THE LONG WINTER
MANCE
With the bad weather, Mance and his people decide to stay at the Nightfort until the Winter ended. The Emperor had given them food and oil to last several years. Ships from the reach are always coming with fresh supplies for the Imperial army. With a hundred thousand plus people the Free Folk took up three castles on the wall. The other castles in use are Deep Lake and Queensgate.
Dalla finally has the baby and they name him Darius after the King who made peace with the Free Folk. One day it stopped snowing, so the children went and played. From their room Mance watches as the children have snowball fights. He smiles dreaming of the day his son would be old enough to play, learn to hunt, steal his first woman. He looks at Dalla who is feeding the baby while humming.
He smiles when she looks at him, "What are you smiling about?"
"You our son…and dreaming what type of man he will be. The children are out there in the yard playing in the snow."
"I was thinking this castle ain't such a bad place…Maybe we can stay."
"I asked the elders that, they said no. Our place is out there beyond the wall…Free…free of Kings, Queens, Lords, and knights."
A year and half later Dalla has another son. Mance names him Vane. Then they have daughter two years after the that. The Long Winter lasts eight years and when the snows start to melt the Free Folk prepare to leave and return to their own lands beyond the wall.
HOUSE STARK
A week after arriving at Castle Black Darius rides with Eddard to Winterfell. He uses his fire voice to melt a path ahead, taking the lead with eight members of the Royal Guard following. "Lord Stark do you have any plans for your son Robb or your daughter Sansa? In regards to marriage?" Darius asks when they stop to camp three days later. His father the Emperor will meet Darius in White Harbor and then sail to Gull Town and tour the Vale of Arryn.
"Houses Mormont, Manderly Kartsark, and Glover have asked for unions with Robb and Sansa."
"May I throw a name in the mix for your son?"
"Certainly."
"My cousin the Lady Talisa of House Maegyr…I bring it up because my father is trying to make matches with the prominent Houses of Westeros."
"I will consider it your Grace."
"Word of advice Lord Stark…The Heir of Karstark has a thing for men and the Small Jon is not a nice man for your daughter. You'll find a suitable suitor in House Manderly or Glover…Seven hells even the Forresters."
He nods, "I can't raise the Forrestors above their lieges the Glovers."
"No."
While traveling home Eddard thinks about; trying to keep his mind off telling his wife about Jon or Aegon as he is now known as. His nephew had gone with the Emperor to White Harbor. Upon arriving Ned decides to tell Cat after the King and Queen leave. They feast them that night then Darius and Daenarys leave for White Harbor.
He takes a drink while waiting for his wife. There is a knock, "Come in." Eddard stands up as his wife enters the room. "Cat…Please be seated."
"Is everything alright?"
"Depends on one's point of view. I wanted you to here this from me."
"Hear what?" She suspiciously asks.
He sighs, "Jon is my nephew, not my son. His mother was Lyanna, she died giving birth to Jon. Before she died, she named him Aegon. She also asked me to watch over him and protect him from Robert. If Robert new the truth he would have killed Jon. I lied to protect him, Jon is not a bastard. Rhaegar and Lyanna loved one another and married in secret." He said fast not giving her a chance to interrupt him. When he fell silent Catelyn just blankly stares at him. "Cat…" He says her name in concern. She does not answer, but stands up and leaves the solar.
After a few days pass Ned decides that it is time to tell the children. He calls them all to the library and posts a guard at the door. "I have something to tell you all." He says, but before Eddard can speak Cat enters the library.
"Mother." Rickon says running up to him and hugging him.
"I want all of you to wait outside I wish to speak with your father alone." They obey. She is not pleased with what Ned did, but she does understand it. She forgives him and then together they tell the children.
ROBB
After many weeks a feast is held and the young ladies and heirs of the North are invited to Winterfell. Talisa of House Maegyr shows up as well. There is lots of food, talking and dancing. "Lord Stark…May I introduce Duchess Talisa Maegyr of Volantis."
"An honor to meet you my lady."
"And you my Lord."
He is courteous to the young ladies, but has eyes for Talisa alone. Even when dancing with others, he sneaks looks at Talisa. "My Lady would you care to dance?" He finally asks. They dance across the floor talking the whole time. Everyone else in the room vanishes as she too is attracted to Robb. As the night wains on they find a quiet place to be alone and talk some more. Their talking turns into kissing and their kissing into love making.
SANSA
"My Lady may I have this dance."
She frowns, "And you are?"
"Ser Podrick Payne of Gold Point."
"You're not from the North are you?"
"A ward of House Manderly…The King insists that the Northern and Southern Houses develop closer relations. I was recently Knighted by Lord Manderly."
"I would be happy to dance with you Ser Knight." She finds him strong, tall, dark, and handsome as many of the books she has read says a man should be. "Have you jousted?"
"Only in practice. Lord Manderly is planning on hosting the first Northern tourney when the winter snows end, so I intend to participate in that tourney."
"I hope to be there to cheer you on Good Knight."
"I hope to that I may crown you the Queen of Beauty for the tourney." After the feast Talisa remained at Winterfell as a guest. It was obvious that Robb and Talisa were in love and a wedding was already being planned.
"So Sansa did any of the young men catch your attention?" Catelyn asks as they break their fast.
"Podrick Payne made her swoon more than once while they danced." Arya teases.
"Oh shut up."
"You shut up!"
"Enough!" Cat says.
"Payne…Payne…" Ned says, "Is he any relation to Ser Ilyn Payne?" He asks looking at Maester Luwin.
"Yes My Lord…Ser Podrick is from a lesser branch of the House."
Catelyn doesn't like it, but Sansa ignores her mother's suggestions and secretly writes Pod as she now calls him. He writes her back. A year passes and he returns to Winterfell to speak with Lord Stark. Ned had yet to chose a new Lord of for the Dread Fort. So for his daughter's happiness he allows Ser Podrick to court his daughter after he pledges an oath to House Stark. Then he names Podrick the Lord of the Dread Fort. He renames it Fort Payne and after three years pass Sansa and Lord Podrick Payne marry.
BRAN AND RICKON
During the long winter Bran remained in doors unable to walk. He would have these weird dreams and speak with a man trapped in the roots of a tree in a cave. The man called himself the Raven. Maester Luwin had a wheeled chair built for him so that he could get around better. He found Lady Talisa pretty and liked her. He also liked Sansa's choice in Ser Podrick Payne. His destiny however lay elsewhere.
"Father…May I go outside to the heart tree?"
He sighs, "Well Maester Luwin?"
"As long as he dressed warmly he should be alright."
Arya pushes him in the chair, "Why do you want to be out here anyway?"
"Because I want to."
She huffs, "You are so weird."
"Coming from the girl who likes to ride like a man and shoot arrows." She pushes him to the tree slaps him upside the head and leaves. Bran places his hand on the tree.
WINTERFELL – TWO YEARS AGO
Bran climbs the broken tower and as he gets to the top, he hears noises. He peeks inside and sees the Queen on her knees, with her brother…
She spots him, "Stop! Stop!"
Bran returns to his mind and the present. "Ready to g back?" Arya asks returning.
"Bring me to father…I need to speak with father."
"What is it Bran?" He asks in his Solar.
"I remember what happened I remember who pushed me from the broken tower.
RICKON
As the long winter years pass Rickon gets older. He is the best sword in the North. Rickon is fast, agile, adaptive, cunning, a true master of the sword. He is proficient with his left as he is with his right. He is also good with horses. On his tenth name day he asks to Ward in White Harbor to learn jousting. In a few short months he is landing hits on his teachers.
While in White Harbor he develops a relationship with Lady Wylla Manderly the youngest daughter of Lord Wyman Manderly. They share looks, smiles, and eventually the two talk; they become close friends. When Rickon turns 13 he asks Lord Wyman for permission to court his daughter. When the snows end Rickon is fifteen name days old. Because he is the son of a Noble Lord he is allowed to enter the tourney.
He unseats men far older and with more experience when it comes to Jousting. He also unseats the Knight of Flowers who came to participate in the tourney. The final match is Rickon and Podrick, on each ride Rickon makes a lance, then Pod' back and forth they went with the women they love cheering for them. Rickon holding a favor from Lady Wylla and Podrick one from Sansa. In the end Rickon unhorses Podrick and wins 7 lances to 6. He takes the Winter Roses and hands them to Wylla Manderly, crowning her.
DARIUS
They made it to White Harbor in a timely fashion and waited for his mother's arrival. When she arrives they rest for a day and set sail for Gull Town to tour the Vale and gain the allegiance of the Vale Lords. It is hard to refuse a family with over sixty thousand men at their backs and with a voice that can shatter a mountain or burn down a forest.
They visit each castle and stay for two weeks. When they reach the Eyrie, the Palidyns remain there until Daenarys gives birth to their son. They name him Augustus Palidyn, first of his name, Prince and Heir to the throne of the World. A raven arrives telling them that Princess Arylla would soon give birth. A feast is held, but during the feast, Lord Eddard Satrk arrives. He requests a private audience with the Emperor. Darius is present as well.
"Are you sure Lord Stark?" Darius asks after they tell them what his son revealed in Winterfell.
"My son would not lie your Grace. Ser Jaime pushed my son. He cannot walk and I want justice."
Father and son look at each other. "We sail for Dorne in two days. You can stop in King;s Landing. In the meantime I'll send a Raven to my son…Lord Jaime will be summoned to court…My daughter Jossette will go with you. She will question Ser Jaime and when he speaks the truth. He will be put on trial."
"Thank you Your Grace."
"Lord Stark I have a request." Darius says.
"Yes Your Grace…I am yours to command."
"Your daughter Arya is…A free spirit…Is she not?"
He smiles, "That is putting it kindly…She is my sister reborn."
"Might she Ward with House Martell…The women of Dorne are warriors. She would fit right in."
"I will consider it your Grace."
MAEGYR
He would officially be King of the Western Provinces after his brother returned from touring the Provinces. He rides through the countryside with his wife Princess Margaery and a Royal Guard of twenty men. Maegyr is holding his son Prince Willys Palidyn as he rides. They stop at the old Dragon Pit. "So my love…what do you think of me having this rebuilt into a racing arena."
"An excellent idea. The Dornish would especially love it, considering their fondness for horse breeding."
He looks at the Royal Mason, "Begin construction immediately."
"Yes Your Grace."
"Your Grace!" The new Grand Maester yells riding up.
"Grand Maester Qyburn…What is it?"
"A message from your Father the Emperor."
He reads it in private, "Bad news my love?"
"No…But we must return to the Red Keep." Upon returning Maegyr sends a raven to Casterly Rock. A few weeks later Eddard Stark arrives with Princess Jossette. She swoons over the baby while Maegyr speaks with Lord Stark. Jaime arrives with his wife Cersei Lannister. The two didn't care anymore and they got married a year later.
Jaime is bought before Maegyr and Jossette alone. He bows, "Your Graces. May I ask why I have been summoned?"
Jossette's eyes turn green, "While you were in Winterfell two years ago. Bran Stark fell from the Broken Tower…Tell us, did he really fall or was he pushed?"
"He was pushed." He admitted unable to resist her voice power.
"Who pushed him?"
"I did."
"Why?"
"He caught us. Me and my sister were making love in the tower. She saw him first. I pushed him to keep him quiet."
When Eddard Stark comes out, Jaime realizes he did and said. "You son of bitch!" Eddard says punching him in the face."
Jaime hits the floor, "Lord Stark! He has confessed. He will be placed on trial for his crimes."
"Fuck that." Jaime says spitting blood from his mouth. "I demand a trial by combat…I will stand for myself."
