King Brandon Stark sat upon the winter throne when a Frost Ranger burst into the Great Hall. You could tell by his cloak, white was pure white in color, with a clasp in the shape of an Avem, with a longbow made of pure white wood, Weirwood.
He knelt in front of the throne and said, "Your grace, we have spotted around 30 ships, flying Valyrian banners. I believe it is the banner of house Targaryen, house Belaerys, and house Veltigar. They have around 30 dragons with them."
"Where do they seem to be sailing to?"
"White Harbor your grace."
"I want you to gather most, if not all, Frozen Rangers and Frost Rangers. Let the Snow Rangers and the Rangers take over the patrols. Ned, I need you to take 1000 men, 50 giants, and 30 mammoths to White Harbor and greet these Dragonlords. If they are here for a friendly visit, send me a message within the moon, but if you fail to do so, then I shall march the Northern Army."
"I shall leave at first light, father." said Prince Eddard.
Dragonlord Belaerys with Dragonlord Veltigar and Dragonlord Targaryen stood atop his ship watching White Harbor come into view. He saw White Harbor and was surprised at its beauty. It wasn't as awe inspiring as Valyria, but it had a more tranquil beauty. That wasn't saying that New Castle, the keep of house Manderly wasn't impressive. It had grand walls, with impressive towers, but it would not be able to stand against dragonfire. It had rudimentary runes of protection on it, but no where enough to hold against dragonfire.
See, house Belaerys was no where near the most powerful of the houses of Valyria. They did not have as many dragons as house Veltigar, who were rumored to have around 50 or more, while his house only had 15. But they were one of the more gifted in the area of magic. Their runes were one of the best, with house Belaerys making the first Valyrian Steel blade. They were able to get this powerful through this gift in magic. Of course they were beaten by house Vicarion because of their willingness to sacrifice thousands of lives to beat house Belaerys.
He looked up to see a ship being escorted by 10 massive birds. And atop the ship stood a man who asked the Old Tongue "What are the Valyrian Dragonlords doing this far north?"
Seeing blank faces, the man switched to the Seven Tongue and asked the question again. The Dragonlords were more familiar with the Seven Tongue was able to respond.
Dragonlord Veltigar said "We are not here to invade the North. We merely wanted to see the North and see if the rumors were true. You have my word."
"Very well, I am Prince Eddard Stark of house Stark. May I ask for yours?"
"I am Dragonlord Veltigar, and the two men besides me are Dragonlord Belaerys, and Dragonlord Targaryen. We just wish to visit Winterfell and Wintercity."
"I was instructed by my father to lead you and your companions to Winterfell. I hope you don't mind the Frozen Rangers that will be escorting us. They are to make sure that your dragons don't wonder off killing our livestock and burning our men."
"That is perfectly acceptable."
So began our journey to the North. While the journey was long, far longer than what it would have taken to fly, but we didn't want to threaten the Northern Magnars. While Dragonlord Veltigar and Dragonlord Targaryen stay distant, I made friends with Prince Eddard. He was very stark and blunt, very fitting with his name. He was also very honorable and nice. He loved the north, and I could see why. Even with the newfound population of the North, there were still lots of empty land, filled with forests. The air was very clear, cutting though your lungs. Snow seemed to be there at all times, even in summer.
What was also impressive was the direwolf companion of Prince Eddard. His name was Winter, and was a pale white wolf, with white eyes. He was the size of a small horse, or a big pony. Prince Eddard explained to me that King Wiken found the direwolves and the Tonitruavem, in the Land of Always Winter. He told me of his family history, and I told him of mine.
When I saw Winterfell I was in awe. They were as impressive as the Castle and building of Valyria. It was even impressive that they made it mostly without the help of magic. He could sense the magic within the stone, but it wasn't as overwhelming as his keep in Valyria. What was also impressive was Wintercity. With a population of 300,000 one could see giants, men, and short little men, who I assumed was the Children of the Forest, mingling with each other. The city was patrolled by men wearing the a grey cloak. Ned told me that these were the Grey Cloaks who guarded Wintercity and Winterfell. He explained that there were practically no crimes committed because they were able to warg into animals and as soon as a crime was committed, they would find and capture them.
The city was organized into homes, merchant district, and inns. Ned explained to me that this way should they hold any tourneys or major events in made containing them, and minimising damage easier, because they were in the same place. There were no smell of shit rather a pleasant spell of the forest and wood smoke.
The inner yard had the Grey Cloaks training hard. They all looked to be decent swordsmen, and archers. Nothing to scoff at but not amazing. They then made their way to the great hall. Sat upon his throne of wolves, with his crown of swords, King Brandon Stark, King of the North and the Isle, king of the First Men, Giants, and the Children, and Magnar of Winterfell.
All three Dragonlords bowed, and King Brandon asked "Why are the Dragonlords of Valyria here?"
"We wished to visit the powerhouse of Westeros." replied Dragonlord Targaryen.
"Please, I wish not to play this game. Tell me the true reason of your visit."
"Ah the famous Stark straightforwardness. Very well, we wished to start up trade between the North and Valyria, as well as ask you not to think of conquering Valyria. Transporting your Tonitruavem, giants, mammoths, and men will be hell for you. Not to mention the supplies. It will be the same case for us." replied Dragonlord Veltigar.
"So a non-aggression pact."
"In short, yes. Although the trade as well."
"Very well, but I have a few demands. First not a single one of my people, giant, man or children of the forest will be taken by your slavers. I understand that Valyria works though slaves, the North does not. Should I hear one of my people being taken I will take my revenge."
"We can agree to those terms."
"Very well, my people will draw up a paper, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish, as long as you don't cause any trouble."
"Thank you, your grace."
Three moons later, the Valyrians left the North. House Targaryens and House Veltigar left exactly with what they thought they would. A new place to trade goods, and a non agreement treaty. But house Belaerys made a new friend with house Stark. They made better deals with them, as well as promising to keep in touch. House Stark grew in even more wealth, with new trades with Valyria, they both grew in power.
A couple of thousands of years has passed, since the Valyrian visit of the North. House Stark and house Belaerys were still great allies. All of the trade between the North and Valyria had slowly shifted to it being between the North and the Belaerys. Anytime a Stark wanted to explore the world they had started with the Balaerys or vice versa. In around the five thousands years, house Stark heard of the Maesters of the south and decided to make their own group. The main group was within the Great Library of Winterfell, unmatched within anywhere of Westeros, only matched by the houses of Valyria.
Prince Cregan Stark a third born son of house Stark, formed the Order of the Highscholars. They were a group of men who devote themselves in preserving, writing, and discovering new knowledge. The lowest level were just Scholars, who were sent out to minor towns and cities, to act as healers, advisors, and history recorders. They became scholars through 5 years of constant study, or a masting a certain field, whether it be history, medicine, or any of the other fields.
Highscholars were men that had proven their knowledge by entire writing a modified thesis, finding 15 errors within separate books or serving a town or city faithfully for 5 years, or a entire year with nobody dying of sickness. They served minor lords, and minor keeps.
Then there were Greatscholars, who either wrote a new original thesis, or 3 modified thesis, or making a new invention which will help the North. All Greatscholars must be masters of at least four fields. They served major lords, or taught Highscholars, and scholars in the Institute.
The highest rank was Grandscholars. There was a discussion which took place, between Greatscholars, and the Grandscholars to decide who was worthy to become a Grandscholar. They can only be three Grandscholars at a time. One of the Grandscholars must serve Winterfell, while the other two lead the Institute. They had to be masters of at least five fields. The Grandscholar of Winterfell became a great advisor of house Stark.
Most of the scholars were better than the Maester of the south. The Northern library was bigger, containing more books, the North was leading in innovation as well.
The Rhoynish after fleeing from the Valyrians went to Dorne, marrying into the Martells, allowing the Martell to finally conquer all of Dorne, with the help of the Starks and the new Rhoynish men. Dorne soon as powerful as the other kingdoms, if not more.
House Stark also helped a small group of slaves who escaped the Valyrians. They guided them towards the cluster of islands, at the very North of Essos. They sent twenty giants over to help with the construction. They also sent them food, and resources. They were also the first people to trade with Braavos. And when the group Braavosians decided to form the Iron Bank, they went to Winterfell, asking to adopt their currency. King Benjen Stark agreed on the condition that house Stark will always get better benefits from the Iron Bank, as well as opening a branch of the Iron Bank in Winterfell, as soon as they gained enough reputation.
At this time the Westerners were trying to make their own currency to be free of more Northern influences. They had made the Golden Lion, Silver pennies, and copper pences. It was barely catching on in the Westerlands, although the Golden Wolf was worth double a Golden Lion.
But when the Iron Bank adopted the Northern currency, they were able spread its influences to Essos. And as century passed the Golden Lion was becoming worth less, and less, and soon it was forgotten.
King Eddard Stark the eighth of his name, was sitting upon his throne, worried for as he had not heard from his old friend Dragonlord Belaerys, or as he called him Jae. It has been three moons since he last heard from him. It would take around a single moon for the messenger to reach Valyria at most, so he was dreading what it might mean. He met Jae when he left the North to explore. At first he thought he would be satisfied by visiting Westeros, but he was wrong, as everywhere but Dorne was boring. So he set sail to Valyria to mee house Belaerys an old ally of house Stark. He met Jaehaerys, and instantly hit it off with him. They practiced swordplay, worked together in politics, finance, and practically everything else.
King Eddard had stayed there for four years before journeying back. And they have kept in contact ever since. He was pondering this problem before a Frozen Ranger ran inside the Great Hall.
He knelt and said, "Your grace, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Valyria…. It has fallen. Nobody knows how it happened. The small folk say that, the fourteen massive volcanoes erupted at the same time, and the land split apart. We heard rumors of this, so we went to investigate, only to discover it to be true. I am sorry your grace, I know you had Valyrian friends."
King Eddard's face was stony. No Stark ever had an explosive anger, or sadness. All grief or anger froze inside of them, leaving them solem. He said "Bring me a Highseer."
Soon a Children of the Forest came forth and said "Your grace, you asked for me?"
"Can you explain the doom of Valyria? It sounds similar to how you Children destroyed the Arm of Dorne."
"It does your grace, but the magical signature was different. What I believe happened was your grace, was that the fourteen volcanoes exploded at once, and once it reached the castles and forts of Valyria, the magic and protection runes, and the volcanos were having a major battle, which ended with a massive magical backlash, that broke and sunk Valyria. Most runes would break, before that could happen, but all houses except house Belaerys practice human sacrifice. We also practiced it before the long night, till we decided it was to barbaric. It made the magic stronger especially if one sacrificed a magically strong person, but it was also cruel. The Valyrians didn't care about that and sacrificed thousands and thousands for each fort. This caused the runes to not collapse as the lava touched it, allowing the ensuing battle."
"So they were killed by their own stupidity and ruthlessness?"
"Well not all your grace, I heard the Targaryens took their 25 dragons to Dragonstone, and moved their entire family there, after they dreamed about the doom." said a random trader to was at the Great Hall.
"I heard the Veltigars moved a part of their family and dragons to Volantis." yelled another trader.
"Thank you all for your information." said King Eddard as he stood up from his throne. As he made his way to leave the hall, he said "Please clear the hall, I shall hold no more meeting for today."