Honor & Fealty chapter 10
A/n: If there are any specific terms and other details I need to know in order to improve my telling this story i.e. cavalcades or colums as opposed to motorcades, let me know. In regards to ages (two and ten vs. twelve), I was told by Marah Lane that both ways of telling age was used on the show and in the books. I hope I did not lose any readers in that regard. Anyway, enjoy the story.
Upon crossing the Bay of Ice onto the mainland by way of longboats, the Mormont sisters were welcomed by the Lords of Deepwood Motte, Galbart and Robett of House Glover.
Alysane chose to take her children, Sarea and Beron, along with them to Winterfell so they could be properly introduced to Lord Eddard Stark. While they were excited to see Winterfell and the Starks, Sarea and Beron kept on their best behavior and stayed close to their mother.
Lyra took Jorelle's words to heart and dressed properly for the occasion but made sure that Jon would get an eyeful of the cleavage she proudly displayed in spite of the cold climate. Their mother made them take Dacey's clothes and personal belongings to their eldest sister since she would be responsible in rearing their future leige lord. Along with that, they were ordered to pack for a one night's stay should they have to stay anywhere for the night.
While the Glovers prepared carts and horses for the Mormonts, Jorelle looked out into the distance at the Wolfswood. Lyra noticed this and leaned toward her younger sister. "I have Jon Snow to look forward to. Who do you have, Jory?"
"I read in Dacey's letters that the Starks have direwolves. If that is true, I pray that Lord Stark allows us to stay for the night. The sooner they are taught what we know, the better for all of us." Jorelle whispered.
"You still need to learn patience, Jory." Lyra said, causing Jorelle to laugh.
"You are one to talk about patience, Lyra. You are practically hoping at the first chance to drag Jon Snow kicking and screaming into your bed."
"Who says I'll have to drag him? As far as screaming goes, it will only be when he's howling my name." Lyra said with a grin on her face.
"Lyra, Jorelle, enough with your banters. We only have so much time and it is a long ride through the Wolfswood to Winterfell. Use that time to chatter among yourselves and be far enough that my children do not hear anything they shouldn't know before their prime." Alysane said firmly as she placed Sarea and Beron on their horse. Sarra and Beron were no strangers to riding horses but Sarea, being the older and more experienced, sat up front on the saddle with Beron behind her.
"Do the Starks really have direwolves, mother?" Sarea asked. She heard tales of direwolves but never saw a live one.
"If they do, we'll find out soon enough." Alysane said, kissing Sarra's hand gently. "Ride next to me at all times so I can keep a close eye on you both. I will not chase you across the North. Is that clear?"
"Yes, mother." Sarea and Beron chimed together.
"My ladies of House Mormont, there are clansmen from House Wull who wish to join the cavalcade escorting you to Winterfell." Robett Glover said.
"Very well, Lord Glover. We march straight away to Winterfell. The day is quickly falling away from us." Alysane said as she mounted her horse and led her children to the front of the cavalcade. Servants from Deepwood Motte helped load up the carts and fed the horses to prepare them for the long journey ahead.
Once everyone was prepared and ready, the long trek through the Wolfswood en route to the ancestral stronghold of House Stark began.
Lyra looked about the depths of the forest, breathing in the crisp air while keeping her eyes open for anything hiding in the shadows. Despite the many soldiers from House Glover and the clansmen of House Wull, Jorelle kept a close eye on her nephew and niece; one hand on the reigns of the horse and the other on her bow.
In a moment where things seemed to be too quiet, Sarea innocently asked Jorelle, "Why would Jon Snow howl aunt Lyra's name?"
Alysane practically halted the entire cavalcade with one hand and turned to see how her sister was going to answer that question.
Jorelle looked to her elder sister for a moment before turning her attention back to Sarea. Taking a moment to process what she was about to say, Jorelle gave her niece an answer.
"Jon Snow may not be one by name but many of us believe he's a Stark. The sigil of House Stark is the direwolf. Wolves howl at night, especially when the moon is full. So if he's a Stark in all but name and Starks are wolves, it would make sense that he would howl like a wolf."
"But why would he howl aunt Lyra's name, aunt Jorelle?" Sarea asked, insisting to hear something more suggestive.
"Jon is attracted to your aunt Lyra. They care for each other deeply. It's natural that he would think of her often." Jorelle said.
The pacified smile on Sarea's face calmed Alysane and the cavalcade continued on their trek.
When the light came upon them again, the Kingsroad stretched out before them and in the distance stood the solemn stronghold built by Bran the Builder, the first King of Winter and founder of House Stark.
Winterfell.
House Stark gathered together in time for the watchmen on the ramparts to spot the arriving cavalcade from Deepwood Motte. Soldiers from House Glover along with clansmen from House Wull, the most powerful of the mountain clans in the North, were providing protection for the representatives of House Mormont.
Ser Brynden Tully stood at Ned Stark's right with Dacey and Lyanna Mormont to his right along with Theon Greyjoy and Jon Snow.
Catelyn, Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon stood at Ned Stark's left.
The mailed fist of House Glover and the buckets of House Wull flew in the wind alongside the black bear of House Mormont as the cavalcade entered Winterfell. Several carts pulled by mares carried Dacey Mormont's clothes and other essentials as well as the personal effects for the other Mormonts.
Three riders clad in bear cloaks stood out from the crowd as they rode mares. A palfrey carried two young children.
The first rider was a young girl of twelve in brown leathers and light brown clothes. Her light brown hair was tied back by two braids at either side of the head while the rest of her hair was unbound across her left shoulder. At her back was a quivver full of arrows; a bow rested in her left hand. Her body was lean and fit; a result of daily training and exercise. Arya, Bran and Rickon recognized Jorelle Mormont immediately.
The second rider was a young woman of sixteen wearing black leathers and dark black clothes that matched her long, unbound black hair. Her face was comely and her eye were enough to catch and keep Jon's attention. A sharp spear was her weapon of choice as were the various throwing daggers that lined her torso and the longsword sheathed at her left. Lyra Mormont had grown very beautiful and formidable as she developed into a true Mormont woman. That was not lost on Jon by any measure.
The third rider was a woman of twenty, wearing boiled leathers and forest green clothes. Her long brown hair was braided in Northern style while most of it was allowed to flow freely across her back. Her battle axe was strapped across her back over her bear fur cloak. Alongside her was a young girl of seven with dark brown hair and a face that could light up the night sky. Seated in front of her was a boy of five with short brown hair. Sansa naturally presumed it was Alysane Mormont and her two children.
Sarea and Beron waved at Arya, Bran and Rickon, who smiled back at them.
Alysane, Lyra and Jorelle dismounted their horses first. Alysane then helped Sarea and Beron down from their horse.
Arya and Bran were both excited to see Maege Mormont's daughters in Winterfell. To Arya, the Mormont women were heroes; the role models she always wanted. For Bran, he was just captivated by the women of House Mormont. It helped that they were as kind as they were beautiful.
Dacey, Alysane, Lyra, Jorelle and Lyanna Mormont embraced each other in a big bear hug with Sarea and Beron in between them.
When they released themselves from each other's embrace, the Mormonts approached Ned Stark in a straight line, standing from eldest to youngest with Sarea and Beron at their mother's side, and bowed in unison before the Lord Paramount of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
"My ladies of House Mormont."
"Lord Stark." They chimed together.
"I am entrusting you with the lives of my children here in Winterfell and on Bear Island. Do you swear to safeguard them from all threats and dangers?"
Dacey, Alysane, Lyra, Jorelle and Lyanna all nodded. "We do so promise."
"We will too, my lord." Sarea spoke firmly, her eyes glanced down; she thought it would be disrespectful to look the Lord Paramount of Winterfell in the eye. Beron seemed to follow his sister's lead as he did the same.
Sarea and Beron held each other's hand as the Warden of the North approached her. "What is your name, child?" Ned asked.
"Sarea Mormont of Bear Island, daughter of Alysane Mormont, my lord. This is my brother, Beron Mormont of Bear Island."
"Look up to me, Sarea and Beron Mormont." Ned Stark ordered. Sarea looked up slowly and saw the noble Lord Eddard Stark looking at her with a look that bore authority with grace. "You are a Mormont. Do they ever cast their eyes down?"
"Only in reverence to your family and to you." Sarea humbly answered.
"Do you know your house words?"
Sarea nodded. "Here We Stand."
Ned Stark put a hand beneath Sarea and Beron's chins gently. "A simple bow will suffice."
"Yes, Lord Stark." Sarea and Beron said in unison as Ned patted the both of them on their heads.
"You have all traveled a long way. Winterfell's hospitality is extended to you and we invite you all to stay the night so you may return to Bear Island well rested." Ned Stark spoke in a kindly way that still reverberated in his 'lord voice'. Dacey looked to her younger sisters who nodded to her.
"On behalf of my sisters, niece and nephew, I gratefully accept." Dacey replied.
In spite of her first opinion of them, Catelyn had to admit that the Mormont women took their duties and responsibilities seriously. It did nothing though to take the sting out of the fact that the Mormont women had her children practically swooning over them as well as Ned's bastard.
When the Mormonts were allowed to greet the Stark children, Lyra made a beeline for Jon. Before Jon could even utter a greeting, he had Lyra's lips pressed passionately against his. When she broke away from her direct greeting, Lyra smiled at the bashful expression on Jon's face. "Welcome to Winterfell, Lady Lyra Mormont."
"You've grown into quite the solemn Stark if there ever was one, Jon Snow." Lyra said, her lips curling into a smile that made Jon harder than the soldier pine trees of Bear Island. Turning to Jon's left, Lyra looked over Theon and the smile faded. "Greyjoy."
"Mormont." Theon said gruffly as he easily remembered the beating Dacey gave him and the punch Lyanna threw at him.
To the surprise of Lyra, Jorelle and Alysane as well as Sarra and Beron, the six direwolves of House Stark emerged from the godswood and ran out to greet the Mormonts. Sarra and Beron were playing with Rickon and Shaggydog while Jorelle was being introduced to Nymeria and Summer by Arya and Bran. Lyra kissed Ghost on the top of his head, making the albino direwolf pant happily as if displaying what Jon kept bottled up inside. Alysane was introduced to Lady by Sansa. Dacey already knew Grey Wind, thus she stood by him and Robb as the alphas of their respective packs.
The Glover soldiers and the Wull clansmen made quick work in getting the Mormonts settled in at Winterfell before returning to Deepwood Motte and the mountains.
Brynden watched from a distance as the Mormonts interacted with the Stark children.
Rickon, Beron, Sarea, Bran, Arya and Lyanna were the true children as none of them were above the age of ten, which made Jorelle the closest thing to an adult in their company at the age of twelve. Jorelle showed off her archery skills and told them tales of her first fight with a Wildling. Shaggydog, Summer and Nymeria were constantly at the sides of their masters as if they were second shadows.
Though he did not see them, Brynden was sure that Jon was held captive in the arms of an amorous Lyra Mormont somewhere in Winterfell. Gods save the poor boy from his own humility and bashfulness.
Alysane took Sansa on a walk into the godswood at one point after Dacey and Robb with Grey Wind at his side took over watching over the children. What was spoken between them, only the Gods knew for certain.
In the dark of night, when everyone else was asleep, Brynden heard the sounds of footsteps down the hall. As light on their feet as the Mormonts thought they were, Brynden was a light sleeper and had long trained his senses to pick up on even the slightest hiccup escaping the mouth of a flea on the ear of a dog a league away.
Brynden looked out his window in time to see five figures that he could only have guessed was the five Mormont sisters clad in their bear fur cloaks walking into the godswood.
A knock on the door surprised him. With steady breaths and a calm pace, Brynden opened the door of his room.
Sarea and Beron were standing there in front of him with furs in their arms. "What do you two want?"
"We have not slept anywhere that was not on Bear Island." Beron replied.
"Our mother and aunts are in the godswood. They might be there for a while. Can we stay with you for the night, Ser Brynden?" Sarea asked.
Brynden sighed to himself as he saw the big eyes of Sarea and Beron looking up at him.
"Pick a spot nearby the hearth but not too close. Your mother and aunts would cast me into the Bay of Ice with boulders on my boot heels if anything happened to you two."
"Thank you, Ser Brynden." Sarea said as she reached up on her tip toes, threw her arms around his neck and kissed his scruffy cheek.
"Go on to bed, the two o' ya." Brynden said with a laugh. "You don't want to see an old man blush."
In the morning, Brynden woke up to find Dacey, Alysane, Lyra, Jorelle and Lyanna Mormont standing around his bed, looking right at him.
"Mother told us about you, Ser Brynden." Dacey spoke first. "She was a girl of ten when she first met you. Is that right?"
"Yes. That's true. I came to the North with Ser Barristan the Bold after the war fought in the Free Cities and the Stepstones."
"Do you know what we are capable of?" Lyra asked.
"I do not know about the five of you but I do know your mother...she has certain talents."
"Singing is a talent. Dancing is a talent. What we possess requires a better description." Jorelle said.
"You can not tell anyone what you suspect of us. If the wrong people know, our lives would be in danger as well as those we care for." Lyanna said firmly.
"I am not one to gossip even to myself. Whatever secret you have to bear is safe with me. I will take it with me to the grave."
"Thank you, Ser Brynden." They said in unison.
Before they reached the door, Brynden asked, "Were you girls out in the godswood late last night?"
The five Mormont girls looked at him for a moment and nodded.
"It's a bit late for saying prayers, isn't it?"
The smiles on their faces appeared serene and suspicious at the same time if such a thing was possible.. "There are things that Southrons choose to erase from history. As for us Northerners, who have the blood of the First Men in our veins, we remember them well." Jorelle answered cryptically.
Dacey, Alysane, Lyra, Jorelle and Lyanna took a sniff of the air. "It's time for breakfast. We ought to enjoy this time together. It might be a while before we're all together again." Alysane said before she and her sisters left a puzzled and perplexed Ser Brynden wondering what was going to happen between the Mormonts and the Starks.
A/n: How is the suspense build up? Too obvious? Too cryptic? Or moving at a steady pace?