put the well-fare of their people first. He understood why it was wrong and it could cost either him or his siblings issues in the future. But for once in his life he wanted to be selfish and deep down he didn't care. Perhaps it was the stress getting to him of the war or his new responsibilities but he honestly wanted to be happy.
There was a pile of letters lying on the desk when he entered. The missives sent by raven to Riverrun over the past day had been left for him since he had been busy around the keep. He turned his gaze away from the view to the letters and sat down to start to read them over. He knew he would not have long before his interruption so he may as well get as much work as possible done.
Indeed he didn't have to wait long as soon as he finished his first letter there was knock. The door opened moments afterwards when instead of seeing his Squire, whom was not traveling back to the Twins unfortunately, his mother was there with a frown on her lips. "Rob.."
The tone of voice was one he had not heard in years. Actually it was one he normally heard her use when she spoke of Jon. It was a single word but conveyed so much disappointment, angry and frustration at him at once. He did his best to ignore it as he looked down at the next letter one actually from home.
"Rob, what were you thinking?" Catelyn began to lecture with a frown etched her face. She had stepped into the room closing the door behind her as the privacy emboldened her. She would not dress down her new King before his subjects but she would speak with her son in private about his absolutely mistake! "The girl is pretty, but she is not worth this trouble. I understand on the campaign men have needs, but to do something like? I was not happy when your father came home with a bastard boy, but I understood. It would be understood if you did not take the girl to wife. You could have it annulled and proclaimed that it never happened even. What you have done though is insult the very lord that we need at this moment. The Westerlings are an old house, a house of the first men. They are proud but they offer us nothing right now! We need help with this war and with your sister being held by the Lannisters and Harry not awakening..."
The room fell into silence as Catelyn closed her eyes in pain thinking of her hostage daughters and sick son. In truth she had almost given up hope that he would ever awaken. She had questioned Maesters everywhere she could, even sending letters down to Grand Maester but all of them were the same. If the boy had not awakened yet most likely he never would awaken. She had come face to face with the fact she may never see her son again. Never see his smile or hold him in her arms, or see him flash that grin trying to weed his way out of trouble. It killed her, but she had come to realize that she had to face that reality. She looked up at her son who was not even looking at her still. Rob instead was staring at a letter he had received, "Are you even listening to me?"
Let it not be said that Catelyn Stark did not inherit the Tully temper. She was fully capable of raging into a storm that flooded like the Trident during the snow melts.
But her temper was cut off as Rob held up the letter he had been reading instead handing it over to her. Her eyes glanced it over quickly at first then stopped starting from the beginning when she realized what it was about.
Your Grace,
I write to you in warning that the Greyjoy's have attacked the North. They have taken over Deepwood Motte and the Stormy shores in their surprise assault. They have raided all throughout the western part of the North. They have ever dared to attack Winterfell itself!
The good news is that the keep stands your Grace. It stands because of your brother Harry. In some strange events he awoke from his deep slumber healthy and strong as an ox. He fought off the raiders and slew Theon Greyjoy in the Great Hall of Winterfell. It is as if he was bewitched by the Old Gods. Some of the small-folk have taken to calling him the Wizard of the Old Gods like the tales of the Golden Age of Heroes.
Prince Harry has called the banners for the men that are still here in the North. Since you only took the men that could be called at first he should be any to raise a good sized host to defend the North. They will meet at Castle Cerwyn before setting off to take back Moat Cailin. The Iron-born have taken the castle and hold it against you being able to return North. I do not have to tell you that you are trapped there currently in the South, I am sure your good-father Lord Frey will offer assistance in taking back the fortress.
The Prince has gone for now to meet up with the Mountain Clans since you had taken none of their number in your war. He will rally them to help defend the lands of House Glover before turning south towards the host he is putting together.
Prince Rickon is well and the damages for the Castle is starting to be rebuilt.
Please send word if you require anything.
Maester Luwin of Winterfell
Catelyn's hand trembled as she read the letter over three times before crushing against her chest. Her eyes watered in tears of happiness at the fact that her son was alive and fine. Her son was awake! She had given up all but the slimmest hope and yet he was now alive. She would have to go to the Godswood and say a prayer for a son. She couldn't help the small laugh of happiness at the thought of her son who didn't believe in the Seven was awake now. He wouldn't want her to pray at her own gods for him. Her Wild Wolf was awake, healthy and a hero. "Her is alive."
His mother's voice mixed together so many emotions that it touched to the core of Robb. Many of the same emotion that he himself felt knowing about Harry being awake and healthy. But the part of him that was the Lord Stark couldn't help but consider the problems in the letter. The fact that The North was under assault. That he was blocked from returning to the North not only by Moat Caitlin, a fortress that had never fallen in thousands of years to even the Andals coming to the lands. But, he had to contend with passage to the Twins now more then ever. It was a chilling realization that he had truly just blocked his way home by his honor and pride with his wedding.
Robb swallowed then spoke slowly and smoothly to hide his worry, "Mother, I need your help..."
She smiled to her eldest son with joy still over the news, "Anything Robb."
"I need you to to go to the Twins and barter a deal for their support once again. Give them any promises you might have to but we need to have the way clear to return home to help Harry and Rickon. If we do not then we may be stranded here. Give them agreements for whatever they want to make up for what I have done." Robb conveyed gently to her making her at the same time understand that he was aware fully of what he had perhaps cost them in breaking his word and bond.
For long moments Tully blue eyes met each other before she nodded her head once, "I will Robb. I will find a way to secure their alliance again."
~~~ WoW ~~~
The mountains had grown larger over the past few days of riding. When he had set out with the plan to help free Deepwood Motte from the Ironborn he had not considered the small numbers of troops he would have available at the time. The number of able fighting men at Winterfell was too long to take them all away for an assault at a distant stronghold. It would leave Rickon defenseless and he would not take his baby brother into a war. Even with raiding Wintertown he was only able to take fifty men with him as the rest would remain for support. Plus according to his father there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. He planned to see that there would always be one when he was through.
When he was done he hoped to sent the precedent to the Iron-born that they would understand that to raid the North would invite death on them. His plan was simple. He would rally the Mountain Clans which his brother did not take with him to join him in removing the Ironborn menace before he moved south to join the main host. From there he would be able to take Moat Caitlin and reinforce Robb's army with hopefully over ten thousand fresh troops. The mountain clans ranged in size from a hundred to a thousand each and while he didn't expect to take all of their fighters, he hoped to take many. These men and women were used to combat, they lived near the Bay of Ice and the Wildling raids. There were even stories that many of them would raid back across the wall against the Wildlings. These were the type of men that were like him, sworn to the Old Gods. They were not soft Southerns but true First Men.
Letter had gone out before he set off to all of the clans that they could send to. The largest like the Flint, Wulls, Norrey, Burley, Harclay and even smallers clans were sent a request for assistance against the Squids. In each letter Luwin had recounted what Harry had done playing on the First Men reputation and love of the Old Gods to make it sound that Harry was blessed off them. But now he was almost there and no matter the words sent, it would be actions that truly spoke to these men and women.
House Burley was the Southernmost of the clan strongholds. Each Clan would often have a few valley's that they would live between. During winter they would come to the Valley's and live there in settlements together to escape the worst of the snows and cold. During the Summer they would use any lands to grow crops that they could find that would be needed to store and secure for the winter. These men and women lived by goats, hunting and often a rough life of little food during the summer and almost none during the Winter. They were not wasteful instead crafty and small folk. But, at the same time they were dangerous fighters while loyal, honorable folk.
Harry reached the gates, a wooden palisade that protected the winter village. They did not have a keep for the Head of the Clan instead it was a larger long house. That the Burley of the Clan, an First Men title, would live in with his family. Above the large house which was a painted sigil of a white knife on a blue field which was edged in white. His men dismounted as he was met older man whose hair was tied back into a topknot. The hair of the man had thinned out while turning from auburn to grey over the years. He had a thick beard around his neck which covered his mouth. His face was long like all of those with first men blood, including Harry. His eyes were a deep grey, slight dark then the Starks own often were.
The young Stark Prince stepped forward to the man and held out his hand without fear, " The Burley, I am Harry Stark, I come to you under ….."
He never got to finish as the older man cracked a smile showing a few missing teeth before he grabbed hold of Harry's arm at the elbow and shook," I remember you boy. You were barely over my knee when I last saw you. You were already given Ned grey hairs with how wild you were. You were supposed to come to us to foster. Now you come as a warrior grown."
Harry couldn't help the real smile that spread over his lips at older man. He felt the warmth of friendship from Burley at once. He didn't speak to interrupt him as the man continued, "The South betrayed Ned and blood has been spilled. Your brother left before we could join him, and we missed the fun. But, the Squids have given us a chance to join the fun after all. Come inside where it is warm and you shall have bread and salt. Some of the others are already here, others will arrive tomorrow or the day after."
"Thank you Burley," Harry answered simply as he fell into step with the older man.
"Call me Billy lad. Your grandfather and father did so as well. It should be continued with you." The man responded as he lead Harry into the Long House. He was given bread and salt with a large mug of mead.
Once stepping inside they entered into the large hall which was filled up at present with a number of tables. It was dwarfed by Winterfell and Southern places but large enough to fit them comfortably. Harry recognized from his lessons as a number of men and women. He was guided over to the Head of the table and given a place of honor next to Billy. The Elder stood up and the boisterous room grew quiet in wait. "We all know why we are here. We all know what brought us here."
"Those bloody bastard Squids! We are going to cut their balls off and feed it to them!" Came a yell from a tall broad shouldered man that Harry believed to be Jacob Gall, Head of a smaller clan along the Ice Sea.
The room erupted into cheers and boasts after the statement from The Gall. It took a few moments to calm the room again by Billy before he continued, "That we are lads and we are almost all here. Now tat the Stark is here we be ready to go with it. But I know some of you have some questions about rumors going around. So I will let the lad tell the story of what took place at Winterfell."
Harry stood up and stared around the room making certain to meet the eyes of each of the men one by one. His emerald eyes seemed to glow in the smokey torchlight that filled the room. He may not be the tallest of young men but his presence spoke volumes alone with the assured nature and demeanor he portrayed, " I am Harry Stark. The second son of Lord Eddard Stark, now Prince of the Kingdom of the North. As some of you know, I had been having a long nap prior to the recent problems."
His lips curled into a smirk at the smattering of laughter that came up at his jest. "But, that is more to do with the Lannister cunts then anything else. We will be bloody dealing with them in the future if Robb doesn't finish it before we get there!"
That statement again caused a large cheer to erupt into the room. But it quieted down again for Harry to continue, "When I awoke the traitorous curl named Theon Greyjoy had led mean into the very halls of Winterfell. Sir Rodrick Cassell had been called away to deal with a battle with the Cerwyns and the scum had lied and cheated his way into the castle. Then he started to strike having his Squids start to rape and murder our small-folk!"
The roars of rage filled the room along with a number of threats of what will happen to the traitor whom had been hosted by Lord Stark for a number of years. The rumors of the boy had been widespread as a bad apple but nobody believed he had been capable of betraying the house that had taken care of him and even perhaps raised him since a small boy. Harry reached down to his belt and pulled out a sack which he held aloft till all quieted, "Don't worry my Lord and Ladies. He is dealt with. I killed him along with rallying my troops leftover to save the castle and free our people!"
Harry pulled the head that had been enchanted to not wither from the sack and plunked it down onto the tabletop before him. " I give you the Head of the traitor Theon Greyjoy. Now I want you to help give me the head of every Greyjoy left alive! We will take them one battle at a time till the threat of the Squids is extinct. Then we will salt their island and find a way to sink it into the bloody Sea! No longer will the men and women of the North be under a threat from their Raids! No Longer will we deal with their dangerous ways! We will have our comeuppance! Winter has come for the House of Greyjoy and We are the bloody winds blowing it over them! ARE YOU WITH ME?!"
The room erupted into a cheer that echoed around the valley into the mountains.
Author Note: A little shorter chapter then I had wanted but I think it should be interesting. Thank you for the suggestions for a pairing. I will keep taking them as I go. I am not sure if I want to really focus much on the White Walkers or more on the human fights instead? The war itself is so interesting without them even in it really. Any thoughts? Once again not Beta'd yet. If enough folks like the story I will try to pick one up. I hope you all enjoy. I am also working on another chapter of Desert Prince and a rewrite of His Own Man.
PS: I am leaning towards the Red Wedding still happening. Also note I changed the last chapter slightly in order to fix the time error a bit with Robb.