It seems there are still some who are interested. So here we are.
______________________________________
- 281 AC -
- Harrenhal -
(3rd Person POV)
The entire hall watches as Leman grabs Lonthmouth's head and smashes it on the table, breaking the table and the knight's head, at least partially. A gasp goes through the hall. Robert stands up, looking at the brutality. But unlike the others, he suddenly starts laughing.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA. That's the-"
But he doesn't get far as Leman's hand covers his mouth. With a monstrous grip, Leman lifts the 6-foot-6 Robert Baratheon into the air and looks at him angrily.
"You will appologise to Lyanna for being such a drunken whoremonger and then you will piss off," he growls.
But Robert does the opposite. He kicks Leman and then hits him with a powerful left hook. Seeing this, Eddard walks forward, wanting to stop this from happening. Brandon also rushes through the crowd, but neither of them is fast enough.
"Leman! Stop this, this instance. You are going to bring shame to-"
"Silence, soy-boy. The men are talking," Leman says and hurls Robert through the hall.
Robert flies through the air and hits the ground. Whether it's his character, the alcohol, or his arrogance, all of it combined is not a good thing for the current situation. He stands up and rushes towards Leman. Meanwhile, Brandon tries to calm Leman down.
"Leman, I would also suggest you stop here, before someone gets hurt."
"I won't get hurt," Leman says.
"Leman listen-"
*BANG*
Robert crashes into Leman and tries to lift him. But Leman is heavy and far stronger, as he is no mere mortal. The heir to Storm's End sends powerful punches forward, hitting Leman in the face and stomach. But the growing Primarch finds this to be ridiculous. He catches Robert's fist.
"Let me tell you something, wine-drunk false stag with the grabby boar hooves who thinks being betrothed means behaviour's optional. Leman doesn't care if you're the future Lord of Storms —you put your filthy little fingers on another woman while you're betrothed, and I swear I'll rip off your arm and use it to slap some manners into whatever's left of you."
"Oh, you're on!"
Robert's fist crashes into Leman's jaw. But he doesn't flinch and doesn't move. With a wide swing, Leman slaps Robert across the face.
*SLAPPP*
The man is knocked to the ground. He shakes off the stars he is seeing and stands up again. He is drunk, so he makes all the wrong decisions. He tries to attack Leman again and tackles him. Leman delivers a knee to his stomach and knocks all the air out of his lungs. Then he holds him in front of him and starts running forward. The two crash through the door and take their fight outside. It is less a fight than a terrible beating.
Leman uses Robert as a shield and smashes through the wall leading outside. There are numerous things broken in Robert's body. He lies on the ground, gasping for breath. Leman's aura has changed. From the unbothered tall man, to a growing storm of danger and destruction. He takes a step forward and lifts Robert as if he weighs nothing. He holds up his face and forces him to look into his eyes.
"Let me tell you something, Robert of Whore's End. I just smacked you across Harrenhal. If you don't either break the betrothal or get your shit together, I will do it again. Only next time, I fucking kill you."
Robert is incapable of answering, so Leman drops him on the ground like a sack of garbage. He looks around, having forgotten about anything and sees his sister running towards him. He can tell that she is not happy.
"What did you do, Leman?! Do you have any idea what you just did?!" she asks him.
"Oh, shit. That looks bad," Brandon says, walking closer and looking at Robert.
And then, Eddard arrives. His eyes widen as he sees the state Robert is in. He clenches his fists and looks at Leman, enraged.
"Do you understand what this means? You just attacked the heir to Storm's End. You could be prosecuted and killed for that. You are the mindless brute I thought you were," Eddard says.
"I can't argue with you, brother. You have lost what made you a Northerner. That makes you uninteresting in my eyes and of no importance," Leman says.
He starts to walk away, but hears his brother's voice one final time.
"Maybe the hair was an indication..."
Leman stops and turns around. At this moment, Eddard has Leman's full attention. And to have the Wolf King turn his full attention on you is like attracting the personal enmity of a storm. Eddard shrinks to the size of a flea as he looks at Leman. The young Stark doesn't do anything after that. He can't harm his own brother, not like this. So he walks off, leaving Harrenhal and its snake pit.
.
After he has made his way away from Harrenhal because he ‚ embarrassed' his sister and was about to strangle his own brother, Leman travels north, back to Winterfell. He is walking on foot, no longer bothering with a steed. It won't take all that long, as Leman is speedy, as are his wolves. After leaving, Leman has had a rather bad feeling for a couple of days. For some reason, he can't help but think that it has something to do with Winterfell. So, he doesn't take the time to look around in the South but gets a move on.
Freki and Swift, Leman's direwolves, are following along as he runs through the land and quickly reaches the North. He doesn't stop the entire way from Harrenhal, passing through the Neck until he reaches Moat Cailin. He hunts some game with his two wolves and then continues on his way. The feeling he has been getting didn't diminish and only grew stronger. Something was going on, and he needed to reach Winterfell as fast as possible. The news about him pummeling the heir of Storm's End hasn't reached Winterfell yet, as he is faster than any raven is, already at 13.
After travelling through the night, Leman makes it to Winterfell. He notices that something is going on. The people aren't as calm or unconcerned as they used to be when he left. Leman smells the nervousness and concern coming from his father, even before he has entered the castle. He passes the guards, who salute him and walks through the halls until he reaches his father's solar. The guards once again bow their heads and open the door for him.
"Father, I'm back," Leman says.
Rickard looks up from his letter in surprise. He seems confused and amused for some reason and then starts to chuckle.
"Haha, what exactly is it with you, my son? Why are you back already?" he asks.
"Well... I'm sure you'll hear about it soon. But I also felt that something was going to happen, so I hurried back. Was I right?" Leman asks.
"You truly are special, Leman. Yes, something did happen. I was going to send you all a raven, but now that you're here, that won't be necessary."
"What is it?"
"Here, this letter arrived shortly after you left. Read it," Rickard says and hands Leman a letter.
"From Jorah? Something happened with the Wildlings?"
____
To Lord Rickard Stark, Winterfell
Rickard,
Bear Island has been struck.
A Wildling host—larger and better coordinated than any I've seen in years—descended on the island without warning. They caught us off guard, and for a time, the isle was overrun. They came not just to raid, but to take. Several were slain. More wounded. Among the injured are Aunt Maege and her eldest, Dacey. They fought like Mormonts, but blades don't care for names.
Two of Maege's daughters were carried off. Others as well. The Wildlings pulled back into their boats, which they arrived in, and vanished like smoke. We have men searching, but Bear Island is not what it was.
Bear Island is sworn to Winterfell. If there was ever a time to show that oath still means something, it's now. I'll not waste breath on sentiment—you know what's at stake. If these raiders slip back beyond the Wall with Northern blood in their hands, we may never see them again. And next time they come south, they'll be bolder. If Aunt Maege wakes up, she'll go after them, disregarding her constitution, and I fear they won't return.
I'll keep my ears open here. Things stir in the frost beyond the Wall. I find it strange that after your son has gone, they attack right away. Something I'm not sure if this was just a raid or something larger in motion. Either way, I won't let it fester.
Jorah Mormont
____
"I'll go," Leman says.
"I thought you'd say that. And I know that I couldn't stop you either way," Rickard smiles.
"You're right."
"Which is why I have prepared several riders to accompany you. You are a known figure in the North, and you know how to lead, despite your tender age. Despite what happened, I know that you are my son and a true Northerner. Get them back to us, Leman. Let us show the Wildlings and the rest of the realm what it means when someone takes one of ours."
"I will, Father."
"Good, now, let's go and have breakfast. Your mother would want to see you before you leave again."
.
Leman walks through Winter Town. He has a particular place in mind and has decided to form a specific group. As he reaches a small hut which has an equally small barn attached to it, he knocks at the door. Inside, Leman can hear and smell the people and listen to their words. The door opens, and an old woman with a hard face looks out. As soon as she sees Leman, though, her demeanour brightens.
"Ohhh, if it isn't my second favourite young man. Leman, how nice of you to show your face here. Come in, come in!" she says.
"Thank you, Alma. I'm here for-"
"Nordumm! Leman is here!" Alma shouts. "Sit down, Leman, come. I haven't seen you in such a long time. How was it on Bear Island?"
As always, Alma. We managed to improve the living conditions and introduce better ships for fishing and transport. But the Wildlings are as big a problem as ever," Leman tells the woman.
She takes out a jug of milk and starts heating it up for him. Alma is like a second mother to Leman. She loves him like a son, since he was the only one to be kind and even defend her big boy. A moment later, the big 'boy' enters the small hut. His frame fills the doorway as he enters. When he sees Leman, he smiles and the two men embrace.
"Haha, Leman, good to see you again. How was the south?" Nordumm asks.
He has a deep, calm voice and speaks slowly. Nordumm is a big, strong young man with a heart of gold and a ginormous appetite. He is like a teddy bear most of the time, but Leman knows that beneath that teddy bear lies more power than Ferdinand the bull could ever hope to muster. He might not be the smartest tool in the shed, but he is the most loyal. Leman genuinely likes him.
"Boring as we thought it'd be. I had a slight argument with a bloke who thought he could grope other women while being betrothed to Lyanna."
"I hope you set that southerner straight!" Alma says.
"I did."
Nordumm sits down at the table, and Alma serves the warm milk. The large appetite of Nordumm has used a lot of coins, and while Alma would never say anything, she was having trouble paying for everything. Leman has asked his father for coins, which he uses to help them and other families in Winter Town who are productive. Whenever he was back in Winterfell, Leman would go hunting with his friend to get some game back and feed them.
"So what are you planning now, Leman?" Alma asks.
"Shall we go hunting, Leman?" Nordumm asks.
"We shall, Nord. But this time, the game is different. Bear Island was attacked two days ago. Maege and Dacey were injured, and her sisters, other women, and children were abducted. I'm going North, beyond the Wall, to get them back. Nord, I want you to join my pack!"
"Pack? What pack?"
"My Wolf's Pack, of course."
Nordumm looks at his mother, who nods with a smile. It is the first time that someone has wanted to include her son in something.
"Hehe, yes! I want to."
"Good. Then pack your things, Nord. We're leaving in a few hours."
"Yes!"
So, the first member has joined Leman's Wolf Pack. Apart from his two wolves, they are the only ones for now. However, in the future, this number is going to increase. The long travel to the true North starts now.