298 AC
North Winterfell
Robb POV
Gods… where did it all go so wrong? A few moons ago, Jon, Theon, and I were showing Bran how to draw a bow. And now… Father and my sisters are prisoners in King's Landing, held by the Lannisters. Jon's at the Wall, probably swearing his vows by now. And me? Fourteen years old and expected to lead a war to save my family.
I don't know if I can do this. But I have to. I have to save Father and my sisters. I have to do it myself, or the northern lords will never respect me. So here I am, kneeling in the godswood, asking for guidance. I've never believed in the old gods like Father and Jon, but… maybe they're listening.
"Please… watch over my family. Please… show me what to do. I don't know how to lead a war," I whisper.
The wind sighs through the branches. No answer. I chuckle bitterly. "Figures," I mutter. "Begging trees won't save anyone."
Then pain explodes behind my eyes. A sudden, searing ache. I clutch my head, knees hitting the frozen ground, and everything goes black.
When I open my eyes, I am no longer in Winterfell. Warm sunlight spills across a small, quiet room scented with incense. On a futon lies a woman with black hair, black eyes and she was beautiful. In her arms, a baby sleeps peacefully.
"Husband… meet our son. Itachi Uchiha," she says, her voice soft yet commanding.
Before I can respond, a man in a strange, dark outfit glides into the room. His movements are fluid, almost inhuman. He walks and he reaches for the baby, and I catch a glimpse of a strange symbol on his back, one I've never seen before.
"Itachi," he says, voice deep, unwavering, "you will change this clan's future."
Then everything shifts. Memories flood my mind. I see his training, relentless and precise. I see the birth of his brother, Sasuke, and the fierce protectiveness that fills him.
The terror of the Nine-Tails attack grips me, shaking me to my core. I feel his friendship with Shisui, the loyalty and trust between them. I see the clan's anger at Konoha, the prejudice that poisoned every hall.
I see him spying on his own people, becoming what no one could understand. I feel Shisui's death, the heartbreak that hardened him, and the impossible deal with Danzo, the sacrifice made to protect Sasuke.
And then…the slaughter of his clan. The horror, the weight of every life he took. I can't imagine killing Father, Mother, Jon, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon, Uncle Benjen. I can't bear the thought.
I feel his suffering, the pain he inflicted on Sasuke, the burden of his choices, and finally, his death at his brother's hands. His last words echo through me: "Sasuke… forgive me."
Then, darkness. A black void stretches infinitely, and a deep, commanding voice fills the emptiness.
"ROBB STARK. YOUR FUTURE HAS A LOT OF TROUBLE COMING YOUR WAY, AND IT COULD LEAD TO THE END OF YOUR HOUSE. WE CANNOT LET THAT HAPPEN. SO WE SHOWED YOU THE LIFE OF A CHILD WITH TOO MUCH BURDEN, SO YOU CAN LEARN FROM HIS MISTAKES. GET PEOPLE YOU TRUST TO HELP YOU. WE WILL BE WATCHING, ROBB STARK."
My eyes snap open. I'm back in the godswood. The wind whispers through the branches, but I feel… different. The weight is off my shoulders. I feel stronger.
I hear a voice calling from the edge of the clearing. Theon steps into the pale light. "The lords are ready to move out."
I stand, brushing snow from my knees, and look up at the weirwood tree. Its carved face stares down at me, silent and knowing.
"They really are real," I mutter under my breath.
And with that, I leave the godswood.
Timeskip
Bran POV
I feel myself being shaken awake. My eyes flutter open, and there's Robb, but he looks… different. His eyes are sharper, darker somehow, almost red, yet he smiles at me.
"Hey, Bran," he whispers, trying to sound light. "Sorry to wake you. I'm going south to save Father."
I sit up, excitement rising. "Can I come with you? I promise I won't be in the way. I can ride now."
Robb shakes his head and ruffles my hair gently. "There must be a Stark in Winterfell, Bran. That Stark must be you, okay?"
I nod, a lump forming in my throat. "Will Mother come back?"
Robb smiles, though I notice a tremor in his voice, a shadow of something he's not showing. "If I see her south, I'll send her straight to you." He says it with so much hope that I feel the brother, not the lord, speaking to me.
"Don't you want to ride out to see her? Just tell some Stark guards to come with you. Wouldn't that surprise her to see you on a horse?" Even in the dark room, I can feel his smile.
"And when I come back with Father, Sansa, and Arya, we'll ride north to see the Wall. We won't even tell Jon we're coming. We'll just be there one day you and me. It'll be an adventure."
I grin, my heart soaring. "An adventure."
Then I hear it. The quiet, broken sobs of my brother. The room is too dark to see his tears, but instinctively, I reach for his hand. Our fingers twine together. He lets go only to press a kiss to my forehead.
"Take care of the North. Take care of your brother Rickon. And most importantly… take care of yourself. Listen to Maester Luwin, okay?" His voice shakes slightly.
I nod, tears welling in my own eyes. Robb smiles again, this time more to reassure himself than me. "Go back to sleep. I'll send a letter when I can."
I lie back down, clutching the warmth of his hand in my memory, and drift into dreams of ravens and endless skies.
Timeskip
Theon POV
Here we go, Onward to war where glory and songs to be written about me will start. We are riding to Mount Catlin to meet up with the Manderly men and Robb has been riding with each lord and their heir to show he cares or some bullshit but Robb feels different. He doesn't show emotions that much anymore maybe a small chuckle or a small smile but that's it.
But the biggest change is his sword skills. Back then I could contend with Robb somewhat but out of nowhere he beats me wrost then Snow. He even beat all the heirs even some lords with very little effort.
So after his spar with Greatjon I ask him "Robb when did you get so good?" He looks at me and just says "I see differently now." Before I could ask what he meant he walked away I really hope my friend isn't gone.
(A.N: This is just a preview I don't know if people will want to read this so if you want to read more vote)
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