Unyielding through Storms (Game of Thrones Fanfic)

Winterfell 298 AC

In the old castle of Winterfell, the cold winds swept through its ancient ramparts and towers, carrying with them an aura of solemnity. Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell, sat in his solar engrossed in reading about the current affairs of the North. The sound of a gentle knock on the door interrupted his concentration, and he looked up to see the aged figure of Maester Luwin entering, draped in his customary gray robe adorned with chains around his neck.

"Maester Luwin, I don't believe I've called for you," Eddard frowned, slightly annoyed at the interruption.

"No, My Lord, but I've received a raven from King's Landing," the Maester explained, bowing respectfully. He handed over the letter, awaiting his lord's instructions.

Eddard took the letter and opened it, his heart sinking as he read the news. "Jon Arryn is dead. The King is coming North," he muttered, his face clouded with concern and grief. Jon Arryn, a father figure to him, was no more. The weight of the news settled heavily upon him.

Before Eddard could fully process the loss, the Maester spoke again. "There is another letter, My Lord. a rider came from Sea Dragon Point, bearing House Oldgate's seal," he informed Eddard, offering another letter.

Interrupting his grieving, Eddard looked up at the Maester, sighing heavily. He already had an inkling of what the contents of the letter might be. With a mix of resignation and duty, he reached out and tore open the letter. Memories flooded back to him, reminding him of the promise their families had made years ago, a promise reminded to him during the Greyjoy rebellion—the promise to unite their houses, a bond between their houses that transcended life and death.

"Eddard!" A voice cried out as an aging man parried an ironborn raider's sword swing. Seizing the opening, Eddard swiftly dispatched the enemy, driving his longsword through the raider's neck.

The clash of steel reverberated throughout the island. Eddard Stark, his face smeared with sweat and salt water, looked on as his party finished off the rest of the Drowned God's minions.

"Eddard, where are the King's men?" Cregan, the aging Lord of House Oldgate, questioned urgently, concern etched across his face.

"I don't know, Cregan," Eddard replied, frustration evident in his voice. "They should've arrived by now. It's likely they've encountered resistance from one of Balon's sons."

As Eddard surveyed the stronghold, his eyes scanned the walls where multiple Ironborn warriors had rallied, bows drawn, aiming their deadly arrows.

"Arrow fire! Take cover!" Eddard's voice rang out, but the enemy's arrows rained down too swiftly. Despite their efforts to find shelter, many of Eddard's men were struck, the piercing arrows finding their marks. Among those injured was Cregan, a loyal ally and friend.

Rushing to Cregan's side, Eddard knelt down, his heart heavy with worry. "Hold on, Cregan. Help is on its way," he assured his fallen comrade, his voice tinged with anguish.

As Eddard's thoughts returned to the present, he couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh, his heart weighed down by the sorrow of losing his dear friend. The memory of Cregan's final words echoed in his mind, a poignant reminder of the promise they had shared.

"Your... promise," Cregan had whispered, his voice barely audible as the light faded from his eyes. Those words resonated deeply within Eddard, stirring a mix of emotions within him.

In that moment, as he sat in his solar, Eddard couldn't help but contemplate the significance of Cregan's words. The unity between their houses had always been a dream, a goal that seemed just out of reach. The promise was there, between their fathers, between their grandfathers, between their grandfather's father and so on. But the opportunity never came. In his time he would finally be able to fulfill it.

Thoughts of his eldest daughter, a young woman now, came to mind. She was nearing the age of House Oldgate's heir, a potential connection that could solidify the bonds between their houses once and for all. Eddard's mind began to consider the possibilities, the potential for a union that would honor the friendship forged by Cregan and himself.

But friendship and promise would have to wait. Eddard still needed to assess the worthiness of the boy to whom he would entrust his precious daughter.

-Break-

Icegate, Sea Dragon Point 298 AC

A young man treaded lightly along the well-worn dirt path that led to one of the sacred weirwood circles nestled within their godswood. The towering ancient trees stood as silent sentinels, their gnarled roots peeking out from the ground like aged fingers

As he crossed the threshold marked by the line of stones, the air seemed to shift, carrying with it the faint echoes of laughter. The sound sent a shiver down his spine, and he couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and unease.

Glancing beside him, the young man sought the reassurance of his father's presence. "Father, where are we?" he inquired, his voice laced with nervousness

His father, a sturdy figure with a weathered face and wise eyes, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We are in the true godswood, Kayle," he replied, his voice steady and calm. "This is a sacred place, where the old gods' avatar and people reside." he finished as he picked up the pace.

'Avatar?' Kayle mouthed.

"Come, they are waiting." His father urged him.

The darkness of the night started to recede, the air started to crackle, the wind started to sing. Kayle paused as he looked on as his father walked ahead of him. Greetings rang out through the air. As his father bathed in the unnatural light coming from the heart of the weirwood trees.

With measured steps Kayle stepped further into the light, and as his eyes adjusted he found a beast. A beast cradled in the middle of the weirwood circle, a beast with multiple sets of wings. A beast with golden colored eyes that bore into Kayle as if it saw through his very soul.

As Kayle lay speechless, his Father – Adam Oldgate, the current lord of Sea Dragon Point and ruler of his house knelt in front of the beast. "Your Grace, this is my son and heir. Kayle Oldgate." his Father introduced as he gestured for him to also kneel.

As Kayle knelt in the presence of the great creature, his mind raced to comprehend the enormity of the situation. The creature's size alone was awe-inspiring, towering over them at a staggering twenty feet. Its primal voice resonated, a language untamed and ancient, reaching deep into Kayle's core.

With each word uttered by the creature, Kayle strained to grasp its meaning. The guttural sounds and unfamiliar speech left him momentarily perplexed. Yet, as the creature fixed its gaze upon him, Kayle felt a sense of expectation, as if it sought his response.

Before Kayle could gather his thoughts, the echoes of laughter returned, filling the air around them. From the shadows emerged small figures, humanoid creatures with green skin adorned with the bounties of the forest. They stepped forward, their presence captivating and otherworldly.

One of the creatures, their voice carrying a melodic quality, spoke to Kayle. "Ljós says that you are brave to look upon his splendor," they conveyed, their words flowing with a connection to nature itself.

Kayle's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the beings before him, their aura of mystique and natural harmony with nature oozing out.

With a mixture of reverence and determination, he spoke in a measured tone using Old Tongue to reply, addressing both the creature and the forest beings. "I am honored by Ljós' presence and grateful for the opportunity to witness its splendor. I offer my deepest respect and loyalty," Kayle replied, his words carrying sincerity and deference.

The creatures and Ljós exchanged a series of sounds and gestures, the creature communicating with its Primal voice and the humanoids communicating in the Old Tongue. Kayle could sense the weight of their interaction, their topic– the survival of the natural world. His father to his side wore his usual stoic face, as he knew already what they were discussing.

Finally, one of the forest beings turned towards Kayle, a serene expression on their face. "Ljós acknowledges your words and accepts your respect and loyalty," they conveyed, their voice filled with an otherworldly resonance. "The forest has chosen you, Kayle Oldgate son of Adam Oldgate, to carry its wisdom and protect its sacred realm. Walk this path with courage and honor."

As they knelt in the presence of Ljós, the creature let out a piercing screech, causing the air to vibrate with its power. In that moment, memories from the past surged through Kayle's mind like a torrential wave, overwhelming him as he fell to the ground.

Visions of ancient battles, long-forgotten rituals, and the whispers of the forest spirits flooded his consciousness. He saw his ancestors, the Olgaithes now Oldgates, standing strong against the unending tide of death. They had carried the weight of this duty, protecting the natural world with unwavering devotion.

Amidst the memories, Kayle could hear the voices of the forest beings, faint and ethereal. They spoke of a looming threat, a darkness that sought to desecrate all of life.

As an unknown amount of time passed, Kayle regained control of himself. Waking up under the heart tree he looked on as he saw Ljos, an avatar of the Old Gods sleeping in the middle of the circle as the Children of the Forest guarded him.

Whispering softly, Adam beckoned his son to follow him. "Come on, son, we must return to the Icegate," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of caution and anticipation. He treaded carefully, mindful not to disturb the slumbering creature that lay at the center of the weirwood circle. "I know you have questions, Kayle, and I promise to answer them once we are back home," he assured him.

As they prepared to leave the sacred space, the ethereal voices of the Children of the Forest resonated once more. "Take care, Olgaithe," they whispered, using the ancient name that belonged to House Oldgate. "We expect great things from you." Their words hung in the air, imbued with expectation.

-Break-

Perched atop the rugged tip of Sea Dragon Point, the formidable silhouette of Icegate loomed over the storm-laden landscape. As the only castle in the region, it stood as the last bastion against the vast expanse of the sea, its ancient walls etched with tales of resilience and defiance. From its vantage point, it commanded a breathtaking view of Bear Island in the distance, a reminder of the world beyond their shores.

Majestic and solitary, Icegate served as the solitary gateway to the lands from the sea. With its towering structure rising above the surrounding beaches, overshadowed by worn-down cliffs, it stood as the sole point of access for those who dared to venture into Sea Dragon Point. The castle's imposing presence was further enhanced by the massive iron gate that guarded the beaches, sealing them off from any threats that dared approach.

Adam and Kayle proceeded through the south gate, their entrance met with the resolute salutes of the castle guards, unwavering in their duty. The rain and wind continued their relentless assault, a constant reminder of the ongoing struggle that beset the land and the fortress walls that shielded it. However, amidst the tempestuous weather, the people of Sea Dragon Point sought refuge within the sanctuary of the fortress, finding solace and security within its protective embrace. These steadfast walls were watched over by the ever-vigilant men of House Oldgate

As the duo found their way towards the Lord's solar, they found Olyvar the Maester for Sea Dragon Point.

"My Lord the rider has been sent." Olyvar mentioned as he bowed, Kayle looked on curious as to what that was about, but his mind still focused on the profound experience he had just witnessed

"Thank you uncle, please fetch us the old books." Adam ordered as he sat in his chair, motioning for Kayle to do the same.

"What do you remember?" Adam inquired, initiating the discussion about the revelations that Kayle had just experienced.

Kayle began to recount the memories Ljos showed him. The ancient battle between the First Men against the White Walkers. The Avatars of the Old Gods descended from the heavens to turn the tide of battle in favor of the Humans. The duty that bound their House to remember. The Incoming Darkness that will sweep the land unless the Promised Prince returns to champion the battle as the hero of the light against the dead.

Ljos, the majestic Thunderbird, embodied the power of storms but had been injured in the battle and now suffered from the loss of control, causing the storms surrounding Sea Dragon Point. The creature's pain mirrored the affliction that threatened their entire realm.

The Oldgates, or Olgaithe in the ancient tongue, traced their lineage back to the First Men, their ancestors having fought in the Battle for Dawn. Their family had been entrusted with the solemn responsibility of preparing for the prophesied second coming of the long night.

As Kayle finished recounting the weighty memories, a heavy sigh escaped his lips. The burden placed upon him was immense. "You are the first in centuries to be entrusted with this duty by Ljos," observed Adam, his voice laced with both concern and trepidation. "This can only mean that we either needed to be reminded of our purpose or, more alarmingly, the long night is indeed upon us," he added, the weight of dread evident in his words.

Kayle, filled with uncertainty, turned to his father, searching for guidance. "What now?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and apprehension.

Adam, the weight of his family's ancient responsibilities evident in his gaze, spoke with unwavering determination. "For generations, our lands and our bloodline have been intertwined with the Thunderbird and the Children of the Forest. We have served as their messengers, their guardians, and their caretakers since the earliest days. Now, with this new duty to prepare the realms of men, we must embrace our role and fulfill it with unwavering devotion until our final breath," he declared, his voice resolute.

Just then, Maester Olyvar reentered the room, holding a book in his hands. He handed it to Kayle, the title embossed on its cover reading "Book of Promises."

"And to begin this sacred task, we must find you a suitable match," Adam added, a mischievous smirk playing upon his lips.