WARS TO COME, game of thrones

𝐈𝐈. gold

The journey on the Kingsroard had been long and exhausting, at least for Robert and his pampered entourage. The thought was vicious, but it amused Anrir. He didn't find it difficult to ride a horse for long and he enjoyed being on the move, gradually saying goodbye to the warmth of the capital. He had missed the wind in his hair and enjoyed riding at the head of the carriages and the entourage. In the evenings, however, he rested with the royal household and fulfilled the role that was expected of him.

In the meantime, however, it had become much colder and Anrir knew that Winterfell was not far away. With Robert, he rode ahead of the carriage in which Queen Cersei was traveling with her two youngest children. He was grateful for the heavy cloak on his shoulders and his sturdy traveling clothes.

He scrutinized Robert and especially his reddened face from the side, drumming on the handle of Beast. Robert had last been to Winterfell years ago, even longer ago than Anrir. They both visit a place haunted by ghosts of old loves. Only Robert's love for Lyanna had destroyed a dynasty and Anrir's love had remained hidden behind closed doors, dead before it had even lived. He grimaced at his melancholy and kept his chin straight, his back erect.

He wondered how Ned would react to Robert's appeal. It was hard for him to imagine Ned in the capital. A wolf thrown into a cage full of vain peacocks.

"Ride with the Kingslayer," Robert ordered him, "You can count as my guard just like him." There was mischief in his king's voice, but Anrir knew that he was quicker with a sword than Robert in an emergency. Beast was sharpened and gleaming in contrast to the dull sword dangling from Robert's belt.

"As you wish, Your Grace," Anrir pressed his heels lightly into his horses flanks and it caught up to Jaime Lannister. On his white horse and with his white cloak, he resembled Anrir like day to night.

Winterfell soon loomed before them in its full, cold splendor and when the gate was opened to them, Anrir and the Lannister scion followed the others and rode into the courtyard ahead of Prince Joffrey and Clegane, his disfigured bodyguard.

The entire household of Winterfell was assembled and Anrir first noticed the crowd of red-haired Tully children. He only recognized the eldest two, Sansa and Robb. Ned's heir had to be fifteen by now, his sister was two years younger, but already a beauty like their mother.

Ned's two youngest sons also had thick auburn hair and blue eyes. The only one of Ned's offspring who looked like him was a little girl with brown hair and sparkling gray eyes. Anrir felt her curious, admiring gaze slide from Beast to his face.  Her eyes widened and Anrir knew that she recognized him by his scars. His reputation preceded him. The Beast of the Vale, that nickname had stuck.

He returned the girl's gaze and her enthusiastic smile slightly.

And then he saw Jon.

The boy was a real Stark and yes, Anrir saw Lyanna in him. Anrir could hardly imagine what would have happened if the boy had inherited his father's silver-blonde hair. Robert would probably have killed the bastard, even if Jon wasn't a legitimate son of Rhaegar. He found it hard to reconcile the boy with the tiny newborn he remembered. Lyanna would be proud of him, he was sure of it. His heart ached tenderly.

Robert dismounted his horse and the whole yard was plunged into silence as he got off the animal's back with the help of a stool. The Starks sank to their knees and, like the Kingslayer, Anrir bowed his head respectfully as Robert trudged with long strides towards Eddard and his family. With a movement of his gloved fingers, he ordered the Lord of Winterfell to stand and Anrir watched intently as the two men now stood upright facing each other. These were the boys he had grown up with.

The whole court followed Ned's example and rose in silence, all eyes on Anrir's friends. Anrir himself looked at Ned. He had grown older, but not old. He still wore his hair long and Anrir couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. Family life seemed to be good for him.