Winter is coming:
The wall:
It was just a normal day at the wall, three Night's Watch Rangers and one Dawnguard member were preparing to start the normal ranging beyond the Wall. The Rangers were known as Gared, Will and Waymar Royce. Then there was the Dawnguard was Vanik. They were going to scout for the rumours of Wildings which had gathered beyond the Wall. If the King Beyond the Wall was gathering a Wildling army then the North would have to be warned.
The four of them took their horses and they went towards the haunted forest where they travelled through the snow covered ground. There was always snow in this part and it hardly ever melted. The Lands beyond the Wall were always cold and Will didn't know how people could live here. Will and his companions in the Night's watch had been rangers for years and they had made several tries beyond the wall. The Dawnguard had been helpful since they had been set up and they trained many of the recruits so now the Watch had more warriors instead of the wimps and criminals that they came to when they first arrived at the Wall. The Master of Arms at Castle Black, Ser Alliser Thorne was a good soldier but he could be arrogant and brutal so the Dawnguard helped him to train the men.
As they rode through the forest, they came to a small camp, but the fires had died out but only recently as Gared found out when he inspected the fire. "They're not far away." The four of them drew their swords though Vanik pulled out a crossbow. They crept along the forest until they chose to split up. Will went alone as he found a shocking sight, there were several Wildling corpses all of the, dismembered. What's worse was that the bodies were all arranged in a ritual like fashion. Will turned around in order to find his comrades, as he turned, his eyes widened with shock and fear, there pinned to the tree behind him was a Wildling girl, dead.
When he found them, Waymar looked at Will "What do you expect, their savages, once one knocks the goat from another lot the next thing you know their ripping each other to pieces."
Will looked at him "I've never seen Wildings do a thing like this!" he exclaimed "I've never seen a thing like this in my life."
Vanik looked at him "How close did you get?"
"Close enough" Will answered. "Closer as any man would"
Gared looked at them "We should head back to the wall."
Waymar scoffed "Do the dead frighten you?" he mocked
"Our orders were to track the Wildling with the Dawnguard, we found them, they won't trouble us no more."
"Don't you think that Lord Commander Mormont will ask us how they died?" Waymar added
Vanik agreed with Waymar "He's right, we don't know what caused this, we should find what killed them"
"Get back on your horse" Waymar added
Gared scoffed and then turned away. Then a now frightened Will looked at Waymar, "Whatever did it to them could do it to us, they even killed the children." He pleaded
"Well it's a good job we're not Children. You want to run away South, run away. Of course they will behead you as a deserter, if I don't catch you first. Get back on your horse. I won't say it again"
Will then took them to the place where he had seen the dead Wildlings. But to their shock, they were gone. Waymar turned to will "Your dead men seemed to have moved to another camp."
Will was confused "They were here." He insisted
Gared looked at Will, "See where they went."
Vanik and Will went off to look for the Wildlings while Gared and Waymar stayed behind to inspect the camp. They could hear some kind of rushing noise. Gared then found something in the snow, it was a piece of clothing from a Wildling.
"What is it?" Waymar asked
Gared looked at him and then his eyes widened as he saw something rise from behind him. Gared gasped and then as Waymar turned around, a sword slashed down, slicing his head off his shoulders.
Will heard Gared's yells in the distance and then the sounding of hoofs as all of the horses ran off. Then Will saw something which shocked him, it was the Wildling girl he'd seen pinned to a tree earlier, but now she was walking and she turned around. Will's eyes widened as he saw the Wildling turn around and stare at him with pale blue eyes which didn't look human. Will just turned around and ran off. Gared and Vanik also ran away as well as they felt something was chasing them.
Soon, the three of them were reunited in a small clearing. Will sighed in relief which was quickly taken when he saw something grab hold of Gared. This creature had long white hair and pale white skin. Will couldn't believe his eyes, it was a White Walker, like from the legends from the Long Night. Many folk now said that they don't exist and that they were just stories told by old women. But this creature was real and with one stroke of an icy sword, the Walker slit Gared's throat so much that his head was taken from his shoulders. The Walker then threw the head to the ground in front of Will and Vanik.
"Get back to the Wall!" Vanik yelled "You must tell them, they have returned." Will nodded and ran off while Vanik loaded his crossbow, he fired a bolt but it just bounced off the icy armour. The walker strolled up to Vanik and Vanik swung his crossbow to protect himself, but the Walker's icy blade just shattered his crossbow and then the walker thrust the blade into Vanik's neck. The last thing Vanik saw before he vision went blank was the Walker staring at him in triumph.
...
Will head fled south. But he didn't go back to the Wall; he had fled into the lands of the North. So now he was a desert from the watch and an Oath-breaker. The Stark guards had been told about a deserter and now Will was fleeing from the soldiers. Will watched as the soldiers rode over the hills and he tried to run away, but more guards appeared in front of him, with nothing else to do, Will surrendered to the guards.
...
Winterfell (Seat of House Stark)
The courtyard of Winterfell was active as Lord Eddard Stark watched as his second trueborn son, Brandon Stark called Bran by most, was practicing archery with help from his firstborn Robb and his bastard son Jon Snow. His wife Catelyn Stark stood next to him and his youngest son Rickon was sitting on top of a barrel with a wooden sword. Eddard's daughters, Arya and Sansa were inside doing needlework with Septa Mordane. Eddard watched as Bran fired an arrow from his bow, only for it to hit a barrel.
Jon placed his arms on Bran's shoulders "Go on, father's watching, and your mother." He said.
Inside the household, Septa Mordane was teaching the girls of Winterfell needlework. Mordane praised Sansa's fine needlework "Fine work as always, well done." Mordane said
"Thank you" Sansa replied. Arya just scoffed as she carried on with her needlework, she hated it, she didn't want to be a lady, she wanted to learn how to fight and why couldn't she, she heard about their being woman among the new royal army and the Blades. Arya wanted to join them but her mother would let her. 'You young lady are going to be a good little lady.' Her mother had said. Arya just scoffed, why could they see that she didn't want to be a lady, she remembered when Prince Martin came to visit almost 2 years ago.
(Flashback, 2 years ago.)
Arya had just left her lessons with the Septa, she had enough of the Septa's insults about her saying that she had the hands of a Blacksmith. Arya just marched out and grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows. She was going to practise her archery. She was frustrated as she kept missing the target.
"You'll never hit that target if you're angry." A voice called
"Go away, I'm practising" Arya growled
"Practicing missing your target?" the voice teased
"I don't need you to..." Arya started but she turned to see Prince Martin who was staying in Winterfell for a while during his second trip "My Prince." She gave a clumsy curtsey "Forgive me."
"It's okay Arya, I just wanted a little fun." Martin said "I thought you had lessons with the Septa now." Arya looked at her feet "Oh I see, you ran away."
Arya threw her arms in the air "Okay yeah, I ran away, but I hate Septa Mordane, all she does is say how I should be a lady. But I don't want to be a lady, I want to learn how to use swords and shoot a bow. The Septa says I have the hands of a Blacksmith."
Martin glared at the castle "Well that was very rude, that's why I don't worship the Seven or trust Septons or Septas, they only care about the Seven and they don't care what others think." Martin then looked at Arya "You remained me of my sister, Alessia, she acted a lot like you. But her Septa doesn't stop her, mainly because she doesn't have a Septa anymore."
"She doesn't?" Arya question
"Yeah, she left after me and Alessia converted to the Nine Divines, or a better way to say it is that I kicked her out after she called my sister a sinner. I threw that bitch out of a window and into a pond, she never came back and I refused to allow any other Septa's to teach my sisters."
(End Flashback)
Arya thought about Prince Martin, he heard other tales about him that he had done a lot to help improve the lives of common people in Westeros, but he also had a ruthless side to him and was not afraid to use violence to send a message.
Back outside, Bran fired another arrow though this one missed the target completely and it went over the fort walls. Jon, Rickon and Robb laughed.
"And which one of you was a marksman at ten." Lord Eddard Stark spoke up. Robb and Jon smiles fell as they remembered that they couldn't fire a bow when they were Bran's age. "Keep practicing Bran."
As Bran placed another arrow in his bow, Jon spoke to him again "Don't take too long."
"Relax your bow arm" Robb added.
Bran prepared his arrow and then an arrow slammed into the centre of the target, but it wasn't Bran's arrow. Everyone turned to see Arya Stark with a bow in her hands. She then gave a mock curtsey before Bran glared at he and charged at her. Arya giggled and ran off with Bran after her. Robb Jon and Rickon laughed and Robb shouted "Go on faster."
Lord Eddard also smiled at his children playing until he was interrupted by Winterfell's Master of Arms, Ser Rodrik Cassel. "Lord Stark" he announced "My Lady. Guardsmen just rode in from the hills, they've captured a deserter from the Night's Watch."
Eddard's smile fell as he knew what had to be done "Get the lads to saddle their horses."
Catalyn turned to him "Do you have to?" she asked
Eddard stared at her "He swore an oath Cat."
"Law is Law my lady." Rodrik added
"Tell Bran he's coming too." Eddard added
As Rodrik left, Catalyn looked at her husband "Ned, ten is too young to see such things."
Eddard looked at her, as a mother she was worried about her children as any mother would be, but his kids were growing up and they would have their mother around forever.
"He won't be a boy forever" he said "And Winter is coming."
…
Eddard took Bran, Jon and Robb with him to the lands outside Winterfell, Ser Rodrik Cassel and his ward, Theon Greyjoy were with him as two Stark guards dragged the deserter towards him.
"What's your name lad?" Eddard asked
"Will my lord" the deserter said "I know that I left my post, and I know that I'm an oathbreaker, but you must be warned, I saw them. I saw the White Walkers."
Eddard just stared at him before the guards forced the deserter to his knees where he muttered "Mother forgive me." His head was laid on the tree stump they used as a headsman's block.
Theon held the wolf skin scabbard which held the ancestral Valyrian Steel Sword Ice. The sword was a two handed sword which was bigger than Eddard himself, he had wielded this very sword like many of his ancestors had done. Eddard pointed the sword downwards with the blade in the ground. "In the Name of Robert of House Baratheon, first of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men. I Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, sentence you to die."
Bran stared as his father prepared to behead the deserter. "Don't look away." Jon said to him "Father will know if you will." Eddard then lifted the sword so it was above his shoulders, then with one great swing, he brought the sword down, beheading the man with one stroke. Bran didn't look away. "You did well." Jon added after the deed was done.
After the guards removed the body, Eddard approached Bran and he asked him "Did you know why I did it?" he asked
"Jon said he was a deserter" Bran answered
Eddard nodded "Yes, but do you understand why I had to be the one who did the deed."
Bran thought for a moment before he remembered something which Maester Luwin had told him "Our way is the old way."
Eddard nodded "The man who gives the sentence, should swing the sword."
Bran then looked worried "He said he saw White Walkers."
Eddard looked sceptical "The Walkers are gone, a madman sees anything."
…
Later, Eddard decided to take the group with him on a walk through the woods, they were joined by Jory Cassel, Rodrik's nephew and Winterfell's captain of the Guard. They stopped when they saw something. It was a dead stag, the body seemed to have been torn to pieces. "Was it a mountain Lion?" Theon asked
"There are no Mountain Lions in these woods." Eddard said and then he heard whimpering noises. He and his group followed the noise to a nearby stream where he saw a large wolf body, larger than any wolf he'd seen before and there were several small wolf cubs.
"It's a freak" Theon said
Eddard shook his head "It's a Direwolf. Tough old beast" Eddard pulled out the piece of the Stag antler which was jammed in the Direwolf's throat. That was what had killed the wolf.
"There are no Direwolves south of the Wall." Robb claimed
"Now there are Five" Jon said as he picked one of the cubs up and he held it to Bran "Would you like to hold it." Bran held the cub in his arms and the wolf snuggled into him.
"Where will they go?" Bran asked "Their mother's dead."
"They don't belong here." Rodrik said. Eddard was about to say that the pups should be killed, but then he remembered when Prince Martin had come to visit, he had brought his pet Jaguar Storm with him. A jaguar was not a pet but this Jaguar was protective of Martin and acted like a loyal guardian. The Direwolf was the sigil of House Stark.
"Lord Stark." Jon spoke up "There are five cubs, 3 males 2 female. You have two daughters and three sons. The Direwolf is the sigil of your house. They were meant to have them."
Eddard sighed "You will train them yourselves, you will feed them yourselves and if they die, you will bury them yourselves."
Robb helped to gather the cubs. He held two of them while Theon held the other two. Bran held the one that he had earlier then he looked at Jon "What about you?"
"I'm not a Stark, go on" Jon answered
The group prepared to go back to Winterfell then Jon heard another whimpering noise. He bend down and he picked up what was causing the Whimpering. It was another Direwolf pup, but this one had snowy white skin and red eyes.
"The runt of the Litter" Theon laughed "That one's yours Snow."
…
Several months later, the Stark household was in uproar, everyone had been busy to get things ready in time for King Robert's visit to Winterfell. Eddard had been upset when he heard about the death of his father figure, Jon Arryn. Now Robert and his whole family were coming to Winterfell. Eddard knew that his foster brother was only coming to ask him to come to King's Landing to be the Hand of the King.
Meanwhile, Bran watched in amazement as he was on the roofs of Winterfell where he watched the King and his household ride along the Kingsroad. Quickly he began to climb down so he could inform his mother that the King was close. But his mother called him as he made his final climb "Brandon!"
Bran smirked "I saw the King, he's got hundreds of people."
"How many times have I told you, no climbing!" Catelyn exclaimed
"But I saw the King." Bran said excitingly
Catelyn walked up to him "I want you to promise me, no more Climbing"
Bran sighed and then he looked at his feet "I promise."
Catelyn sighed "Do you know, you always look at your feet, before you lie." Bran smirked and Catelyn added "Go and find your father, tell him the King is close."
…
With the King's party.
Prince Martin rode behind his father and Joffrey. Storm was beside him and he entered the gates of Winterfell along with everyone else. Every member of the Stark Household had arrived to see the King, when he rode past a wagon, Martin was sure he saw someone familiar.
On the wagon, Arya, wearing a guard helmet watched as the King's men rode into Winterfell. But Arya was interested in watching if her old friends were here. And then she saw him, Prince Martin was there on his horse as Storm trotted beside him. Several Blades members were behind him including Delphine. 'Martin's back', Arya though as she saw him. Arya then saw a short blond haired boy just a little older than Martin riding a horse with a smug look on his face. 'Martin's brother' Arya though bitterly 'Martin warned us to be careful with him.' Arya then realised that she was meant to be with her family, so Arya quickly left the wagon and he ran back towards the main keep of Winterfell.
In the Keep, the Stark family had lined up, Eddard and Catelyn were standing together with Rickon next to them. Robb, Sansa and Bran ware along the line while Theon and Jon were back in the crowd. But Catelyn noticed that someone was missing "Where Arya?" she asked then she looked to her other daughter "Sansa where's your sister." Sansa shrugged her shoulders and then Eddard saw his 2nd daughter running with a guard helmet on her head "Hey" Eddard stopped her "What are you doing with that on" he took the helmet off her head "Go stand by your siblings. Arya stood between Sansa and Bran.
Then several Baratheon and Lannister Guardsmen rode through the gates along with a few Kingsguard and Crown Prince Joffrey. Then a wheelhouse came through the gates and then King Robert Himself. The years clearly haven't been kind to him. Eddard remembered a strong warrior who could lift a huge Warhammer but now there was just a fat man with a chin hidden beneath a beard. Robb was shocked at this, his father told him about the Battle of the Trident and though Martin had warned him that his father had changed, Robb was still shocked. Sansa was staring at Crown Prince Joffrey with a flirty look on her face, Arya scoffed at this, her sister still believed in tales of dream princes and knights.
As Robert got down off his horse with help from a step ladder, everyone in Winterfell kneeled as Robert approached Eddard. He gave Lord Stark his hand and told him to rise. Eddard did and then he bowed his head "Your Grace."
"You got fat." King Robert said. Everyone was staring at him while Martin had a smirk on his face, Eddard stared at the King's chest and then they both burst into laughter and they embraced each other as old friends. Robert then turned to the rest of the Stark Family "Cat" Robert embraced Lady Catelyn and then he patted Rickon on the head.
"Where's the Imp?" Arya asked
"Shut up!" Sansa hissed
"Nine years" Robert spoke up "Why haven't I seen you where the hell have you been?"
"Guarding the North for you" Eddard said "And taking your son's advice."
During Martin's stay in the North, he helped the North to expand their fleet up since winter would be approaching soon and food became more difficult to obtain in the North due to the poor agriculture. So Martin with help from House Manderly, Lord Stark and Theon had been able to start building up a new trading fleet which the North lacked since Brandon the Burner destroyed the Northern Ships in grief after his father's disappearance. Now the North had a fleet of trading ships to trade in goods.
King Robert then turned his attention to the rest of the Stark children. "You must be Robb" he said to Eddard's eldest son "Martin says that you have the skill to be the next lord of Winterfell." Then he turned to Sansa "Man you're a pretty one" he said before he went to Arya "And your name is?"
"Arya" Arya said simply
Then Robert went to Bran "Show us your muscles Lad." Bran did as he asked and Robert laughed "Martin told me about your dream to join the Kingsguard, well, I'm sure you'll do better than some of the idiots I've seen."
Then the rest of the royal family got out of the Wheelhouse. Queen Cersei got out first followed by her remaining children, Alessia, Myrcella and Tommen. Cersei went over to Lord Stark and held her hand out. Eddard kissed her ring as was custom "My Queen" he said
Arya and Sansa were arguing again as Jaime lifted off his helmet.
"Take me to your crypts, I wish to pay my respects." Robert said
"We've been riding for nearly a month now, surely the dead can wait." Cersei insisted as she knew that her husband was only intending to see the grave of his lost love, Lady Lyanna Stark. But Robert ignored her as usual and he left them with Lord Stark in tow.
Martin shook his head as he got off his horse and he approached the Stark Children. Bran and Rickon embraced him as he kneeled down to their level "It's good to see you again." He said
"Will you show us those trick in training?" Bran asked
"Maybe tomorrow, I'm a bit tired from riding, and it's the welcome feast tonight. We'll be training tomorrow."
Arya smiled as Martin looked at her "Where's the imp?" she asked and she received a scolding from Sansa for her behaviour. Martin didn't get involved as he turned towards his uncle Jaime. "Where's Tyrion" Martin asked
"If I had to guess, I say that he's gone to some Northern Brothel." Jaime said
"Why do I even ask" Martin sighed "I'll go get him."
…
Winterfell Crypts.
The Crypts of Winterfell were dark and were just like the Halls of the Dead where people who worshipped the Nine Divines were buried. Many graves had a statue on top of them though some had crumbled because of age. Each of the Lords of Winterfell had an Iron Sword on their grave as well. Eddard and Robert walked through the halls and they talked to each other.
"Tell me about Jon Arryn?" Eddard said
"Well one minute he was fine, next thing he falls. Fever burnt right though him. I loved that man." Robert responded
"We both did." Eddard agreeded
"He never had to teach you much but me." Robert looked at him "Do you remember me at 16, all I wanted to do was crack skulls and fuck girls. He showed me what was what." Robert then saw Eddard smirking at him "Don't look at me like that, it's not his fault I didn't listen." Then the two of them stopped walking "I need you Ned. I came here so I could give you something. In the name of Robert of House Baratheon, I appoint you, Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell as Hand of the King."
Eddard looked at him "Your Grace, I'm not worthy."
"It's not meant to be an honour, I need you to help run my Kingdom while I drink and whore my way into an early grave. I would have appointed my Son Martin but he's still young. Damn it Ned Stand up." Robert tapped Ned on the shoulder and he stood up "You helped me win the Iron Throne now help me keep it. We were meant to rule together, if your sister had lived we'd be brothers, I want that to carry on, I have a son, you have a daughter, we'll unite our houses together in marriage."
"I need time to think this through your Grace." Eddard said.
…
Wintertown:
Martin walked through Wintertown, the small town which surrounded the fortress of Winterfell. He was looking for a brothel or a tavern where he was sure Uncle Tyrion would be. He soon found the place he was looking for at a brothel where he found Tyrion with a prostitute in bed.
"My Prince" the girl said
"Don't you know the meaning of a closed door in a whorehouse nephew?" Tyrion asked
"I've never been in a place like this remember, I always swore that I would not go down the route my father took." Martin said "And I came to find you to say that mother wants to see you at the feast tonight."
"I'm sorry nephew but I've begun the feast a bit early and this is the first of many courses." Tyrion said
"I thought you might say that" Martin said and he went to the door "But since we're short on time." Martin opened the door and several barely dressed girls came into the room "Go on girls, get him" he laughed "See you at the feast." Martin added as he left but he left the door open.
"Close the door!" Tyrion called after him.
Crypts:
King Robert held a feather in his hands as he kneeled in front of the statue of his lost love, Lyanna Stark, the she wolf of Winterfell. There was so much that was similar to Lyanna and Lord Stark's second daughter, Arya and also his own daughter Alessia. Robert placed the feather in the statue's stone hands "Did you have to bury her in a place like this? She should be on a hill somewhere with the sun and clouds above her."
"She was my sister" Eddard said "She belonged here."
Robert had a few tears in his eyes "She belonged with me." Robert stroked the cheek of the statue "In my dreams I kill him every night." Robert added as he talked about Rhagar Targaryen, the man who kidnapped Lyanna and caused her death.
"It's over your Grace, the Targaryen's are gone." Eddard said calmly.
Robert's voice turned cold and angry "Not all of them!" he growled
Pentos, across the Narrow Sea.
Daenerys Targaryen looked over the narrow sea from the window of the manor house where she and her brother were staying. She had been introduced to Khal Drogo of the Dothraki, one of the most powerful of the Khals who had nearly one hundred thousand men in his herd. The man clearly frightened her as she heard that the Dothraki were savages who raided wherever they went. But her brother, Viserys was going to force her to marry that Horse Lord so that he could gather an army so he could retake his home. Daenerys shook her head, she had stopped being afraid of her brother after meeting that lad a few years ago, the lad didn't know who she was but he had helped her regardless. Dany knew that she had to fight back against her brother and his madness. But she could stop this, if she left she had nowhere to go. Viserys no longer cared for her and all he cared about was taking back his throne. He was always going on about how he would burn his enemies but she could only scoff, Viserys was clearing mad if he thought his plan would work, the Dothraki wouldn't cross the Narrow Sea, they never went where their horses couldn't drink. But there was one thing she loved, and that was reading about Dragons. She had found some old books which talked about ancient dragons and how they once had their own language. One book talked about something called the Dragon War where humans and Dragons fought against each other while another talked about a man known as Olaf One Eye who captured a Dragon alive and would later go one to become High King in The North before the time of House Stark. Daenerys always loved these books and reading about Dragons but there was one book which she really loved, it was about how there were once mortals who could use their voice to tame dragons, almost like the Dragonlords of Valyria. These finding were of a man known as Farengar Secret Fire who was a scholar who read about Dragons, Dany wished that she could meet this Farengar, she could learn so much from him.
Winterfell, The feast.
The Stark family and their important family members were in Winterfell's great hall for the feast. There was a lot of wine and all different types of meat such as Beef, pork and Venison. The royal family sat alongside the Starks at the table at the front while most of the guests sat along two separate tables. There was a lot of laughter as guests joked with each other and chatted and ate while musicians played music in the background. Martin was sitting next to Myrcella and Alessia and they talked about what they planned to do next, though Martin was disgusted to see his father grabbing one of Winterfell's servants.
Outside the main hall, Jon was outside hitting a practise Dummy with a wooden sword, Lady Stark thought it would insult the royal family to seat a bastard in the halls so he grabbed a wooden sword and intended to practise his sword skills. It was then he heard someone call, "Is he dead yet?"
Jon turned to see his uncle Benjen Stark, Eddard's younger brother and the First Ranger of the Night's Watch getting off of his horse. He saw several Dawnguard members including the dark skinned man Isran and the auburn haired Gunmar and a woman wearing a cloak that he didn't recognise. "Uncle Benjen" Jon greeted and they embraced each other, Isran, Gunmar and the woman went inside the Halls after nodding to him. "Why aren't you at the feast?" Benjen asked
"Lady Stark thought it might be insulting to the royal family to seat a Bastard in their mist." Jon replied
"Well you're always welcome to join the Wall or the Dawnguard, no bastard was ever denied a place there." Benjen said
"So take me with you when you go back?" Jon asked "Father will let me if you ask him, I know he will, I'm ready, to swear your oath."
"But you're be giving up the chance to start a family." Benjen said "The wall is not what they say; most of our members now are just criminals from dungeons, though there are a few good men. Trust me, the Dawnguard would be a better place for you, I'm sure Isran will accept you. Now I must head inside and rescue your father from his guests."
Benjen went back inside and Jon returned to his training and he began thinking about what his uncle said and then he was interrupted by a voice "Your uncle's in the Watch I see." Jon turned to see the smallest man he ever seen, it was Tyrion Lannister.
"So you want to go to the Wall." Tyrion said "I've always wanted to see the Wall."
"You're Tyrion Lannister, the Queen's brother." Jon said
"Yes, my greatest achievement, being Martin's uncle is possible my proudest." Tyrion added "And your Ned Stark's bastard correct." Jon glared at that and he returned to his practise "Oh did I insult you, I apologize, it was not my intention. Let me give you some advice, never give up who you are." Tyrion then walked inside.
Jon looked at him "What do you know about being a bastard?" He asked
"All Dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes." Tyrion answered.
...
Back inside, Martin stopped chatting as he saw Isran come in with Gunmar and the hooded woman. Martin stared at the woman, if she was here then it meant that there was trouble. Martin then walked up to them "So what's happened?" he asked
"Well Vanik and three rangers went North of the Wall to look for the Wildlings, only the deserter returned." Isran said
"And Eddard said that the man claimed to have seen the White Walkers." Martin added as Robb had told him the story. "Do you think it's true?"
The woman spoke up "It's possible, there have been reports of strange sightings beyond the Wall, wildling villages have been emptying and while it could be said that the King Beyond the Wall is gathering an army, Hardhome has been filling up and no one really goes there anymore. So something is wrong."
Gunmer then spoke up "And I've known Vanik for years, he's one of our best scouts, it's not like him to go missing."
"Well either way, it looks like the Dawnguard and Watch need help" Martin said "Stop at Cloud Ruler on your way and take some supplies which Tullius gives you." And then he turned to the woman "Oh, and you should probably head back to Fort Dawnguard, it's not safe here for you."
Isran nodded and the three of them left, Martin then turned to see his mother and Lady Catelyn talking. "Is this your first time in the North your Grace?" Cat asked
"Yes, lovely country" Cersei said but there was sarcasm in her voice as her face clearly said that she didn't want to be here, she then stared at the first Stark daughter, Sansa Stark.
"I'm sure it's very grim after King's Landing" Catelyn added and then Sansa came over to them wearing a blue northern gown.
"Hello little dove" Cersei greeted
"Your Grace" Sansa greeted back
"How old are you?" Cersei asked
"Fourteen." Sansa answered
"Tell me, have you bled yet?" Cersei asked and Sansa shook her head and then Cersei added "Your dress did you make it?" Sansa nodded "Such Talent."
Sansa then left and she talked with her friends Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel. She noticed Crown Prince Joffrey staring at her with a happy look on her face. However, she didn't see her sister Arya have a spoon in her hands and she flicked a bit of food at her which hit her cheek "Arya!" she exclaimed and then Robb laughed "It's not funny, this is my favourite dress and she's ruined it, she's always doing that."
Robb noticed her mother look at him and then she looked at Arya, Robb knew what his mother was saying. Robb went over and picked Arya up "All right, time for bed." Arya sighed.
…
The Next Day:
The next day was when Arya had lessons with the Septa. Sansa and her friends, Jeyne and Beth had joined them along with Princess Myrcella. Though she didn't see Princess Alessia anywhere. 'Where is she?' Arya thought. Septa Mordane was teaching them all needlework, as usual she praised Sansa and Jeyne's work as well as Myrcella's though in truth, her needlework was like Arya, crooked.
"Did you see the Crown Prince?" Jeyne said "He's so hansom."
"I heard that the King wants to wed you to the Crown Prince" Beth added looking at Sansa "You'll be Queen and we'll get to go to King's Landing."
"What do you think of the Prince Arya?" Sansa asked
Arya scoffed "I don't like his smirk, and I remember what Martin told me about him, that he acts like he can do whatever he likes. That's not how a Prince acts."
"Arys's right" Myrcella added "Like Martin all of my siblings have pet Jaguars. Joff's pet Heart-eater was the most aggressive of them. Martin had to get him out of trouble when Heart-eater bit a visiting noble's son. But Martin told him to stop this behaviour or else he'll start a war."
"You all have pet Jaguars like we have our Direwolves?" Arya asked. After they got their Direwolves, all of the Stark Children named them. Sansa had the gentlest cub which she named Lady. Arya named her Nymeria after the Warrior Queen of Dorne. Robb's was called Grey-Wind while Rickon named his Shaggydog. Bran still hadn't named his one yet and Jon named his Ghost after his white fur.
"We do" Myrcella answered Arya's question "Martin named his one Storm while Alessia called her Aylied."
"Aylied?" Sansa question
"Alessia likes reading books, one talked about people known as the Aylieds who created an Empire on Westeros, they enslaved people until they rose up and defeated the Empire. One of the favourite books 'Last King of the Aylieds' talks about the last King of the Aylieds." Myrcella answered "Like Storm, Aylied is a loyal guardian. My and Tommen's Jaguars were more like pets. We called them Midnight and Ser Pounce."
It was then that Mordane inspected Arya's needlework "Arya Stark! This will not do at all. Your needlework is crooked again. How are you going to be a good little lady."
"I don't want to be a lady!" Arya shouted "I want to fire a bow and use swords. Princess Alessia does that. Why can't I?"
"Princess Alessia is silly" Mordane said to Arya's horror "She worships false Gods."
"How dare you!" Myrcella roared "You're lucky Martin didn't hear that or else he'd drag you out of this room and throw you from the wall. He did that to the last Septa who insulted Alessia. Martin told me he didn't like the Faith of the Seven because they only cared about their beliefs and not what others thought, it seems he was right. I'm finished here." Myrcella threw her stitches on the floor and marched out, followed quickly by Arya.
"Is what you said true?" Arya asked when she caught up with Myrcella "Did Martin really throw the Septa from the Red Keep?"
"Yes he did" Myrcella answered "Martin threw him from the chamber window and into a pond. He refused to see any other member of the Faith of the Seven. Martin has mixed beliefs. He can be kind at times but ruthless ay others. People compared him to my Grandfather, Tywin Lannister as Martin knows that you need to send a warning, not just threaten."
They soon came to the courtyard where they saw Bran and Tommen sparing against each other with wooden swords. Tommen was having difficulties against Bran and soon he yielded. Bran helped Tommen to his feet. "You did well brother" Martin said to Tommen "You've still got much to learn, don't let this defeat get to you, learn from it." Tommen smiled and he went back to the crowd.
Joffrey scoffed "He should be ashamed to have lost to someone below him" he hissed
Martin glared "At least he tried, unlike you. Every time you spare you always cry when someone hurts you and moan when beaten, at least Tommen knows how to face defeat." Martin hissed back at him.
Then Rodrik spoke up "Prince Joffrey and Robb Stark care for another round?"
"Gladly" Robb spoke up
"This is a game for children" Joffrey complained
"You are a child" Theon laughed
"You may be, but I'm a Prince." Joffrey laughed
"Just because you a Prince doesn't mean you can fight." Martin spoke up "How many times have I told you. If you fight in a real battle, do you think the Kingsguard can protect you forever? You need to fight, your enemies will not help you."
Joffrey laughed "Then let's use Live Steel then instead of these wooden swords."
"No brother" Martin said "You remember what happened last time you used live steel, you almost cut your finger off with that Valyrian steel sword I gave you. Pycelle had a hard time in trying to save it and then Mother was angry. I took the sword off you until you learnt how to use it properly. And I will not risk you causing trouble."
Arya and Myrcella watched as the argument countined "I see what you mean about your brother." Arya said
"He acts like he's done so much for the Kingdom" Mrycella answered "But most things were done by Martin, Joffrey's jealous because people respect Martin and no one respects him."
"Respect is earnt, not given" Jon spoke up as he approached them
"Martin told Joffrey that once and he didn't listen." Myrcella said
"Did you see Joffrey's coat of arms?" Arya asked "He combines both his families' houses together"
"Why don't you add the Tully Sigil to your arms." Jon asked Arya.
"A wolf with a fish in its mouth? That would look silly" Arya said and Myrcella laughed "Besides, if a girl can't fight, why should she have a Sigil. Anyway, why aren't you down there, you're one of Winterfell's best fighters."
"Bastards can't fight Princes." Jon said simply.
It was then that they heard cheering as they saw Alessia fire several arrows into the centre of her archery target. "Stop showing off" Tommen called
Alessia laughed "If you want to learn Tommen, you just need to ask me to teach you."
"I want to learn how to fight." Tommen said "Mother says I'm too young but I'm not, I want to fight like you and Martin can. I want to fight so I can fight alongside Martin in the future."
"You'll never be a good fighter if you lose to someone below you" Joffrey mocked cruelly. Everyone glared at him and he was rewarded with a light slap from Martin
"Insult Tommen again and I'll hit you harder." Martin said calmly
"I'm telling mother!" Joffrey growled
"Go on tell her" Martin hissed "She can't protect you from everything. It's high time you stop this behaviour and act like a prince, cause I'm not going to protect you if you keep acting like a viscous idiot." Martin then picked up Tommen and walked inside leaving Joffrey to moan.
…
Later that day, King Robert arranged a hunt in the forests. Martin and Joffrey would be joining them along with Robb and Lord Stark. Tommen wanted to come as well but Martin told him that he still need to learn. Martin also told him not to listen to what Joffrey said. Tommen decided to listen to what Martin had said and he decided to practice with help from Alessia. He wanted to train with Bran but he wasn't around. Alessia said that he would go and look for him. She soon found Bran's direwolf looking upwards at the ruined tower of Winterfell. Alessia saw Bran above looking into the broken tower. She though he heard someone else talking in there and then it happened. Someone pushed Bran backwards.
"BRAN!" Alessia yelled and she held out her hands to catch her. Bran fell right into her hands but the force was strong that it knocked Alessia to the ground. Bran hit his head on the ground as he fell.
…
Out in the Woods, King Robert and his men were still hunting through the woods and so far, they had caught several wild boars and a few deer. But then their fun was interrupted by the arrival of several Stark Guardsmen.
"Seven Hell!" Robert growled "Now look what you done, you've scared all the Game away."
"I'm sorry you're Grace, but it was important I spoke to Lord Stark. It's urgent" The head guard said
"What is it?" Eddard asked
"Your son Bran has fallen from the tower."
Chapter end
Author's notes. This is episode 1 of Game of Thrones. I am sticking close to the story of season 1 but that will change when we reach the war. Martin had a little outburst here and we will be expecting more in later chapters. I also need some suggestions on who I can match Martin and Alessia to. I need some ideas for Romance in this story. The next chapter will be on Episode 2, The Kingsroad and then the chapter will start to go off cannon to the story. Don't forget to review, all reviews are appreciated.