This story came to me while I was watching one of the old GOT clips on Youtube. A what if kind of scenario that struck me, one which I wanted the show to take but sadly they didn't. So, here I am hoping to write my vision with two of my most favorite characters in the series: Robb and Jon.

Summary: Lord Commander Mormont understands the threat faced by the realm from the things beyond the wall. But the Night's Watch cannot stop it alone, and thus begins a bastard boy's journey down South to join the War of the Five Kings in the hopes of uniting the realm from the death that marched on its doorsteps.

Chapter 1

The Bastard

The 997th Commander of the Night's Watch, famously known as The Old Bear stared down at the lean boy with dark brown hair currently forced to kneel before him. The boy's hands were bound with thick rope and his feet constricted by iron chains and yet those dark grey eyes bordering black stared at him defiantly.

Beside the Commander, was Maester Aemon who while blind was not unaware of the tension in the air.

On the far side of the room, stood three other brothers of the Night's Watch: Green, Pyp, and Sam Tarly.

The ones who had to forcefully drag the deserter kneeling before Mormont when he chose to break his vows for a half brother marching South to start a war.

Mormont could understand Jon Snow's dilemma, his father the great Lord Eddard Stark was executed days ago. He had known the honorable man and was sad to hear of his death. The fact that he died a traitor to the realm didn't sit well with Mormont for he would never believe Eddard to do such a thing.

And yet with his death, the entire North had risen up in Rebellion under the leadership of Robb Stark, The Young Wolf.

Mormont's own house had pledged their support and right now his very sister and nieces were marching down South, while he was stuck here at the end of the world. And yet he had not abandoned his post or forsaken his vows despite the threat to his family.

However, the boy before him had done the opposite.

He had seen great potential in Jon, the lad was a skilled fighter and his broody behavior was tiring at times, yet he was still a good steward. He had served Mormont faithfully if not happily, and had even saved his life against the wight that tried to kill him.

Mormont also spotted the bruises on the bodies of the three Black Brother's that dragged Jon back to Castle Black against his will. They all looked disappointed, particularly Sam who was the one that had to stab Jon in his hind legs that finally toppled him over allowing Grenn and Pyp to capture him. If not for the treachery, Mormont doubted those three would have lived had they fought Jon fair and square.

"Jon Snow..."

The old Bear's chambers rumbled with his gruffly voice making the prisoner stare at him with the same defiance in his eyes.

"Lord Commander"

Surprisingly, despite his desertion there was respect in the boy's voice regardless of his current situation.

"Why?" asked Mormont sternly, earning a glare from the young boy.

"You ask me that? After everything that has happened..." questioned Jon heatedly,

Before Mormont could give a befitting reply it was Maester Aemon who stepped forward and looked in the direction of the prisoner even if he could not see him.

"The laws of the Watch are clear, Jon Snow. Desertion is punishable by death but I have requested Lord Commander to atleast hear your reasons before making his decision" advised the old Maester patiently,

"Why me?" asked Jon in surprise, having expected to be killed the moment he was dragged back here.

The Maester looked at him and Jon couldn't help but feel as if the blind man was seeing right through him.

"Something tells me you did it for more than just for the sake of your family"

Jon was stunned by the man's deduction and while a large part of his reasons behind desertion was to help Robb and his family, there was another thing that happened a few days ago which had solidified Jon's beliefs that he was needed elsewhere.

His dreams of honor and duty were shattered when he joined the Night's Watch when he finally saw what it truly was. A place for criminals and traitors to die at.

The few good men that still lived among the Black Brothers were scattered and usually didn't live long.

Yet Jon had tried to find a place for himself knowing that he had to follow through with his choice.

But things soon started to spiral out of control.

His Father was arrested and executed, his brother marched to a bloody war, Uncle Benjen mysteriously disappeared beyond the wall while his dead companions that had been brought back to Castle Black turned into wights that nearly killed the Commander and Jon himself.

Now there were rumblings of a new King-Beyond-The-Wall who had somehow united the wildlings, and murmurs regarding the return of the White Walkers. How much of this was true, Jon didn't know.

But all of this chaos made him understand one simple fact.

He didn't belong here.

And his Father's ever present words slipped out from his lips.

"Winter is Coming..."

Jeor Mormont stiffed a little on hearing House Stark's famed words from the bastard boy. Even Maester Aemon frowned but he looked curious as Jon looked back at them.

"It is true that I want to help my brother. Robb has the support of the entire North and an army to protect him, but he has never faced war. He has Theon Greyjoy and Catelyn Stark as advisers, two people who know nothing of war either. And while I don't know war either, I belong with my brother" said Jon honestly,

"And what of your Brothers in the Watch? What of them, Jon?" asked Mormont disappointedly,

"If they are to live, if we all are to live then I must go South" insisted the boy,

''Why?" asked Aemon curiously,

"Not one person in the realm knows about the true threat marching towards them from beyond the wall. Whether they be wildlings, or gods forbid White Walkers, no one is ready for them. The North which has been the Watch's strongest ally is about to join a war and I am sure the rest of the realm will soon take sides joining the slaughter. Whoever wins, it will leave the realm decimated and unprepared when our true enemy arrives" explained Job sincerely,

Mormont frowned but it was Maester Aemon who smiled.

"And what if this threat never manages to cross the Wall, Jon. It has stood strong for thousands of years..." cautioned Aemon,

"And the Night's Watch has protected the realm well in the past. We will do so again" promised Mormont, but was surprised when Jon glared at him.

"How many of us are still alive? Less than a thousand? How many Castles do we man? Three? Tell me, Lord Commander will it be enough to stop the wildlings or the Walkers if either of them attacks in full force. We might stall them for a time but the Night's Watch will pay a terrible price for that..." explained Jon frustratedly,

"And what would you do?" asked Aemon curiously, and urged patience when Mormont tried to rebuff the boy's answers.

Jon steeled himself looking the two older men right in the eyes.

"Prepare the realm. But I cannot do it from the Wall, I am a Bastard but Robb is still my brother and the Warden of the North. If I inform him of the threat to his home, he will answer" promised Jon, knowing his brother abided by the same sense of justice and honor like their Father.

And like Eddard, the well being and safety of the North was paramount to Robb.

"Do you really think that boy will let go of his war? March back home? Forgetting that the new King chopped off his Father's head? No Jon, your brother will war until he wins or gets defeated. Our best bet is to inform the King" argued Mormont, earning another glare from the boy.

"Joffrey? That little cunt will do nothing, I've seen him. And how many men did he spare for us this time?" asked Jon heatedly,

"Little less than a dozen. All criminals, if Yoren's letter is to be taken into account" informed Aemon, unable to hide his disappointment.

Mormont sighed as he was again reminded of the uncaring attitude of the crown towards his order despite the underlying threat to the realm he had pressingly mentioned to the King.

He motioned for Grenn and the other two to leave the room leaving him alone with Maester Aemon and Jon Snow.

Jeor thought the boy had deserted for the sake of his family, which while honorable was still a crime punishable by death. But Jon Snow had also pointed out several critical factors that endangered the safety of the entire realm.

And even if he didn't want to believe it, the Watch was now a shell of its former glory unable to defend its few castles much less the realm.

He needed more information to determine just what threat marched towards the Wall, who it was, and when would they possibly strike.

And Jon's harsh words were right. The Watch needed help, something which neither the Southerners or the Crown would give until it was too late. But the North...

Jeor knew the Northern lords having served House Stark with them for several years of his life before joining the Watch. It also didn't change the fact that should do the Wall fall or Night Watch's being decimated, the North would be the first to get hit by the enemy be they wildlings or even worse White Walkers.

He may have forsaken his family for the Watch, but Jeor still cared deeply for his sister Maege and nieces Dacey as well as Lyanna.

And the only one who could save the North was Robb Stark who unaware of the rising threat and was marching South towards a war that would see him destroyed for even the entire North combined was not enough to defeat the combined South. And Tywin Lannister was a dangerous man to have as an enemy.

Jeor stared at Jon and remembered the few times when he had heard the boy reminisce his years with the new lord of Winterfell. From those conversations, Jeor had a feeling Robb was more like his Father and if given the chance he could aid the Watch.

But the boy would be out for blood right now and would not listen to any grave warnings or pleadings from the Watch, instead choosing to settle this matter once he won the war. If he ever won the war...

But Jon was his brother.

The boy had shown thinking beyond his age, was a skilled fighter, and an actual member of the Stark Family despite his bastard status. The disappearance of Benjen would only serve to strengthen Jon's desire to make Robb aware of the true threat.

And it might just possibly save the North from utter destruction.

"Jon Snow!"

The said boy of ten-and-seven stood a little straight than before looking the Commander in the eye as the decision was made by the Old Bear.

"I command you to go South and get aid from Lord Robb Stark against the Wildlings and other threats rising beyond the wall. Fail me and I shall see you executed for your crimes!" commanded Jeor Mormont, he knew this course of action barely had any hope but it was better than executing Jon which would yield nothing.

And in a way, Jeor saw his own son in Jon Snow. Granted the boy's crimes were different than that of Jorah's who resorted to slavery in order to please his Lady Wife, but both of them had done their crimes for the sake of their family.

And if by any luck, Robb recognized the real threat through Jon than the Watch could possibly survive the coming storm.

And Jon's Snow's words gave Lord Commander Mormont and Maester Aemon hope...

"I promise, My Lord"

Jon had been strapping the few provisions allotted to him on his horse while occasionally glancing at his sworn brothers walking around. Word of his desertion had been kept a secret save for his three friends who brought him back rather forcefully, and the Commander as well as Maester Aemon.

A part of him felt disappointed in himself for forsaking his honor and duty in the hopes of saving his family.

His Father was already gone and as much as he had wished for Lord Stark to have done something more for him, the most being telling him the identity of his unknown mother, and yet he still missed the honorable man.

And Robb...

His brother had always shown him kindness and been the friend Jon had needed his entire life. Even when Theon berated him on his bastard status, Robb usually put an end to it. And the thought of that same brother marching towards a bloody war scared him.

The thought of Arya and even Sansa being held captive in King's Landing gave him sleepless nights.

Most of all, he knew something dark was growing beyond the wall and sooner or later it would come for them all.

"Do you usually brood this much?" asked a kind voice, making Jon turn to see Maester Aemon arriving beside him. It still amazed him that this blind old man could make his way effortlessly across Castle Black and more dangerously be able to read people despite his lack of vision.

"I..."

"How's your hand?" asked Aemon curiously, changing topics much to Jon's relief as he stared at the same hand through which he had grabbed the lantern in order to burn the wight that attacked him and Commander Mormont.

In that moment, he had felt some heat but to his surprise his skin had not burned.

In fact, it was as good as new now.

"It's perfect" said Jon in disbelief, and saw the Maester staring at him with a strange look on his face.

"Interesting..." was all the old man, adding further to Jon's confusion as he had hoped Aemon could explain this bizarre phenomenon.

"Grenn and Sam will be accompanying you to your brother. Lord Commander Mormont wishes it..." reported Aemon, and Jon frowned heavily at that decision.

"He doesn't trust me to come back..."

"Is he wrong?"

Jon blinked and stared at this old man who saw right through him. How could Aemon have deciphered that Jon's view of the Watch was not the same anymore?

But the old man gently patted his shoulder.

"But I believe you will return to your duty. But not as the person you are now..." said Aemon mysteriously,

"Maester?" asked Jon hesitantly, making the old man smile.

"You will face quite a few hardships on your journey, Jon Snow. You will see and do things that will change you and your outlook towards this world. So take my advice..." said Aemon kindly,

"Yes" agreed Jon, and blinked again when Aemon stared at him intently through his sightless eyes.

"Kill the boy, Jon Snow. And let the man be born..."

There was something in those words that unnerved Jon yet made him even more determined to succeed at the same time. So he respectfully took the advice as Grenn and Sam arrived with their own horses packed with supplies that would help them through their journey.

He mounted his horse making one last glance at Castle Black, and then with a final nod to the Maester, the three black brothers rode out.

To a War that would change the realm forever.

The Master of Whispers, Varys sat alone in his chambers glancing at the new letter that had arrived for him. And to say he was disappointed was a monumental understatement.

Viserys Targaryen was dead.

Worse, murdered by his own sister's husband.

Varys sighed for his plans for the return of a lost dynasty suffered another setback. With the death of the Mad King, Rhaegar, Elia and her children, his last hopes had rested upon Queen Rhaella's last son who was now dead as well destroying any hopes for the return of a Targaryen King to the Iron Throne.

It could be possible for Daenerys Targaryen to give birth to a son of Khal Drogo. The girl was pregnant in fact, but if she ever had a boy it would take years for him to grow up and reclaim the kingdom his ancestors had ruled for more than 300 years. As for Daenerys and her claim, no Lord of the Seven Kingdoms would ever accept a Queen as their ruler.

And now King Robert was dead as well.

While the drunken old warrior had never done anything good for the realm instead sending it into tremendous debt, it was also true that he had kept the peace by force for quite a long time.

And now his stupid son, or should Varys say a Lannister child born of incest pretending to be Baratheon had started a bloody war by chopping off Lord Eddard Stark's head. It was true that a large part of it had been due to Lord Stark's stubborn nature and inability to politically handle the problem, but it didn't diminish the fact that Joffrey was an idiot and the second coming of the Mad King.

Already the North had rose in open rebellion under the leadership of Robb Stark marching 20,000 angry warriors against the entire Lannister force. In the Riverrun, the Tully's had sides with the Starks and joined the war.

The Reach had declared for Renly Baratheon who had declared himself King calling out Joffrey for the inbred Lannister he was. On the other hand Renly's older brother, Stannis Baratheon who was the rightful King after Robert's death had declared himself King with the few who supported him.

The only ones staying out of this war for now were The Iron Islands and Dorne.

But Varys knew sooner or later the flames of war would draw them in as well.

Each of these Kings and Lords had their reasons for fighting, but none strong enough to unite the entire realm behind them like they had for Robert years ago against the Mad King that led to the fall of the Targaryens.

However, despite the ongoing chaos and Viserys's death, Varys still had a plan.

The realm must be protected and all these Kings and Lords would burn it down in their petty feuds.

So he walked towards his closet and opened a secret chamber hidden behind the walls. He further walked inside the darkness grabbing a nearby torch before approaching a closed box.

In the dim light, the eunuch took out a parchment that held one of the most darkest secrets of the realm.

And soon it would be time to unveil it.

Author's Notes: End of chapter.

Hope you guys liked the introduction.

While English is not my first language, infact it's my third but I'll do my best to provide good quality reading.

This story is mostly AU with a few cannon events thrown in, so you need not connect the events happening here with the timeline of the show or even the books.

This is my first attempt at this series, so let's see where it goes.

As for pairings, I have some plans but nothing set in stone yet.

Suggestions and Reviews are much appreciated.

Until Next Time,

Blackwolf501