:-[Chapter 12]-:
Eddard took this chance to put himself back on his feet, willing to get back into the fight. He was a Northman and a Stark. For his family, he couldn't just die here. He watch as Harry Winterstorm carved up his way through the ship's deck.
The young warrior finally stopped moving when the last enemy was dead by his blade. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was Eddard saying his name.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Harry Winterstorm opened his emerald green eyes with difficulty. Luckily for him, there was not much light in the room he woke up. He was alone and the room was consisted of a bed and some furniture here and there and lit was a simple candle. There was a window, which let pass no sunlight, indicating to Harry this was nighttime.
His muscles felt heavy and moving them was difficult. It felt like he did not move for days. His throat was dry and he desperately wanted a glass of water of anything to quench his thirst. He saw a pitcher on the small table next to his bed and went for it. He remarked that it was water and drank it all down, making him coughs in the process.
Probable hearing the young man, the door opened suddenly, letting Harry see a northern warrior.
"Master Winterstorm, I'll let Lord Eddard know you are awake." He said before closing the door, not letting Harry time to react in any way.
A couple of minutes later, Eddard Stark entered Harry's room, accompanied by at least a dozen men. He was dressed in full armor and had his weapons at his hip.
"Leave us men, there is no other entry here, make sure we are not disturbed." Said Eddard with a strangely hoarse and cold voice.
Harry could the some of the men wanted to protest but seeing their Lord cold eyes, they followed his order and went back outside. Eddard turned his full attention to his savior, watching him closely.
"We have many things to talk about, Winterstorm. First of it all, is the fact that you save my life, during the Battle of Sweetsister. You have my thanks and my friendship, if you desire it."
Harry was a little stunned by the declaration but it made sense in the end. He became best friend with Hermione when he saved her from the troll during Halloween in the girl's toilet.
"My friends call me Harry, Lord Eddard." Smiled a still slightly tired young wizard.
"And mines call me Ned." Answered back the young man who nodded.
"Can you tell me what happened at Sweetsister, Ned? All I remember is me fighting and killing those men and that's it."
"Aye. It is a long story however." He started before sitting of the foot of the bed. "After you fell on the deck, there weren't any Sistermen left on the ship. We still don't know why they specifically targeted ours and we may never know. The castle was taken a couple days later quite easily by our combine forces."
"Wait, you said a couple of days later. How long have I been sleeping?" asked a surprised Harry.
He could see his new friend hesitate a little before answering.
"Couple of weeks. We are at White Harbor at the moment and been here for only a day. My Lord Father has ordered that we leave for Winterfell within two days at the most." He answered, his face taking a much more somber look.
"Eddard, what else happened while I was out? Why are you in White Harbor? Shouldn't you be in the Eyrie with Lord Jon Arryn?"
"My fostering is being put on hold for the moment. For what else happened well, my Lady Mother was murdered the night of our fight with the Sistermen."
Harry immediately raison up to put his hand on Ned's shoulder, showing his support. He never knew his mother Lily Potter. Hell, he didn't even know what she looked like, still not having opened Hagrid's present yet. He understood however the feeling of loss Eddard must have been feeling at the moment.
"She was killed by a mysterious man. We don't know where he was from. Your brave direwolf, Hedwig, saved my little brother Benjen from certain death if Maester Walys letter is true."
"Hedwig? She killed the man?" asked Harry, raising both his eyebrows.
"Yes. The murderer killed my mother in cold blood and went to Benjen after. He also killed three guards. Alyn is one of them. I was told by Brandon that you sparred a lot with him."
Harry gave a quick prayer to the Old Gods for Alyn. He didn't know the man more than sparring but his death was sad nonetheless.
"He had my brother is his hands." continued Eddard, his voice slightly quivering at the thought. "But before he could do his nefarious deed, Hedwig came through the door and killed him by biting his throat. The men at Winterfell search the corpse for any clues that might indicate who he was and why he did what he did but they found nothing."
"Ned, what about Hedwig and Lyanna? Are they both safe?" asked desperately Harry.
Harry could see Eddard hesitate a little before answering.
"Aye, Lyanna is… okay. She sadly saw our mother body before the guards and servants could do anything. She is not coming out of her room while…"
"While what, Ned? Please tell me."
"It is Hedwig. She fell unconscious after having done the deed. From the last news, she is still asleep. Maybe with you awake, she will too." He finished while looking deep in Harry's emerald green eyes.
"What do you mean? Why would she…"
"Because you are a skinchanger. You both share a very deep, deep bond. She listens to you like I have never seen an animal do, even the best of dogs. Howland told me, after your discussion at Moat Cailin."
"I see. Secret's out then." Laughed Harry. " What about the rebellion? What happened?
"House Sunderland betrayed the Vale of Arryn. They killed Elbert in cold blood when he went to them. They burned his ship while they were on water. Ravens say he drowned. Lord Arryn is personally dealing with them with the rest of the Vale army. Robert is with him, continuing the fostering. My lord Father, due to what happened in Winterfell decided that our duty in this war was done."
"What did Lord Stark do to Longsister?"
"He burned it to the ground." Ending the matter.
:-[T.A.B]-:
After Eddard left Harry for rest, the young wizard sat back on the bed and pondered about what happened. The events at Winterfell were horrifying. Benjen almost died by the hand of the monster that probably still had Lyarra Stark's blood on his hands and poor Lyanna… The girl had to see her own mother's body before she was taken away and was probably traumatized.
The raven haired boy decided to try and contact his familiar. If what Eddard said was true, she must have been in some kind of deep coma. Probably for the same reason he was.
"Girl? Are you awake?" tentatively asked the young warrior.
For a long moment, he didn't have any answer. He was about to ask again when she finally answered back.
"Master Harry? My head hurt so much…" whined the direwolf.
"I can imagine. Last thing I can remember from the fighting is you wanting to kill a man. Your rage was so intense girl I think some of it transferred to me. I was able to be much faster and stronger against the Sistermen. Because of it, I was even able to save Eddard's life, earning his friendship in the same way I earned Hermione's."
"That's good news, in a way. Something good came out of it. Master… Lady Lyarra, she's…" started Hedwig before getting interrupted.
"I know girl. Eddard told me. We were asleep for a fortnight. Apparently, Maester Walys sent several letters to Lord Rickard, keeping him informed on the situation. Lord Stark even decided to leave the Sistermen's Rebellion in favor of returning to Winterfell."
"Wha…what about the children? What happened to them?
"Benjen is fine. He was in the hands of his mother's murderer but you saved him in time, thanks the Gods. You'll have to go see him, if you want more news. Lyanna discovered her mother's body and apparently, she refuses to step out of her room."
"I'll go see them, soon as we finished here. When do you come back, Master?"
"Rickard ordered that we leave in a couple of days, probably to let the men rest a little before the final march to Winterfell. By the way, Lord Howland Reed of Greywater Watch and Eddard both know about our bond. I think once we are all at the capital, we should tell all the Starks." Said Harry.
"If you think it is best, Master. I'll go see Lyanna and Benjen. They must be terrified."
"Where did they put you?"
"In your room. I don't know how they transported me but anyway, let us talk in the morrow."
"Yes girl. Go see Lya and Ben. Take care of yourself."
:-[T.A.B]-:
Lyanna Stark was terrified since that night. She absolutely refused to come out of her room. No amount of cuddling from the servants managed to get her out. Only Benjen and surprisingly, Sura were able to enter without her hiding in the corner. The young servant girl managed to come in with food after a couple of days but only with her young brother.
All she wanted was either her father or Hedwig. But one was in White Harbor at the moment and the other was sleeping for more than a dozens of days.
Suddenly, a soft knock on her door made her quit her line of thought.
"My Lady, you have a visitor, may I open the door?" ask one of the guard softy, not wanting to scare her more than necessary.
"W-who is it?" asked Lyanna with her lips trembling.
"It is Lady Hedwig, my Lady. She seem most willing to blast thought the door if I don't open it in the next couple of seconds." Answered the guard with a small nervous laugh.
"Yes please! Let her come in! And bring her some meat! Lyanna said, overjoyed by the news.
The door opened quickly, with a white fur missile entering. Without a hint of hesitation, Hedwig jumped on the bed to cuddle with Lyanna. The young girl immediately used the direwolf as a pillow, using her presence as comfort.
"I prayed to the Old Gods you would wake up, Hedwig. I am so happy. Maester Walys will have to send a letter to Father so Harry can know about you. He is sleeping too you know."
Hedwig simply put her massive head on the bed, listening to the girl rambling and eventually, crying about the devastating loss of her mother. The white direwolf stayed there, knowing her presence helped the young girl.
Another soft knock at the door interrupted their thoughts.
"Lady Lyanna," said the same guard who let Hedwig entered, "we have some chicken for the direwolf, and may we come in? Mistress Sura is here, if you wish."
"S-Sura can come in. But no one else!" she added quickly.
The door opened slowly, letting the young brown reddish eyed woman enter. She had in her hands two cooked chickens ready to eat.
"I have sent hunters with the blessing of Lord Benjen, Lady Lyanna. They should come back with more meat for Hedwig later. Do you need anything else?"
"C-can you stay with me and Hedwig for the night?" asked the scared little girl.
"Of course my Lady." Instantly said Sura, wanting to help the child in front of her.
"Lyanna. Call me Lyanna."
:-[T.A.B]-:
Before their departure from White Harbor, Lord Rickard didn't even come to see Harry. He had to speak with Lord Manderly about the fleet that had minor damaged during the war. The Old Wolf was probably giving them their share of the loot as agreed also.
From what he heard from Ned, when Longsister was taken, the Lord Paramount of the North was not in a forgiving mood. The Sistermen from that particular island learn what it was to fear the North. Lord Stark burned the castle to the ground, forcing the entire family to watch their home disappeared in smoke.
Lord Arryn was in a similar mood, when he blood eagle Lord Sunderland in front of his people, wife and children. Ned said that it really surprised him, knowing the man. The old man was a calm and very down to earth lord. The death of his Heir must have made him want to send a message to anyone trying anything on his land or his family.
Harry was put on a horse and ordered to follow Eddard and Ser Rodrik. House Manderly had offered around a hundred fresh horses, plus those the Stark had left in their care so they could arrive at Winterfell more quickly.
Lord Rickard wasn't talking to anyone with the exceptions of his sons and Ser Rodrik. Brandon took charge and started barking orders to everyone, making them move faster during traveling. Harry didn't mind the pace at all for he too wanted to get back to Winterfell.
Many of the men felt the same way. Being far from home for that long was tough for anyone, so when their lord gave the order that they were going to sleep less and travel more, nobody said anything against it.
It seems that even the North itself wanted her lord back in the capital. Weather was good, no snow storm, no bandits whatsoever. It was as if the Old Gods themselves wanted the road cleared.
"We should arrive at Winterfell in the morrow." Came to say Brandon, one night after a long day of riding. "My Lord Father wishes to speak with you, Harry. Follow me."
Harry followed the Heir of the North without a complaint for he knew the man would not tolerate it.
Entering the biggest tent in the camp, and the most guarded of course, Harry saw Rickard Stark looking at nothing in particular, an empty look on his face.
"Thank you for coming this quick, Harry. We need to talk." Started the Old Wolf.
"Of course my lord. What did you want to talk about?" said Harry, keeping his composure.
"First of all, I wish to thank you for saving my son Eddard's life during the Battle of Sweetsister. I can never repay that debt, same goes for the direwolf Hedwig, saving Benjen and most likely Lyanna from certain death."
"My lord, I only…" tried to start the young warrior but was stopped by a simple gesture of Rickard's hand.
"I know I ordered you to watch my son's back, but I never even thought you would be able to do so in this manner. For your direwolf, I understand my children in Winterfell 'loaned' each other her presence every night, so I cannot blame her for anything that happened that night. She saved Benjen's life by killing this fucking piece of shit. You both have my trust, even more than before. Now I know for a fact that you are here to help the North."
"And the Starks, my lord." Added a proud Harry.
"Your loyalty is honorable to no end. I have a project for you in Winterfell, once we arrive. I shall speak to you on this matter once we are in my solar, with Maester Walys to help on this matter."
Harry hesitated, remembering the conversation with Hedwig a couple of days ago.
Harry, the Starks and the part of the Northern army who came with them were riding at a brisk pace for days now. Very few hours of sleep were granted to them by their Lord. With the thunderous sound of hooves all day, the young warrior went into his mind and talked with Hedwig.
"How is everything in Winterfell, girl?" asked her Master.
"Good. I barely come out of the children's room. Little Benjen know I prefer to hunt myself so they let me go out sometimes. I don't really mind, I understand why."
"Where are they now?
"With Sura. The girl is helping a lot Lyanna and Benjen with their loss. I expect it will start all over when their father comes back. Master, I have something to tell you." Said a hesitating Hedwig.
"What's going on?" asked Harry, curious about what could make her familiar hesitate this much.
"It is about the murderer's body. I couldn't remember when I woke up from our long sleep but now I do. I smelled something weird on the man's hand. It smelled like the two legged Maester."
"Well, he probably inspected the body after you took care of him, yes?" tried to reason with Hedwig, not liking where this was going at all.
"No, Master. He didn't even touch the body. He told little Benjen this exact phrase, I heard him myself. He said he didn't even get close to it, so why the murderer's smell is all over him? I can feel that two legged is more and more nervous which each passing day, lie he is scared of you all coming back. Something is wrong with him, I can feel it in my bones. He is lying."
"I shall talk about that with Lord Rickard when I have a moment with him. I just don't know how I'll accomplish that." Wondered Harry.
Back to the present, Rickard saw instantly the nervous hesitation from the young warrior in front of him.
"What is it, Harry? Tell me." Firmly ordered the lord.
"I trust Eddard has told you about our skinchanging ability?" said Harry to Rickard who simply nodded at that. "A couple of days ago, Hedwig remembered a crucial piece of information that we are bound to tell you, my lord."
"What is it?" impatiently said the Old Wolf.
"When Hedwig killed the man who murdered your lady wife, she smelled a scent coming from the murderer, that of Maester Walys."
The air around Lord Rickard instantly went cold. If Harry wasn't one hundred percent sure the man would not do anything against him, he would have run the other way without a second thought.
"Are you absolutely sure?" asked the lord, his voice cold as the North.
"Aye, my lord, I am willing to bet my life on it. Hedwig is convinced of it. She heard him say he never went to see the body. She also believes the man is becoming more and more stressed as the days passes." Quickly answered the young wizard.
Rickard turned around, showing his back to Harry. The raven haired boy could see the man take a deep breath.
"I trust both of you. The Old Gods would not have sent me that dream if you weren't trustworthy. Hedwig is a direwolf, the symbol of my House ever since Brandon the Builder himself took it. If he truly is part responsible for the death of my wife, he will learn what it is to fear the Starks."
:-[T.A.B]-:
Thank you everyone for reading Chapter 12 of The adventure begins! Please let a review in the comment, letting me know what you think about my story.
If you are interested in becoming an Alpha or Beta reader, contact me!
Criticism is always welcome as long as it is constructive.
To Wrixel: Welcome back my friend! Yes, I was a little sad about her death but I believe it was need for I have plans for Lyanna. Thank you for the review and reading!
To InfinityMask: Welcome back! I love seeing you post multiples reviews, thank you again. Yes Elbert is kind of a pompous ass, I haven't found anything of the man and I wanted to try a different character. Of course Tywin has something to do in all of this :P
To RRW : I am glad you like it! It was my first action scene ever. Thank you again for reading my friend.
To Claudiomir: Thank you again for reading.