3
"You shouldn't have trusted me." That's what Littlefinger told me while holding a knife to my throat.
As I was incarcerated in the black cells under the Red Keep, I heard "You have seen better days my Lord."
Looking at the man, Varys, I said "Another visit. Seems like you're my last friend"
"No no. Many still love you." Then he gave me water, as he continued "Sansa came to court this morning, to plead for your life."
As he was saying that I drank the water, after taking a mouthful I said "On her knees begging for me, hmmm, did you laugh with the others?"
"You do wrong my Lord, your blood is the last thing I want." Varys said.
Sighing I asked him "I don't know what you want. I've given up trying to guess."
Looking at me he said "When I was a little boy, before they cut my balls off with a hot knife, I travelled with a group of actors through the free cities." Pausing there he continued "They taught me that each man has a role to play. The same is true for the court, I'm the master of the Whispers, my role is to be sly, obsequious and without scruples. I'm a good actor, my Lord."
Chuckling at that I asked "Can you free me from this pit?"
"I could. But will I? No." Varys replied.
A small chuckle came from me.
"As I have said, I'm no hero."
Looking at him I asked "What do you want? Tell me. No riddles, no stories, tell me what do you want?"
Getting on one knee so that he could look eye to eye he said "Peace. Did you know that your son is marching to the South with Northern Men? Loyal lad, fighting for his father's freedom."
When I heard that I was baffled "Robb? He's just a boy."
"Boy's have been conquers before, but the man giving Cersei sleepless nights is the Kings-.. the late King's Brother." He corrected himself before continuing "Lord Stannis has the best claim to the Throne, he is a proven battle commander and he is utterly without mercy.
"Stannis Baratheon is Robert's true heir. The Throne is his by right." I said.
"Tsk tsk. Sansa pleaded so sweetly for your life, it would be a shame to throw it away. Cersi is no fool. She knows a tame wolf is more useful to her than a dead one."
Hearing that I looked at him and asked "You want me to serve the woman who murdered my King, who butchered my men, who crippled my son?"
"I want you to serve the realm!" He raised his voice, then he continued "Tell the Queen you will confess your vile treason, tell your son to lay down his sword and proclaim Joffrey as the true heir." Then still looking at me he said "Cersi knows you as a man of honour. If you give her the peace she needs and promise to carry her secrets to your grave. I believe she will allow you to take the Black and live out your days on the Wall with your brother and your bastard son."
"Hmmm... You think my life is some precious thing to me? That I would trade my honour for a few more years of. .. Of what?" Turning away from him I said "You grew up with actors. You have their craft and you learned it well. But I grew up with soldiers. I learned how to die a long time ago."
"Pity. Such a pity." Saying that he slowly turned to leave but he suddenly turned around and asked "What of your daughter's life, My Lord? Is that a precious thing to you?"
I didn't say anything as he went out of the pit with the only light source which he bought with him.
As he was gone I started to think. Is it wise to be adamant on my honour and have my daughter's death? No.
"So I don't have a choice now huh?" I asked out loud.
"You do." I heard a familiar voice.
I quickly turned around and saw a man with a wolf locket.
Seeing that a small smile formed on my face as I asked "What made you come all the way here?"
"You were falsely accused of a crime. That's all I need." He replied.
I didn't know what to say, but I can't stay silent either. So I said "Whatever happens to me, make sure my daughter's are safe."
"That won't do Ned." He said.
That surprised me as he loved both of them dearly when they were born. So what changed?
"Why?"
"Because, I told you before leaving Westeros that if house Stark faces another extinction level crisis, I'll be taking the lead." He told me.
"Ah... Now I remember. After father and Brandon died, you did tell me that." Sighing I asked "So what is it?"
"I don't want a war. Not another one before everyone is healed up." I heard a sigh coming from him "So do as Varys said." Hearing that I wanted to protest at first, but as I have told Ben many times, never believe what a man says before 'but'.
"But, if they are going to back off of the deal, then the North will not be involved in any matters concerning the South. And I'll make sure that Tywin Lannister understands that."
"You're still not telling me what you're up to." I said.
"You don't have to worry. Arya is being monitored by my men, so is Sansa. When the time is right they will be spirited away from King's Landing to the North."
I nodded at that, as I know how formidable his troops are. So I asked him "What about Robb?"
"I have sent him a letter, advising him not to pass the twins and just stay out with constant vigilance." Then looking at me he said "You don't have to worry, I have sent my best men to Winterfell in order to look after Brandon and Rickon. Half the men are in King's Landing and the other half are with Robb, even though he doesn't know that they are with him."
"So you made sure that there won't be any losses to the North?" I asked him.
"Yes. So I'll be going now."
After that I didn't hear anything else, so I concluded that he left.
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🚫🚫🚫🚫 Chapter 1 End 🚫🚫🚫🚫
Following Robert's death and Eddard's arrest, Robb receives a letter from Sansa, reading it he asked himself detailing her wish for Robb to swear fealty to Joffrey, in order to maintain peace between the Starks and the Lannisters. Luwin explains that although Sansa wrote the letter, it is the words of Cersei Lannister expressed on the page. In response Robb instead calls his banners, marching House Stark's vassals to war. When Theon asks whether he is worrisome, he points to the fact that he is shaking, proving himself to be so. Theon assures him that he would be stupid not to be.
Robb holds a feast for several of his newly-arrived bannermen. Greatjon Umber assumes that he will lead the vanguard, and is offended by the suggestion that he would be made to march behind Galbart Glover, threatening to withdraw from the host. In response, Robb promises that, after the conflict with the Lannisters, he will oust Greatjon from his keep and hang him for breaking his oaths to House Stark; when the enraged bannerman goes to draw a weapon, Robb's direwolf Grey Wind sets upon him, biting off two of his fingers. Robb recites that "It is death to bear steel against your liege lord", but then diffuses the situation by excusing Greatjon's aggression, saying that "Doubtless, the Greatjon only meant to cut my meat for me." The Greatjon roars with laughter and accepts Robb's commands, much to the shock of Bran, who witnessed the entire incident. Robb says farewell to Bran and to Rickon, who is convinced he'll see neither Robb nor his parents again.
Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel intercept Robb's army in the Neck as it presses southwards. Robb initially exclaims with excitement upon seeing his mother but stops short of embracing her lest he look weak in front of his bannermen. Catelyn looks at her son with understanding, later embracing once their liege-lords have left their tent. She tells Robb he has no choice but to go to war. However, he cannot lose, for the sake of Ned, Sansa, and Arya, as if he is defeated, Tywin Lannister will show their family no mercy.
Later on, Robb and his lords are debating on the route of their march, and on whether to march directly against Tywin's army or against Jaime's army besieging Riverrun.
"The scouts report Lord Tywin moves North. We need to get him on broken ground, put his Knights at a disadvantage." Ser Rodrick said.
"No, we need to get around him and break Jaime Lannister's siege of Riverrun. Do that and the River Lords will join us." Greatjon said.
"To do either we need to cross the river and the only crossing is at The Twins."
"Lord Frey controls that bridge. Your father's bannerman." Theon said, looking at Catelynn.
"" The late Lord Frey " my father calls him. At the Trident, he didn't appear until the battle was done. Some men take their oaths more seriously than others." Catelyin said.
"Robb's right, we need that bridge." Theon said.
"So what's it gonna be? Do we move against Jaime or Lord Tywin?" Gratjon asked.
As Robb was about to answer, two soldiers came inside the tent dragging a man. So everyone looked at them and the soldier said "Your pardon, My Lord's. We've captured a Lannister scout."
Hearing that, Theon immediately flipped the map, seeing that Greatjon said "Don't worry lad. He won't be leaving this tent with his head."
"Where did you find him?" Robb asked.
The soldier said "In the brush above the encampment. He looked like he was counting."
Hearing that, Robb walked towards the scout and asked "How high did you get?"
"20,000. Maybe more." The scout said.
"You don't have to do this yourself. Your father would understand--"
"My father understands mercy, when there is room for it. And he understands honour," Then looking back at the scout he continued "And courage." Looking at the scout for a couple of seconds he said "Let him go."
"Robb." Catelyin wanted to tell something, but stopped as she saw the look in his eyes.
Then nearing the scout he said "Tell Lord Tywin Winter is coming to know him. 20,000 Northerners marching South to find out if he really does shit gold."
"Yes My Lord. Thank you, My Lord." As he said that, Robb gestured to the guards ro take him outside.
As the scout went outside, a very angry Greatjon asked Robb "Are you touched, boy?! Letting him go?"
"You call me boy again." Then looking intently at the eyes of Greatjon "Go on."
Greatjon didn't want to argue with him more, and as he turned around he heard an unknown voice "Don't leave yet."
Everyone turned towards the voice and saw a man as big as Greatjon coming out of the shadows from the corners of the tent. Almost everyone reached out for their swords, almost everyone unsheathed their swords except Ser Rodrick, Greatjon, Catelyn and Robb. As Theon was going to inquire who the man was he heard Catelyin Stark asking "If you're here then.... "
"Yes, our Liege is in King's Landing."
"Is he going to save Ned?" Catelyin asked again.
"Liege told me to inform you all that, you shouldn't cross The Twins yet." The man said.
"And why is that?" Robb asked.
"Walder Frey is a weasel. He will ask for a Frey to be Knighted by you and have Arya, and you to be married to a Frey. That is what our Liege said." The man said.
Hearing that Catelyin wanted to refute it but she couldn't as she very well knows that Walder Frey is only loyal to himself, so this is possible.
"But we can't leave Riverrun. The Lannister army is besieging it as we speak." Theon said.
Looking at Theon he said "That won't last long. Lord Tywin will be withdrawing his troops from Riverrun by day after tomorrow as he and his army will be needed somewhere else."
Robb just nodded at that and said "Everyone, please go out."
As he asked that, one by one all of them got out of the tent and only Ser Rodrick, Catelyin, Robb and the man remained. Theon wanted to stay at first but, one look from the man, he quickly got out. Before leaving, Greatjon gave a nod to the man and got one in return.
After everyone was outside Robb asked "What about my father and sisters?"
"Arya Stark and Sansa Stark are in the observation of the best two soldiers in the Shadow Army. Half of the army have gone to Winterfell, and the other half have split into two. One has come here, another one is in King's Landing waiting for the orders from my Liege." The man said.
Hearing that, the three of them nodded as they knew very well how formidable each one of those soldiers were. And they are loyal to one man, that is the frightening part for the enemies. But for them, he is family.
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🚫🚫🚫🚫 Chapter 2 End 🚫🚫🚫🚫
I don't know what is going on now, here in Castle Black, my expectations of the Night's Watch were turned into disappointment. Instead of a brotherhood of noble warriors sworn to defend the realm from wildlings and the Others, I realised the Watch is a dumping ground for criminals and wastrels.
First day here I already earned the enmity of Ser Alliser Thorne, the master-at-arms in charge of training new recruits. In a sparring match with the new recruits I humiliated my fellow recruits with my superior fighting skills, learned from Winterfell's master-at-arms over the course of many years.
Thorne didn't like that at all, and the three recruits went away with revenge planned in their head.
That night, I was on my first watch and I started to think if things could have been different, if uncle was there at Winterfell at the last couple of years. As I was thinking about it, uncle Benjen came where I was posted for my first watch. Looking at me he said "I'll be going North of the Wall for ranging."
I was very keen to accompany him, but uncle insists that I have to complete my training. Tyrion Lannister helped me see that I am no better than the recruits, but has been afforded more advantages than them due to my highborn upbringing.
Understanding that very well, the next day I offered to train some of my new brothers. Pypar and Grenn accepted, I also befriended the fat and bookish coward Samwell Tarly when he arrived at Castle Black, and helped to protect him from the cruelty of Thorne.
Seeing what I'm doing, Thorne angrily told me that going easy on Sam won't help him, and will risk getting him killed during the next winter.
After completing my training, I was inducted into the Night's Watch and swore my oath before a weirwood Heart tree on the North side of the Wall.
I was assigned to the stewards rather than the rangers, and at first, I thought that it was due to my ongoing feud with Thorne. However, Sam points out that Lord Commander Jeor Mormont has asked for me as his personal steward, and may be grooming me for command.
Few days later, I was concerned when uncle Ben's horse returned to the Wall riderless. Later, Ghost finds the corpses of two rangers assigned to uncle, Othor and Jafer Flowers.
Couple of days later I learned of my father's imprisonment, and that news was spread among the men in the watch too. So taking that as a chance Thorne taunts me about being a traitor's bastard, causing me to draw a knife in anger. Because of that I was restricted in my room.
Later in the night Ghost started to scratch on the door and I didn't know what was going on. But, as my uncle once told me "We Starks have Wolf's blood in us. So, if you have a wolf companion, always trust it."
So trusting Ghost, I opened the door and followed him towards the cabin of Lord Commander. As I neared the door I heard sounds that were irregular so I quickly opened the door only to Othor's corpse walking towards Jeor and attacked him. But, as the stories told by Old Nan passed through my head so I quickly took the torch on the wall and burned the body, by doing that I saved Lord Commander. That earned me a pardon for my earlier misdemeanour. Commander also gave me his Valyrian steel sword, Longclaw - given that his own son Jorah fled into exile and left it behind.
A day later I heard that Robb has raised the banner and is marching South to King's Landing. So I pondered about abandoning the Watch to join Robb's army when it marches against the Lannisters even though that will make me a deserter, but Maester Aemon tells me that he chose to stay with the Watch when he was similarly tested - as he is secretly a long-forgotten great uncle of the Mad King, and was once known as Aemon Targaryen, but his entire family was killed at the end of Robert's Rebellion.
Hearing that I came back to my room and as I was packing I heard a sound, so I slowly turned around only to see a very familiar face. Looking at him I asked "Why are you here?"
"As per the order of my Liege." The man said.
"And what is that order, if I may ask." I asked him.
"Make sure that all the Starks are safe." He replied.
Hearing that I sighed and said "Then what about uncle Ben? He has gone North of the wall for ranging and hasn't come back. He's been missing for almost a week."
"That I don't know. The order given to me was to watch over Jon Snow and I will be doing that." The man said again.
"Is he in King's Landing?" I asked something that I needed to know.
"Yes. Liege is in King's Landing." Pausing there he continued "Your sister, Sansa, has pleaded to Joffrey and Cersi to show mercy to your father Eddard Stark. They gave a proposition to Eddard. If he confess that he tried to take the Throne to himself he will be send to the Wall to take black."
"My father won't ever eye for the Throne." I said.
"You think we don't know that?" He asked me and I didn't say anything.
"My Liege has given Eddard Stark one last chance to go on his way. If the Lannister's do as they say, there won't be any problem. But if things go otherwise." He paused, then shaking his head he said "It's for the best if it's unsaid."
"What do you mean by one last chance?" I asked him, not clearly understanding what that phrase meant.
"My Liege had given a warning to your father after the end of Robert's Rebellion. And the exact word said my Liege are "If the Starks face another extinction level crisis under your reign, I'll be taking the lead of the House Stark from then on." And you don't have to worry, Robb will always be the heir to House Stark, as my Liege is the Godfather of Robb."
"So is he going to save everyone?" I asked.
"My Liege is going to save House Stark, and will do some cleansing in King's Landing before coming to the North."
"Then what about uncle Ben?" I asked him.
"Four has gone to find him, and believe me when I say that he is the best ranger in the Shadow Army."
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🚫🚫🚫🚫 Chapter 3 End 🚫🚫🚫🚫
After talking with Jon, I left the wall with some of my brothers from the Nights Watch for ranging. This time it's to finding any kind of evidence on the Others, as Ned is not believing that the threat from these Others are the major threat to the North than anything else.
For two days we rode through the woods as much as we can. On the second day, we went to Casters Keep and got some information out of him, a bastard who marry his daughter himself and having kids with the said daughter. After getting the information, we left the place as soon as possible, because if I stayed any longer j would have killed him.
As we were riding in silence I heard a twig breaking from behind us so raising my hand I said "Hold!" Then looking at one of my companions I said "Check it out"
Nodding at me he went to find what caused the sound.
Couple of minutes passed and he didn't come back so I said "Let's go together."
As I said that we moved in the direction where Othor had went. A minute later we reached wher he is, but the problem is that he is dead. Getting down from my horse I started to examine the corpse and found out that he was killed due to a sword impaled through his stomach.
After that I turned around, only to see my other companion, Jafer Flowers, is also dead and this time I saw the killer of my two ranger companions, the Other.
The pale skinned blue eyed Other, he kept looking at me and I thought that my end is near and I will die in his hands. And as I have expected it lunged towards me and I unsheated my sword and started to fight with it.
Our fight lasted severa minutes and I started to feel fatigued. The Other took the chance to attack me vitaly and I was sure that I would have died, but I saw the Other crumbling down into pieces then into a puddle of water.
Looking around for my savior I saw a hooded figure with a bow in his hand. Seeing him I smiled as I recognized that insignia very well.
Coming towards me he asked "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay..... Fighting a mystical creature is out of my bucket list." I said that with a smile.
Then with all seriousness I said "We need to warn the Watch. And the North."
"You don't have to. We have a mission from my Liege. He knows about the threat of the Others so he have appointed me and my squad to find last of the Children Of The Forest and the Giants. We need their strength in the upcoming war against the dead."
"He gave you an order, not to me." As I said that he gave me a parchment, looking at it I asked him "What is this?"
"A message from my Liege to you."
I took the parchment and unrolled it, and started to read it.
After I read through it a couple of times I asked him "Is it true?"
"Yes. Your brother Eddard Stark is held captive in King's Landing accused of treason. And the other things are also true as my Liege has seen it before hand thanks to his gift." He told me.
"Understandable, as he had a knack for it from childhood." I said remembering our time in Winterfell with everyone, father, Brandon, Ned, Lya, me and him, those were the good times.
"Well, he always liked to order me around like Lya did. So what's the plan?" I asked him.
"As I have said before, find them, enlist them with us go back to the Wall when the time is right." He said.
Nodding at him I stood up and looked around and asked "Where is your squad again?"
Right after I asked him he blew a whistle and a flock of eagles came down from the sky and preached on the branches. Looking at them I said "It never gets old." Then looking at him I asked "Did you getore of them?"
"Yes."
"You're still not that much talkative huh." I asked and all I got was a grunt as reply.
Sighing I started to walk with him after sending my horse back to the Wall as that will make the Watch to find the bodies of these two.
A couple of miles of riding later I asked him "Hey, will there be a war in the South?"
"Most probably. My Liege did say that the dragons will be coming back to the world." He said.
"Yeah, if the Others have come back then I'm sure that the Dragons will be back too." I said that with a sigh. Then I asked him again "I mean the war between the Five King's?"
"That won't happen as House Stark will be under my Liege as per the outcome of the trial of your brother." He said.
Looking at him I asked "What do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is, if Eddard is sent to the Wall as per the deal he made with Varys, my Liege won't do anything and let Robb become the Warden of North. But, if the Lannister's go back on their end, then, my Liege will be the one leading House Stark with Robb Stark as his heir and before going neutral in the happening of South, he will doing a through cleansing at King's Landing." He told me something that 'he' will definitely do.
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🚫🚫🚫🚫 Chapter 1 End 🚫🚫🚫🚫
After Catelyn left for King's Landing to meet her husband Eddard, Old Nan decided to sit by Bran's bedside to watch over him all day long
Looking at him she said "Shall I tell you the story of Duncan The Tall?"
"I hate your stories! I prefer scary ones." He said, even though he didn't hate them before. But now? He's hating it as he wanted to be a Knight before he got crippled, but after the fall he is sure of himself that he won't be becoming a Knight at all.
Looking at the distressed Barn, Old Nan said "You're just a sweet summer child who knows nothing about fear."
He didn't retort at all, as he was sure that he didn't know what fear is. Otherwise would he have climbed the towers even after knowing full well that he may fall from there? It didn't.
Still, with a smile she said "You know what real fear is?"
"No." He replied almost instantly.
Then with a serious face she spoke "The fear is always for the winter and the Long Night."
"I have heard of that." Bran said.
"Yes you have, but you heard of it as stories. A winter season thousands of years ago that lasted a generation, in which those who didn't freeze to death had to face the Others or the White Walkers, White Shadow, the Cold Ones, the Cold Gods, the Cold Shadow, who ventured south for the first time and swept through Westeros." She said,
"Why?" Barn asked as curiosity brimmed in him.
But before she could continue, the door was opened and Robb came in.
Seeing his elder brother, Barn asked, "Is it true that I won't be able to walk again?"
With a sad sigh Robb said "Yes, it is true."
With a scowl on his face, Barn said "I wish I was dead rather than be a cripple."
Just as he finished saying that, Robb went towards Bran and hugged him while saying "Dont. Don't even think about it."
After some encouraging words from his elder brother, Bran seemingly forgot about what Old Nan had been saying to him.
A couple of days goes by like that, but on these days, Bran begins to have a recurring dream in which a three-eyed raven flies into the crypts of Winterfell. He didn't share that information with anyone as he thought that it was only happening after hearing the stories told by Old Nan.
As almost a week passed as Catelyn left Winterfell, and Bran was awoken to meet with Tyrion, who had stopped at Winterfell on his way home. As Hordor brought Bran to the Hall, he heard his elder brother welcoming Tyrion Lannister with so much venom in his voice. Out of his regard for Jon, Tyrion has designed a special saddle that will allow Bran to ride despite his injuries. When Robb asked him why he was being kind to his younger brother, Tyrion said while showing an apologetic smile to Bran "I have soft spots for bastards, cripples and broken things." And instead of staying in the Winterfell Castle, Tyrion decides to stay in a brothel and as he is leaving, Theon Greyjoy recommends Ros to Tyrion, unaware that Tyrion is already acquainted with her. Tyrion promises "not to wear her out."
Two days after Tyrion left Winterfell, Luwin tutors Bran on the regions and families in the Seven Kingdoms and notes that amongst House Greyjoy's noted skills is a tendency towards failed rebellions. Luwin was confident that Tyrion's saddle will work, he also suggests that Bran could learn to use a shortbow from horseback, in the manner of the Dothraki. Bran bitterly analyses the irony of house words and refutes Luwin's assertion that his mother will return home soon, but Luwin relents that he cannot tell him why she has left Winterfell.
A day after that, Bran had another dream about the Three-Eyed Raven, but ignoring that as it has been his dream for a couple of days already, he tries out his new saddle on a ride in the godswood and is thrilled to find that it works.
While riding, he is attacked by wildlings led by Stiv. He tells them he is unable to get off the saddle due to the design of the straps, allowing them to see his crippled status. During the ambush, he is cut by Wallen on his upper left leg, allowing him to discover that he is immune to pain as well as immobile. Robb and Theon Greyjoy defend Bran, killing Stiv and the other wildlings apart from Osha, who surrenders.
In the dungeon Luwin warns off Theon from Osha, then questions Osha himself. She claims that the White Walkers are on the move. He dismisses this as a fable, but Osha tells him that the Walkers were not wiped out thousands of years ago, but have merely been asleep. She claims that they are not asleep any more.
Eddard is arrested for treason after the death of Robert. A letter from Sansa reaches Winterfell, pleading with a disbelieving Robb to bend the knee to Joffrey. Luwin correctly identifies the letter as the work of Cersei. Robb refuses to consider the request and sends out ravens, summoning Eddard's lords bannermen to assemble their armies at Winterfell. Robb marches south leaving Luwin to care for Bran.
Bran says farewell to Robb when he leads the Stark armies to war in response. He also tries unsuccessfully to reassure Rickon that Robb will return. And the only thing that Rickon said was that "No they won't." As he has already sensed that his family might not be together again.
A couple of days later Bran prays in the godswood for their safe return; he is joined by Osha, now a servant of Winterfell, who tells him that Robb's army is marching the wrong way and the true threat lies to the north, Beyond the Wall.
Bran tells Osha of his dreams featuring the Three-Eyed Raven as he rides on her shoulders, saying that he saw his father in the crypts. Osha is skeptical. Bran taunts her about her fear of the catacombs and eventually she agrees to take him down to the crypt. Bran recites the names of his deceased relatives as they pass them. They approach the place where Ned was in Bran's dream. There, they are startled by Shaggydog and Rickon. Rickon has also dreamt of their father in that spot.
"You don't have to worry about him." An unfamiliar voice was heard.
With Shaggydog in between the three of them and the new unknown speaker, Bran asked with some authority "Who are you? And why are you here?"
The man chuckled at that question and said "My name is No. 5, I was sent here by your uncle."
"That's a weird name, and why did uncle Benjen send you?" Bran asked, as Rickon was the youngest and Osha was not the right person to ask the questions.
Smiling at Bran No. 5 said "I'm sent here by your other uncle."
Hearing that, Bran's eyes went wide and he was about to say something but was interpreted by Luwin who came into the crypts and looking at Bran, Maester Luwin said "Your father, mother, brother and both sisters are coming back home with the Shadow Army."
Rickon got excited hearing that, and Bran asked "What about Uncle?"
Instead of Luwin it was No. 5 who answered his question "He's cleansing King's Landing. There are too many Hyenas in King's Landing, trying to make the Wolf and Lion fight a war."
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🚫🚫🚫🚫 Chapter 5 End 🚫🚫🚫🚫
Being the youngest of my siblings is the best. They don't get mad at me, they always look after me, and they always love me so much! I have three brothers and two sisters. I love them to death and I love my father and mother similarly. But the one I love the most is my first uncle, he always cooked a lot of food for us and secretly give me candies unknown to mother, but he always warns me to only eat it slowly otherwise I will not have teeth to eat candies again. He's fun to be around and he always brings lot's of gifts for us.
Robb my first brother, he's supposed to be a Lord after Father, I don't know what that means.
Jon, my second brother, Theon calls him a bastard and I don't like that Theon calling Jon a bastard even though I don't know what that word means. As I have not started my studies with Maester Luwin.
Sansa is my first sister, she is so sweet but sometimes she's like a fool! She loves to dote on me everytime she gets a chance, and she gives me clothes that she worked on.
Arya, my second sister, is a good sister, just that she likes to prank Bran a lot and she is closer to Jon than any other of us.
Bran is my third brother, he likes to climb a lot and he likes scary stories, which I hate the most.
Before Father, Mother, Robb, Jon, Sansa and Arya left home we have been having a lot of fun and love with each other.
Couple of days before my father left for the capital with Sansa and Arya many things happened in my home. I watched Bran's unsuccessful practice at archery and laughed when Bran misses and is outwitted by Arya; and I saw Bran running after Arya. I later helped Robb and Jon put the arrows back in their place. When my father and brothers went somewhere and returned they found a litter of direwolf pups in the Wolfswood and brought them back to Winterfell. I adopted one of the pups and named him Shaggydog, that is you.
After a day or two, the King came to our home. I stood very close to my mother as I have not seen them before. I have heard of them from both my uncles but never seen them. After welcoming them to our home at the front, the King fondly ruffled my hair, as he is my fathers friend.
My father accepts the King's offer to serve as the Hand of the King, what that means is that father will leave home. On the second day of their stay, my brother, Bran, is found severely injured at the base of a disused tower. As far as I know he is the best climber there is, so it's not possible for him to fall from the tower as he has climbed the tower a lot of times before.
Father travelled south to the capital King's Landing, taking Arya and Sansa with him, Jon went to the Wall, I will only be able to see him sometimes from now on as both my uncles. Mother at first remains with Bran in his bedroom, but after protecting him from someone trying to kill him and then discovering something that relates to Brans injuries, she follows father south to warn him in secret. My oldest brother, Robb, was left in charge of Winterfell.
A week after my mother left, some wildlings attacked Bran when he was out in the Wolfswood trying out his new saddle. They attacked him and tried to take him with them, but they were stopped by Robb and Theon. After a small fight, which was not explained to me by Robb or Bran, they came back home with a wildling woman named Osha.
Two days after that attack, the King died as a result of a hunting accident, his son Joffrey Baratheon claims the throne, but father challenges his claim and is arrested for treason. Robb decided to ride against King Joffrey and wanted to bid both of us goodbye, but I didn't go to where he would be. After Robb left, Bran tried to reassure me that Robb will return along with their parents, but I told him, "No, they won't." All because I felt like something bad was going to happen to them.
Two days later, I saw my father in the crypts below Winterfell in my dream. I was not happy with that, as in the crypts only the dead will be there. So to make sure that father is not there I went down there with Shaggydog and found the place where father was in my dream, but I found nothing. So I looked around for some time.
As I was looking around I had another dream, in that I saw my uncle coming back with my father, mother, Robb, Sansa and Arya and we were having dinner at our house, and uncle cooked all the food in the dream. But before I could finish the dream, Bran came to the crypts with Osha, he told me that he also saw father there. Just as I was about to tell him what I saw just now, a voice said "You don't have to worry about him."
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Catelyn tends to Bran after he falls from the tower, and prays for his recovery. Cersei visits Catelyn, sitting by her son's side, and tells her that her first child, a beautiful, black-haired boy, was stillborn. She and Robert were grief-stricken and her prayers and tears were for naught. She offers to pray for Bran's survival, hoping that this time the gods will listen. Catelyn was angry when Jon Snow came to say his goodbyes to Bran as he leaves for Castle Black with Benjen and wishes for Bran to recover from his coma. Catelyn orders Jon to leave as she didn't want the only stigma on her husband's name to be there when she was grieving for her second son. When Eddard also came to say his goodbyes to both Bran and Catelyn, Catelyn was angered at his departure while their son remained comatose.
Catelyn's refusal to leave Bran's side starts to cause problems for the smooth running of the castle. Because of that, Robb started to work with Maester Luwin to fill vacancies left by the departure of Eddard's retinue. A day after the departure of King and his entourage, Robb was drawn away from Bran's room by a fire. This proves to be a distraction to allow an assassin to reach Bran. Upon reaching Bran's room, the assassin finds Catelyn at Bran's bedside. The pair tussle which results in Catelyn receiving hand wounds; Bran is saved by his direwolf, Summer, who tears the assassin's throat out. After his death the ornate dagger, made of Valyrian steel and with a dragonbone hilt, carried by the assassin was taken by Catelyn. She started to suspect that, her son didn't just fall from the tower, but someone had tried to claim his life.
Because of that, the next day, Catelyn goes to the tower where Bran fell and finds a blonde strand of hair inside. She summons Robb, Theon Greyjoy, Luwin and Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms, and tells that that she suspects that the Lannisters tried to kill Bran because he saw something in the tower. Robb and Theon are for making war, but Luwin schools them to caution. Catelyn decides that Ned must know the truth and resolves to meet him in King's Landing. Ser Rodrik escorts her, while Robb commands the castle in her absence.
Catelyn and Ser Rodrik arrive at King's Landing and attempt to sneak into the city, but are spotted by an agent of Littlefinger. They were taken to meet Littlefinger at a brothel he owns, where Lord Varys, the king's spymaster, is also waiting: one of his 'little birds' told him they were coming. Catelyn was angered by the way she's been treated, but asks Littlefinger for aid in finding the people who tried to have Bran killed. Littlefinger says that the elaborate dagger wielded by the assassin used to be his, but that he lost it in a gamble with Tyrion Lannister.
Littlefinger fetches Eddard to meet his wife. Lord Eddard is furious when he realises he has been brought to a brothel. Thinking it is a bad joke, he assaults Baelish, and is stunned when Catelyn makes her presence known and tells him to stop. After hearing her news, he vows to find the truth and expose the Lannisters to Robert. Littlefinger agrees to be his ally in this, citing the affection he once bore Catelyn as a youngster. Despite a plea to her husband to see her two daughters, Ned emphasises the danger of her duration, affectionately sending her back to Winterfell.
Returning to Winterfell, Catelyn and Ser Rodrik stop at the Crossroads Inn, planning to stay overnight. They are surprised by the arrival of Tyrion Lannister. Catelyn fails to stay incognito, then she calls on several knights present who are sworn to her father's bannermen to help her take Tyrion into custody.
Catelyn publicly announces that they are travelling north to Winterfell, but instead takes Tyrion east into the Vale of Arryn. In the hills, they are attacked by warriors of the hill tribes, and Catelyn agrees to let Tyrion go unbound to defend himself. Tyrion saves Catelyn's life, but wins no more of her trust. Tyrion warns Catelyn that her sister Lysa has become mentally unbalanced following her husband's death. His warning rings true when on reaching the Eyrie, to which they are escorted to by Ser Vardis Egen, Captain of the Guards of the Eyrie, Catelyn is unsettled to see how much her sister Lysa has changed. Lysa and her hysterical son, Lord Robin Arryn, order Tyrion thrown into a sky cell, a prison with a wall that opens onto a sheer drop.
Tyrion defends his innocence and demands a trial by combat. The sellsword Bronn, who accompanied the party from the Crossroads Inn, agrees to stand for Tyrion. Bronn defeats Ser Vardis Egen, who takes Lady Lysa's part. Tyrion's victory signifies his innocence in the eyes of the gods and he is released.
Even after Tyrion left the Vale, Catelyn lingered at the Eyrie trying to convince Lysa to commit the Vale's knights to oppose the Lannisters. But Lysa was unwilling to take any action which might endanger her son. Catelyn finally decides to leave after Lysa finds out about Eddard's arrest in King's Landing, following King Robert's death, and that her sister Lysa was purposely delaying informing her about it. Catelyn and Ser Rodrik ride north and meet Robb's army as he marches south. They join his war council, though Catelyn is careful to not embarrass her son or make him appear indecisive. Catelyn points out that to confront the two Lannister armies that have invaded the Riverlands, her father's lands, Robb's army must cross the Green Fork of the Trident at the Twins, which means negotiating with the famously unreliable and prickly Lord Walder Frey.
During their discussion, two soldiers caught a scout from the Lannisters, but Robb sent him off before saying "Tell Lord Tywin Winter is coming to know him. 20,000 Northerners marching South to find out if he really does shit gold."
Greatjon Umber didn't like it one bit and he almost challenged Robb again like he did in Winterfell. Greatjon didn't want to argue with him anymore, and as he turned around to leave, he heard an unknown voice that said "Don't leave yet." Hearing that he stooped in his tracks and turned towards the speaker and had a smile when he recognized who it was.
Everyone turned towards the voice and saw a man as big as Greatjon coming out of the shadows from the corners of the tent. Almost everyone reached out for their swords, almost everyone unsheathed their swords except Ser Rodrick, Greatjon, Catelyn and Robb. As Theon was going to inquire who the man was he heard Catelyin Stark asking "If you're here then.... "
"Yes, our Liege is in King's Landing."
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When her brothers find an orphaned litter of direwolf pups after their trip with their father, Sansa adopts the gentlest one and names her Lady. King Robert Baratheon visits Winterfell to offer Sansa's father the position of Hand of the King. Robert also offers to betroth his son Joffrey to Sansa. Sansa, who is very taken with the handsome young prince, thinks this is a splendid notion. She longs for the excitement of the capital and begs her parents to agree to the match until they do so. Eddard takes the office of Hand and decides to take his daughters with him to the capital.
At the Inn at the Crossroads beside the Kingsroad, Joffrey offers to walk Sansa along the riverbank after the disquieting experience of meeting Ser Ilyn Payne, the king's headsman. They find Arya practising her swordsmanship with Mycah, a butcher's son, and Joffrey starts to hurt him for acting above his station and striking a girl of noble blood. Arya strikes Joffrey, and when the prince threatens her with his sword, Arya's direwolf, Nymeria, intervenes and bites Joffrey's arm. Arya and Mycah flee and Joffrey cries before snapping at Sansa to get him help.
Sansa is taken before Robert and his retainers and asked to corroborate Joffrey's claim that he was the victim of an unprovoked attack. Arya tells her to tell the truth, but to Arya's fury, Sansa is worried about upsetting her betrothal with Joffrey, so she says that it happened too fast for her to know. Cersei orders that Arya's direwolf be executed for harming Joffrey, but when the direwolf cannot be found, she suggests that Sansa's own direwolf Lady be substituted for Nymeria. Sansa and Arya are horrified Lady will be killed and protest. Eddard, furious with Robert for agreeing to this, carries out the execution himself, to Sansa's anguish.
Arriving in King's Landing, Sansa's enmity towards Arya and her father continues. Eddard fails to mollify Sansa by buying her a doll as she had outgrown dolls. Eddard explains to Arya that Sansa could not defy Joffrey or go against his version of events if Sansa wished to maintain his goodwill in marriage.
Septa Mordane shows Sansa the throne room of the Red Keep as part of a history lesson, and she realises that her grandfather and uncle was murdered by the Mad King. Sansa is fearful that she will not be able to give Joffrey sons, only daughters like her friend Jeyne Poole's mother, but Mordane doesn't think this likely. At the Hand's tournament, Sansa witnesses the Mountain killing Ser Hugh of the Vale during a joust. Littlefinger tells Sansa about how Gregor burned the face of his brother, the Hound, when they were very young. Sandor is Joffrey's bodyguard and Littlefinger advises against repeating the story to Sandor.
Sansa is given a flower by Ser Loras Tyrell, the famous Knight of the Flowers, before his tilt with Ser Gregor Clegane. He gives the flower to Sansa, but he is looking at Renly who is sitting behind her. She witnesses him defeating Gregor, and Gregor's subsequent furious attack on him, which is halted only by the intervention of Sandor. She joins the smallfolk in applauding Sandor's actions.
Sansa and Septa Mordane are embroidering, and Sansa speaks very rudely to her. Joffrey visits Sansa and gives her a present, a pendant identical to Cersei's. He also apologises for the incident on the Kingsroad and kisses her, winning back her favour, as well as expressing his fondness towards their marriage and Sansa's future as Queen. Unbeknownst to Sansa, this was done at the suggestion of Cersei, who had recently informed Joffrey that the North must be kept under their control through his marriage to Sansa. Sansa is later told by her father that he is sending her and Arya back to Winterfell, and her betrothal to Joffrey is to be broken. Sansa refuses to accept this. She tells them that she loves Joffrey, she will be his queen and give him beautiful blonde-haired children. Sansa says Joffrey will be a great king and a golden lion. When Arya points out that Joffrey isn't a lion, but a stag like his father, Sansa angrily says Joffrey is nothing like Robert. This inadvertently leads Eddard to realise that Joffrey and his siblings are not Robert's true children. Eddard tells Sansa and Arya that they are returning to Winterfell, over Sansa's furious protests. Sansa, thinking that the Queen would help her in staying in King's Landing went to Cersei and told her that Eddard had decided to go back to the North. Cersei just told Sansa not to worry about it and that she will take care of it.
King Robert dies following a hunting accident, and Eddard attempts to reveal the truth about Joffrey to prevent him from taking the throne. Eddard is betrayed by Littlefinger, his guards are killed and he is arrested. Eddard's retinue at the Red Keep is slaughtered by Lannister guardsmen led by Sandor. Mordane moves to confront the Lannister soldiers while telling Sansa to lock herself in their rooms. Sansa is taken into custody by Sandor and brought to Cersei.
She pleads for her father's cause, insisting that a mistake has been made, and proclaims her own loyalty. Cersei says that she will believe Sansa is loyal on the condition that Sansa writes to Robb, asking him to bend the knee and swear fealty to Joffrey. The letter is unsuccessful and instead, Robb raises an army and marches south to relieve the Riverlands from the Lannister armies. Sansa again pleads for mercy and for her father's life, this time in front of the entire court, and Joffrey agrees to give Eddard mercy if he admits his wrongdoing and acknowledges Joffrey as the true king. Sansa says that she is sure he will.
At his trial, Eddard Stark acknowledges his "crimes" and swears loyalty to King Joffrey. To Sansa's utter shock and horror, Joffrey nevertheless orders to execute her father. Distraught, Sansa is screaming and forcibly restrained.
As she was hysterically screaming for the release of her father, everyone present there heard a swoosh sound and the next thing they saw was two arrows struck on the eyes of Ser Ilyn. Seeing that there was utter silence, and in that silence they heard a deep voice that caused chills to the spines of everyone present there as the sound of boots hitting the floor was also heard "A mongrel holding the Ancestral Sword of House Stark?"
When all of them turned to look at who was the one speaking, Sansa's eyes went wide as she said in low cracked voice "Uncle?" Which was only heard by Joffrey, Cersei, Sansa, Littlefinger, Varys, Pycelle, the High Septon. Varys and the High Septon, understood instantly who that person is and both of them had the faces which showed absolute fear. Because in Rodrik Starks sons, the one standing before them is much more dangerous than both the Wild Wolf and Quiet Wolf and he is mostly unknown to the world, save for the Northern Lords and some Lords of South, all because he has been lurking in the shadows in order to hunt down the ones who schemed against his family after his father's and brother's death.
Getting out of the frozen state Joffrey ordered "Behead that man!"
But no one was moving towards the man, as he slowly reached where Ser Ilyn were lying and picked up Ice and placing it on his shoulder he looked at Sansa and said "Hello, Red."
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On King Robert's visit to Winterfell, Arya rushes out to see the arrival of his entourage. She is scolded by her mother when she finally joins the receiving line in the courtyard. Arya is overheard by Queen Cersei when she asks Sansa where the "Imp" is, a reference to Tyrion. Later that evening at the feast, she tests her mother's patience by misbehaving and throwing food at her sister, prompting Robb to send her to bed early. Robert names Arya's father as his Hand of the King, Joffrey is betrothed to Sansa, and Eddard decides to take his daughters with him to King's Landing to experience the court. A day before leaving, her younger brother Bran falls from the tower that he was climbing and goes into a coma. Before leaving, Arya receives a pet direwolf, one of several pups found by her brothers outside the castle, and names her Nymeria, after a great warrior-queen of Essos. She also receives a sword as a gift from Jon. She names it Needle, as a play on words that she may now enjoy doing "needlework." After receiving the sword, she hugged Jon and said "I'll miss you."
While journeying south on the Kingsroad, she practises her swordplay with Mycah, the son of the butcher in the King's retinue whom she befriends. When Sansa and Joffrey spot them fighting, Joffrey intervenes. He accuses Mycah of pretending to be a knight and threatens him for striking Arya. Arya and Mmycah didn't acknowledge that and protested that he doesn't know what's going on. Ignoring their protests, he cuts Mycah and threatens Arya when she attacks him to defend Mycah. As Joffrey menaces her with a sword, Nymeria savages Joffrey, injuring his arm, allowing Mycah to flee and Arya to throw Joffrey's sword in the river. Arya runs away and drives Nymeria off with rocks so that she won't be punished.
Arya is eventually found and questioned. Arya told the truth as it was, but her sister Sansa lies about the incident, saying she didn't see what happened, but generally supporting Joffrey, all because she's afraid that if she didn't support him her engagement will be in danger and she didn't want that at all. This infuriates Arya, who proceeds to strike her sister and call her a liar. Queen Cersei, as they do not have Arya's wolf Nymeria, the one who actually bit Joffrey, spitefully requests that Sansa's direwolf Lady be executed instead. Despite the fact that she had just struck Sansa for lying to save her budding friendship with Joffrey, Arya quickly joins her sister in vehemently protesting against killing Lady. She even reaches out to touch Sansa in sympathy as she breaks down into tears upon seeing that the queen's order will be carried out nonetheless. Meanwhile, Mycah is murdered by Joffrey's bodyguard, the Hound.
After reaching King's Landing, Arya argues incessantly with Sansa over the incident, to her father's despair. Eddard tries to make Arya understand that Sansa could not contradict her future husband. Arya is disgusted that Eddard thinks such an excuse is acceptable and questions why he would betroth Sansa to someone like Joffrey. Eddard discovers Needle when he comes to Arya's room to talk to her while she is practising. When he realises she is serious about learning, he hires Syrio Forel, a master sword-fighter who was formerly the First Sword of Braavos, to train Arya in the art of combat. Eddard is bemused to find that Syrio's training regime includes having Arya balance on her tiptoes for hours at a time and chasing cats around their new residence in the Red Keep to learn agility. Arya and her father discuss how Bran cannot be a knight now that he is paralyzed below the waist, but he can be lord of a holdfast, or sit on the King's council. When Arya asks if she can as well, Eddard laughs and says that someday she will marry a powerful lord and have children who can be lords or even kings and rule the land. Arya replies that is not her destiny: "That's not me."
Arya watches the Hand's tournament along with Septa Mordane and Sansa. She asks Littlefinger how he got his nickname, to his amusement. Arya later resumes her cat-chasing training exercise and finds her way into the dungeons under the Red Keep, where she sees the dragon skulls that used to decorate the Great Hall of the Iron Throne. Curious, she looked around the dungeon for some time and observed the skull of a mighty beast that may not be on the planet anymore.
In the passages under the Red Keep, Varys meets with his ally, Illyrio, the man who secretly harboured last remaining Targaryen heirs, Viserys and Daenerys, and arranged the wedding of the latter to Khal Drogo Varys informs Illyrio of how the new Hand of the King, Eddard Stark, now has the same genealogy book that his predecessor read, and has met Robert's bastard son Gendry; the same evidence which led Jon Arryn to discover the truth about Queen Cersei's children. Illyrio suggests the possibility that the same fate may befall Lord Stark as did his predecessor, but Varys states Eddard Stark is not the same man as they were. Furthermore, he assures Illyrio that the conflict between the Lannisters and the Starks will soon escalate into a civil war. Illyrio protests that a war will not serve their purpose right now, since Khal Drogo is not yet ready to send his army of Dothraki to invade Westeros for Viserys, thus reviving the Targaryen Dynasty. However, Varys protests there is no way of delaying the incoming conflict, so the Dothraki must be urged to move faster, since "this is no longer a game for two players." Illyrio replies that it never was. Their discussion is overheard by Arya Stark, who is with them in the tunnels under the Red Keep. Arya tries to warn her father about what she heard, but she doesn't know who the speakers were, and out of context, all she understood was that her father has "found the bastard", that "the wolves are fighting the lions", and "something about the savage."
Eddard introduces her as his daughter to Yoren, a recruiter for the Night's Watch. Dishevelled and unclean, Arya is at first mistaken by him as a boy, to her annoyance.
Arya is distracted from her training exercises by news of Jory's death and her father's injury while fighting Jaime. Syrio teaches her how to ignore her troubles to focus on fighting. Later, Eddard brings his daughters together to tell them he is sending them back to Winterfell. Sansa and Arya are both upset. Arya does not want to leave Syrio's training. Sansa is incensed, feeling that losing a dancing instructor is nothing compared to breaking her betrothal to Joffrey. Eddard says not to worry, he will choose another man for her to marry, one strong and gentle and brave. Sansa says she doesn't want someone like that; she wants Joffrey to Arya's amusement. She wants to have his blonde babies, like Joffrey, her "golden-haired lion." After the interjection "Seven hells", Arya asserts that he will be a stag like his father. Sansa replies that Joffrey is nothing like Robert. This prompts Eddard's sudden realisation that Joffrey is not Robert's son and thus not the heir to the throne.
Eddard confronts Cersei, who admits that her children were fathered by her brother Jaime. However, before Eddard can inform Robert, the King is mortally wounded by a boar while hunting and dies shortly afterwards. Cersei and Joffrey have Eddard arrested and send guards to take Arya into custody while she is training with Syrio. He realises that Eddard would not send Lannister men for his daughter, and instructs Arya to flee while he faces down the guards himself. Armed only with a wooden sword, he disarms several of them and holds off one of the Kingsguard, Ser Meryn Trant. Syrio's fate after that is unknown. Arya goes first to the stable, where the men who were to take her and Sansa out of King's Landing were waiting with the baggage. The men have been killed, but she finds her sword, Needle, where she hid it in the bottom of her luggage. She is discovered by a stableboy who tries to stop her. As he comes at her, she raises her sword, and he is impaled and dies. Horrified, Arya runs away to find her way out of the castle.
Arya Stark is living rough on the streets of the city. She catches a pigeon and tries to trade it for a slice of bread, to no avail. She sees crowds moving through the streets and is told that the Hand of the King is being brought before the Great Sept of Baelor, the centre of religious worship in the city. Stunned that she will see her father, she drops the pigeon and joins the crowd. Unable to see, she climbs onto the pedestal of a statue of Baelor, a previous Targaryen king, Baelor the Blessed, for whom the Sept is named. She sees her father being brought in chains to the steps of the temple. He sees Arya on the statue, and as he is dragged through the crowd he passes Yoren of the Night's Watch who had met Arya. Lord Eddard looks at the statue and says, "Baelor," puzzling the crowd. Yoren understands, however, and moves toward the statue where Arya is watching.
Eddard is given a chance to confess his "crimes." He weighs his choices as he sees both Arya and Sansa present, and chooses to save them by making a false confession. He says that Joffrey is the true King on the Iron Throne, pleasing him. Grand Maester Pycelle extols the virtues of mercy and Joffrey agrees that he could be merciful and send Eddard to the Night's Watch as his mother has suggested and as Sansa has begged. He instead acknowledges that as women they are "soft" and treason must never go unpunished. He commands Ser Ilyn Payne to bring him the traitor's head.
The crowd goes into an uproar. Arya tries to make her way through the crowd, drawing her sword to save her father, but before she could move forward anymore she saw Ser Ilyn Payne dying due to arrows struck in his eyes. Right after that she heard a familiar voice that always supported her to take the sword and fight for herself "A mongrel holding the Ancestral Sword of House Stark?"
Looking at the man she murmured under her breath "Uncle."
Yoren who was just behind Ary asked "You know him?"
"He's my uncle. My father's elder twin." Arya told him.
Hearing that, Yoren nodded in understanding and said "So he's Benjens second eldest brother huh."
Then they heard Joffrey saying "Behead that man!"
But to the surprise of all present in front of the Sept, none of the soldiers moved even the King's guard didn't move. All because of the men standing behind them with knife to their throat.
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Eddard is taken to the front steps of the Great Sept of Baelor. He spots Arya crouching beside the statue of Baelor the Blessed and signals Yoren, who is also present amidst the gathered crowd. Having relented to Varys' request in order to save Sansa, Eddard makes the false confession that he intended to seize the throne for himself and recognizes Joffrey as the rightful king by saying "I am Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King. I come before you to confess my treason, in the sight of Gods and men. I betrayed the faith of my King, and the trust of my friend, Robert. I swore to defend and protect his children, but before his blood was cold I plotted to murder his son, and seize the throne for myself. Let the High Septon and Baelor the Blessed bear witness to what I say. Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne. By the grace of all the Gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."
After the 'confession', the crowd started booing at Eddard for treason, but they stopped when Joffrey stood up and started to speak.
"My mother wishes me to let Lord Eddard join the Night's Watch. Stripped of all titles and powers, he would serve the Realm in permanent exile. And my lady Sansa... has begged mercy for her father. But they have the soft hearts of women. So long as I am your king, treason shall never go unpunished! Ser Ilyn! Bring me his head!"
Joffrey, however, ignores his mother's counsel that Eddard be exiled and orders his immediate execution. Before Ser Ilyn Payne swings the Lord of Winterfell's own sword Ice, Eddard notices that Yoren has taken Arya. Sansa, distraught, is restrained as Ser Ilyn Payne was going to behead Eddard with his Ancestral Sword Ice. But before he could swing the great sword, he was impaled by two arrows right through his eyes.
Then a deep voice was heard by everyone present there sending chills to their bones. "A mongrel holding the Ancestral Sword of House Stark?"
All of them looked at the man who was walking up to the execution stage where Eddard Stark was held captive. Eddard just looked at the man and sighed as what his brother has told come to fruition.
Picking up the sword Ice from the floor he paced it on his shoulder, then looking at Sansa who was freed from the Lannister Soldier's, said "Hello Red."
Without any other word she ran towards him and embraced him. As he was embracing her, he heard "Behead that man!"
He looked at the boy, who said that and with just a look Joffrey almost pissed and fell back to his chair. Seeing that he smiled and looking at Cersei he said "Put a leash on your son. Or one day he will die and you will grieve."
Cersei didn't like that at all so she asked him back "Is that a threat?"
"A threat? No, that's not a threat, that's just warning from me to you." Then looking to his side he said "Igris, take her head if she speaks again." And a seven foot tall man with helmet covering his head except for his eyes looked at Cersei by unsheathing his great sword. Then looking at Cersei he said "Now that's a threat." Cersei didn't say anything anymore as she understood that the situation is not in her favour.
Nodding at her he turned towards the Eddard and said "Take Sansa and Arya with you back to Winterfell."
Eddard just nodded at him at first, but he remembered what his brother had told him yesterday in the dungeon so he went on a knee and said "Yes, My Lord."
That brought an uproar in the crowd as they shouted how a traitorous man should be left without any kind of punishment.
So looking at those men, and that one look scilenced them as it was cold as the winter. Seeing that he smiled and said "I'll be informing all of you what is going on here, but before that let my brother and his daughters go back. And if anyone wants a horrible death, they can try and stop theor advancement to Winterfell."
The crowd didn't speak anymore and just stood there as they were surrounded by a lot of people who have black colored armour which had a wolf head in the front side.
With Yoren, Arya moved toward her father and embraced him, same with Sansa. Smiling at their reunion, he looked towards the 'Royal Family' and the small council. With a smile that promised them pain, he looked directly at Littlefinger. And was about to say something but was interpreted by another voice "Rodrik Stark! You have gotten your brother you should leave now."
Chuckling at that, Rodrik snapped his finger and one of the soldiers he brought with him took down Littlefinger, with little to no resistance. Then looking back at the voice, Rodrik said "Tywin Lannister, the Old Lion. Its good to see you here."
Cersei had a smug look as soon as she saw her father, but that fell down quickly as she heard what her father said next.
"I had to, otherwise you would have buthered my family here without any remorse." Tywin said.
"Not at all. As I said before, this is just a warning for you there, won't be a second time." Then looking at Littlefinger he said "Now, my dear Master of Coins, why don't you confess your crimes."
"What crimes! What are you talking about! I'm innocent!" Littlefinger kept repeating that.
Understanding that he will not talk at normal circumstances, Rodrik said "Look here Peter. If you don't tell the truth now, I will be the one to do a personal integration of you. And believe me when I say that you would wish that you were dead but you wouldn't be."
Chuckling Littlefinger said "If you think that you can force me to confess a crime that I didn't commit then you can dream on!"
"Rodrik, as I have said before, leave King's Landing."
Sighing, Rodrik looked at Tywin and siad "You know, the real reason why our two Great Houses are at war with each other is all because of this bitches fault." Saying that he kicked Littlefinger in the balls.
Then looking at Cersei he said "After you brother pushed Bran of the tower... "
"He didn't!" Cersei screamed.
"He did and he said and I quote " The things I do for love." And if you want me to elaborate what really happend there I can." That made her shut up, but she looked at Rodrik with full of hate.
Tywin who was standing in between his daughter and her son and the Stark family asked Rodrik "Is that why Jaime was taken prisoner?"
"Oh yes." Hearing that Cerseis face went pale. Edderion went near Tywin and told him in whisper "Your twins are in incestuous relationship, I don't judge about that. But, pushing down a nine year old kid from the top of tower all because he saw them indulging with each other? That I do mind, especially when it is my nephew."
Tywin made an ugly face at that, but did say that Rodrik was lying as he have started to have known before but always denied it. But right now, in front of Rodrik, if he said that he was lying then all he did in his lifetime will come to an end within a week. He know that very well as Rodrik had already almost exterminated a whole house in the North.
Then backing away, Rodrik said "As I was saying. Little Pete here had lied to my brother Eddard Stark and sister in law Catelyn Stark that the knife that was got from the assassin was his but he lost it to Tyrion in a gamble."
Shaking his head, Cregan said "Well, that's not a major problem. But the thing is he actually lost it to Robert."
"No." Eddard said, almost believing that his friend sent an assassin to kill his son. But, Rodrik looked at him and said "It's not Robert." Then he pointedly looked at Joffrey. Eddard understood that instantly, so did Arya and Sansa. Sansa was about to deny that Joffrey won't harm her brother, but she thought back what had happened a couple of minutes ago. If her uncle didn't intervene, her father would have been dead, so she kept her silence while shedding some tears as she knew that her first love has been broken at that moment.
Rodrik didn't elebrote more than that and continued "Well, whatever. Then looking at Tywin and his Lannister family he said " Let's go to Red Keep shall we, I have to do some cleansing similar to what my predecessor did." Then with a smile that is colder than the winter itself he looked at all of the ones standing on the execution stage and said "I hope you remember the Hour of The Wolf."
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Inside the Red Keep, in the throne room, we can see Rodrik sitting on the steps. In front of him were the Lords and Ladies of all the Great Houses. Only, not all of them were present in the room at all.
Representing House Lannister, Tywin Lannister was present with his brother Kevan Lannister.
Representing House Martell, Obryen Martell was present with his lover Ellaria Sand.
Representing House Tully, Hoster Tully was present with his brother Brynden Tully.
Representing House Arryn, Lysa Tully was present with her brother in law Ronnel Arryn.
Representing House Stark was none other than Rodrik himself and no one was with him at all.
The throne room was surrounded by his Shadow Army and he's confident that no one will be able to break into here at all.
Looking at all the Lord's, Rodrik said "I did say similar to Hour Of The Wolf, but not quite close. Cregan Stark did that for the Kingdom and his King. But I'm doing this for my family."
"So, why are we all here?" The Red Viper asked, he was one of the fearless ones present here.
Looking at Obryen, Rodrik smiled and said "The things I'm going to say will affect the entire Westeros and I wanted everyone to hear about it. But unfortunately, House Baratheon doesn't want that, both Stannis and Renly only want the scrap right behind me, and since the Reach support Renly they also didn't come."
Obryen chuckled at the jab to the Iron Throne.
Looking all too serious, Rodrik spoke "No. 7 bring him in and No. 8 hold Lysa Tully."
Before anyone could react, Lysa was pinned down with her mouth covered with a cloth. Seeing this, Hoster Tully roared out "What the hell---" But he couldn't finish his sentence as he felt a sharp edge on his neck and he heard Rodrik saying "You're Catelyn's Father, only because of that I will let you live, for now. There won't be a second time."
The room descended into silence as all of them thought that if he acts like that to someone close to him, then what will happen to others?
They didn't have to wait for too long as a No. 7 brought Peter Baelish, who was beaten to bloody pulp.
Standing up, Rodrik went towards Baelish and knocked on his head and said "Come on Pete, tell the truth now."
With a laboured breath Peter started to speak "I.... *gasp* planned... the death.... of... Jon..... Arryn." Hearing that almost everyone in the room gasped.
"How did you kill him?" Rodrik asked.
"I..... poisoned..... him.... with... Lysa."
When they heard that they all looked at Lysa Tully who had a wide eyed expression on her face.
When Peter spoke of Lysa's name, Rodrik started to speak.
"You see, Peter Baelish here, killed Jon Arryn while he was serving as the Hand Of The King. Now that is the problem of Westeros as a whole. But what he did after that is what really affected my family and I will tell you now." Looking at each of them he started to say "My nephew, Brandon Stark have become a cripple after an unfortunate fall." When he said this he looked directly at Tywin and continued "Someone had ordered an assassination on him, Catelyn found a dagger, asked Peter about it when she reached King's Landing, he answered her by saying that the dagger belonged to him but it was won by Tyrion in a gamble. Obviously he lied, he didn't lose the dagger to Tyrion, but to Robert." Then looking at Tywin and Hoster he said "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Tywin nodded and said "He wanted the Starks and Lannisters to go to war against each other. Thanks to Catelyn Stark kidnapping my son I started to attack Riverrun."
Hoster didn't say anything as it looks like most of the problem originated from the ones he had close ties with.
Nodding at Tywin, Rodrik said "That's true. Do you know what his true plan was? He wanted the war to go on and when the time was right he wanted to be the Lord of Vale, Riverrun and the North. Now, you will be wondering how North is right? Well, he wanted to marry my niece Sansa as she looked similar to Catelyn and Vale will be in his control when he finishes off Lysa, after that if he plays his card right he would be the Lord of Riverrun too."
Looking at the shocked faces of Hoster Tully and Ronnel Arryn he said "Don't worry, he already had an elaborate plan to kill each of the successors."
Then looking at the rest he said "Now, there is another crime in his name, specifically taking gold from the Royal treasury. Well, I have confiscated it before coming here and have dumped it in the treasury. And believe me, the amount I bought had the capacity to pay off half the debt Westeros have with the Iron Bank."
As that was understood by everyone he continued, "Now, you might be asking is that all? Well it isn't." Then with all seriousness he said "I don't care what you do in the South from now on, the North will not be responding to any of the calls to come here. Even if it is to end a civil war, we won't be coming. And I expect to see a thousand soldiers to the wall by the end of the month."
"What? Why?" Ronnel asked.
"If you think that the greatest enemy of Westeros is in Essos, then I'm telling you you're wrong. An enemy far stronger than the Dragons of the past are marching on us from the North. Not the North that I rule from now on or the free folks beyond the wall. They come from the Land Of Always Winter. Our ancestors called them many names, the Others, the Cold Gods, the Cold Shadow, the White Shadow or the more famous one the White Walkers."
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"What do you mean by that?" Obryen asked me.
Looking at him I said "As I have said, the White Walkers from the legend's are marching South from the Land of Always Winter. How long till they reach the Wall? I have no idea. But, I would like to be prepared to face them while you guy's play the Game Of Thrones here."
Then looking at all of them I said "Now, onto the immediate matter. I'll be executing Peter Baelish for the instigation of war between house Lannister and house Stark. With him, some of the Lannister men will die as they have killed the Northerners that came with Ned."
"Like I would let you do it." Tywin said.
Smiling at him I said "You can try, but if you need your daughter and grandkids alive you will be sacrificing those soldiers."
Tywin's eyes started to show fury as he spat "You must remember that the Lannister always pays their debt."
"Well, this was started by your kids, specifically by Jaime and Cersei. So I would say I'm collecting my debt from you." I told him with a smile but showing fury of my own through my eyes. "I will be discussing that with you personally so stay back." Then looking at Hoster Tully and Ronnel Arryn I said "House Tully and House Arryn need to come to terms with each other. Lord Hoster, your daughter poisoned Lord Jon Arryn as Peter instructed. I don't want a war between the Vale and Riverrun. And, even if you do, don't expect any kind of support from the North at all. Before you two say anything, listen to me. My brother Eddard was a ward at Vale you all know that, so if he knew who was the murderer of a man who he respected he would hunt him or her down. Now, Catelyn is my sister in law, and she definitely will try to help Lysa, and that will create a rift between Catelyn and Ned."
"But Lord Stark, we need to execute the one who killed our Lord." Ronnel said.
"I know, well all of this started because of this bastard here, so we will be publicly executing him announcing his crimes and no the 'Royal' family will not attend the execution. You two need to reach a common ground as Robert Arryn is Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully's son, so don't make that kid's life miserable." Pointing at Ronnel I said "He's your Lord." Then pointing at Hoster ``He's your grandson. So reach a common ground that can be accepted by both parties."
Turning towards others I said "For your information, there are four people who have proclaimed themselves as the King. Joffrey Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, Renly Baratheon and Balon Greyjoy. As I have said before, the North will not be supporting anyone at all."
"The Dorne also will not be supporting any of the Kings for their war, we're sending our force to the North." The Red Viper said.
Hoster and Ronnel also decided to stay neutral, but Hoster only agreed to it after Tywin Lannister agreed to compensate for what the Mountain had done in Riverrun.
As they all came to an agreement I said "Peter Baelish will be executed publicly and all of those who helped him out will be sent to the Wall."
Next thing I did was drag Peter through the streets and on the same execution stage that was set up for Ned, I told the citizens what had happened in the past days. Excluding the part about the Lannister sibling incest.
Before, Ned Stark was given a chance to confess his crimes, but to Peter it was straight to beheading as I didn't want him to babble about things that he knows.
As for Varys, I left him alone as I had gotten information on how he has been plotting for the arrival of the Young Griff. When the time is right, I'll be taking both his and the Young Griff's head.
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After the execution of Peter and sending some of the City Guards to the Wall with Yoren, Rodrik Stark met up with Tywin Lannister in private.
Looking at the Old Lion, Rodrik said "Your son, crippled my nephew, your grandson sent an assassin to kill my nephew and almost killed my brother, your daughter ordered the death of innocent men of the North when my brother gave her a chance to leave Kings Landing. Now, you owe me quite a lot Tywin."
"What do you want?" Tywin got straight to the point.
Smiling at him, Rodrik said "I'll be taking the hand that pushed my nephew, I'll be taking Tommen and Myrcella with me to torment your dear daughter, as for Joffrey? He will get what he deserves in the future."
Scowling Tywin said "You think I will agree with that?"
"Oh you will. You think if you deny to acknowledge that your son and daughter are in an incestuous relationship and that your grandkids are your only grandkids, as their father and mother both are your children. And for your information, currently the North will be the safest place for both of them as I will be there with my wife and daughters." Rodrik told Tywin.
Nodding at Rodrik Tywin asked "If I sent both of them as wards under you, that is making me owe you one more."
"Yeah, for that, I will need you to get me as much dragon glass as possible." Rodrik said.
"Sure, but where can I find them?"
With a wicked smile Rodrik replied "You can find it in Dragonstone."
The scowl increased on Tywin's face as Rodrik informed him where to find them. Then looking at Rodrik said "I could always let them stay at the Rock."
"Oh you could. But you have to know, no one can buy my men to betray me and my orders." Rodrik said.
Tywin just nodded as he knew that pretty well as he had tried in the past but failed miserably. Looking at Rodrik, Tywin said "Alright, but know that the day Tommen or Myrcella get hurt, the Western Lands will march North, even if the famed Shadow Army is present there."
"Be my guest." Rodrik agreed to that.
After that was settled, Tywin left and a couple of minutes later Oberyn came in alone.
Looking at Rodrik he said "I never thought that I'll be seeing you in Westeros after what happened to your father and brother."
"For the sake of my family I'll go wherever I deem it to be worthy." Rodrik said.
"I know." Oberyn said, then with a smile he asked Rodrik "So how's Ashara and the kids?"
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"She's good." Looking at Oberyn, Rodrik replied.
Nodding at Rodrik, Oberyn said "That's good to know."
"Is that all? Because if it is, I would like to be in the North as soon as possible." Rodrik asked Oberyn.
"I have written to my brother and he agreed to send able men to the North if you can show me the threat." Oberyn replied to his question.
"Alright, I have already sent some of my men beyond the Wall to get some evidence on the White Walkers, it will take at least three to five months for them to come back with said evidence." Rodrik said.
"Then I'll be coming to Winterfell in five months." Oberyn said.
"Be my guest, the moment I get the message that they got the evidence I'll be sending invitations to all the Lord Paramounts to come to the North. The four Kings will also be invited under the condition that no one tries to kill each other directly or indirectly." Rodrik said.
"What if they try to kill each other?" Oberyn asked him curiously.
"They can come if they want to, it's only voluntary. I won't be pressuring them to come. And if they do end up coming to the North, and if someone tries to kill someone then the North will be allying with the one who got attacked." Rodrik said.
"That will stop them to some extent." Sighing, Oberyn continued "Then I will be waiting for your invitation."
"Glad to know." Rodrik said.
After that Oberyn left the room followed by Rodrik as he had to reach the North as soon as possible.
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"What do you mean by sending Tommen and Myrcella to the North?" Cersei screamed at her father who had just told her that her youngest children will be staying in Winterfell as the Wards of Rodrik Stark.
Looking at Cersei, Tywin said "If you don't want to see your kid's traumatised in the upcoming war against Stannis and Renly, you better be ready to say goodbye to them. And also, with Rodrik and his army protecting the North, no one will ever think about attacking your kids."
"What makes you say so? He's a nobody!" Cersei screamed at the last part.
Sighing, Tywin said "You don't know half the things I know about that man." Then looking straight in the eyes of Cersei he continued "What do you know about Brandon Stark and Eddard Stark?"
Calming down Cersei replied to her father "Brandon was as his nickname, a wild one. As for Eddard, he's all about honour."
"You're right about that. Then how do you see the house Stark?" Tywin asked her.
"They are honourable and just house, and also the Barbarians." She said that while scoffing.
"That's what you know about the last three to five generations of the Stark Family. And that is reflected on Brandon and Eddard." Taking a deep breath he continued "But, Rodrik Stark is a Stark that has the same ferocity of the King Of Winters in the past. He will not stop at anything if House Stark is even remotely threatened."
"If he was that much ferocious, where was he when his father and brother were killed?" Cersei asked.
"Before the rebellion, Rodrik was sent to the wall as a punishment for what he did to the Bolton's right after the Tourney at Harrenhal." Tywin said.
"The Bolton's are alright though."
"That's what it looks like from the outside. But, Rodrik Stark had killed Roose Bolton right after the tourney for raping a woman and also flaying her. He found out all about it in secret, and without even telling his father he killed Roose and made his only son Domeric Bolton the Lord Of Dreadfort. Right after his carnage in Dreadfort, Rickard Stark sent his second son Rodrik to the Wall as punishment. And that only happened as Rodrik confessed to his father, if he had not confessed about killing Roose Bolton, no one would know who did it at all. And that event earned him the name Shadow Wolf which was given by the Lord's of Westeros. But no one knew that he would become the embodiment of Shadow itself after his father's and brother's death. He hunted down those who were responsible for their death." Then looking at Cersei, he said "But before he could end the Mad King your brother had already driven the sword through him."
"So?" Cersei asked.
"So, do not try anything that will get his ire at us at all. My hands are already full with your brothers in laws and Balon Greyjoy. I don't want a Wolf in the Shadows after me and my family, am I understood."
"Yes, but what about Jaime?"
"He will be removed from Kings Guards and will be back at the Rock, that was part of a deal as Jaime has executed Northernmen without any kind of trial or procedures." Tywin said.
"They can't---" Cersei was about to say something, but was stopped by Tywin as he said "If you don't want to see your brother dead, then he will be stripped from his duties as the KingsGuard, and he doesn't have a choice here, neither do you. Not after what you have done to Brandon Stark and Eddard Stark."
Cersei flinched at the mention of Brandon Stark as she remembered the little boy who climbed up to the tower where she and Jaime were having some intimate time and how Jaime pushed him down.
"If you understand that, you or your son Joffrey, won't antagonise the North anymore, not when I'm still alive." Saying that Tywin left, leaving Cersei alone in the room to her own thoughts.
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