Part 1:
The winds in Winterfell blew hard that night, creating shivering trees and loss of colorful leafs which were blown away towards a new home. The grey looming castle, however, held on tight and protected those who lived within. A brief light could be seen from within in, of the right side and tallest section of the ancient building. For there lay in each other embrace on their soft feathered bed, the Lord and Lady of Winterfell, the Warden of the North; Eddard Stark and his wife Catelyn Stark. A rapid knock on their chamber doors jolted them awake from their slumber.
"What is it", came the ruff voice of Lord Stark. Behind the door stood an old man of many years, his wobbly skinny legs held the man up in hopes of not letting him down. Thick grey robes adorned his body, keeping him warm from the harsh winds of the North. His two grey eyes, held intelligence from all the years he has saw. For maybe when he was younger, he was a handsome lad. However, in his old age all could be seen was his intelligent eyes and his pale wrinkled face and white balding head. His aging voice replied, to his lord commander. "My lord, may I come in? I bring news from a raven."
The door creaked open, and Maester Luwin slowly walked in and did not speak a word until the door was shut closed. "My apologies, my lord and lady, but I bring news from House Bolton". In the sleeves of his hands, he took out a white crisp letter with a red wax mark of a flayed man hanging upside down in the middle. This brought discomfort towards Catelyn.
House Bolton was known for the saying of " A naked man has few secrets; a flayed man, none." Although those were not their official words. House Bolton came from a long history of having their differences with the Stark's. While the Stark's wanted to unite the North, and create a peaceful unity under the control of the Stark's. The Bolton's would resist their effort and go against them. Many say that they would go as far as killing many Stark's and keeping their skinned flesh as trophies. House Stark, officially defeated them and House Bolton became only the second strongest house in the north. To this day, there is a strong rivalry and tension between the two houses.
"Hand over the letter". Ned rose from the bed, sliding off the fur blankets from his exposed body and stood in all his glory to take the letter from the Maester. He broke the seal. His eyes ran over the scratched black words written down, and he frowned down upon them. Maester Luwin looked up from his position towards his lord and lady, "Shall I take my leave then?"
"No, stay. I want you to be aware of the content within."Ned skimmed over the letter again, and gave a deep sigh before walking over back to the bed and sitting down. "The Bolton's are heading this way for discussions on future plans of alliance. They will be here no longer than a day's ride, I expect that it shall be Lord Roose and his son. We will have to take them in and host them."
Maester Luwin was first to speak. "I fear Lord Bolton has an idea in his mind of uniting the houses of Stark and Bolton together." This brought a shiver to go through Cateyln's body. She brought the furs around her, and padded towards the calm fire among the candles on the other side of the room. She brought one candle and snatched the letter away, to set it ablaze.
"What are you doing?" Cateyln looked at her husband. "No one must know of the content within, for if someone gets a hold of this letter and brings it to the wrong hands then I worry for the safety of my children."
Her voice was raspy from her worry. "I shan't led my eldest daughter marry into such a family".
Ned strode towards her, taking her into his warm embrace and allowing his head to rest top of hers. She smelled like the day he met her, on the day she was betrothed to his brother. For Ned Stark, was the second son and was not supposed to have the life he lives in now. Those were different days, however, the days when the mad king ruled and dragon skulls decorated the Red Keep. His father, his brother, and his sister fell and so did the Targaryen's with them. Gone was the Mad King, and now held the Iron throne Robert Baratheon, first of his name. Robert was a dear old friend, going way back with Ned to when they were small boys galloping around town in the Vale, and causing havoc wherever they went. Ned helped Robert get the thrown. However, Robert married a Lanister and as far as he could remember the Lanister's were not to be trusted.
While Cateyln was thinking of ways to cast aside the Bolton's before they could arrive to Winterfell, Ned was thinking with a rash mind and the consequences of all sides that he could take. A voice chipped in from the far corner of the room "My Lady, if I may. We can not afford another war in the North".
She looked upon him with disgust. "Get out". Maester Luwin, needed not to be told twice, he addressed them before taking his leave out the door; making sure he closed it well on his way out. Cateyln bristled at the idea of marrying her sweet beautiful Sansa off to some demon child of a Bolton. Ned took her hand and led her back towards the comfort of their bed.
"Shall we at least greet our guests, and meet this boy?" Ned said with a bit of amusement lased in his voice. Cateyln, however, did not see this whole arrangement as humorous.
"Come now my dear, maybe this boy of his is not bad as you may think." Ned looked at his mesmerizing wife and tried to reason with her. "To finally break the tension among our families would be a wise decision". However, Cateyln would not hear of it. Instead of continuing their conversation, they laid their heads down towards slumber. Maybe the next day would bring better news.
The war stallion galloped on, bringing down his heavy hooves on the soft muddy road. On this extraordinary beast, rode with grace and demeanor of a true intimidating royal, Lord Bolton. Behind him was his fellow men, around twenty in total following his lead. While right beside him was his pubescent boy of thirteen summers, he was on top his own horse. A great stead, with mud colored hair and strong features. However, this stead had no resemblance to the one beside it. Almost like there was no resemblance between the father and son among the beasts.
Lord Bolton was a rugged man, in the prime of his life. He carried himself with authority, and knew his way with a sword. His head was covered with thinning small hairs. His face, elongated, wrinkled near his eyes but still held the charming looks of his youth. When standing, he would tower among many. He don a leather chest plate, with two straps crossing to form an X among his chest. A dark heavy fur sat upon his shoulders covering his arms. His whole attire was donned in black. His men wore similar clothing, however, not as rich as his. Some could mistake the herd to appear as watchers of the wall.
Roose's son on the other hand, was a chubby looking fellow. With a limp to his walk and a shaggy filled head. His features were on the plain side, with a wide head and small nose poking out from his hair covering his face. The boy was not known to have the similar features of his father, but instead look exactly as his mother, Lady Walda. The only feature which would give proof that this boy was truly his son, was his eyes. The eyes of a Bolton. Light grey, almost sky blue, with a gleam towards power and calculation. The boy knew why they were heading towards their destination, and his heavy breathing increased. The mere thought of it brought joy into his very soul.
They have been riding for a day now, and soon they would be reaching Winterfell. The castle already visible from the distance of which they held. The longer they rode, the faster his heart beat went.
"Father, how much longer until we arrive?" He was getting impatient, he heard stories of the little Lady of Winterfell. Of her beauty and grace, but he could just not wait to meet her for himself.
"Not much longer, only another hour on horseback". Roose on the other hand,was creating plans in his head of the near future.
The ride from then on, was silent among the men, while the winds beat down on them and the hooves created galloping noises. As Roose said, they arrived shortly. The walls of Winterfell were looming, banners of dyre wolf's adorned the walls. Closed from any intruder to peak inside. However, the men up at the top recognized the flaying man sign and slowly the doors of the wall creaked open for their entrance. They were greeted with the sign of a lively town, town folk bustling around. Near the far corner Roose caught the eye of Lord Stark and his family, ready to greet them with open arms and welcome smiles.
He grimaced at that.
His men slide down their horses, while he remained and galloped on towards the Starks, his son right behind him. "Lord Stark, Lady Stark, I thank you for having us on this day." He shot them a smile, and he too slid down his horse.
"Lord Bolton, it is a great joy to have you here". Ned shook his hand, while Cateyln merely offered him a slight smile. Roose, however, took her hand and kissed the side of it.
"And these must be your kids". He addressed the adolescent boy standing proud and tall near Ned, looking like the spit image of him and the young girl peeking from her mother's dress to look up at him. He smiled down at her, and she quickly hid herself before anyone could see her reddening face. Taking a note that the bastard boy of Eddard Stark was missing and the new babe not in her mother's arms.
"Robb, Sansa, introduce yourself." They looked at their lord father and obliged. Robb went first and introduced himself with confidence and ability of a true man with the name Stark to him. His voice and demeanor giving nothing away. Sansa, on the other hand, shyly came from behind her mother, only now noticing the chubby boy still on his horse, she gave a small curtsy and greeted them. Through the exchange she was not able to break eye contact with the boy. Her mother and Lord Bolton noticed, sadly.
Roose, looked at his child, and that was the only warning he needed. He quickly came off his horse, and bowed towards the Warden of the North.
"May I introduce to you, my son and heir Ramsay Bolton". Roose's voice was a dull sounding one, with eeriness behind it. However, the way he introduced his son almost made him sound even more of a threat than anything else he has spoken in his life. This only made Cateyln even more suspicious of the whole family.
"Very charming lad you have there". Ned broke the silence.
"Indeed he is". Roose said with quiet indifference.
"Well I must imagine, that your ride was long and hard. Come settle in, in your chambers. We shall have dinner later and our long awaited discussion". Ned led the father and son towards their chambers, while the stable boys brought in their horses and servants helped the Bolton men settle in. While that was occurring, Cateyln grabbed the small hand of Sansa and Robb and took them inside of her chambers, into the warm embrace of the room.
Robb was allowed to sit on the bed near his mother while Sansa sat in between her legs, her mother began to brush at her hair. Auburn hair reaching mere inches down from either side of the child's shoulder's, had noticeable care over the small amount of years that the child has lived. The brush went through with ease, as it would with any silk strands of hair. The silence in the room grew heavy, and the children impatient. While Sansa was occupied by having her hair pulled and brushed, Robb had nothing to do. He would have much preferred to spend his time with his Lord Father, or sparring with one of the stable boys. Instead he sat in his mother's room, waiting for her to speak.
"Mother?" came the scratchy voice of Robb. "Are you not feeling well?"
Cateyln put down the brush, and allowed Sansa to come and sit near them. "I am well. Simply thinking of how you all are growing up so fast. Robb you are looking more and more like your father each day that passes. You are almost as tall as me. And you Sansa, I can see a true beauty in you. A resemblance to your aunt, your father's sister. I have a silly wish going on in my head, of not wanting to see you two and your siblings leave me". She gave a weak sad smile to them. Her words bringing excitement in the beginning but sorrow at the end. For they did not want to see their mother look so sad.
Sansa crawled into her mother's lap and hugged her, hoping to bring comfort to her. While Robb scooted closer to her, and brought his arm around her. A warm sight to be seen.
Night fell upon them sooner than usual for the Bolton men, Winterfell was farther north than they were used to, meaning that the cold brought night faster. In the main hall, the maids and servants were bustling about getting everything ready for dinner. Clangs of silverware was heard, with the sounds of shuffling feet around the building. Ramsay watched as the people scurried around, trying their best to please the lords and ladies which will dine in the room tonight. It made him pleased to see them running about, almost in a hurry, with a dedication on their mind. In all honesty once they landed in Winterfell, Ramsay found the whole place to be dull. Instead of getting to have his wish granted and being able to have more time with his future bride to be, he was left alone to wander the palace. His chambers were plain, compared to his own back at home, the people were different too. Unlike Dreadfort and the people within, the people of Winterfell did not look away from him, they did not fear him. This brought confusion to him.
His thoughts were interrupted once a small body ran right at his legs, he heard her small gasp before he could even see what child it was. Looking down he saw rich golden red strands, and a bright face looking up at him. His chubby hands steadied the child from falling. His bride to be ran right at him and he caught her from any injury. He mused to himself and saw that it was as if he was a knight in shining armor saving the damsel in distress.
"M-my lord!" her soft childish voice came out, no louder than a whisper. Behind her, wobbling towards them was her younger sister only five summers old, giggling at seeing her older sister crash into someone. Ramsay did not meet the younger one before, but he was sure this was Sansa's sister. Both shared similar facial features, and her clothing was adorned with Stark colors of grey and light green. No farther behind the two came rushing in was their nanny, shocked and embarrassed at letting the two slip away from her.
Ramsay was still holding on to the girl at his feet, not wanting to let go but to spend more time with her. Their nanny on the other hand, said her apologies and quickly tried to take the children away from him. This angered him.
"What is your name?" He addressed the elder women, as she was about to take Sansa's hand into her own. "Septa Mordane, Mi Lord." there was caution in her voice as she, slightly stepped back from the young man, hoping to create a distance but also trying to take the hand of Sansa and make sure Arya was behind her.
"What is your duty"
"To tend the children"
"It seems that you have failed at your simple task of taking care of these children" he spat at her. "For if I was not here, this little lady of yours would have crashed, or fell. Do I need to report this to your Lord Commander?" He threatened. She remained silent and dared not to look up at his cool grey/blue eyes. This pleased him, putting her in her rightful place.
He scoffed at her silence and allowed with a flick of his hand, allowed them to take their leave. However, not before looking down upon the red haired girl again and sending her a smile. He squeezed her shoulders, and let go. Watching as the three figures left his sight. Soon after his little exchange with them, his father called for him. His father, a calculating man, called upon him to discuss his behavior and the way he was expected to act once they would be called down for dinner. Shortly after, they were called down.
In the main hall, sat at the far end of the eloquent table Eddard Stark with his lady wife right near him, Cateyln Stark. Near the edge of the table was the eldest Robb, near him the bastard boy Jon Snow and the ward Theon Greyjoy, and from then on knights and ladies of Winterfell. On the other side, Roose was seated with his son right near him. Sansa and Arya were not seated yet, however once Sansa saw the fat boy she bumped into only a while back, her eyes lit up. In most cases they would be seated right near their lady mother, but Sansa hoped otherwise. She asked for her mother if she would have permission to sit near the chubby boy, her mother explained to her that it would not be lady like. Sansa did not understand but listened, she sat with her mother and sister.
Dinner was delicious, yet silent in the most part. Small conversations were said from here to there, mostly pleasantries between Roose and Ned. Once everyone finished eating, warm cups of tea were served. Most people left to leave the Bolton's and Stark''s to have their needed conversation.
"I welcomed you into my home not to have fake pleasantries and smile at each other, while we eat. Talk Bolton."
Roose stared at Ned. Noticing the true nature of his dislike towards the situation.
"As you Stark's love to say, winter is coming, and it is not the time nor place for us to argue". Ned agreed. "I believe, it is time we set our differences apart and united the noble houses of Stark and Bolton."
Cateyln squeezed her hand tightly into a fist, not wanting and dreading the next words which will be said next. "I have a son, you have a daughter". And Ned yet again nodded his head, not taking in the look of worry coming from his wife.
"Then it is settled, once Sasna is of age and has had her first blood, we shall have a wedding to attend".
Author's Notes: So that's it for part one, originally I wanted to make this a one shot but it would be way too long for a one shot so there may be two or three more parts to the story. As y'all may have noticed, many of the character's are slightly OC and I changed up the plot a lot lol. I feel like in the tv show and books Ramsay is just portrayed as the villain and that's it. In this fanfiction, I try to bring out his inner thoughts.
Anyway I hope you guys like the first part. I already have the second part written up, and I will post it soon. I am sorry if there were spelling mistakes or grammar mistakes, I am not the best at those two. I just wrote this fic for fun and so other people could read it. I like Dark fics, as you may have noticed, and if anyone has any recommendations please tell me. Ok I believe that will be all. Until next time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones nor am I writer for the tv show, also I own none of the characters, I only wrote this fic for fun and enjoyment.
Another thing to note is that I tried my best to write like George R. R. Martin, and put as much details as needed. I tried to set the story in the time period of which it is held, but I am sorry if I messed up in anyway.
Ok I believe that will be all. Until next time.