Chapter Text
Asmund’s eyes fluttered open to the sound of birds chirping outside and the distant movement of soldiers around the castle as he could feel Robb’s chest rising and falling gently against his own while the young lord laid sprawled out on the bedside him with an arm draped over Asmund’s chest. As Asmund lay there; his mind wandered to the visions and voices he had witnessed, wondering what they meant, and he looked around the room trying to sense any immediate danger, but he sighed in relief as he could sense only peace within the castle. Asmund looked down at his lord, watching the young man through his abilities, and he smiled softly as he gazed upon Robb’s sleeping form while the sun streamed into the room. He heard several bells echoing from within the King's Landing, signifying that it was early morning, and Asmund knew that he should wake Robb up otherwise someone may come in to find them laying in bed together so he gently shook his lord awake.
“Robb.” he said and Robb moaned as he pulled himself closer to Asmund.
“Mmm…just a little while longer.” the young lord murmured and his ward chuckled slightly.
“As much as I’d love to lay in bed all day with you.” Asmund said, “We should get dressed, lest someone comes in and finds us in bed together.”
Robb opened his eyes as he looked up at Asmund, a soft smile appearing on his face as he brushed a hand across his ward’s face, and Asmund smiled back at him.
“Do you fear people finding out about us?” Robb asked curiously, “I’d protect you, Asmund.”
“It isn’t for my well being that I fear for.” his ward answered truthfully, “I don’t want you to be looked down upon by anyone and I fear how your family may react if they find out from spies within the castle walls.”
Robb’s smile furrowed as he got up and leaned over Asmund with a concerned look upon his face.
“Are you talking about Lord Baelish’s people?” he questioned and Asmund’s eyes casted down, “Fear not, Asmund…I shall not let anyone harm you.”
“Petyr isn’t the only one that may have spies within the kingdom.” Asmund told his lord, “I know that Lord Varys has spies within the kingdom and I fear that Queen Cersei may have people doing her bidding.”
Robb sighed as he knew that Asmund may be true and he understood why his ward may have the right to fear people finding out about the two of them and leaned down to kiss his ward’s lips before brushing his hand against Asmund’s face tenderly.
“Very well.” Robb said, “We shall keep our night between ourselves.”
“Thank you, my…” Asmund started to say when Robb placed a finger on his ward’s lips.
“But…” his lord said with a small smile, “I hope that this isn’t a one time thing.”
Asmund grinned as he leaned up and kissed Robb passionately, his hands running over the young lord’s body as they inhaled deeply while their bodies rubbed against each other under the sheets, and Asmund broke away as he held Robb’s cheek with one hand.
“I’m yours, Lord Stark.” he told his lord and Robb smiled widely before leaning back in and kissing Asmund until his ward gently pushed him up, “My lord…we should prepare for the day…your father will be wanting to see you before he goes on the hunt with the king.”
“You’re right.” Robb said getting out of bed and putting on his clothes, “I shall see you later?”
“Of course, my lord.” Asmund replied and Robb smiled at him once more before leaving his ward’s chambers.
A few days later after Ned had left with the king; Asmund was walking down the halls of the palace until he sensed someone coming up to him, causing him to turn and see one of Ned’s soldiers coming up to him.
“My lord.” the soldier said.
“I am not a lord, Sir…” Asmund started to say.
“Jory Cassel, sir.” the soldier told him and Asmund nodded, “Lord Robb Stark leaves me with a message for you as of this early morning.”
“What is his message?” the ward asked.
“He bids that you continue to watch over Arya and Sansa while he is returning to Winterfell to check on Lord Bran and his mother.” Jory said, “He shall return within a few days, but he asks that you continue your training with Syrio while you watch over his sisters.”
Asmund nodded and Jory left the young ward in the hallway as the young man let out a sigh as he wondered if any of his dreams about the king’s death would come to be or if Ned Stark would be able to prevent such death as he was now privy to Asmund’s vision. He shook his head as he knew that he couldn’t keep himself occupied by such events out of his control and he proceeded to head through the castle to find Arya, who was busy training with Syrio, and Asmund went to find Sansa.
“Asmund.” a man’s voice called out as Asmund made his way through the throne room where the Iron Throne was sitting empty and he stopped to see Lord Varys walking towards him, “May I have a word?”
“Of course, Lord Varys.” Asmumd replied as he wondered what the man would want with him, “How can I be of service to you?”
“I was wondering if I could talk to you about a curious piece of information that I had come across.” Varys told him and Asmund’s eyes slanted slightly.
Does he know about me and Lord Robb ? he thought to himself, I was certain that no one was outside my door
“I heard that you had an encounter with a curr within the city that resulted in some injuries.” Varys continued and Asmund’s eyes relaxed a bit as he felt relieved that Varys didn’t know about Asmund and his lord, “I am glad to see that you’ve recovered.”
“Lord Balish’s healers are well versed in their skills.” the young warden told the spymaster as he didn’t want to inform the man that he seemed to have healed on his own overnight, “But I have an inclination that my health isn’t the true reason why you wanted to talk.”
“You are correct.” Varys said as he nodded, “I was told about a certain… prophecy that may have been uttered by you during your visit to Lord Balish’s establishment.”
“ The wielder of the Phoenix’s power will rise from the ashes of Westeros .” Asmund recalled, “ Many will try to destroy the Phoenix, but it shall continue to rise no matter how many times it falls and a raging fire like no other shall blaze among the lands to create a new world .”
“Such an interesting prophecy.” Varys mused intrigued as he wondered what it meant, “I know of no such phoenix within the history of Westeros and yet, you clearly foretold this prophecy for a reason.”
“It may have just been crazy talk from my injuries.” Asmund said as he shook his head, “If there was no phoenix in the history of Westeros, then I was just losing my mind.”
“Perhaps…” Varys replied with a soft nod, “I shall consult more into the history books about this possible phoenix .”
“Will you tell anyone else of this prophecy ?” Asmund asked the Master of Whispers as the man turned to leave the room, only to stop in his tracks and turn to Asmund.
“No…” he told the young ward, “As you said, this may not be anything but talk from your injuries so for the meantime..I shall keep this information hidden from everyone else.”
Varys bowed slightly before leaving the room as Asmund stood in his place and the young ward watched the spymaster leave just as he felt an uneasy presence behind him causing Asmund to turn around slowly to look at the Iron Throne. Suddenly Asmund stood frozen in place, his breath catching in his throat as his sightless eyes beheld something impossible. He found himself standing amidst the ruins of a once-mighty throne room as the Iron Throne loomed ahead, a grotesque shape made of twisted swords with the cold metal glinting eerily in the light of fires raging beyond the broken walls and Asmund realized that King's Landing was burning. The sky above was painted in sickly hues of red and orange, plumes of black smoke swirling around him as creams echoed in the distance, carried by the wind along with the crackle of flames devouring the city. The acrid scent of ash filled his nostrils, a bitter reminder of the destruction that lay before him, and his heart pounded in his chest as he slowly moved forward, his boots crunching over shattered stone and debris. There, seated upon the Iron Throne, was a lone figure shrouded in a dark cloak, the hood pulled low to conceal their face as the air around them felt heavy with an undeniable sense of power, but also... an ominous foreboding. Asmund swallowed hard, his hands shaking as he moved closer to the mysterious figure.
“Who are you?” he said as his words felt small, insignificant in the vastness of the devastation around him.
The figure didn’t move at first, but their voice came, low and grave, almost reverberating through the hall.
“It doesn’t matter who I am, Asmund Haleson.” the figure told him, “What matters is the fate of Westeros.”
The young ward flinched at the sound of his name, his fingers clenching into fists at his sides as he didn’t understand what the figure meant.
“Fate of Westeros?” he questioned, “What does that have to do with me? I’m no one—just a ward of House Stark, a lowborn peasant.”
“You are far more than that, Asmund.” the figure replied, standing slowly, their cloak rustling as they rose from the Iron Throne, “What you see before you is the future of Westeros…this future—this destruction—it is the fate of Westeros if you don’t act and leave King’s Landing to help Daenerys Targaryen claim her rightful inheritance of the Iron Throne.”
Asmund’s brows furrowed, confusion knitting his features as he recalled the name from his dreams, further validating that he may have not been dreaming but instead seeing visions of a real woman.
“Daenerys Targaryen…” he muttered before looking up at the cloaked figure with confusion, “How could I help her? I’m no one! I can’t fight battles or lead armies. How am I supposed to be of any use to her?”
Before he could continue, the ground beneath him trembled, and the air was filled with a deafening roar causing Asmund to stumble back, bracing himself against a pillar as a massive blue-scaled dragon landed with a thunderous crash behind him. Its wings were vast, stretching wide as they cast long shadows over the ruined throne room and its scales shimmered, iridescent in the glow of the firelight, and its piercing yellow eyes locked onto Asmund with an almost unsettling intelligence while the cloaked figure approached, their footsteps slow and deliberate, and as they passed Asmund, they placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
“Before you leave King's Landing, you’ll be tempted to stay.” the figure said, their voice low but filled with certainty, “But know this, even though there will be many that will try to stop you, especially those who seek power that will not allow a boy from the North to interfere with their plans….you must leave to find Daenerys no matter what. The fate of the realm rests in your hands, Asmund. It is not a question of whether you are capable—it is a question of whether you are willing.”
Asmund’s chest tightened as he watched the figure approach the dragon, his mind swirling with doubts as he wondered how he could help change the fate of Westeros especially since he was just a lowborn ward.
“Why me?” he called out, his voice shaking with uncertainty, “What makes you so sure I’m the key? What if I fail?”
The figure paused just as they reached the dragon, a strong gust of wind sweeping through the broken tower and it rushed around the room causing Asmund to brace himself.
“You must succeed," the cloaked figure told him, “If you don’t, all will be lost. Every life, every hope… it will burn with King's Landing. The wheel must be broken, and Daenerys is the one to do it. But she cannot do it without you.”
“How… how do I know this isn’t just a dream?” Asmund asked.
“You don’t.” the figure said, “But sometimes, it doesn’t matter whether something is a dream or reality. What matters is what you choose to do when you wake.”
With that; the cloaked figure turned and climbed onto the back of the massive dragon with practiced ease as the dragon’s wings unfurled, and the wind howled as it prepared to take flight. Asmund watched in awe as the dragon leapt into the air, its powerful wings beating against the burning sky as the vision faded as quickly as it had come, and Asmund found himself standing once again in the present, the throne room of King’s Landing whole and intact. But the echo of that future, the weight of the prophecy, still lingered in his chest. Asmund took in a deep breath as he knew that he had to prevent the future that he saw by any means necessary so he went to go find Petyr, finding the coin master walking in the gardens.
“Lord Balish.” he called out, causing the man to turn around to the young ward, “May we speak?”
“Of course, Asmund.” Petyr said with a soft smile on his face and Asmund looked around to see several servants walking around doing their duties.
“Perhaps in private.” Asmund suggested and Petyr looked at him for a moment with curiosity before nodding and leading the way down a secluded spot by the ocean.
“What can I help you with, Asmund?” Petyr asked the young man.
“I need funds to leave King’s Landing.” Asmund answered and Petyr tilted his head in confusion, “And I know that you’ll have questions, but just know that I need to do this.”
“In order to figure out how much to loan you, I’ll need to know your destination.” Petyr told him and Asmund sighed as he couldn’t tell Lord Balish his true intentions as he didn’t truly trust the coin master, “Asmund…”
“I can’t tell you.” the young ward insisted, “Just know that the fate of Westeros depends on this.”
Petyr’s eyes widened in shock as he realized that where Asmund was heading, it had to do with the prophecy that the young ward had revealed in the coin master’s establishment, and he let out a sigh before walking up to the young man.
“Asmund, I know that this has to do with your prophecy.” he said in a low voice, “But it shall take me time in order to come up with enough coin so that no one will suspect where you might go.”
Asmund sighed as he knew that he didn’t have time to waste if he was going to help Daenerys fulfill her destiny and change the fate of Westeros.
“Fine.” he told Petyr, “Just let me know when you are able to help me.”
Asmund left the gardens frustrated and headed down to the city’s market in order to clear his head and his mind wandered to the vision of the future that he had seen when he felt someone’s hand on his arm, causing the young ward to spin around on edge as he felt something trigger inside of him as he raised a fist to throw a punch when he saw Gendry throw up his hands in protection.
“Asmund, it’s me.” the blacksmith apprentice said fearfully and Asmund let out a sigh as he lowered his fist.
“Gendry, I’m sorry.” Asmund apologized, “I’ve…kinda been on edge recently.”
“I can see that.” Gendry said as he raised an eyebrow, “Everything okay?”
“Just restless sleep.” Asmund replied, “What about you?”
“Well, I was on my way to my work when I saw you here in the marketplace.” the blacksmith apprentice told him, “Thought I’d say hello on my way.”
“I hope that you haven’t gotten any other disruptive clients.” Asmund said and Gendry shook his head gently as he smiled softly.
“No, luckily no one has caused any more problems.” he replied, “I was wondering though…when are we going to have a day to hang out?”
Asmund opened his mouth to reply when he realized that he didn’t have time to hang out with Gendry if he was to leave King’s Landing in order to help Daenerys fulfill her destiny so he was about to tell his friend that he couldn’t spend any more time in city when he started to notice that the citizens of King’s Landing were rushing towards the castle.
“What the hell is going on?” Asmund questioned in confusion as he and Gendry looked around.
Suddenly the young ward felt a massive surge of pain rush through his body, causing him to cry out in agony as he doubled over and leaned against the wall, and Gendry rushed up to him.
“Asmund, what’s wrong?” the blacksmith apprentice questioned with worry in his voice.
Asmund, help me ! Arya’s voice cried out in Asmund’s mind and he gasped slightly as a single thought rushed through his mind… Ayra was in danger and she needed his help
“Gendry, I need to get back to the castle.” Asmund told his friend, “I’m sorry, but you should get to safety…I fear that this day will get worse soon.”
“I am coming with you.” Gendry said with determination as Asmund looked back at him to see that his friend would refuse to leave his side.
“Fine, but stay close.” Asmund replied as he reached out and grabbed the blacksmith apprentice’s hand and led the way through the massively growing crowd heading towards the castle.
Both young men rushed their way through the crowd, keeping hold of each other’s hands tight so that they wouldn’t lose each other through the crowd, and they soon made their way close to the castle’s entrance where the crowd was its most intense with men, women and children all in front of the large castle doors as the guards kept the civilians at bay.
“We’re never going to get in there.” Gendry told Asmund as the young ward tried to look around for another entrance.
I need to get in there Asmund thought to himself in frustration as he continued looking around for a way inside the palace, Damn it, Asmund…think.
As Asmund stood within the crowd trying to think of a way inside; he felt something behind him brush past and he turned in shock as he saw a ghostly form of the dark cloaked figure walking past him.
Follow me, Asmund the dark cloaked figure told him and Asmund quickly grabbed Gendry’s hand.
“Asmund?” Gendry questioned, confused as he looked at Asmund bewildered.
“This way…” Asmund told him as he led the way through the ever growing crowd.
Asmund continued to follow the dark cloaked figure through the corridors of town before he watched the figure lead him to a hidden passage near the waters which allowed both young men to enter the castle unnoticed through the catacombs.
“Asmund, how did you…” Gendry started to say when Asmund sensed guards ahead of them.
Asmund quickly pushed the blacksmith apprentice against the wall and covered the young man’s mouth with his hand as their bodies pressed closed together to keep hidden from a group of guards making their way past them as the darkness hid both young men from the guards’ attention. Asmund waited until the guards left the catacombs before sighing deeply and removing his hand from Gendry’s mouth as the blacksmith apprentice looked at him with a hint of longing in his eyes before clearing his throat.
“I assume they aren’t around anymore.” Gendry told him and Asmund looked at him, finally noticing exactly how close he was to the young man before taking a step back and scratching his head.
“Sorry.” he apologized, “We should keep going and find Arya and Sansa.”
“Isn’t Lord Ned Stark and Lord Robb Stark here as well?” Gendry asked as they continued to make their way through the castle as Asmund guided the way to Arya’s location as he believed that she would be with Syrio for her training.
“Lord Ned is off with the king on a hunt while Lord Robb is back in Winterfell.” Asmund explained to his friend as they continued through the halls, “It falls to me to help Arya and Sansa.”
Gendry fell silent as they continued their way through the castle and both young men reached the courtyard where Syrio had been training Asmund and Arya to defend themselves and he saw his teacher in a battle stance with several of the guards surrounding him.
“No…” Asmund said in horror as he started to rush forward when Gendry reached out and stopped his friend by pulling him out of view of the guards, “Gendry, let me go. I need to help him.”
“Asmund, they will outnumber both of you and if you get caught or die then there is no one that will help Lady Sansa and Lady Arya.” Gendry told him in a hushed voice, “We need to get to them immediately.”
Asmund grunted in frustration as he knew that Gendry spoke the truth, but every inch of his being was urging him to go save his teacher, and Asmund shook his head before looking at his teacher, who was facing off the guards.
“I’m sorry, teacher.” he said as he closed his eyes and ran away from the room with Gendry following close behind, “Since Arya wasn’t in training with Syrio, then there is only one other place that she’d be if something like this happened.”
Asmund led the way through the halls, dodging any guards patrolling the hallways, and he made his way out to a dock by the ocean just outside of the courtyard where he and Gendry made their way down the stairs leading to the dock while keeping hidden against the boulders.
“Ayra?” Asmund called out while looking around for the young girl, “Ayra, it’s me…I know you’re here.”
“Asmund?” Arya’s voice said meekly as she came out from behind a boulder hiding her and Asmund let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank the gods that you’re alive.” he said as Arya ran up to him and he lifted her up in his arms, hugging her tightly, “Are you okay? No one hurt you, did they?”
Ayra shook her head as she clung onto Asmund tightly and he let out a relieved sigh as he looked over to Gendry with a small smile on his face.
“We need to find Sansa.” Arya said, her voice shaking as she cried on Asmund’s shoulder.
“I know.” Asmund replied, his mind racing as he tried to think of their next step, “We’ll find her, I promise.”
“Asmund!” Gendry said and the young ward turned his head toward the blacksmith apprentice as he put Ayra down on the ground, “We need to hurry out of here.”
“What about my sister, Asmund?” Arya asked as her voice shook and Asmund turned to her, “She needs us.”
Asmund knew that the young Stark was right, but he feared for Arya’s safety if she was to go with him out in the fight, and he turned his head towards Gendry.
“I need a favor from you, Gendry.” he said and the young man looked at him curiously, “As I go find Sansa; I need you to get Arya out of King’s Landing if I don’t make it back to you guys.”
“Asmund, no!” Arya cried out as she rushed to her brother’s ward and hugged him tightly, “Don’t leave me.”
“Arya, it is alright.” Asmund said as he knelt down to her height and smiled softly at her, “I am sorry that I may not be able to get you out of here, but I promised your father that I’d keep you safe even if that means that you need to flee without me. So if I don’t make it back within the hour, you need to flee with Gendry.”
“Asmund, that is suicide.” Gendry argued as he laid a hand on Asmund’s arm to prevent him from leaving, “If the queen’s guards find you then you will surely be killed.”
“It is the only way.” Asmund told him, “I shall guide you back to the hidden entrance, but after that…I need to find Sansa.”
“I fear that may not be possible for you, Asmund.” Varys said as he appeared on the stairwell and Asmund quickly moved in front of Ayra in protection as Gendry drew his sword from his side, “Fear not, I am not here to harm you or Lady Ayra.”
“What are you here for?” Gendry asked the spymaster and Varys looked back up at the castle where guards could be seen rushing about looking for Ayra.
“Lord Balish told me that you needed a way to leave King’s Landing and I believe that I have a way, but you all need to leave now.” Varys told him and Asmund looked up at the castle, “I know that the fate of Lady Sansa weighs on your mind, but the Lannisters wouldn’t dare kill her as they will want to force Lord Ned’s hand for allegiance to them. I shall keep an eye on her to make sure she isn’t harmed.”
“I can save her.” Asmund told the spymaster with determination in his tone and Varys walked down the steps while looking up to make sure no one could see them.
“I have seen your skills with your teacher, but you would be outmatched against the guards.” the spymaster said, “It is better if you flee with your friend and Lady Ayra. Where would you need to go in order to help save the world?”
Asmund hesitated as he was uncertain where he would find Daenerys and he could hear the guards’ voices getting closer as they began to expand their search to the courtyard.
Sail to Pentos a female voice echoed inside Asmund’s mind, There you shall find the Dragon Queen and aid her in her journey to save Westeros
“Pentos.” Asmund said quickly and Varys raised an eyebrow in surprise, “We need to get to Pentos.”
“Very well.” the spymaster said, “Follow me quickly.”
Asmund lifted Arya into his arms once more as they trailed silently behind Varys through the labyrinthine halls of King’s Landing and the older man moved with purpose, his soft footfalls barely audible as he guided them through shadowy corridors and out into the bustling city. Under the cover of darkness that had begun to settle over the city; they made their way to the docks, where Varys exchanged hurried words with a ship captain and the man hesitated briefly before nodding his agreement as he was swayed by the heavy purse of coin that Varys pressed into his hands with the promise of discretion. Boarding the ship after bidding farewell to Varys; Asmund climbed below deck with Arya and Gendry close behind and the air was heavy with the scent of salt and damp wood as the ship rocked gently in the harbor before setting sail. As they journeyed out of King’s Landing into open sea; Asmund sat below deck in a slightly lit room as a dim light of a swaying lantern shone in the darkness and he had settled into a quiet corner with his companions while he listened to the rhythmic creak of the ship and the lull of the waves filled the silence as they ventured farther out to sea. Some time passed as they continued their journey and Asmund glanced at Arya, who had fallen asleep with her small form curled up on Gendry’s lap as the young blacksmith himself was passed out leaning against the wall of the ship and the sight of both of his companions sleeping stirred a rare softness in Asmund as he knew that his lady was exhausted. Asmund glanced at Gendry, who had his hand protectively over Arya as he slept soundly and Asmund smiled softly before he exhaled deeply, his gaze shifting to the dark horizon visible through a narrow crack in the wooden hull knowing that they were safe for the time being, uncertain what the upcoming days would bring during his journey to find Daenerys Targaryen.