Born mute, Genjo Stark had always had a hard time in life.
Without words he focused on the art of war.
Strategy, combat, politics. He was ready to help his brother and in being heir to Winterfell.
However, the beauty he was graced with, turns out to...
Genjo dreaded today, the day his family was being split. He decided he needed to get the good-byes out of the way, he didn't want a farewell to be rushed. The first person he goes to see is Sansa, the girl was in her room, packing, she turns when Genjo knocks on her open door, 'I see you've nearly packed', Sansa smiles at her brother.
"Of course, I'm excited to go to Kings Landing", she sits on her bed, sighing dreamily. Genjo smiles at the girl, "you know, I'm supposed to marry the prince, will you come down for the wedding?", she looks hopefully at her brother, her favourite brother, who always complemented her skills in dress making.
Genjo kisses her head, 'the seven hells couldn't stop me', he folds a few things that lay on her bed, 'you will be a beautiful bride and an amazing queen', she hugs him tightly, then steps back, a huge smile on her face 'be careful in the city, and send me a raven as soon as you can', the girl nods in response, kissing the taller boys cheek.
He then goes to Aryas room, when he walks in he sees her holding a sword, she freezes when she spots him in the door, "it's not what it looks like", Genjo only smiles, taking the sword from her hand, Arya relaxes when she sees her brother smile, "what do you think?"
He hands her the sword back, 'it's nice, a small blade for a small fighter', Arya smiles even wider, 'you won't be able to practice your archery in the capital, but never forget what I taught you', she nods at him, then begins to frown.
"I'm going to miss you, big brother" she throws herself at him, "but I love you, and I'll send you a raven when I get there", Genjo smiles at her, ruffling her hair before quickly kissing her head, the girl wipes her head, "ew", the older boy just huffs, pushing her back, making her giggle lightly.
He leaves the room and makes his way to the courtyard, seeing the last two people he needed to speak to. First he goes to Jon, placing his hands on his half-bothers shoulders, who jumps and turns, "how do you move so quietly?", Genjo only shrugs in response.
'So, you're really going to the wall?', Jon nods solemnly 'why don't you just stay here for a few days, think about it'.
Jon shakes his head, "I've got to go", he then hold his half-brothers face, "you know I have", the news of Jon leaving, broke Genjos heart, the two boys have always been close, despite Jon being a bastard Genjo always treated him fairly and they trained together everyday.
Genjo looks into the brown eyes before him, 'I'm going to miss you, Jon', this makes Jon smile.
"I'll miss you too, Genjo", they hug one last time, before Ned makes his way over.
"Genjo", the boy nods at his father, following him to his horse, "if you ever need me, send a raven", the mute smiles playfully, "not like you need me anymore"
'If you need me, send a raven father', Ned laughs at his boy, who has became a great lord despite his muteness.
"I am so proud of you son, truly", he kisses his boy on the head, then ruffles his dark hair, "now you behave while I'm down south, ok?", Genjo nods, crossing his heart. The action makes Ned laugh loudly, Genjo then stands with Robb, holding Rickon's shoulders as they watch part of their family ride away.
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For the rest of the day, Robb begins his duty as acting lord of Winterfell, Genjo helping wherever he can, but mainly the boy looks after Rickon, the youngest confused by his fathers disappearance and their mothers absence.
He puts Rickon to bed and goes to find Robb, he spots Maester Luwin leaving Brans room, 'maester, have you seen Robb?', the man nods.
"He's in your brothers room, talking to your mother". Genjo nods and walks to his brothers room.
When he opens the door, he hears Robb speaking, "Rickon needs you. He's six. He doesn't know what's happening, he follows Genjo around al day, clutching to his legs, crying", their mother only begins to cry.
"Close the windows! I can't stand it! Please make them stop!", the wolves seem to get louder in the distance. Genjo goes to the window, but as he reaches to close it he sees a bright light on the ground.
Turning around, he claps loudly, drawing his mothers and brother eyes to him, 'fire, fire', Robb eyes widen as he rushes to he window, he sees the blaze in the distance., and runs from the room, Genjo gets the doorway but turns when he hears the window move, he slips around the wall, hiding.
"You're not supposed to be here. No one is supposed to be here. It's a mercy. He's dead already", he hears a mans voice from the room and slips back into the room, seeing his mother get thrown back, the man raises a knife to cut Genjo, luckily the boy catches the mans arm and spins underneath it, he then kicks the mans head, the helmet falling to the floor, he then knocks the dagger from the mans hand and kicks it away. The man stands back up, but before he can do anything, Genjo snaps his neck.
He turns to check on his mother, who looks at him shocked, 'are you okay?', the woman nods, shakily, falling into her sons arms, who hold her and gently strokes her head, he looks over to Bran, seeing summer jump onto the boys bed, he relaxes when he sees his brother unharmed. Hundreds of questions however, fill his head.
Catelyn also has question, "why would someone send an assassin to kill Bran?", she looks to her mute son.
'He saw something he shouldn't of', her face turns shock dat his answer, 'Brans has never fell, not once. He was pushed', his face becomes angry as he signs the answer to his shaken mother.
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The next day, Genjo stood in the godswood with his mother and Robb, as well as Rodrick Cassel, Theon and Maester Luwin. His mother looked to all her companions, "What I am about to tell you must remain between us. Myself and Genjo don't think Bran fell from that tower. We think he was thrown", they all looked shocked by this thought.
"The boy was always sure-footed before", the maester points out this fact.
Catelyn looks serious as she continues, "Someone tried to kill him twice. Why? Why murder an innocent child? Genjo believes he saw something he shouldn't of"
Theon steps forward, "saw what, Genjo?"
The silent boy thinks for a while, 'I'm not sure, but I'd bet the Lannisters are involved. There is already reason to doubt their loyalty to the crown"
Rodrick Cassel shows the assassins blade, "Did you notice the dagger the killer used? It's too fine a weapon for such a man. The blade is Valyrian steel, the handle dragonbone. Someone gave it to him", Robb processes all this information, and becomes angry.
"They come into our home and try to murder my brother? If it's war they want..."
Theon backs his friend, "If it comes to that, you know I'll stand behind you", the idea of war baffles master Luwin.
"What, is there going to be a battle in the Godswood? Too easily words of war become acts of war. We don't know the truth yet. Lord Stark must be told of this"
Catelyn shakes her head, "I don't trust a raven to carry these words"
"I'll ride to Kings Landing", Robb speaks up or his mother.
Genjo however shakes his head, 'no, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. I'll go', Catelyn also disagrees with this.
"No, Genjo, you will be needed here, to help your brother, I will go"
Robb looks to his mother, "mother, you can't"
She hold her hand up, "I must"
"I'll send Hal with a squadron of guardsmen to escort you", the lady shakes her head again.
"Too large a party attracts unwanted attention. I don't want the Lannisters to know I'm coming"
Genjo looks at his mother, 'then let ser Rodrick accompany you. you can't travel to the capital alone, it's too dangerous', the mentioned man steps forward, chest puffed, settling on this compromise Catelyn nods.
Robb then brings up a new topic, "what about Bran?"
"I have prayed to the Seven for more than a month. Bran's life is in their hands now" her words signal the end of the discussion, all the group disperse to do what is needed.
Genjo follows his brother to the stable, Robb turns to see him, "why did mother say you could help me?"
'Maester Luwin has been having me read and practice battle strategies' Robb nods at this understanding her reasons, 'and to be honest, me and you need to stay together', he grips the side of his elder brothers face, 'you're too hard-headed, you'd run straight into battle because of your emotions. I can keep you level, use the logic I have to keep our home safe, but you need to listen to my advice'
Robb stares at his brother, "I will, but I'm the lord of Winterfell now", Genjo nods, "I make the decisions" genjo nods again, Robb now smiles holding his brothers shoulders, "you just stop me from making the wrong ones", the brothers smile at each other, enjoying the peace before it's gone.
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