Hello everyone :) So here we go with a new fanfiction. This one is a twist on GRRM world of Westeros. I got the idea after seeing a post on pintrest about what if the world of ice and fire was a matriarchy. While I didn't totally love the ideas that were put up in that version it got me think about what Westeros would be like if it was woman who ruled instead of men. To do this most of the characters have been gender swapped with a few exceptions, also the matriarchy system only applies to Westeros Essos is still a male dominate society. There will be changes to characters as well due to the gender switches and some new plots as well. I will try to update this every few weeks or so but I'm really busy with two jobs this summer and The Journey to Erebor comic I'm currently doing on Deviant art (please check it out). So without any further ado please enjoy the first chapter of The Sorrow of the Iron Throne.
Elaine Stark sat in the high seat of the great hall of Winterfell listening to the land dispute between two of the minor ladies that paid her homage. Maester Louis' quill scratch away across the parchment taking down notes of what each woman had to say. After the haggered old crone finished her claim Elaine stood. Her dark brown hair tumbled over one shoulder bound in a thick braid. She stood tall in her fortieth year of life, Elaine was still a powerful warrior standing nearly six feet tall and strongly built as most high born ladies were. From the time she could walk she had been trained with sword and lance, to fight and die for her family but never to rule. That path had been meant for her elder sister Briana, she had truly been the one that was destined to rule. She was Strong, beautiful, and all the people of the north loved her. That had all changed the day they meet their fate by the mad queen who had executed both her mother and sister.
"I have heard you cases and will make my decision on the marrow." Elaine said in a commanding voice. Both woman bowed to her murmuring thanks and walked from the hall. They had been the last audience of the day that she had to attend to and she was glad of it to be over. Elaine looked to her daughter Becca who sat on the right hand of the high seat. Becca stood nearly of a height with her mother though her features spoke of her father's Tully ancestry. Her hair was a mass of auburn red waves that was tied up in a long braid like Elaine's and her eyes where the clear blue of a summer sky. Becca was a fierce fighter and had a mind for battle but she was also kind and listened to those around her. On top of all the rest she was beautiful and would have no trouble finding a good match for her husband. She was as worthy an heir as Elaine could have hoped for. Becca had been attending her mother's meeting for the last eight years now in order for her to be properly groomed to be Lady of Winterfell she must learn what it means to rule.
"How would you end this dispute Becca?" Elaine asked her gently. She wanted to see how Becca would handle the conflict. Becca stood for a moment. Thinking. As Becca mulled over the conflict Elaine looked about the great hall. The long banners of house Stark hung across the walls, the grey dire wolf snarling against a white field. Torches glowed in their wall sconces and fires crackled deep within the hearths. Elaine thought back to when she had been a girl playing with her sisters and brother in this very hall. How different things had been then, she had never thought to be Lady of Winterfell and Wardness of the North back on those carefree days yet fate had played its hand and here she was grooming her daughter to rule after her.
"I'm not sure Mother." Becca responded softly, her eyes were fixed on her leather boots not wanting to meet her mother's eyes. Elaine placed a hand on her shoulder so Becca would look up at her.
"There is nothing wrong with that my girl. A good lady knows what she does and what she doesn't. There is no shame in seeking council." Becca gave her a quick nod. "Now go find your siblings they are probably waiting for you in the yard." Becca beamed and strode from the hall. Maester Louis had gathered her papers and shuffled over to Elaine by then, the thick chain that was about her neck clinking softly.
"Another day of the long summer done." The old woman said in a kindly voice. Elaine smiled down at the gray haired crone. Maester Louis had come to Winterfell when Elaine had been only a girl. Back then Louis had taught her sums and reading and as the years went past she offered advice and tended to Elaine's wounds and when the time had come helped her bring her five true born children into the world.
"Yes another day, done but Winter is Coming." The words of her house, they always rang true no matter the season. The summer they were in had lasted for nearly nine years now and seemed that the end was near. This troubled Elaine for a long summer usually meant an even longer winter and winters in the north were never easy. She thought of the farmers in the field as well as the lords and ladies beneath her. They were all fiercely loyal to her and in turn she swore to protect them, the smaller houses had always been like family to her. For the last five years they had been taking a piece of every harvest and putting it away for winter but would it be enough.
"Yes my lady winter is coming, it is always coming." Louis replied before nodding her head respectively and headed out of the hall towards the Maesters tower. Elaine walked from the hall and only when she was alone did she let out a sigh of frustration. Every day there was some new problem, some petty dispute between this lady or that, a poacher caught in the wolfs wood, or some other problem that only the gods knew of would rear its ugly head.
"Did you have a long day my love?" Came a deep voice from down the hall. Elaine looked up to see her husband striding towards her. He was still as handsome as the day they had wed. His auburn hair fell to his shoulders and his short cropped beard was speckled with gray. Elaine stood of a height with her husband as was common for highborn girls to. She remembered on the day that they had wed how handsome he had looked standing in the gods wood beneath the heart tree. Though Caden kept the seven he had been willing to honor the Stark traditions and be wed in the sight of the old gods.
"No worse than the day before." Elaine said to Caden with a smile. Caden returned the smile and offered her his arm. Elaine took it gladly. They walked down the halls together towards the yard where their children would be training. When they reached the yard they saw all five of their children standing there. Becca was showing Bri who was ten some tips for shooting a bow, Thyra Greyjoy stood beside them a bow slung across her back. The Greyjoy girl had been Elaine's ward and hostage for the last ten years, since her mother rebellion had failed. Bri was a ball of energy always running off to some adventure and climbing always climbing. No matter how many times Caden scolded her she would inevitably be found on the broken tower or running across the walls of Winterfell. Arron, twelve, was showing Rhianna the youngest at six how to hold a sword properly. Rhianna was still so young but Elaine could tell that she had the wolfs blood in her like Briana had. Arron was a little spitfire and clashed more often than not with Sanford. Sanford fourteen stayed off the side more interested reading to himself and ignoring the general proceedings. He had never been much for sword play preferring to play a harp and sing over fighting in the muck. All of Elaine and Caden's children had the father's Tully features of auburn hair, fair skin, and blue eyes, all except Arron who reminded Elaine of her own dear bother Landon. Arron and Joanna that was, looked like true Starks. Joanna was nine months younger than Becca and a Snow, bastard half-sister to the rest of the Stark children. Though Joanna and Becca were of an age they could not have been more different. They stood of a height but while Becca was fair Joanna was dark, Becca was long and lean while Joanna was more thickly built.
Elaine knew what Caden thought of the girl, he had never hidden his disdain for her even from the time she was a babe. When the rebellion had been won Elaine came home with a babe in her arms. A bastard from the war, she knew that Caden would protest bringing the girl into their home to be raised among their own children but Elaine would not turn the babe out. She was her blood even if the girl did not bare her name. Bri shot an arrow at the target but the arrow went wide missing the target completely and disappeared over the wall. Becca, Joanna, and Thyra all laughed at Bri's mistake.
"And which one of you was a marksman at ten?" Elaine chastised the older girls mockingly. They looked at her in surprise with their smiles fading away. "Keep practicing Bri." She added with a reassuring smile. Her children were her pride and joy and love watching them train. To see them grow in their skill and become the ladies and lords she hoped they would someday be. Arron let an arrow fly then striking the target dead center. Bri, who had been taking aim, reddened at being shown up by her big brother. Though Arron was no bigger than her and began to chase him around the yard. Becca and Joanna laughed and cheered Bri on to run faster. Caden and Elaine both chuckled at their children's mischief when white haired master at arms Rodrik Cassel came striding over with Thyra Greyjoy in toe.
"Lady Stark," He said formally, "A guard just came riding in from the hills. They've captured a deserter from the nights watch." Elaine felt her heart skin at the news, she knew what her duty was though it gave her no pleasure. Deserters were dealt with in one way and everyone in the realms knew it.
"Very well, tell the girls to saddle their horses." Elaine instructed Thyra. "And tell Bri she's coming too." Elaine said sternly to Rodrik. He nodded and took his leave to make ready for their journey.
"Elaine," Caden said in surprise, "ten is too young to see such things." Elaine looked to her husband knowing that he meant no harm but Bri was a Stark and needed to learn their ways. Elaine placed a hand on Caden's shoulder and spoke,
"She won't be a girl forever and Winter is Coming."