"Legends and Fabrications"

All rights to the A song of Ice and Fire books and Dark Souls games belong to their respected owners.

Chapter 1

Freedom…

Freedom was the only thing going through Artorias' head as the Chosen Undead thrusted a sword through the wolf knight's chest. Freedom from the Father of the Abyss and freedom from his failure to stop him.

Sif…

Images of his trustworthy companion and best friend invaded Artorias' thoughts as he fell to his knees. His smokey grey fur, his intelligent yellow eyes, his undying loyalty to a failure…

Forgive me, my friend. I had hoped to return with aid…but it seems I can't even do that.

Ornstein…

His captain and friend, with his brilliant lion-shaped armor and lugged spear. A prideful Dragonslayer worthy of respect.

Deepest apologies, captain. I had sworn to both you and Lord Gwyn to vanquish this threat and I have failed.

Gough…

The giant archer that had a heart larger than his body and whose kind wisdom guided a foolish young knight.

I'm sorry, old friend. I promised tales of glory and conquest, and you'll only hear tales of failure and defeat.

Ciaran…

His lover was the one who invaded his thoughts the longest. Her porcelain mask with locks of ivory hair, her delicate figure, and her beautiful eyes that expressed so much emotion for a trained assassin.

My love…please forget me. Move on and have a family, you deserve to be happy.

Artorias looked up weakly as he heard his greatsword fall to the ground with a loud clunk. He saw his companions, Lord Gwyn and his daughters, even his firstborn whose name mustn't be uttered.

All of you, forgive me. For I have availed you nothing.

And with that final thought, Artorias fell to the ground and felt darkness consume him.

Eddard

Winterfell…

Winterfell was the only thing on his mind, the home of him and his family. He ached to see them, Cat with her beautiful hair, and his children who often made his wife want to tear out her beautiful hair.

"I'm glad to be almost home, my Lord. I miss my uncle and cousin," said Jory, the captain of his household guard.

"As I miss my family," I replied.

He and his party had just finished visiting the Glovers of Deepwood Motte, the last of his vassals that he needed to visit. They were less than a day's ride from Winterfell, nearing the end of the Wolfswood. The night was particularly dark, and they would need to make camp soon. Before he could continue this track of thought however, he saw his outriders approaching with haste.

"Lord Stark! We've found something you'll want to see," informed one of the outriders.

"Lead the way then," I ordered.

They did as commanded and led the way, as it turns out this "something" was actually someone. A man adorned with eroded plate armor and ripped tatters of blue cloth was lying on the side of the road.

"Gods! Look at the size of him!" a soldier in his party said with shock evident in his tone.

"He's as big as the Mountain!" another soldier exclaimed as I dismounted and approached the man.

"Lord Stark," warned Jory, edging for his sword.

I put up a hand indicating I'll be fine. As the closer I approached, I began to realize that the man was lying in a puddle…a puddle of red. I rushed to the man and knelt beside him.

Gods… how did I not see the blood before? I gently touched the man and, to my relief, saw that he still drew breath.

"Quickly, get him on a horse!" I ordered and men obeyed, instantly dismounting and heaving the large man on their shoulders with obvious strain.

"Lord Stark?" asked Jory confused.

"We're not resting tonight, Jory. We need to make haste to Winterfell." I informed him, he nodded and rode to the back of their party to inform them of his decision.

"What of his sword, Lord Stark?" asked a man holding a greatsword.

It was as big as Ice, perhaps bigger, though not as thick. The sword was clearly damaged with the blade looking dull and broken down, along with the crossguard. Yet despite its sorry state, it was still a beautiful thing to look at with its intricate designs along the blade and hilt.

"Bring it with us," I ordered and the man went to pack the sword.

I glanced at the wounded man, now on the back of a horse, one last time before mounting.

Catelyn

Cold air hit my face as I left the warmness of my chambers to the courtyard of Winterfell.

Ned's finally home…

The thought brought a smile to my face. He'd been gone for many moons, visiting his bannermen. But now he's home, with me and our children.

These happy thoughts were brought to an end however, when Ned rode in with a bloody stranger on the back of a horse beside him.

"Get him to the maester!" He shouted as men pulled the bloody stranger off of the horse.

I rushed towards him just as the men carrying the stranger passed me.

"Ned, what's going on? Who is that?" I asked as we embraced.

"I don't know, he was found on the side of the road all bloody and beaten," he informed me as our embraced ended.

"And you brought him here!?" I asked him.

He could be a bandit, a cutthroat here to harm her children!

"I couldn't just leave him to die, Cat."

That was her Ned…always thinking of others before himself. He gave me a small smile and then rushed pass me to no doubt check on the stranger, I followed closely behind. We soon made it to maester Luwin's turret and saw him helping the men remove the armor off of the stranger. Ned rushed forward and began to aid in this endeavor.

First the stranger's helm was removed, revealing a mop of dark hair and a face she'd think handsome if it wasn't covered with blood and bruises. Second the cuirass and gauntlets were removed, showing a battered body and a broken left arm that she hadn't noticed before. Ned saw something on the man's finger, a ring, and took it off as well. Then lastly the greaves and boots were removed, which showed legs that were in a similar state to the man's body.

Maester Luwin sucked in a breath and turned to Ned.

"And you say you found him on the side of the road?" he asked, looking at the state the man was in.

"The men did, he was lying there unmoving. It was only when I approached and touched him did I realize he was still alive. We rushed here as fast as we could…will he live?" my husband asked clearly worried for the man he never met in his life.

"It's hard to say my Lord. But I'll see what I can do," Luwin replied, moving to gather the proper herbs and potions.

"Is there anything I can do to help, Luwin?" I asked him, motivated by Ned's willingness to help a stranger.

Ned turned to me in surprise and Luwin nodded, pointing to a basin filled with water.

"Could you wash off the blood, so I can properly see the injuries?" he asked, I nodded and rushed to the basin grabbing a towel while doing so.

I put the towel in the water and then wringed it out after removing it. I then went back to the stranger and began to clean his wounds. Any hopes that the blood made it look worse than it was were gone as blood that faded away, revealing large purple bruises and cuts that wouldn't stop bleeding.

Luwin observed the man's cuts and bruises, planning on how to treat him. He then turned to Ned and me.

"Thank you for the help, my Lady. But I must ask you and Lord Stark to leave so I can help him."

"Of course, maester. Please take good care of him," Ned said as we departed.

"I'll try," Luwin replied as he got to work.

Eddard

As I shut the door, I silently prayed to the old gods that they watch over the stranger. I turned to my wife and saw her staring at the door, a worried expression apparent on her face as well. Which was surprising, Cat only trusted those she knew and was weary of strangers. Yet her she is worrying over a stranger, I felt a smile tug at my lips.

"Thank you," I whispered as I embraced her from behind.

She leaned into the embrace before breaking it and turning to me. She smiled and held my hands.

"I have a surprise for you, Ned. I'm…" started Cat, but before she could finish what she was saying.

"FATHER!" was screamed by the children rapidly approaching them.

I knelt down and held out my arms. Arya and Sansa rushed into my outstretched arms, I looked behind them to see Robb holding little Bran's hand, who was calmly waiting his turn no doubt, and Jon a little ways behind him. I felt the same pang of sadness and happiness, I was always felt when I saw him. He looks so much like…

"Is it true, father? Did you bring a man here? How badly was he injured? Is he as big as everyone says he is?" said Arya, not waiting a second before asking her questions.

"Yes, I did bring a man here. Badly, but Luwin is taking care of him right now. I'm not sure what everyone is saying, but yes he's very big." I said, answering all three of her questions.

"What happened?" Robb asked as Bran let go of his hand and ran to me.

"Don't know yet, son. He'll be able to tell us when he wakes," I answered as I gave Bran a long-waited embrace.

"He's not a bad man is he?" Sansa timidly asked as I stood up and ruffled Robb's curls.

I smiled at her and shook my head. I had little doubt that the man wasn't good, and given by his appearance, the man could very well be a knight. Perhaps from the Vale or the Reach, though someone of his size wouldn't go unknown for long…

"What are you all doing up at this hour?" Cat asked our children, who paled.

"It was Robb's idea to stay up!" Arya immediately accused.

Robb's face went red, and he sharply turned to Arya.

"No it wasn't! It was yours!" He said, trying to defend himself.

"Enough. It doesn't matter whose idea it was, just get to bed and I'll tell you all about my trip when we break our fast in the morning." I said and they all nodded, before rushing to their beds.

Jon lingered and gave a small smile, silently telling me he was happy to see me back. I smiled back and he departed soon after. I turned back to Cat and held out my arm, which she took. We walked back to our chambers.

"What did you want to tell me before our children interrupted?" I asked as I began to pull off my riding leathers.

Cat walked up to me, and grabbed my hands once more.

"Ned, I haven't had my blood in two moons." She told me smiling, as she moved our interlocked hands to her belly.

"Y-You mean…" I said stuttering.

"I'm with child, Ned" She told me with a large smile.

I looked to her belly and then to her face, back and forth. Before my gaze rested on her face and I pulled it to my mine.

"That's great news." I breathed as our lips departed from one another's.

A sudden thought came to me as we touched foreheads.

"Do the children know?" I asked, voicing the thought.

Cat shook her head.

"I was waiting till your return, so we could tell them together."

I nodded and we kissed once more before retreating to our bed. Once in bed, Cat rested her head on my chest and let out a content sigh. I ran my fingers through her hair, and before long she was asleep. While she slept, I pulled out the ring I took from the man's finger. I lifted it up and the moonlight seeping through the windows revealed the insignia on the ring…

A howling wolf.

End of Chapter 1