Note: First of all... Thank you to Amelia831 and mpowers045 for their suggestions that can be seen in this chapter as well as all the people who followed and favorited this story you guys are the ones that keep egging me on to keep writing these stories so thank you all for that.

NOW ON WITH THE CHAPTER...

Chapter 3: The Sweet Song of Steel part 2

Evening had come and the feast was about to start. Cregan was adourned in the usual Stark noble outfit while Sansa was wearing a silk blue dress, as they both entered they were greeted with warm welcomes, wine, food and music. The main hall was warm and welcoming, something Sansa enjoyed ever so much but all Cregan could think about is the cold breeze of The North, the howl of wolves could be heard as the bards sang their songs and the guests drank their wine and ate their bread and salt. The twins sat at the highest level above all the other tables, their father and mother sitting beside them, Eddard sitting next to Cregan and Catelyn sitting next to Sansa, their siblings were placed at the lower levels. Robb, Bran, Rickon and the other male guests were seated to the left whereas Arya and the female guests were seated to the right.

While all of this was fine Cregan still couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, he wasn't used to being the center of attention, as much as his siblings usually tried to make him be. The guests consisted of northern lords who were closest to Winterfell and could be bothered to come. While all The North loved The Starks, all The North also wasn't really to keen on meeting Cregan. In the 'cold and desolated wasteland', which is what most of the southern realms called The North, strength is respected as much as inteligence. This would of course lead to problems with other houses who in the end were really only showing off their strength to try and intimidate their competitors. Despite that thinking however, no northener would even dare to challenge the second son of Lord Eddard Stark. Not because out of fear or respect from Cregan's name or standing, but only because they didn't want a death wish.

They didn't call him 'The Demon of The North' for nothing.

For a moment Cregan observed his surroundings, first moving his eyes to his younger sister Arya. Of course Arya also looked uncomfortable in the middle of all these high born ladies. While northern women weren't the pure definition of 'beauty and grace' they still tried to stick within their own boundries. This is one of the main reasons Cregan had a sort of respect for all The Mormont girls, especially Dacey. Sansa usually would scold Arya for any un-lady-like behaviour but in the end Cregan knew his twins scolding was really only keeping to Septa Mordane's teachings.

After Arya Cregan looked over to his older and younger brothers. Robb, Bran and Rickon were all busy doing their own things, chatting with others. Out of all of his siblings Cregan couldn't help but feel that someone was missing. It wasn't Theon, he obviously was using this oppurtunity to be as loud as he could. This only left one person missing.

As he realised that however, the warmth of the great was immediately extinguished, not to the others, but only to him. Suddenly an unnoticable cold surrounded Cregan's senses, and he could help but shiver for a second. Thankfully Cregan was already used to this feeling so he was able to hide his reaction. But whenever this would happen, it could mean only one thing.

'Notice someone missing?'
'Oh great... it's you'
'Who else did you think it would be?'
'Well...'
'Don't answer that'
'Alright then, so what do you want this time?'
'Nothing...'
'Oh really, nothing at all?'
'Yes, not a single thing, I just wanted to congratulate you'
'On what?'
'For living past your sixteenth nameday'
'Big deal, just another year closer to my death'
'You really can't see that better side of things can't you?'
'You've been living in my head for six years now, you yourself should know this'
'Well nevermind that now, don't you have a half-brother to find?'
'Oh, right...'

"Father, where's Jon?" Cregan turned to his father noticing that he couldn't see his older brother with his other siblings.

"Your mother doesn't want him here" Eddard answered his son, his tone showing his own form of dissapointment at himself.

Cregan turned to his mother giving her a glare. 'Can't you let him have this atleast' he thought to himself, still staring towards his mother before excusing himself from the table resulting in his sister giving him what could only be described as a death stare. Something Cregan hated to admit would always get to him.

Cregan left the main hall and took his bear fur coat wrapping it around his shoulders. Outside in the main courtyard he saw Jon bashing on his usual training dummy and Lyarra watching him with awe. "What are you two doing out here at this hour?" Cregan's voice made the two quickly turn around. Jon was covered in sweat and was only wearing his regular leather clothing while Lyarra had her own coat to keep herself warm.

"I was just showing our little guest here a few sword tricks" Jon said pointing towards Lyarra.

"No, I meant why aren't you at the feast." with that Jon's head quickly lowered trying not to show his embarrassment.

"A nameday feast isn't a place for a bastard" Jon's words made Cregan's thoughts instantly turned to his mother.

'I wish she can just leave him be for once'

"No place for a bastard? All I can see is a Lord's son and his ward" Cregan's words shocked Jon.

"But i'm not-" Jon tried to protest but he was cut off by Cregan's soul-piercing eyes.
"I'll hear none of it Jon, now let's go, you to Lyarra." Cregan put it simply.
"M-me?" Lyarra had the same reaction as Jon when she heard Cregan call her Lord Eddard's ward.

"Yes... now come on" Cregan then started walking back towards the main hall with Jon and Lyarra close behind them.

When they entered the main hall most of the guests ignored them out of sheer drunkeness and or not caring. When Catelyn saw Jon at the feast her stare almost made the boy piss himself but her stare was emediatly meet with Cregan's eyes filled with the same deadlyness and poison that instantly calmed her down. "Jon, you go sit next to Robb, Lyarra, take a seat next to Arya" while Lyarra took her seat next to his sister Jon was still refusing to move an inch.

"Cregan I don't think this is a good idea" Jon then started to leave only to get grabbed by the arm.

"Jon... if I have to suffer through this feast I'm at least going to have my entire family here with me." he continued "Now go sit your ass down and let me take care of mother". After that Jon begrudingly sat down next to his half-brother Robb both touched and shocked by Cregan's words making him let out a small smile.

Despite how he acts, Cregan was always protective of his family and that included Jon. Robb might have been the eldest but without a doubt the most mature member of the family was Cregan, even his father would sometime act a bit childish to play with his sons and daughters.

The feast continued as drinks were handed out laughter chimed across the halls coupled with the music of bards, Cregan and Sansa are 16 years old now and in The North that means they are old enough to drink as much wine as they want but despite that the twins barely touched any wine. Sansa only had one cup of wine keeping with her mother and fathers teachings while Cregan didn't even touch wine at the feast. When all the courses and drinks were placed a servant went up to Eddard and whispered something to him.

"What is it Father?" Cregan asked, curious about the servants words.

"A Southern rider has come bearing gifts for you and your sister" his father was confused but both of them actually knew form which house this was from.
"Let the rider in" Eddard told the servant signaling him to open the main hall doors.

With that a Southern diplomat bearing the sigil of House Tyrell, behind him four servants were carrying two chests. One resembled a luggage bag while the other looked more like a standard chest but still adorned with the customary roses that The Tyrell banner was famous for. "House Tyrell sends their regards for the two Starks children" the diplomat said while taking a low bow.

Everyone was shocked at the news, a southern house going through so much trouble just to congratulate the two twins on their nameday, Warden of The North's children or not it was very strange for someone other than House Tully to interact with the northerners. While all the guests stared at the diplomat all of The Starks might have been the only ones not to be suprised at the news.

During his early years Catelyn thought that her second son would be better of to be educated in court than to be a soldier as he was showing signs of being quite the intelectual and so she was planning to make him be her fathers ward but,suprisingly, a raven arrived requesting that Cregan be Lord Mace Tyrells ward. Catelyn was confused, this request came out of nowhere but after careful thinking and consoling it with her husband they decided to let Cregan be Mace Tyrells ward.

And so Cregan was shipped towards Highgarden becoming a ward to the second most powerfull house of at the time. There he learned Read and Write, how to ride a horse, how to wield a sword and most importantly, the ways of court and politics. During his time there he also befriended the Tyrell children, most of the time he would spar with Garlan and Loras, the warriors of the family. Garlan, who is now Ser Garlan the Gallant was not always the knight in shinning armor he is now, in his younger years he was growing up to be much more like his fat father but with a little encouragment from his brothers he became one of the most renowned knights in the realm, alongside Garlan there was his younger brother Loras, the Knight of Flowers, unlike his brother, Loras focused more on tourney fights whereas Garlan trained more for unfair and uncontrollable battles. Cregan admired the two for keeping true to what knights are supposed to be and not just being soldiers with pretty ribbons on top. When Cregan wasn't training with the sword he was training with the quil alongside the eldest Tyrell child, Willas. Willas was like his brothers once before a freak accident in a tournament causing a him to break his leg although Cregan did always respect Willas's decision not to harbour a grudge against the culprit of the accident, Oberyn 'The Red Viper' Martell. Cregan's love of hunting came from Willas who would always let him go hunt with him. And then there was Margaery, the most beautiful rose in all of Highgarden whom which Cregan had built quite the friendship with. Cregan was happy with the life he had in Highgarden although he did miss the cold breeze of The North but that all changed when IT happened...

"As a show of our respect The Tyrells have made these gifts for you two" the diplomat said snapping Cregan out of his thoughts.

The diplomat signals the servants to open the chests, first is Sansa's chest, when they opened the chest it revealed a beautiful silk dress adorned with jewels, feathers and dyed in a sapphire green color. Sansa's face told it all, at first she was shocked then that shock turned into amazement and then that amazement turned into sheer happiness.

All the girls were gawking at how beautiful the dress is, even Arya was amazed at it's beauty while all the men were either whispering or stayed completely silent.

After that it was Cregan's chest that was next but before the servants could unlock the chest he spoke up.

"Thank you, but I would much rather enjoy opening it myself after the feast" Cregan stopped the diplomat, trying to give out as big of a regal tone as he could muster.
"As you wish my lord" the diplomat bowed and left the room along with his servants.

After the feast, Cregan carried the chest to his chambers and carefully opened it revealing what the gift was...

In the chest there were two swords, one was a longsword, one was a shortsword, just a little smaller than the first blade, as Cregan pulled the first sword out of the chest he removed it from it's scabbard to inspect the longswords hilt was wrapped in black leather with the Stark wolf carved into the pummel, the blade had a slight blue tint and was made of a strange metal Cregan couldn't recognise, the sword seemed to light up as he illuminated it in the Moonlight, the crossguard of the blade was straight and it seemed to be surrounded by vines.

After he inspected the first blade, Cregan moved over to second sword. The shortswords hilt was wrapped in light brown leather with a twisted pummel with a little jewel on top, the blade was slick, a certain warmth was radiating from the edges giving it a light red tint, the crossguard was bent and intended to be used for parrying. The blade seemed to have some runic carvings on it, from what Cregan could make of it, the carvings originated from Qarth. Sadly he couldn't make out what the carving were saying, despite him knowing the writing style.

As Cregan was inspecting the blades he noticed a letter sealed with the House Tyrell sigil in the chest. He took the note, opened it and read what was inside...

Cregan,
We've had these swords made for you so you can remember us whenever you train,
Know that we all still think of you as family and we wait for your next visit,
This letter may be short but still we send you our best regards,

With love, The Tyrells

Note:
So here is Chapter 3. Now just to answer this right now because I can already see people asking this question. Yes, the voice Cregan was talking to during the feast was an actual character and to book readers you might already know him. This isn't just a little voice in his head that Cregan talks to, later on in the story this will also be a really big plot point in Cregan's character but for now this is just a simple appearance for this character. And no, he does not have an actual name.

As for the Tyrells, yes, this is yet another plot point you will see in other chapters so expect a lot of that. And by now you have probably already read the pairing for this story so you guys can probably tell what I'm going to do with the characters.