Percy has found some semblance of a 'normal' life over the last two weeks at Winterfell. Eddard Stark, as payment for saving his friend's life and bringing a known bandit leader to justice, has given him a room, clothes, and food. Percy is aware that the gifts the lord of the north has

given him do not equal what he earned with Rodrick Cassel and the bandits. Firstly, the clothes are clearly of high quality for this time; he eats directly with the Starks themselves and is given a room at their keep.

"Percy! My father has requested you join us on our excursion to the Weirwood." John Snow, the 'bastard of Winterfell,' came to get me after a training session with a couple of straw dummies. Percy likes the oldest Stark even if no one except the demigod considers him one.

"Let me clean up, and I'll meet you by the stables. John Stark." Not for the first time, he shocked the bastard by refusing to drop the name 'Stark' even after it was explained that John couldn't inherit the land. Picking up the pieces of my 'training,' though it was more of trying and failing to get my rage at my situation under control, I knew what would leave the eldest Stark mouth.

"I'm no Stark." John looks uncomfortable with the same conversation repeated too many times to count over the past week.

"I do not believe a bastard should be thrown out of his family for a 'sin' that was not his," I answered, going through the steps we had already walked through.

"What do you know about being a bastard?" John asked clearly, getting frustrated.

"Everything. I am one." Percy answered back truthfully.

"Wait, really! How?" John looked God-smacked.

"My Dad was not married to Mom, but they had sex anyway. I am the result." He responded in a monotone voice while staring at the black-haired boy.

"I-I-I know how. It's just I didn't realize."

"Then why did you ask?" Percy questioned rhetorically as he began making his way over to the stables.

Upon entering the stables, all the horses' voices began to overlap, creating a cacophony of 'my lords' and 'the uncle of the Great Stallion,' amongst other similar responses. Looking over to the lord, I knew he saw the horses' reactions and mentally filed them away for later. Ned Stark knew something that no one else in this world knew about me, which, for some reason, didn't bother me.

"You will be riding Snowball," Eddard Stark told him, pointing to a horse with a pure white coat that looked mean enough to eat fingers for breakfast.

"Father, you got to be joking! Not even the stable hands can get anywhere close to Snowball!"

"It's fine, Robb. I got this." Percy told the heir to Winterfell before vaulting over the door to Snowball's stable and petting the wild horse on the snout.

'My lord, finally a worthy rider! We will break all your enemies and ride off into the sunset!' The horse promised as he put on the saddle with expert skill.

"I don't believe it! How?" Robb asked, amazed by the display of equestrian expertise.

"I believe that horse should be yours, Percy. I can't get any use out of it otherwise." The lord spoke as if he gave him candy instead of a horse. Shocked, the demigod just responded with a "thank you" and stared at the preening horse, who was clearly pleased at the change in ownership.

'We will conquer this land in your name! Rivers of blood will spill where we step!' Snowball's promise caused me to start worrying about the mental state of his new stead.

Unfortunately, it's starting to look like Snowball's wishes might come true. After asking around and a couple of nights sitting at the bar listening to conversations, he has begun to construct the most likely threats. The Iron Born seems to be twisted cult-like worshipers of my father or a similar god who values strength above all. If another Iron Born uprising were to take place, it would be effortless to take care of because the battles would be predominately fought on the sea. This is the least likely option to take place; however, due to the ease with which the Starks took care of them last time, No God worth their salt would send a demigod to take care of a mess so easily cleaned up.

The Targaryen might be an issue, and according to legends, they used to have the ability to hatch and command dragons. Supposedly, the surviving Targaryens have lost this ability to history. Still, Percy is a testament to the fact that legends have a way of returning. On this same note, the giants, wildlings, children of the forest, white walkers, and other myths beyond the wall have issues similar to those of the dragons. These musings entertained him, along with conversations he had with the Lord of Winterfell and his two oldest kids.

"Say Percy. Where do you find your life taking you in the future?" asked the second Stark boy. Causing the prince of the sea to look down at the leather scabbard that held riptide ever since he realized there were no pockets in the clothes the people of this world wore.

"Hopefully to get back to my wife and daughter."

"You have a daughter?" Ned asked calmly, though he could see the shock on all the Starks' faces.

"Yes, my little Zoe," Percy responded somberly since he was unsure if he would make it home in time for her birth. The rest of the trip was silent after that, no one knowing what to say.

Upon entering the clearing, Percy found a tree carved with the face of an old man and lines of red sap that reminded him of tears. Relief washed over the demigod's shoulders as a new feeling overtook him, one not unwelcome. It was the familiar buzzing from nature around him, one he felt around the nature spirits back home.

'It's the Godkiller.'

'Why does he have an empathy link with a satyr?'

'I can feel his connection to the sea. Maybe he might enjoy a night in my river.' The last one took him off guard with her obviously flirtatious comment. Attempting to block out the voices and failing, he tuned back into the trial for the bandit leader.

"I, Eddard Stark of House Stark, lord of Winterfell, try you with the crimes of banditry, thievery, murder, and rape. By the Old Gods, I cast judgment onto your shoulders and sentence you to death." With that statement, the lord of the north cut the head off Issac Brandon, causing blood to splatter everywhere and his head to roll away from the old tree stump of an executioner block. Percy felt sick, not because of the blood or the head. Instead, it reminded him that blood is made of water, causing him to be keenly aware of everyone's heartbeats inside their bodies. It's so easy to pull ever so slightly, and all the mortals around the Hero of Olympus would drop dead. It made him feel too connected to his godly side and not connected enough to his mortality, which terrified him.

'His death was called and judged. We find him lacking honor, so we accept your execution.' The voices spoke all around the party, but from the expressions on the rest of the party's faces, Percy doubted they could hear the voices traveling across the wind.

"You hear the Old Gods, don't you." The old man Stark states without question.

"Yes, I wish to speak with them alone," he answered, even though he didn't need to. After a while, the mortals began the long journey back to the city, leaving the half-mortal behind.

"What task do you have for me, Gods?" The young prince snapped at the trees around him. "What trials were so important? You took me away from my Annabeth and Zoe!"

'The survival of this world's human race.' The rustling of the leaves answered back.

"Then pick someone else and send me back. I refuse to abandon my wife and unborn child for another man's war." Percy snapped back, his patience growing thin, causing the storm inside his stomach to expand. Chiron said he was his father's son, but not even he knew just how much of that was true. Wind began to pick up around the prince of the sea due to his crack in self-control.

'Time between worlds is loose and free. You can spend decades here and still make it back home for your eldest daughter's birth.' The voices began trying to calm him, and in the back of his mind, he noted how they seemed frightened.

"I still have fought too many battles and am retired. There are other heroes to pick up this fight. You don't need me." He forced out through his rising anger. He had kept his cool with the mortals since it wasn't their fault. However, seeing the Gods of this world caused his emotions to resurface.

'Do you wish to see what becomes of the Stark family in the coming years?' 'Oh, fuck me,' he thought as he realized someone had told them about his fatal flaw.

"No, but you will show me anyway," Percy stated, resigned, knowing his conscience could not leave the Starks behind. The light began to bend around him in a swirling mass of colors, slowly showing him visions of Ned's execution, the abuse Sansa has at the hands of Prince Jeoffrey, Arya being forced to pretend to be a boy to survive, Robb's death along with his mother, and many more horrible fates one right after another for the poor Stark family. Each one causes the anger that began to rise over the last two weeks due to his predicament to be redirected at the cruel fate of the family that has clothed and fed him for the previous fortnight.

"Fine, I'll prepare the north for war. But you assholes owe me! I'll kill your Night King and anyone else who stands in the north's way; however, you guys will pay your due when the time comes."

Percy made it to Winterfell just in time for dinner; however, what he was not prepared to find was the bodies of dead guards instead of a feast. At the entrance to the keep, the bodies of seven guards lay there butchered, the blood from their bodies still warm. He opened his mind to all the closest bodies of water, feeling the hot springs running throughout Winterfell, the snow on the houses, bathwater, soup, and the blood of twelve bodies with high heartbeats. Usually, there is only one explanation for that many people with increased heart rates. With the butchered bodies at the doorstep, it doesn't bode well for the Starks. In each hallway they passed, they found massacres of dead guards and servants. No intruders, no Starks yet. On the other side of the great hall, three dark-clothed intruders faced off against Ned, Robb, and John Stark. Two dark-clothed bodies lay next to ten Winterfell guards. Arya, Sansa, and Catelyn don't seem anywhere in sight, which causes dread to seep into his bones. Running forward, Percy ducked under the swing of a blade before punching the poor mortal across the room in a heap of broken bones. He no longer cared to pretend to be mortal; these men will die. Rushing forward, the warrior brought his sword down onto the enemy's short swords with all his might, causing them to shatter right into the second man's face and blinding him. Quickly deflecting a blow from the third would-be assassin, Percy made a quick, disarming move before taking the man's arms.

"Where are the girls?" Percy asked in a rush.

"Upstairs, making their way to Bran and Richmond in the shelter," Robb answered, being the first to get over the shock of seeing their three opponents ripped apart so easily. Percy ran with all his might, leaving the three mortals in his dust quickly making his way up the stairs and towards the shelter. Stopped suddenly when he found the three girls with knives to their throats and a fourth man holding a long sword over a crying infant Richmond and scared Bran.

"Not who I thought would meet us up here. Go get the lord and his sons." The leader-looking man spoke as he stood over the two boys. Looking to his left, he saw the bleeding out Theon, who, from the look of him, only had minutes if no one covered that wound. There was one more card Percy could play, but Annabeth wouldn't like it.

"Now, boy, I need to tell Stark our demands."

Stealing his resolve, Percy locked eyes with each girl and spoke calmly but seriously. "Please don't fear me," he said, then pulled on the strings he had sensed from the three men holding the girls. Three distinct crunches from three bodies found the Stark women free. Seconds later, he had the fourth man disarmed but alive for questioning. He quickly rushed over and began to stanch the bleeding of the Greyjoy boy.

"What are you?" Sansa asked, clearly afraid of the sea green-eyed boy to which her siblings weren't faring any better.

"The Godkiller, son of Poseidon." Answered Ned Stark as he embraced his wife and kids. The two eldest children were quick on his heels.

"I dislike that name, and it was one time." Snapped Percy, who wasn't even surprised that one of the Gods had let slip his secret.

"How did you kill a God? I don't understand, Ned; how do you know?" asked the panicked Catelyn.

"A month ago, I received a vision from the Old Gods about the world's future. They discussed a being known as the Night King, who threatens all of Westeros. The Gods talked about a warrior known as the Godkiller who would be able to protect humanity from this threat." Ned answered Catelyn, staring at the man who, until now, only speculated on his identity. The man before him couldn't be human, for he moved too fast, was too strong, and fought too viciously. That and he was currently using water to heal Theon's wounds.

"I am Percy Jackson, son of Sally Jackson and Poseidon. My father is the King of the Seas and the God of Natural Disasters, Sea storms, Earthquakes, and Horses, among other domains. I have fought since I was twelve and am starting to realize I won't stop till I take my last breath." Percy spoke with a bitter voice none had heard from the demigod before.

"You are half god? Cool!" Arya sounded far more excited than the prince of the sea.

"What is the threat you are sent here to stop?" Robb Stark asked, thinking like the lord he would one day become.

"I do not yet know; besides, one of them is named the Night King and lives beyond the wall," Percy responded truthfully to the disappointment of the Starks.

Percy Jackson said, 'one of the threats,' implying there will be more than this Night King. Dread rolled through Ned as he saw his wife and kids. War was coming for them, and they had no idea what or who their enemies were. Robb and John would most likely be on the front lines with him. Arya and Sansa would be married off to whoever would give them the most help in the war, not to mention how unprepared the kingdom would be for such a travesty. Looking back to the prince of the sea, he could tell this man was far more experienced with situations facing the Stark family. Give Ned an enemy he can see, and he will win the battle, but he will fail against one who lives in the shadows. This man has faced a God and not only survived but killed it as well. He knows what he must do and, with a voice fitting of the descendent of the Kings in the north, changes history forever by asking a simple question.

"As a reward for taking out bandits in the forest and saving my family from would-be assassins, I am willing to give you land to be the Lord over and become one of my bannermen."

"What!"

"Ned, what land can we give him?"

"Won't the other Lords be upset you gave Land away to someone they perceive as a lowborn?"

Multiple questions and exclamations were raised by the lord's family. The requests were all understandable, but he didn't pay them any heed, mostly because he had yet to have an answer. Instead, he was staring at the calculating eyes of the would-be lord.

"No," Percy responded after a while, causing even more gasps and shocked faces.

"What makes you deny my offer?" Ned wasn't entirely surprised or offended because Percy was too brilliant not to understand what he was doing. All Ned knew was that he needed this man on his side so he didn't have to see another family member die like Lyanna.

"I do not care for wealth or power. All I need is my family, and I already have that."

"You are not like most men," John responded, confused at Percy's denial.

"We already established this, John," he quipped back, standing up from Theon's side, no longer needing to hold the bleeding with new skin covering the wound.

Ned knew what he needed to say to get Percy to agree because if roles were reversed, he would do the same thing. "Are you sure you have your family? From where I sit, your wife and kids are not here." The gaze of the demigod landed fully on Lord Stark, and its weight nearly brought him to his knees.

"They are not here for their protection, and they won't be here ever, end of story." The building began to shake due to the rising temper of their resident demigod, who held his head in his hands, trying to calm down.

"You have been fighting your whole life. I can tell from how you hold yourself and the broken look in your eyes. If you accept, you can build a home where your kids won't carry that same burden." Stark knew he had Percy when his eyes snapped back up with a spark of hope he had never seen the man wield. Ned didn't realize what he had promised Percy. How could he have? Ned wasn't there when Bianca, Zoe, Beckendorf, Selena, or any of the others died. He was not there during the wars and the years to follow when Percy had to watch friend after friend dies without a way to stop it. Stark wasn't there when the 'incident' earned him his new title. So, he had no way of knowing he gave Percy a chance to build a home away from the monsters and vengeful gods. This would allow Percy to create a safe haven for all demigods, whether they're Greek, Roman, or Norse. The best part would be not having to bury Zoe, his little girl.

"I accept your offer." Was his only response.

Annabeth was going to kill the gods. All she and Percy ever wanted was a break from the constant killing and wars, but when she was about to get her happy ending with the man who stole her heart, the assholes in the sky stole him from her. To make matters worse, she knew he was sneaking out and saving demigods on quests or trying to make it to camp because he couldn't abandon them. This means wherever they send her, Seaweed Brain will undoubtedly have people he won't be able to leave. The gods know this, yet they constantly abuse this trait for their own gain. The only thing that keeps her from storming up to Olympus to demand him back is the child growing inside her. She wouldn't put it past them to strike her down, even in her current condition. Then there is the fact they sent Nico as backup, which both calmed her and infuriated her more since he and Will deserve a break, too.

"We will get him back. Knowing Percy, he will anger some big bad there, take him out, and then accidentally start a cult." Piper tried to soothe Athena's extremely frantic daughter. The daughter of Aphrodite has had it hard ever since the death of Jason but recently has begun to make leaps and bounds in recovering from the grief. She has used a charity she and Rachel started attempting to help those in hard times get back on their feet.

"Oh, I know, and when he gets back, I'm going to punch him for not listening to me about not getting kidnapped!"

Daenerys didn't know what to make of Nico. At times, the man seemed downright frighting, almost like he had an aura that screamed, 'Don't mess with me.' On the other hand, he looks like he hasn't eaten in years with his scrawny form and unhealthily pale skin. More times than she could count, she has caught him muttering in a strange tongue or practicing with a sword that comes out of nowhere. Then there is the fact that he doesn't seem human with his ability to sneak up on anyone and how he just disappears when no one is paying attention. Viserys passionately hates him, but when Nico saves Daenerys and, subsequently, her brother, he stops complaining. Daenerys liked most about her newfound protector, something he took very seriously because he always seemed to see her and not her title. When they first see her, most men rake their eyes over her body to settle on her face; some don't even have the decency to do that, and to add insult to injury, they treat her like some prized trophy without a brain. With Nico, there were times she genuinely wondered if he even recognized her other 'assists,' especially when she came out of the bath, and he wasn't even fazed.

In addition, his eyes seemed to bore into hers, digging past the façade of smiles and laughs to find the heart of who she was. He always knows when she is upset, angry, or needs space. He genuinely wants to get to know her, not Visery's younger sister or the Princess.

"Don't tell your brother that you've had your first bleeding," Nico informs her from the shadows as she stares at the bloody sheets, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin.

"Why? If I don't, I'll wake the dragon. Besides, it's not like I could hide the blood." Daenerys shot back, confused about why her bodyguard wanted her to lie to the future King of Westeros.

"I am an expert on getting blood out of cloth, and I've slain dragons far more dangerous than your brother." Daenerys was shocked at the statement about the dragon. However, she supposed he meant the proverbial meaning instead of the literal.

"He will still find out through the maids."

"No, he won't. The maids fear me more than your brother."

"I will repeat my first question. Why?" Daenerys was starting to get frustrated with her guardian, but not for the first time.

"You know why Daenerys. You are smart, so you must know your brother means to marry you off like some prized breeding animal to gain an army to fight a pointless war. Your people are backward when it comes to the treatment of women." Nico shot back in his cold, calculating voice that passed for his temper.

"Like it's any better where you come from!" She shouted back.

"If anyone tried to do what your brother has done or is planning on doing to you, my cousin would string them up by their balls and play a game of Piñata with their smoldering corpse." That shocked Daenerys; she wasn't sure what Pinata was, but the idea that anyone would care that much exhilarated and terrified her.

"Where is this cousin of yours?" asked the Princess, trying to puzzle together the mystery of Nico.

"Home"

"Where is home?"

Hearing her question the dark-clothed man, she had no idea where he got that much black, grinned and responded, "Where my cousin is." That infuriated Daenerys, so she rounded on him with a huff and seethed out through her teeth. "Why are you so difficult?"

"Why are you so inquisitive? I don't see you like this with anyone." Nico answered, looking meaningfully at Daenerys.

"You are the only one who treats me like an equal." She responds, though not sure why, as she stuck up her head.

"Then give up your brother. He is abusive and cruel. I heard him talking to Illyrio about selling you to Kal Drogo as a bride!" Nico tried to reason with the Princess, but it was useless; she was too blinded by the abusive teachings of her world. With fear and tears, she responded, "I must serve the rightful King. I'll wed this Kal Drogo if I must." Even to her, calling her brother a king sounded hollow.

The son of Hades left using the shadows in a fit of frustration. Daenerys is about to be caught up in a war that might cost her everything if she is too stubborn to turn back course. Then, he must prepare for the worst so she doesn't have to go through the same things he did. He doesn't want her brother on the throne of Westeros, but he still wants a Targaryen, even if she isn't ready for it. With barely a sound, he shadow-traveled to King's Landing to meet the King, who would send assassins after children.