Wallace Waynwood

He had been living in Winterfell for eight years now, he had turned fourteen some two weeks ago, and a great celebration had been held to commemorate the occasion. Something that had made him feel slightly uncomfortable, given the fact that he generally preferred to remain out of the spotlight, preferring that Robb or Theon enjoy the light and attention of the Starks and their children. Of course he had done his bit and in the end had thoroughly enjoyed the festivities, the many courses that had been served, the dancing that had taken place all of that had made him feel like he truly was part of the Stark family and not just a ward, not just someone who had been sent to foster for whatever reason his mother had seen fit to send him here. Lord and Lady Stark had always gone out of their way to make him feel welcome, always making sure that his needs were seen to and that he never wanted for anything, and for that he would always be grateful. That he was also very good friends with their children, in particularly Robb and Jon only made things all the more better. He, Robb, Jon and to a lesser extent Theon were a gang, they operated together and caused all kinds of chaos and havoc around Winterfell, something that Wallace knew either exasperated Lord and Lady Stark or amused them, as well as those who also lived in Winterfell. Wallace whilst not being exceptionally close to any of the other Stark children was nonetheless fond of them, Sansa with her dreams of the south and all that it held was endearing even if she could sometimes be a bit annoying with her callousness. Arya, Wallace was quite fond of Arya and her feistiness and her stubbornness they often joked about different things that no one else truly understood; that she shared his love of horse riding was just another bonus. As to the youngest two Stark children, Bran and Rickon, well Wallace did not truly know them though whenever they were in trouble he had the natural urge to play their big brother.

As to what he actually got up to during his time at Winterfell, when he was not at lessons with Robb and Jon, something that he found quite interesting, he was either in the training yard sparring with them, something he did not truly enjoy, or he was out riding. As a youngster he knew that Lord Eddard had often joked that Wallace must have been born on a horse due to the amount of time he spent riding his horse Chestnut. That was something that Wallace had taken pride in, that and the fact that out of everyone in Winterfell he was most likely the best rider, and perhaps even in the north. In fact he was quite sure he had beaten Domeric Bolton in a race the last time the heir to the Dreadfort had come to Winterfell for a visit. They were supposed to have a re match today but Domeric had not arrived yet from the Dreadfort and so Wallace had gone out riding, just to clear his mind. It felt nice, to be atop a horse, feeling the earth move underneath, to feel so free without a care in the world, and as such he continued riding on and on through the Wolfswood without a care in the world, though he made sure to remain within sight of Winterfell. He eventually stopped off at a little alcove he and Alys Karstark had found once last year where they had practiced at kissing.

It was within this alcove that Robb and Jon found him, he was sat contemplating a letter his mother had sent him a few days ago, when they entered the alcove. He looked up and seeing the worried expressions on their faces sat up and asked. "What's wrong? Has something bad happened back in Winterfell?"

Robb shook his head and said. "No Wal, there has been a raven from the Dreadfort, from Lord Bolton. It seems Domeric won't be able to come to Winterfell anytime soon, or at all."

Wallace felt something in his throat constrict at that. "What do you mean by that Robb? What happened to Domeric?"

At that Robb was completely silent, seemingly unable to speak, and so it fell to Jon to speak the truth, and it would be a truth that would haunt Wallace for the rest of his life. "Domeric died from a sickness of the bowels, an ailment that hit him just after he went to meet his bastard brother. Lord Bolton apparently wrote in his letter that he believes his bastard responsible for the deed, and as such will be taking steps to remove him from the north."

Wallace looked at Jon and then asked. "How do you know that Jon? Did you listen in?"

Jon shakes his head. "Theon heard it from one of the serving maids he bedded, who heard it from one of the servers who gave father his wine when he was speaking with Lady Catelyn. But surely you know what that means? The bastard will be made heir to the Dreadfort and Lyarra will be out of a place in that hell hole."

Wallace knew that his friend had some sort of affection for the daughter of Roose Bolton but he had never thought it would be as strong as it seemed. Calmly he said. "We can't jump to any conclusions Jon, it is not our place to do so. It is your lord father's, and besides Lord Eddard knows to be wary of the Boltons. It is not like he is a green boy, like you or I are."

His friend did not seem convinced but before he could say anymore, Robb spoke then. "Have you thought about what you're going to say to your mother Wal? Will you be going back home or will you remain here?"

Wallace was silent for a long moment and then he said. "I do not want to leave just yet, but if I must go and see what is wrong at home then I must do that. I would not be a good son if I did not go back, nor would it be honourable to remain here whilst my mother and brothers dealt with such a strong blow. I must go and do my bit and find out what has happened, what has truly happened."

His friends were silent for a moment before Robb said. "Well I am sure that whatever you decide to do, it will be the right decision. We are always here for you if you need anything Wal."

Wallace nodded and then the three of them mounted their horses and rode back to Winterfell. After much internal debating, he decided to return to Iron Oaks for however long his family needed him to be there for. And so he left one summer day and arrived at Iron Oaks some four weeks after setting out from Winterfell. He was greeted by his brother Ser Morton, who had gotten married but a year ago to Randa Royce, his brother seemed older and thinner somehow, as if the weight of being the acting Lord of Iron Oaks was beginning to weigh heavily on him. The first thing Wallace asked once they were inside the castle was. "How is mother doing?"

His brother is silent for a moment and then he says simply. "Go and see for yourself, she's awake now."

Wallace nods and walks towards his mother's chambers, Donnel walks out just as he gets to his mother's chambers, his older brother looks at him and nods once before walking past him. Wallace walks into his mother's room, and sees his mother lying on the bed, reading a book. He clears his throat and says. "Mother," His mother looks up at him and then beckons for him to sit down in the chair next to her which he does. He takes her hand then and asks. "How are you feeling mother?"

His mother is silent for a long time and then when she replies her voice is very hoarse. "I have been better. But I am slowly healing now, and with the right amount of rest and sleep I should be up and ready in no time."

Wallace nods and then asks. "What exactly happened mother? Morton's letter was not truly all that detailed and it was hard for me to understand what had happened to cause your fall?"

His mother is silent for a long moment and then she says softly. "That is because I asked him to make it deliberately vague Wallace. It was not a fall, I am not so old that I cannot maintain my own balance whilst walking up or down those blasted stairs. No I was pushed, and I know exactly who by and why it was done. And I needed you back here so that I could tell you all and then you could go back and speak to Ned."

"What do you mean mother? What happened?" Wallace asks fear beginning to lace his tone.

His mother sighs and pats his hand and says. "Calm down Wallace, I will tell you it all I must catch my breath first." His mother takes a deep breath and then says. "There are spies here in Iron Oaks and the Vale who do not belong to the crown nor to the eunuch the master of whispers who claims to serve the realm but must be a Targaryen loyalist. No these spies belong to the master of coin Petyr Baelish. Tell me Wallace what do you know of Lord Baelish?"

Wallace had to strain hard to remember what he had been told of the man, eventually he said. "I know he comes from the Fingers, and that he fostered at Riverrun with Lady Catelyn and her siblings and that he once challenged Lord Eddard's brother to a duel for Lady Catelyn's hand. But what does he have to do with this?"

"Because these spies have confessed to trying to remove mother from this world on the orders of Lord Baelish." Wallace's brother Morton said standing in the doorway.

Wallace is stunned and then he asks. "But why would he do that? What have we ever done to him that would make him feel the need to do such a thing to us?"

His mother speaks then and she says. "Because we are related to the Starks, and no matter what Lord Baelish might appear to be, he is a dangerous man, and he wants to get back at the Starks for taking away his life from him, or what he perceives as his life. As such he will do whatever it takes to cause trouble between us and the north. We must warn Ned, and you must do that as soon as you return to Winterfell. Morton will tell you all you need to know about what we know and then you must return north as soon as possible and warn Ned before it is too late."

"Why, what will happen otherwise mother?" Wallace asks concerned.

His mother looks at him and says simply. "War."