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Chapter Twelve – Age 30

XII

"The results of the last years of trade were incredible, my Queen. The difference that the completion of the last ports has made is clearly visible." Lord Dustin reported.

Heddara hummed, looking over the numbers presented. "I hear Ramsgate is intending to repay part of his debt?"

Lady Tallhart nodded. "The man has been very frugal. I believe he wishes to be clear of the debt as fast as possible. The port there has brought a very big influx of coin, and he decided to send it to us."

Heddara frowned. "Accept only part of it. Ramsgate is not a main port. That designation will always belong to White Harbor and Widows Watch. Now that the North is starting to become independent on several products, trade with Essos may decline, and the smaller ports will feel it the most." She drummed her fingers on the table in thought. "In fact, I believe we should order every port town to create a fund to be used in case their income drops due to a dip in trade. One never knows what may happen. Tell them these funds will not be taxed up to an acceptable amount. Lady Tallhart, please make note for us to discuss these matters latter. Make note to consider a fund in the Iron Bank for the whole Kingdom."

The Magnar of finance did as ordered, and Heddara turned to her left.

"Lord Karstark, your report please."

The older man cleared his throat, as he stretched in his seat at her attention.

"Everything is as expected, my Queen. With the Moat and ports finished and the roads long ready, I have been organizing my men to simply do routine inspections of these structures." He shrugged. "Unless my Queen wishes to build a bridge over the River then there are no more big scale works for my order at the moment."

"The buildings I requested for Winter Town?"

"They are all almost ready as well, my Queen. I admit that the request for homes in the city was much higher than I expected. My Queen was correct in her assessment."

Heddara nodded, as Lord Karstark explained how many rich merchants from White Harbor had decided to buy bigger homes as near to Winterfell as possible, and how relatively well-off farmers had purchased the smaller ones. The presence of the Healing Halls had also allowed for a higher number of inns, bars and brothels to sprout all around the town, now that they had customers during summer and not just during Winter.

"With all honesty, my Queen, I believe we should be calling it Winter City instead." The man joked as he finished his report.

"Thank you, Lord Karstark. Please turn your full attention to helping the Order of the Dawn in making sure the structures along the Wall are in acceptable conditions and in reinforcing Queenscorwn. On the same matter, we should be cautious of more Wildlings attempting to bypass the Wall through the sea, now that the Wall is better maned. The weather is certainly good enough for such trips." She stated, turning to her other Magnars to discuss the matter further.

This summer was already a long one, and there were no signs of Winter coming any time soon.

On one hand it had proven helpful in completing all the works she had commissioned. On the other, it was an omen of a terrible winter to come.

It made her good brother terribly busy. Which was a plus.

Having to constantly coordinate with all the Keeps and towns to make sure they didn't let their stored goods spoil was not a terrible hardship, especially in the North, were such things were almost second nature, but the cutting of trees for wood still required some knowledge and coordination.

No one wanted towns or Keeps feuding due to fallen trees after all. And considering that even during summer there were sometimes need for fires in the hearths, it was a full-time concern.

Thank the old gods that water was something they had in abundance. The tales of hoe fights over water usage that Oberyn had once told her of in one of his letters seemed like the worst headache of her life.


"And which banner is that one" Rohar asked pointing at another flag.

Rodrick narrowed his eyes, leaning slightly over the outer wall of Winterfell. "House Magnar, from Kingshouse? In Skagos?"

Rohar nodded, prompting Sansa to try to guess the other one. He had gathered the children for an impromptu lesson on banners of the Kingdom.

The whole Kingdom was invited for a festival in Winter Town and Winterfell, to celebrate the tenth-year anniversary of their independence. And that meant that even though Winter Town could now be called a city, many men still needed to camp in the outskirts – and in true northern fashion, many men simply did not wish to waste their coin when they very well could just spare it by camping.

Most well-off smallfolk had houses in the city or rented rooms in inns, while minor Nobles had acquired Manor Houses closer to the Keep, hoping to elevate their station amongst the court. Every single major house in the North had been invited to the guest quarters in Winterfell, which were now filled to the brim.

This festival would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to create alliances and booker betrothal and foster agreements. Which meant no one wished to miss it. Not even the most recent subjects of the North.

"Um..." Arya hesitated on her turn. "House Greyjoy?"

"That's right." He said, rubbing her hair.

The Greyjoys were only represented by a handful of members, unlike the three houses of Skagos, who had sent a big contingent on their first official visit to the throne. He knew they were thirsty to impress on the archery competitions that would be taking place.

It was one of the accomplishments he was most proud of in these ten years. The enthusiasm he had created in the North for archery, by investing in Archery competitions all over the Kingdom. Every four moons, one Keep in the North would hold a competition, and it had gotten so popular, that some men had taken to do the full circuit of the Keeps, living off of the prize money the winners received.

It kept the men in the North's skills sharp and served as a means to recruit promising archers into guard service or into the army.

Not to mention that it helped to get more and more women into the bow and arrow, as they tried to emulate their beloved Queen.

And they certainly helped to stimulate his own children, both his boys and his girls, into perfecting their fighting skills.


"I must say, I didn't believe that Skagos would get anything from straightening ties with the North, but you have followed through on all your promises, my Queen"

Heddara nodded to the man in front of her, after thanking him for the magnificent bear fur he had gifted her. Lark Magnar was though man and could easily have been confused with a Mormont or an Umber – if he was a bit taller, maybe – and she was glad that he also had a similar temperament.

This was only the second time she had met the man, and the first time in Winterfell. After her brother and Brandon Snow had defeated the Dragon terrifying the Skagosi, she had made her way North and met halfway with the Skagosi Nobles in Last Hearth, where they had sworn fealty to her, and the Northern crown.

"I am glad to hear that you feel like you belong to the North. To me Skagos is no less than Bear Island, the Lonely Hills or the Barrowlands. Every single one of the regions in my Kingdom is treated equally and given the same opportunities." She said from her post in her throne. "I believe the glasshouses have much alleviated the problems you had with food shortages after storms from the shivering seas?"

The man nodded, a glimmer in his eyes. "Yes, that is true. And your men in Skane have kept the agreement to trade goods for our lumber, pelts and fish. We are pleased with how things are going."

She accepted his last words and a present in the form of a carved wooden picture of a wolf singing to the moon in a forest, before dismissing him to turn to Lord Flint, a cousin on her Mother's side.

In a way, the Skagosi and the Ironborn had much in common. Th harsh environments they had made their homes in made it almost impossible to grow food in a stable and predictable amount. And that had pushed them towards their limits. The Skagosi to raiding Skane and wildling encampments to the point of extinction and abandonment, and the Ironborn into turning to piracy.

The Skagosi had adapted much easily into assimilation with the North, since they had never truly stopped trying to make a living from their land, as hard as it had become.

Ironborn... unfortunately were another story. Thankfully, time had shown the Iron Islanders that the North came through on its promises, rewarding them with the promised coin. The various glass houses made with Northern glass also helped assuage the fears and show the people that life was better under her rule.

Hunger was an incredible motivating factor. And proof that they wouldn't be left to die when winter came, was an even bigger one.

"My Queen." Euron Greyjoy stated, coming forward with two bundles by his side.

She greeted him back, asking him how he was doing. Greyjoy was an interesting man. Unlike most of his fellow men from the Iron Islands, he seemed more interested in gold and exotic riches than in the raiding itself. He was just as interested in buying old tomes on magic, as he was in stealing them, and she had to wander what he would be gifting her on this day.

"I bring to you two gifts to remind you, and your line, of the triumph you brought the North ten years ago." Carefully, he unwrapped the first item, revealing an elegant crown, she had once seen on top of a golden head.

"Queen Rhaella's crown, my lady." He stated, raising his hands to her, so she could pick up the gift.

The crown was lovely, filled with gemstones and delicate, as was the Targaryen's way. The contrast to the crown she wore on her head couldn't be greater, and she couldn't help but be pleased with it.

"I came across it after my altercation with the two Targaryen children. As I have told you, I found them in Lys, but had not realized at first that they had gone to the market to sell this crown. The mad boy Viserys is now being called the beggar King, for selling that crown for a pittance. I, of course immediately bought it from the merchant, making sure to give him the same amount he bought it for." The man told her, a slight scowl on his face at the reminder of his altercation with the Targaryen boy.

"The gift is very thoughtful, thank you." She said, inclining her head slightly. "I hope you remember we do not need any more confrontations with Targaryens"

He chuckled, nodding.

"I was in Pentos when I found this beauty." He said, unwrapping the last bundle, and revealing an oval stone.

Reaching over, she took it in her hands, marveling at the texture. It looked like... She gasped lightly.

"A dragon egg." She murmured.

"That is correct, my Queen." Euron said, pleased. "I believe that this will look much better in your solar, then in any fat magisters house. Time as turned the egg to stone, but I have read that Valyrian Lords could still hatch eggs like these. Maybe one day you will gift it to your nephew" His smile was mischievous as he spoke of Jon, obviously having been informed of his soon to be new status.

She thanked him once more, fascinated at the object in her hands, before bringing herself to the present and gently passing the gift to her handmaiden to be put away safely.

As much as she wanted to admire the dragon egg, she had more visitors to greet this feast.


"You had me worried, brother." Heddara said, a warm smile on her face as she gathered him in a fierce hug.

Benjen smiled, hugging her back just as strongly.

Even though he was now a grown man, he still felt like coming home every time he saw Winterfell and his sister.

"I missed you Hed" He said giving her a soft smile.

She responded with her own. "That's what you get for staying away for so long." She chuckled. "Come on. You missed the welcoming feast, Jon's legitimization as a Stark, and the archery competition. Your nephews and nieces will want to tell you all about it."

"I want to talk to you latter, tough." He said as he followed after her.

"Tonight then." She agreed easily.


"I hope you are enjoying Winterfell, young Domeric." Heddara Stark smiled at his son, making the boy smile back before looking over at him. He nodded in approval, signaling the boy to be at ease with his Queen and aunt.

His wife had died a few years previously, and he had received the proposal for a fostering from his brother with pleasure. Rohar was continuing to further their House in the North, first by becoming the greatest commander seen since the times of Theon the hungry wolf, and then through his appointment as Magner of Winter.

At first, he had seen the position as a powerless one, created just to give him a title with no power attached to it. However, as Summer went on, the smallfolk grew restless and more and more minor Lords came to him with questions and requests for glass houses. While at first a much less prestigious position than others, Winter was indeed the most serious issue in the North, and his reputation had grown in all the Kingdom.

"I have discussed with your father your fostering here with your cousins, and he has accepted." She nodded to him, a gesture he returned.

Indeed, this fostering would make sure that through the next generation, the Bolton name would continue to be seen as a mighty house of the North. As his son formed friendships with the Princes of the North, he would be in the perfect position to be named to the Council when Rodrick Stark was crowned.

"You will be joined by Dacey Mormont here in Winterfell, so there is no reason to fear being the only fosterling" She smile once more. Maybe a woman's touch would do his son good, but he hoped the warrior in the woman would make sure that she wouldn't smother the boy with sweetness. He shook such thoughts from his mind. Stark had proven a true Queen until now, so he should keep his trust that the woman new how to raise children. Her own seemed to be growing true. "She is over there with the other children already. Why don't you join them?"

His son did so, after excusing himself from his Queen and his father.

"Your son has grown a strong lad, my lord" She stated, turning to him.

"Thank you" he stated calmly.

"I have spoken to Lady Dustin. She showed an interest in taking over her nephews training eventually and in gifting him with a horse. I believe that would be advantageous to him. We will come to an agreement in a few years."

"That sounds reasonable." Anything that would endear his heir to other Northern Nobles, was always an advantage. "Will the heirs to the Iron Islands be staying as well?"

The Queen nodded. "Theon and Yara will stay after these festivities, as Lord Harlaw requested, as they are now old enough. Their younger cousin... I have heard tales that his mother is conspiring to make him lord, wishing to keep him with her as long as possible, showing him off to Ironborn Lords in order to garner their favor."

Roose narrowed his eyes. "She might use the fact that he is the only one raised in the Islands to gain supporters."

"That is my though also. Which is why I will be appointing Lord Harlaw as Governor tonight. It will show that I favor the man and his approach. The woman will see that keeping her son to herself would be a disadvantage, since I would not know him, and could veto his candidacy."

That was a good approach of things. He didn't doubt the Ironborn woman would be sending a raven for a fostering before the next moon was over.

His Queen was as sharp as she had been ten years ago. If things went well, his son would come out a Lord in a few years.


The grand feast was finally over when brother and sister met again, this time in her solar.

"What incredible news do you have for me, brother, that could not wait until tomorrow?" She asked in good humor, laying down on a long chair Benjen had brought her from Pentos the last time he had been there, with Storm at her feet.

Benjen sighed, sitting himself down and propping his feet on the edge of his sister's desk.

"Tomorrow we should discuss things with Rohar, Howland Reed, and some others." He said, his face turning serious.

"What is it?" She asked, turning to face him and bringing her feet down to the floor, as Storm raised his head in attention.

"Things beyond the Wall..." He hesitated. "The Order of the Dawn is doing a good job considering the little time they've had to do anything at all, but strange things are going on."

Heddara frowned. "How strange?"

"There is a man that gives information to the Watch that lives in a house full of women he calls his wives. That only give birth to daughters that never leave that house."

Heddara narrowed her eyes. "What happens to the sons?"

Benjen smiled lightly, unsurprised at his sister's quick mind.

"According to the Wildlings living in the proximities, he offers them as sacrifices to the Others."

Heddara's affronted and disgusted face was probably a mirror of his own when he had first been told of the news.

She shook her head, no doubt trying to clear her mind of such images. "Disgusting as it may be, I can do nothing about it. I have no jurisdiction beyond the Wall." She sighed. "Do I want to know how you've gotten close enough to Wildlings to interact with them without losing your head?"

Benjen laughed. "They think I'm one of them. I sure look the part with this beard!"

Heddara snorted, though she had to admit that with looser clothes and some furs around him, he would look the part of the fearsome Wildling.

"What else have you found, beyond the sick man that prays and sacrifices his sons to the Others?"

Benjen's face turned serious once more. "No one ever found signs of the boy's corpses or bones. It is as if they disappear in the night." He frowned, his worried eyes finding hers. "People are coming down from the true North, with talks of the dead walking in the Lands of Always Winter. There is dissent amongst the tribes there, that call themselves the Then. More and more people come down with talks of their camps being attacked by monsters from old tales. Monsters that are dead and decomposed but still walk and run like they are ale."

Heddara felt herself pale at the story, her hands fisting in Storms fur.

"And through all this, Mance Rayder has deserted to beyond the Wall and seems to be banding together different groups of Wildlinngs. Word around is that he will make himself King Beyond the Wall eventually." He shook his head. "You were right about Mance when you met him last year. Lord Qorgyle should never have raised him to be a brother of the watch, he should have sent him to a Keep."

Heddara swallowed. "Jon has been having dreams. I thought they were nightmares due to more gruesome stories the boys asked from Old Nan. But now..." She wondered, if the mix of Stark with Targaryen blood in her nephew had awakened old gifts of Old Valyria. "Daenys the Dreamer... Could Jon be looking into what may be one day?"

Ben sighed. "Beyond the Wall, you can see many gifts of Old. Wargs are quite common there, so are tales of greenseers, although true ones are much rarer. Some claim to have seen children of the forest near a certain area in the Haunted Forest. I intend to look for them on my next expedition." He pinched his nose. "I like this not Hed. I would hear of Jon's dreams. I fear that we must prepare for the worst. Summer has gone for so long without signs of waning, that I fear the next Winter could last a generation, and you and I both know that there has only been one winter like that ever recorded."

Heddara nodded, her face as hard as stone as she shared Jon's dreams.

The only Winter ever recorded to last that long had been so many millennia before, that only stories had reached them.

No one was prepared for another long Night.


"What do you think of this, brother?" Victarion asked, as they came outside after the feast. "You seem content, but I never saw how that could be when you always enjoyed the rage of a good raid."

Euron huffed. "I enjoyed the batle lust, yes. But Balon was a stick in the mud. Always keeping it safe, raiding the summer islands. And when he grew a pair he had to be a stupid fuck and go after the most well-known warrior of our times. Like being a woman had stopped Heddara Stark from gaining independence." He snorted. "I tell you brother, if Balon had left the North alone, he would probably had won his rebellion."

Victarion narrowed his eyes. "And you have no problem now serving that woman?"

Euron rolled his eyes. "Why, brother, don't tell me that you do?"

His brother shook his head. "I have no problems, as strange as that may sound. The men I served under were harsh, but fair. And Lord Manderly is also a good fleet commander."

"Then why should I have any problems?" Euron asked. "The places we see are rich, brother. I care not to raid the North or the Westerlands when the true riches lie across the narrow sea."

"You have brought our Queen many gifts." Victarion said, his eyes narrowed.

He chuckled, giving his brother a smirk. "I conned a few merchants into selling me goods they had promised to others. It was nothing extraordinary." He rolled his eyes at his brother's frown. "Fear not brother. I have no wish to surpass you as a reliable captain for the position of batle ship captain. You can go guard ships transporting goods and people or survey the coast beyond the wall for any wildlings trying to make a break for it. I want something else."

"And what would that be?"

His smile was as bloodthirsty as when he went into battle. "I want Valyria."


Heddara held her head in her hands, wondering what to do.

Everything was going well. Just as she had hoped for. Her Kingdom was finally secured, her subjects loyal. The Ironborn were slowly, but surely, coming into the fold.

And now this. What should she do.

"It's going to be alright" Rohar whispered, coming down on one knee to pull her hands back and hug her.

Heddara let out a breath. "We don't know that." She closed her eyes, steeling herself against this new enemy. "But you are right. We can prepare. And we will."

Rohar looked at her, considering. "What are you thinking?"

Her eyes were fierce as she looked up at him. "I need to speak with Old Nan. We need to take away their army, and to find ways to kill these creatures of Winter."

Rohar nodded, rubbing her arm. "Summer is still here though. We will have time to prepare."

"The Gods help us, it will have to be long enough."