Chapter Four - Eddard Stark
It was late in the afternoon, the sound of birds and wildlife frolicking in nearby forests spread throughout Winterfell, and into Eddard's chambers. The sun was about to kiss the horizon, setting a gloomy mood inside the dimly lit room. Eddard ran his gloved hand across his cheek, his beard resisting the smooth motion ever so slightly. The raven had come early this morning, with the warmer winds from down south, but even now Eddard was re-reading the piece of paper as his mind raced.
Mace Tyrell had called upon a once in a decade tournament to be hosted in Highgarden, inviting any house of at least minor importance. Eddard's eyes flickered across the message again, considering just what it meant to him.
Why?
As Eddard thought he heard the sound of swords clashing, most likely Jon and Robb out in the courtyard, practicing intensely. If Eddard decided to accept, he'd most likely be forced to bring somebody to represent house Stark.
But who?
Jon and Robb weren't nearly good enough to compete against the more experienced knights, but they could participate none the less. Eddard needed a skilled swordsman, one that could at least make the quarter finals - all else would be a mockery of the north.
Many names ran through Eddard's head, excluding himself naturally - he did not fight in tournaments. The scroll did encourage lords of higher standing to fight.
Hrm.
Jon Umber. Greatjon as they called him, was a fierce warrior, perhaps one of the best chances Eddard had at representing the north. Jon Umber would without a doubt refuse to fight for house Stark, he would only fight for Umber in a tournament - but he could be a good combatant for the north.
Eddard started scribbling the message onto a smaller piece of parchment, his handwriting barely any good. Eddard encouraged Jon Umber to fight for the north, and reminded him several times in the scroll exactly what kind of men he would be fighting.
Southern pansies
Eddard smiled to himself, sealing the scroll and letting it rest on the table.
I could let Jon and Robb enter the tournament - I doubt they'll make it past qualifiers.
Eddard didn't like the idea, knowing that men like Jaime Lannister would take great pleasure in humiliating his son - especially now that he couldn't fight Eddard himself. Eddard disliked Jaime greatly, he was a dishonest man - a self centered man.
The door on the opposite side of the table creaked open, and Nelly stuck her head in awkwardly.
"Supper is served within the half hour my lord".
Eddard nodded "Thank you Nelly" he did not look up at her.
Nelly closed the door as silently as she could, and moved along.
Eddard grunted in annoyance and picked out a slightly larger piece of parchment, dipping his quill once again - he began to write.
Mouthing the words silently as he wrote them, Eddard crafted his reply.
I accept your invitation with joy.
The house of Stark will ride for Highgarden, and arrive before the next full moon.
It will be a pleasure to break bread and drink at your court once again.
I will personally see to it, that only our best fighters are submitted.
Eddard Stark
Eddard sealed the scroll and sighed deeply, he did not enjoy the formalities surrounding a tournament - in fact, he did not enjoy tournaments at all. Eddard rose from his chair, leaving the quill in the holder next to the ink deposit.
Wearing hard boiled leather fitted with fur, Eddard was almost warm inside the walls of Winterfell, his trousers double layered with hog hide and wool. Eddard took the two scrolls and stretched before taking a look out of the window.
Fewer children were playing out in the streets of Winterfell this time of day.
It must be time for supper.
Eddard strapped the massive cloak of fur over his broad shoulders, it almost touching the floor. He took Ice with him and headed for the door. As soon as Eddard emerged from his chambers, Arya came running past him in the corridor.
"Mind your step" Eddard reminded his daughter, smiling weakly at her.
"Always do!" Arya muttered loudly as she disappeared behind a wall, not turning back to face her father. Eddard walked towards the staircase, he had noticed that lately his sword had been heavier - his entire body had been heavier.
I should tell Catelyn.
But Eddard Stark did not pay his weakened state any mind as he reached the staircase, for the smell of roast pig entered his nostrils. Eddard was always slightly cheery around supper, he enjoyed sitting with his family for a meal, almost more than anything.
Eddard made his way down towards the main hall. He descended the stairs slowly, having to lift Ice a little higher from the ground to avoid scraping. The stairway was dark, except for the torches mounted on the walls, it had always been like this - Eddard enjoyed the nostalgic value.
Stepping into the main hall, Eddard took in the earthy atmosphere that was always there, just before supper. He walked across, seeing his family, a few servants and some soldiers eating at different places in the hall - a smile spread on Eddard's face.
It was rare that everyone ate at the same time, in the same place - so Eddard took great pleasure in these nights. Eddard nodded at everyone at the table, exchanging greetings as he put Ice on the table next to him.
Eddard sat next to Catelyn, the food had not been served yet. On Catelyn's right side sat Sansa, and next to Sansa sat Robb. On the other side, opposite to Eddard sat Jon, then Arya and next to Arya, Rickon. Theon and Bran sat on opposites ends of the table, none of them were engaged in conversation.
"I've received a raven from Mace Tyrell, I think some of you will be excited about what he had to say" Eddard muttered with half a smile as he poured himself a mug of dark ale. Jon's eyes immediately shot to Eddard, he was always very interested in what he had to say.
Within a few seconds, all eyes were on Eddard.
"Highgarden is hosting a once in a decade tournament, inviting half the Seven Kingdoms."
Eddard could see the excitement in Jon's eyes, a rare sight.
"That sounds... Good" Catelyn assured Eddard, hesitating slightly, attempting to see how he himself felt about it.
"That is good" Robb added, smirking widely as he leaned out to look at Eddard, foam from the ale above his lip.
"So what do you say, can we fight?" Robb inquired, looking between Eddard and Jon, insinuating that both of them would enter the qualifier.
Eddard calmly answered as he raised the mug to his lips.
"That depends, I'll probably have to see you perform first" Eddard said with smirk, gulping down long and hard on the ale.
Jon didn't speak, he just watched the conversation intensely, along with the other children.
"Say me and Jon have a spar after supper, winner qualifies for the qualifier" Robb said with a smile, he was always a very smiling young man - positive in general.
Eddard was quiet for a few seconds, then made eye contact with Jon.
A tiny smile spread across Jon's otherwise emotionless face "I'll spar".
Eddard nodded and took another sip of ale "Alright, after supper - we'll see about qualifying after".
Robb clenches his fist and threw a victorious punch into the air, but not in a dramatic fashion - it was discrete.
"Alright" he said with an excited tone of voice, and just as he did, the doors to the kitchen swung open. Five or so servants entered with different plates and arrangements of food, heading straight for the Stark family table.
Everyone cheered up, a few smiles immediately found their way around the table. Duck, pork, bread, soup and potatoes were placed amongst the Stark's - and plenty of it. Robb, Theon, Rickon, Arya and Bran were all over the food, their hands moving swiftly across the different platters. Catelyn, Sansa, Jon and Eddard were all relaxed, taking their time at picking the contents of their plate.
Was it wise to inspire hope in the boys?
Probably not.
Eddard took a bite of the pork. Usually he'd just have answered them plainly, but for some reason he felt his judgment had been lacking strength lately - was he sick? He was feeling under the weather both physically and mentally, and he didn't like it.
He planted his fork in a duck breast and brought it to his plate, the juices filling the edges of his plate almost artistically so.
"So when are we going? And are we all going?" Catelyn asked as she cut a potato in half. Eddard chewed long and well on the duck, washing it down with more ale before answering.
"We'll ride out tomorrow, there are weeks of riding to Highgarden, we can reach the tournament before the first joust, the children could see Highgarden and formally introduce themselves" Eddard pointed out, pulling a few potatoes onto his plate.
"Theon, Bran, Rickon and Arya will stay at home and continue their studies with Maester Luwin, since they're all slacking" Eddard began chewing on the boiled potato, directing his gaze around the table.
The children started complaining, it turned into one big continuous rabble.
"I will not have it" Eddard mumbled with authority, and the children went quiet.
The atmosphere at the table was slightly pressed for a minute or two, but conversation between the many Stark's continued soon after.
"So what famous knight's will be there?" Robb asked.
"If the knight is known, or in any way important, I can imagine them being there" Eddard said, shifting his gaze to Robb as he chewed a slice of duck.
"Will Joffrey be there?" Sansa inquired, leaning out over the table to look at Eddard.
"Joffrey can't swing a sword for the life of him" Arya teased, smiling at Sansa.
"Shut up Arya, no one was talking to you" Sansa responded, obviously upset at her comment. Sansa looked back at Eddard, expecting a real answer.
"I don't know, but it's a possibility".
Gods be good I hope he doesn't
Eddard felt himself hope that Robert did not come, and for the first time in his life he felt there was awkwardness, perhaps almost hostility between the two. Eddard had refused Robert, and Robert had ridden for weeks just to ask him - and Eddard had done his friend wrong, he knew that.
"Alright, I'm done" Robb said, pushing his plate away from his side of the table, stretching his arms way above his head.
Jon nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, still chewing on something.
"Hold on, I'm still eating" Eddard said.
"Go out and get ready, I'll finish my potatoes".
Jon and Robb rose from the table, both excited - but Robb more obviously so.
Eddard sat quietly and finished his potatoes as the table fell apart, Arya running away with Bran, Rickon and Theon going outside to see the fight. Sansa, Catelyn and Eddard continued eating.
Eddard felt uncomfortable for a second, knowing that Sansa had not been happy with his choices lately.
Eddard wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, coughing loudly. Catelyn looked at him, looking mildly worried. Eddard scratched his beard as he stood from the table.
"I'll go check on Robb and Jon" he muttered, Sansa and Catelyn following him with their eyes.
Eddard picked up his sword and ran his fingers through his hair, walking towards the courtyard.
Outside Jon and Robb had equipped themselves with training swords, measured and weighted as a regular sword. Robb had a smile on his face.
"You ready there Jon?"
Jon seemed a lot more calm and concentrated, although still expressing great desire to fight.
"Ready when you are".
Eddard nodded "Go on".
The two stood roughly fifteen feet apart, holding their swords high, ready to engage. They were both taught the same form, the same moves, the same technique - but in the heat of the moment, Jon showed great potential and intuition.
Eddard circled the boys, watching their footwork as the boys saw each other out. Eddard had always been a mediocre swordsman, with lordly training. Eddard was well aware that he wasn't on the large scale a good fighter, but he was capable against most knights. Jon had what Robb and Eddard did not have, talent.
The swords clashed, smashing against each other fiercely. Eddard could see as the boys fenced that they were significantly more eager in their fighting, more bold than when he had observed them from the tower.
Jon kept his composure, sticking to his training - he was staying defensive for now, waiting for Robb to slip up. Jon understood that it was more likely to fail during an attack, as in opening ones flank or legs - Eddard noticed this.
He could see Theon crouched down, explaining the fight to Rickon, moving his hands about to emphasize his words. Eddard did not like Theon, but he did not dislike him either - he was just there.
As Eddard looked away he saw from the corner of his eye, Jon advancing on Robb. Jon struck with such force and speed that Robb messed his footwork up, he was focusing too much on parrying. Jon took advantage and with a swing of his sword marked Robb.
Three marks win, that was the tournament rules, and that was the rules they usually practiced with. Eddard noticed that the sun had almost gone completely down, there was barely any light inside the courtyard, high walls keeping what sunlight was left out.
The boys clashed again in a high speed combination of blows, switching back and forth as the aggressor. They grimaced as they both were eager to qualify, Eddard could see the concentration in their eyes.
As Robb retracted his sword from a blow, Jon hit it so hard that it ripped out of his hand, falling to the ground - he then marked him gently on the chest. Robb seemed annoyed, but not at Jon - more in himself.
"Hold onto your sword, son" Eddard said with a smirk.
Robb smiled back as he knelt to pick the sword up from the mud.
Eddard did not call Jon son, not now, not ever.
I wonder if Jon notices.
The boys started going at it again, and Eddard looked over to Theon and Rickon again. Theon continued to speak to Rickon, but Rickon was laughing and seemingly having a good time - that was all that mattered to Eddard.
"Argh!" Sounded Robb's voice as he slashed at Jon's chest, marking him roughly. Jon was visibly angry with himself for the mistake, but quickly got back in position.
"That's two to one, brother" Robb said, always a hint of enthusiasm in his words - he was hard to get down, even when losing.
Jon didn't attack initially, nor did he answer, he waited for Robb with a determined look in his almost black eyes.
The swords crossed over the heads of the two, connecting many times in succession to the first blow. The two swords connected once again, Jon gritting his teeth as the two pushed against each other. Robb swung boldly, Jon saw it coming and dodged it, returning the attack with a thrust to Robb's stomach area.
That was the third mark.
Robb smiled.
"Well fought" he said as the two shook hands, slightly red in their cheeks. Jon looked at Eddard, and Eddard smiled - Jon returned the smile.
"Well done, both of you... Jon I'll see to it that you get to qualify" Eddard nodded at the two.
Robb smiled at Jon "Go down there and beat Jaime Lannister, yeah?" he chuckled.
Jon shrugged with a smirk "He seemed pretty confident a few weeks ago, I saw him spar Rodrik - absolutely destroyed him".
Robb raised a brow "He beat Rodrik?" Jon answered with a nod.
"The man is gifted with a sword, but a coward and an oath breaker" Eddard said bluntly.
"Keep that in mind".
The boys both nodded "Naturally, a coward".
Eddard knew that boys somewhere in the back of their minds always respected raw achievement more than any words, he knew they admired Jaime Lannister's swordsmanship.
"Alright, clean yourselves up and get ready to ride out in the morning, I'm going to have these scrolls sent" Eddard nodded at both the boys, turning around to walk towards the tower where he knew Maester Luwin would be.
I shouldn't have promised Jon a fight, he'll get frustrated if he loses.
Eddard sighed as he made his way through the dark courtyard, the sound of the forest all gone at this time of day. Jon wanted to fulfill his duties and become an honorable man more than anything else, he wanted the recognition he deserved from Eddard, he wanted to be a good son.
Eddard knew what Jon wanted, but he could never put the past behind him, he could never forget the circumstances under which Jon and him even knew each other. As long as Jon called Eddard father, he could not look him in the eyes with an honest smile.
Eddard climbed the steps of the tallest and largest tower, the steps cobblestone at first, then dark wood. One of the torches inside of the staircase towards the top of the tower had gone out, and it darkened the steps entirely, making Eddard take his time. Eddard could hear Master Luwin walking around up there, which made his efforts on the stairs that much more rewarding - he did not want to go looking for him.
As Eddard entered the room, he saw the old Maester enjoying a book by the candlelight, he turned his head as he heard the door creak. Eddard smiled at the Maester, getting a smile back immediately.
"My lord, a pleasure to have a visit from you this time of day - I presume you have something you need sent?".
Eddard nodded "And right you are".
He walked towards the table, resting Ice onto the tableside.
"Big scroll is for Mace Tyrell, small one for Jon Umber - Use the fastest ravens" Eddard placed the sealed scrolls on the dimly lit table, next to the book.
Maester Luwin nodded, his eyes kind.
"I'll get it done immediately".
Eddard was about to leave.
Oh wait.
"We'll ride out tomorrow for Highgarden, the smaller children will stay behind to catch up on their books. Don't go easy on them" Eddard nodded, realizing he had also forgot Ice, something he did not do very often, or perhaps ever.
I must be sick.
Eddard walked over to pick his sword up, hauling it over his shoulder by habit as he left the room. Eddard made the walk down the stairs faster this time, he felt like getting back inside and spending some time with Catelyn.
Gods I love that woman.
Eddard closed the door to the tower behind him, a cold breeze washing against his face as he entered the courtyard once again. It was time for Eddard to enjoy the rest of his evening, perhaps write up some more scrolls - but that was it.
Eddard walked back towards the hall, the cold intensifying the further he walked, as if it was stalking him - trying to talk to him.
Eddard pulled his cloak up close around himself, walking faster and faster towards the hall.
But Eddard Stark could not outrun the winds of winter. No man could.