A song unsung

Before I start this chapter I want to clear something up (This is going to be a long one). I received a review telling me that I had become too inconsistent with my timeline. Before I answer I'm going to give you a rough view of the timeline.

It's been three and a half months since Robert's kidnapping. After the first month Ned met Jon Arryn, which led to Jon being attacked by magic and Ned receiving his head injury and losing his memory of what Jon told him about the royal bastards (convenient right?). Then Ned went to the wall, Stannis made war plans, Renly left, Robb left, Margaery escaped Joffrey's wrath and now he's coming to Winterfell. Now on to the reviewer, first he said that Jon, Bran and the girls couldn't reach King's Landing so fast. That's understandable but nowhere did I mention that they had reached King's Landing, only that Ned wanted to stop them before they did. Then something about the two groups meeting which I don't remember saying at all or even hinting towards it.

Finally he criticizes my characterization of Ned. I warned all my readers at the start of the story that characters would be different due to different events happening. Ned only fostered his children because that's what he thought was best, the king requested and loyal old Ned answered. Again you are free to review how you want but I'll answer how I want.

Chapter 14

299 AC, Beyond the Wall

It was cold, it was always cold. Though it was a cold he embraced now. Robb stood on the edge of a small snow covered cliff looking out into white winter lands. Grey Wind at his side, as he always was. The moon was retreating back to its home beyond the sky as the rays of the morning sun fought off the darkness as it overstayed its welcome. Robb noticed night lasting longer as the days passed.

Life away from Winterfell was harsh. Everything was different. There were no luxuries. Nothing was given, only earned. His name meant nothing north of the wall. They had come across small groups of wildlings and he thought to tell them who he was but out here he was no one. Only those who accompanied him gave him respect, though the group was not large as it once was.

He didn't know how far they had gone but they rode as often as they could. His group of volunteers had shrunken as time went on. They went from thirteen to seven. Bart and Tom died in their first skirmish against a group of wildlings. Dywen, Ben and Gared died from the cold as the days went on. Just the nights passed Lucas disappeared in the night, probably on a futile retreat back south. Now it was him, Domeric, his two Bolton guards, Cley, Guy, Little Morgan and Eldon.

"Robb?" The wayward heir turned to see the soft spoken Bolton heir. Domeric had surprisingly been his most loyal supporter on their journey far north, behind Grey Wind of course. Robb was curious as to why the Dreadfort heir wanted to accompany him. The lordling had told him it just felt right. Naturally, Robb was wary of the man but Domeric had yet to do anything to hinder their travels.

"What is it?"

"There is an unnatural cold coming from the east. I believe we should continue north, so as we don't fall victim to it."

Robb shifted his eyes toward the east. Domeric was right. Somehow Robb could feel the cold approaching them. There was something about it that didn't feel right. It was something that sent shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes trying to get a deeper sense of the unnaturalness.

His consciousness turned to white. He instantly felt the coolness that came with this strange ability. He trudged through snow that came to just below his knee. Robb noted that the snow had risen since the last time he had done this. The snow seemed endless as he continued walking until he felt the unnatural cold. On instinct he looked up. He was thankful he did as three shadows appeared in the distance behind a white veil. Robb could see the outline of weapons in their hands, two spears and one sword. Their shining eyes were what frightened him most. He had seen them before.

His heart began pounding against his chest as if it wanted to escape. Fear began spreading through his body as he realized what was coming for them. He knew he had made a mistake coming into nature's consciousness when the snow around him began whipping around, a storm had started. High pitched screeches filled the air. Robb knew better, it wasn't the wind but the angry screams of his mythical enemies.

He gasped as he came back into the world he knew best. Domeric was at his side in an instant as Robb feel to one knee.

"Go get the others ready. We need to go now!" Robb ordered as he caught his breath.

Domeric ran off without a word to fulfill his orders. Grey nudged at Robb with his nose. Robb could see the worry in his eyes. Since leaving Castle Black Robb had discovered his dreams of being Grey Wind weren't dreams at all but somehow Robb putting his mind inside of his direwolf's head, it made him wonder if his siblings and father could do it. He still couldn't do it freely, only when he slept but it was still an invaluable ability for Robb. Not to mention it made his bond with Grey Wind that much stronger.

"I know boy but this was never meant to be safe. It's something I have to do." Robb stood up and went to join the others.

After breaking down their camp the group of seven northmen went forth north. Robb made sure they avoided any unnatural clouds of cold.

"Lord Robb—." Robb quickly cut off the lordling.

"We are not lords out here, Cley, just men."

The Cerwyn heir nodded, "Robb, we've been out here for more than a moons turn and you've yet to tell us what we're actually doing."

"It's the least you could do, my lo—I mean Robb." Little Morgan, a Stark guard, added in.

Robb looked around and saw Domeric, Guy, Eldon and Blane agreed. He could understand where they were coming from. He had asked them to risk their lives and barely gave them any information on what he hoped to accomplish. His father had always told him to be truthful as lies never disappeared. They only hid in the darkness and struck when it would cause the most damage. With that thought in mind it was an easy decision. He could not afford to fail this mission.

"I promise I will tell you what you want to know when we make camp tonight." They seemed to accept that answer.

They rode and they rode hard. Darkness was creeping towards the sky like a predator stalking its prey. With the darkness came the cold. It was time to make camp but not in the middle of the open. He looked around searching for a suitable stopping place. Luckily his eyes found something ahead of them.

"Follow me." Robb spurred his horse towards the cave he spotted.

"We'll make camp here." Robb eyed inside the cave but the darkness blocked him from seeing farther inside. He needed a torch to venture deeper into the cave.

"I'll do it." Domeric said as if he read Robb's mind.

Robb nodded giving his permission. They made a quick fire to light the torch. Domeric took the fire and disappeared into the darkness of the cave. It took the pale man a few minutes before coming back.

"It is safe, there also and an odd sense of warmth that grows as you go deeper into the cave."

The northmen quickly entered the cave and made camp for the night. Domeric's assessment was proven correct about the heat but a fire was still made. Luckily their food supplies were still plentiful. They set out with a modest amount but with the deaths of their comrades their horses had been more used as food rather than being a hindrance. The beasts beyond the wall were also plentiful, they had hunted aurouchs, snow hares but they stayed away from the predator like animals.

They were settled and now it was time. Robb looked at the men that chose to pledge their swords to him on an adventure that could most likely cost their lives. If they were to die then they would die knowing it was for the good of not only the north but the world.

"When we left I told you all that what we were doing was for the north but I did not tell you what we were doing and why we were doing it."

He would tell them of the voice but not all of which he had told him. Nor could he tell them about his magical connection to Grey Wind and the icy land around them.

"All here believe in the Old Gods." He said getting nods from all of the men there, "Not long after getting to the wall a voice began speaking to me. This voice showed me a lot of things but most importantly he gave me knowledge. The threat of the others is real. They are moving south but I do not know the reason but the answers to our problems lie in the north, farther than any have ever been."

"It's just a child's tale, a scary story is all, mi' lord." Blane said but Robb could see the fear in the back of his eyes.

"Aye, my mother told me of the white shadows but only after I beat lad next door half to death." Guy added with a devious smirk.

Robb sighed as he listened to the responses, though he knew they wouldn't believe him with just words. Cley, Eldon and Little Morgan remained silent but Robb knew they would side him with him no matter what. He would have to show them but how could he show them without getting everyone killed. His thoughts were interrupted by Domeric speaking up.

"Why would lord Robb lie to us? Why would he risk his life if all of this were a farce?" His tone was even and his face straight but his eyes told all. There was a silent fury in them.

Robb didn't know why but the younger Bolton truly believed him. Oddly enough the son of the man his father said not to trust was the one he trusted most besides Cley.

"Domeric is right, I would not put all of our lives in peril for a children's story. I am doing this to save the lives of many. Our lives are not promised, there is no guarantee that we will survive this journey. I will not fault you if you turn back now. If you choose to do so you will be given your share of the supplies."

Time seemed to stop as Robb waited for a response. Originally he had set out to do this alone, not wanting anyone else to get caught in the trouble that came with fighting an ancient enemy. They would have most likely had to fight them eventually.

"I'm with you." Unsurprisingly Domeric spoke first.

"Aye, my place is with you my lord." Cley said bowing his head.

"Children's story or not I have a duty." Eldon said finally speaking.

"I am yours to command." Little Morgan added in.

Robb looked to Guy and Blane. The two men had only joined his quest in search of glory but now they knew that glory would most likely come in the form of death.

"I'd rather not tell Lord Bolton I left his son to die." Blane answered.

"I guess I'm here to stay." Guy said flashing another crooked smirk.

Robb only nodded in response, a journey such as this one would be better with company. The rest of the night was spent enjoying the shelter and warmth the cave provided.

Sleep had come and he fell into a white oblivion. His eyes flickered open to see a world made of light. The bright light began to dim and in front of him stood the largest castle he had ever seen. It was white, a pure white. Due to its size he could only see the front walls.

His eyes followed the height of its massive white walls. He felt like they never ended. The top of the walls looked to be intruding the heavens. The large gate in front of him began to open. He began stepping towards the entrance. Just like the feeling he had when he left Castle Black. He felt a pull coming from within the castle. After his first step the large gate fell back into the light-made ground. Robb took a cautious step back, looking at the gate with a hint of fear. If he would have been a foot closer he would have been impaled.

"Entrance into my home is yet available to you, my young wolf. You have a ways to go and many obstacles to face."

As the voice faded, Robb felt an unnatural cold creep up on him. He awoke with a gasp. Rays of sunlight beamed into his eyes letting him know that it was morning. Looking around he found all of his companions sleep, except one. Grey Wind was gone. Robb hadn't shifted into his direwolf's mind in the night but he could have gone hunting on his own accord.

Then he heard it. Grey Wind's howl echoed through the frozen forest and met his ears. It was a cry for help. Robb's heart began to beat faster. Grabbing his sword the lordling bolted out of the cave. Worry rose within his mind as he ran and Grey Wind had yet to howl again. Flashes of his lifeless and bloody direwolf haunted him briefly. He quickly denounced such thoughts.

"Come on boy, tell me where you are." He said hoping to get some kind of sign as to where the location of his direwolf.

As if Grey Wind heard his wishes another howl hit his ears. This time it was closer but the trees made it hard for him to discern the exact direction it came from. The howls turned into growls and they started to sound closer and closer. Robb paused as he realized they were coming towards him. He was on edge as he heard more than one sets of paws running through the snow. Squinting as he looked into the distance, he saw a familiar figure running towards him. Usually Robb would have been elated to see his loyal companion safe but this time he wasn't alone. Robb couldn't see anything due to the ghastly white mist that creeped behind Grey Wind as if it was following him.

Grey Wind barreled towards him. The direwolf came to a stop beside Robb. His yellow eyes looked to Robb and then to the morning mist. A growl escaped the direwolf's throat as he looked ready to pounce on anything that came out of the mist. It was then that Robb realized that Grey Wind's howls weren't cries for help but rather a warning of what was coming.

Robb unconsciously gripped his sword tighter as the grip of cold became tighter. Grey Wind's growling beside him let him know that danger was approaching.

"What madness?" His voice was barely above a whisper as undead creatures crept from the forest ahead of him.

There were two bears. The largest he'd ever seen. One looked to have its front right paw bit off. The other was missing the skin nears it stomach, exposing its ribs. Next to them stood a hulking elk, its antlers were broken. A shadowcat, the first he'd ever laid eyes on, stalked to the right of him. In the trees he could see two pairs of haunting blues eyes. He assumed they were birds of some kind.

His battle instincts kicked in as one of the bears charged him. Using the skill he gained from being taught by some of the best swordsmen in the realm, Robb swiftly brought his sword up slicing through the head of the beast. The bear paused as Robb's sword exited its head, half of its head fell to the ground. Thinking it was over Robb turned to the other undead animals, only to be knocked aside by the stub of the half-a-head bear. He groaned as the pain from the blow began to spread through his chest.

The rest of the animals joined the fray. Grey Wind jumped in front of Robb tackling the lunging shadowcat. Robb, not out of harm's way rolled to the side avoiding the vicious stomp of the elk. Thinking quick Robb lashed out slicing through the ankles of the massive elk. He rolled again, this time evading the falling body of the undead beast.

"Ahhhh!" Robb released a scream full of pain as he felt some of the skin on his back be ripped away. Hoping to cut into whatever hit him Robb spun around swinging his blade.

His sword struck true but he found his attack insignificant as the scalp of the bear with the exposed ribs fell to the ground. Ignoring the pain he poised himself to swing again only to be swatted to the side again. Robb inwardly cursed. He was tired of being tossed like a child by these bears. Moving quicker than a bear with three paws should, it was on Robb. Now his blade was the only thing from stopping his face from being eaten. A familiar dark cold radiated off of the dead bear. He turned his head trying to get away from the pungent smell of death hit his nose. Hearing more heavy footsteps Robb realized the other bear was coming.

He pushed and pushed only to fail. He couldn't win in a battle of strength against the massive bear. The heir of the north could feel his arms begin to fail him. In a moment of hopelessness he prayed.

"You've gotten me this far. I know you have not done all that you have only to let me die here, not like this. I'm asking you to help me now."

The shadow of the second bear's paw darkened his view. His end seemed eminent until the light returned to his eyes. Turning to his left Robb saw Grey Wind biting into the face of the bear. In his brief moment of relief Robb loosened his hold on his sword. The attacking bear snatched it from his hands and tossed it into the snow. At that moment he knew fear but then remembered his gift from his foster father. With surprising speed he reached to the spot on his lower back and retrieved the bronze dagger. A quick and powerful thrust stopped the bear's lung towards his face. The blue light instantly faded from its eyes. Unfortunately it fell on Robb and he didn't have the strength to move it.

Once again he was alert when he heard more footsteps coming towards him. This time they were faster. With little mobility he had he looked around and saw Grey Wind and what he assumed were chunks of the bear. Grey Wind stiffened and faced west, the direction of the cave.

"My lord," Robb sighed in relief at the sound of Domeric's voice.

"What in the seven hells happened here?" He heard Cley asked.

"Looks like Robb here kept all the fun to himself," That was Blane, "Help me get this damned rotten thing off of him."

Robb grimaced as Blane and Guy pushed the bear off of him. He could feel his blood pooling under him. Just from the pain he could tell the cuts were deep. When the bear was removed from on top of him the cold air hit his wounds. Cool air, air full of life swept through the forested area. Robb no longer felt the pain from his wounds, just a slight sting to remind him of his battle. He had prayed and his prayer was answered. Now he felt his mission was that more important.

"We need to clean your wound, my lord." Domeric's soft voice snapped him out of his reverie. Robb turned to see his remaining six comrades.

Grey Wind went Robb's side burying his muzzle into his leg, "I am fine. We need to get back to cave and get our things. It would do us well to keep moving."

"But your wound will—." Domeric shut his mouth as Robb's eye set on him. Domeric could have sworn he saw a white glow behind his blue eyes.

"It is time we go." Robb turned and headed back towards the cave.

"Aren't you going to tell us what happened here?" This time it was Eldon. He like the rest was confused. They saw the animals and the still moving pieces of the animals that Grey Wind ripped to shreds.

"Wights, the others are trying to stop us. That is why we must continue ahead. If we stop we will die."

There was a moment of silence as the men took in the information. They had come this far and Robb still had no reason to lie.

"I ain't one for dying the hands of the dead." Blane said following after Robb.

Cley, Little Morgan and Eldon being the loyal men they were quickly followed after their lord. Guy stayed back with Domeric, who looked frozen as he stared into the trees at the forgotten blue eyed birds.

"We better get going incase those bastards decide to peck your eyes out." There was a hint of humor but fear was clearly dominant.

"Yes, let us get back to the rest of them." Domeric felt an odd sense that he only felt when he was around his father coming from the trees, it scared him.

299 AC, Volantis

The city of Volantis was sight to see. Tattooed slaves of all kind walked the streets. Exotic merchants called for attention to sell their wares. Renly had never really traveled, especially across the sea. Now he had a reason to. After his brother's disappearance Renly felt true despair but a glimmer hope appeared on the horizon when he awoke to a letter on his bedside table.

Renly did not know how but someone had left the letter in his quarters in the Red Keep. His guards told him no one came to his room that night and the maester had not brought it, a mystery to them all. To him none of that mattered after he read its contents. Someone had spotted his brother in Volantis. He planned to leave immediately but one of the men Lord Arryn left in the city gave him a letter from the lord himself. Oddly Jon had requested Renly take Robert's bastard son Gendry to Storm's End with him. Wanting to leave as soon as possible and for respect of Lord Arryn, Renly snatched the boy up and headed for Storm's End.

On arrival Renly was confronted by another one of Robert's bastards. Edric asked if the stories about his father were true. Before Renly could respond Edric saw Gendry. The boys locked eyes before Edric questioned if Gendry was his brother.

Not wanting to discuss out in the open Renly brought them along on the search to find his brother. Renly now walked the streets of Volantis with his guard headed by his lover, Ser Loras Tyrell.

"My lord, stay close, these foreigners make me uneasy." Loras said pushing Renly into the middle of the group.

"Be calm, Ser Loras. These people have no reason to want to harm me." Renly said with a smile.

The youngest of the Baratheon brothers failed to see the two figures hiding in the shadows of his men. Volantis was known for its people of Valyrian descent, said people were known to dabble in dark magic. One Baratheon had already fallen to it, now the shadows stalked another one.

The group of westerosi men obliviously continued there walk through the streets in hopes of a clue as to the location of their king. Back on Renly's ship, Graceful Fury, the two Baratheon bastards were having a conversation about their missing father.

"What if we don't find him? What if he's dead?" Gendry asked, looking at Edric.

The noble born bastard glared at his baseborn brother. They had been at odds since meeting each other. At first he was happy to have a brother but then Gendry started bad mouthing their father. Eventually the blacksmith's apprentice came to terms with his birth but his cynical attitude towards the king's survival didn't sit right Edric.

"We will, you don't know him like I do. He's the strongest man in the world, the Demon of the Trident that took down the dragons!" In reality Edric had never met his father. He only knew from what his Uncle Renly or Ser Cortnay told him.

"He's the king who fathered bastards and left them alone." Gendry sharply countered.

"He had no choice, that Lannister woman is evil. She would see us dead before father could show us any real attention."

Before Gendry could reply their guard, Ser Balon Swann stepped in the room. The stout knight had volunteered to protect the legitimate sons of his king. After joining the retinue determined to find the king, he was told of the circumstances surrounding the Lannister children. He had been disgusted with the queen and her actions. He was a man of the king, the true Baratheon king but even he had doubts of his survival. If that was the case he would honor the man by seeing to the survival of his sons, even if they were bastards.

"You lads have the same argument every day," He turned to Gendry, "The king had his faults like any man but there is much you don't understand."

"See, even Ser Balon thinks father is great." Edric said excitedly.

The Swann knight then turned to half-Florent bastard, "And like any man, he wasn't perfect."

Both boys hung their heads in shame. They both had their reasons to believe what they did. Growing up Gendry never knew his father and barely knew his mother as she died when he was a young child. Now here he was and they were telling him he was the bastard son of King Robert Baratheon. He still had a hard time believing it, maybe because he didn't want it to be true.

Edric on the other hand had grown up with his father's influence, or so he was led to believe. He was fostered with his uncle at their family's ancestral home, stories of his father's greatness was part of his daily life. There was no one who spoke ill of his the Baratheon king, so Edric knew nothing else than what he was told.

Balon seeing the downtrodden moods of the two boys decided he would take them to the deck and show them a few moves. After all, they were Baratheons, bred for battle. Gendry refused to go at first, stating that he was a blacksmith and not a knight but he eventually gave in. He knew Edric would never let him live it down.

"Whether you like it or not, you are a Baratheon. The Gods have graved you with blood that gives you advantages in battle. You don't have to be a warrior but you will know how to defend yourself."

"I've trained with Ser Cortnay. I know how to defend myself." Edric began showing off the skills he gained from his time under the Penrose knight.

Gendry watched on with a disinterested look on his face but on the inside there was a hint of jealousy. For most of his life he wanted to know who his father was. He dreamt of meeting him and being taught how to fight but eventually that childish dream drifted away and he faced reality, a fatherless reality. Edric was what he wanted to be growing up. He couldn't help but feel angry towards the boy and his pompous attitude didn't help.

Ser Balon though was watching through the eyes of a trainer. He watched as Edric swung with decent strength and speed, as per usual of a Baratheon but sloppily. Each swing was swung with his utmost strength. If he continued that way he would tire out before any real battle could actually start. The second son of Stonehelm shook his head. Ser Cortnay instructed the boy but he taught him nothing. Balon would remedy that. He would humble the boy and turn him into a warrior worth mentioning, the same with the blacksmith boy.

"Your movements are strong but sloppy. If you put all your strength in every swing then you'll be dead before you know it."

Edric's ears turned a bright shade of red. You could see the anger forming on his face but he said nothing. Gendry's snickering only fueled the silent fury inside of the Edric. Balon didn't fail to notice the glare Edric sent his brother.

"Both of you stop it. You are brothers and family is the most important thing in this dangerous world we live in. Not long ago you two knew nothing of each other—."

"I was better off alone."

"My father hid him for a reason."

Balon sighed, these boys were stubborn. Neither one was accustomed to having a brother. But it was his duty to keep them and he knew he would not always be there to protect them so he would make them competent to protect themselves.

He knew it would be a challenge. Both boys had difficult attitudes. Edric was proud, almost overly so. Gendry didn't have enough confidence, his childhood did that. House Swann had loyally served the Baratheons since the house's birth but the first and only Baratheon king had put a stain on their name. Though he respected Robert Baratheon, the man made his mistakes and failed to try and fix them. As a knight in the service of House Baratheon he would make sure the next generation would bring them back into grace.