The Rise Of A Dynasty
Highgarden – 294 A.C
Later that night…
Ashara finished tucking Brandon and Elia into their bed giving them a goodnight kiss each while Ned removed his tunic.
"Its not fair, why do Jon, Robb and Theon get to stay at the feast for longer?" said Arya in an annoyed tone.
"Because they are older than you Young Lady… and you had to come back because you are tired, I do not see Lyarra, Beric or Edric complaining about coming back at this time" said Ashara.
"At least you will not be too tired for the start of the tourney tomorrow… when your Brother is entering the Squires Melee, the others cannot stay out too late or they will be very tired in the morning" said Ned.
Arya scowled as Ashara walked over to her and marched her over to the private changing screen so she could get changed.
"I wish you would let me enter the tournament" scowled Arya.
"You are too young to enter… and you have never held a sword in your life" said Ashara.
"Then let me learn how to use a sword… please Mother, please" said Arya in slight desperation.
Ashara sighed.
She was in deep thought for a few moments as she untied the straps on the back of Arya's dress.
"Arya… if you wish to learn how to use a sword… then you have to do something for me first" said Ashara.
"Anything Mother" said Arya as she turned to look at her Mother with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
Ashara nodded.
"From now until we get back to Winterfell… I do not want to hear any more complaining about how you cannot stay at feasts for longer or anything else… is that understood?" said Ashara sternly.
Arya managed a wide smile.
"So if I do not complain any more… I can learn how to fight?" said Arya excitedly.
Ashara nodded and turned Arya around so she could finish untying the straps.
"Yes… but only if you hold up your end of the deal" said Ashara sternly.
Arya suddenly turned around and wrapped her arms around Ashara.
Ashara smiled and returned her Daughters hug.
"Thank you Mother, thank you, thank you" said Arya happily.
"Arya… even if I am not fond of you fighting with swords… I know it would be unfair to deny you the chance to learn if you really want to do this" said Ashara.
Arya stood up on her tip toes and kissed her Mother's cheek before letting go of her.
Ashara knelt down and kissed Arya's cheek before she finished helping Arya change into her night clothes.
It was nearly two hours before Jon, Robb and Theon returned with Oswell Whent in tow.
Fortunately they remembered to be quiet upon entering the tent where only Ned and Ashara were still awake.
"Go to bed boys, especially you Jon… if you want to enter that melee tomorrow, then you need sleep" said Ned sternly.
Jon nodded and removed his tunic and under shirt before sitting down on his makeshift bed near the back of the tent.
Theon bid them goodnight before walking out of the tent with Oswell Whent as Robb opened the chest next to his bed containing his sword and light leather armour.
"Maybe I should enter that melee tomorrow… I cannot have my big brother showing us Northerners up" said Robb with a small smirk.
Jon chuckled.
"You can try… and hope some lucky squire does not knock you out" said Jon.
Robb let out a small growl.
"Boys… enough, now get some sleep" said Ashara sleepily.
Robb shut the chest and got into his makeshift bed as Jon did the same.
Ned and Ashara climbed into their large bed before Ashara cuddled up to Ned.
"Do not think about what the Queen said… just forget about it" said Ashara softly.
Ned sighed as she kissed him before she drifted of to sleep resting her head on his chest.
"You said Catelyn had another betrothal for Minisa Robert… why did you not tell me that she wanted her to marry Jon… surely you did not agree with it" thought Ned bitterly.
He glanced over to Jon who had already fallen asleep.
"Surely they could not have expected her to marry her younger Cousin" thought Ned as he glanced down at Ashara.
He sighed and pressed his head into hers as he started to feel tired falling asleep a few minutes later.
The next day…
Jon and Robb were stood in the tent along with Theon and Jory Cassel.
They were changing into their leather and steel armour and chainmail in preparation for the melee which was due to start shortly.
"Ready to beat all those southern pansies?" said Jon cockily.
Robb smirked.
"Just try and keep up" said Robb as Theon strapped Robb's bastard sword to his hip and handed his shield to him.
"Just remember your training boys… do not get overconfident, or you will end up being beaten by these southerners" said Jory Cassel as he finished strapping Jon's brand new longsword to his hip.
Jon chuckled.
"We would not dream of it" said Jon.
"Then you better get out there, or they will think you have chickened out" said Theon cockily.
Jon rolled his eyes and picked up his small northern style helm before putting it on.
Robb did the same as Jon left the tent before following him.
The two walked out into a large circular arena surrounded by seating areas on all sides.
They sent a small nod to the rest of the Starks and Manderlys after spotting them in the stands along with Alyssa, Sansa Arryn and Ysilla Royce.
Ned and Ashara sent them encouraging smiles while Arya, Beric and Edric looked at them with jealous looks.
Jon and Robb smirked before moving to one side of the arena as they watched more of the combatants enter the arena.
Walt Manderly and Daryn Manderly stood opposite them with challenging smirks on their faces.
Among the other squires they spotted the youngest Tyrell Son Loras who was a few moons older than Jon at 15 years old with medium length wavy blonde brown hair dressed in expensive silver and steel armour.
Jon drew his sword and got ready as Mace Tyrell stood up from his seat in the private family viewing section of the stands where he was seated with his family and the Royal Family.
"My Lords and Ladies… welcome to the start of my Daughter Margaery's fourteenth Name Day tournament here at Highgarden… House Tyrell will be offering a prize of 500 Gold Dragons to the winner of this melee… begin" said Mace Tyrell in a prideful voice.
As Mace Tyrell sat down one of the Tyrell Servants stood up and blew a small horn starting the melee.
Jon spotted Lord Baelor Hightower's 14 year old Squire moving towards him holding onto a short sword and shield and twirled his longsword in anticipation.
Unfortunately for the Squire his confidence was not enough to beat Jon.
Jon tightened his grip on his longsword with one hand and swung it hard against the Squires sword knocking it away from his shield before landing a swift punch to the Squires nose.
The Squire dropped his sword before reeling back in shock and pain clutching his bloody nose causing roars and cheers to ring out from Edric, Beric, Arya, Wendel Manderly and Willard Manderly.
Ashara sighed as Jon turned around and immediately engaged another Squire in combat beating him after several seconds.
"Jon is taking this a little too seriously… perhaps you should have reminded him that it is only a friendly melee" said Ashara.
Ned chuckled.
"Of course he is taking it seriously… he wants to prove that he can fight Ashara, what is the harm in that?" said Ned.
Ashara shrugged her shoulders.
"He is just like his Uncle… maybe I do not know my Son as well as I think I do" said Ashara.
Ned placed his hand on her arm.
"You know him well enough to know how competitive he can be, men can get competitive when it comes to tourneys… I won one for you, maybe he wants to win this for someone" said Ned as Jon found himself facing Walt and Daryn Manderly alongside Robb.
Ashara smirked.
"You see a lot of yourself in our eldest Son do you not… thinking he wants to win tourneys for Girls, maybe he wants to win it for himself, for his pride" said Ashara as Jon and Robb forced the Manderly boys backwards.
"Maybe… maybe not" said Ned before cringing slightly as Walt Manderly smacked Robb's sword hand at the wrist causing Robb to drop his sword and step backwards clutching his wrist in pain.
Ashara frowned slightly.
"Poor Robb… hopefully he will not take that loss too hard" said Ashara slightly sadly.
Ned managed a small smile and squeezed her arm.
"He will not… he will take it on the chin like a man" said Ned supportively.
Ashara nodded as Jon skilfully disarmed Daryn Manderly of his bastard sword and kicked him to the floor before swinging his longsword at Walt Manderly's longsword.
They all watched in anticipation as the two Northern boys clashed swords for a few minutes before Jon managed to force Walt Manderly's longsword to the floor and knocked it out of his hands.
Jon smirked as he stepped away from Walt Manderly into the line of sight of the only remaining combatant Loras Tyrell who was looking at him in mild shock.
Jon twirled his sword and smirked.
He readied his sword in front of him in a defensive pose waiting for Loras Tyrell to attack him.
The two remained still for a few moments before Loras Tyrell slowly moved towards him circling him.
This carried on for a few minutes before Loras Tyrell eventually ran out of patience and attacked Jon.
Jon quickly brought his sword up to block the strike.
"Fuck… this boy knows what he is doing" thought Jon as he dodged and blocked each skilful strike and jab from Loras Tyrell.
After several seconds Jon managed to turn the tables and force Loras Tyrell on the defensive.
Jon battered his longsword against Loras Tyrell's sword for several minutes before parrying his sword and grabbing hold of Loras Tyrell's chest plate with one hand.
He pulled him towards him and tripped him up before pointing his sword at the fallen boys neck.
Loras Tyrell looked up at him before nodding.
"I yield" said Loras Tyrell bitterly.
Jon smirked and sheathed his sword as the Servant sounded the horn.
This victory only resulted in half of the crowd cheering as the other half looked on in shock.
Jon glanced up at the family stand where most of the Tyrell's were looking on in shock at the defeated Loras Tyrell.
Jon smirked before he managed to catch the eye of Margaery Tyrell who was watching him with a strange look on her face.
Jon could not tell whether she was surprised that he beat her younger Brother or trying to work a little bit of charm on him from a distance.
He winked at her causing her to look a little stunned before smiling at him.
Mace Tyrell eventually straightened up and stood up walking towards the front of the stand.
"What is your name good Ser?" said Mace Tyrell.
Jon straightened up.
"No Ser My Lord, I am no knight… I am Jon Stark, eldest Son of Lord Eddard Stark" said Jon confidently.
Mace Tyrell slowly nodded before putting on a completely fake smile that convinced no one.
"My congratulations on your victory Jon Stark… even if your technique is something a little different than what we are used to at these tourneys… tonight we will toast to your victory nonetheless" said Mace Tyrell.
Ned growled as he and the other Northerners started to look insulted.
"That arrogant cunt… insulting our Son because he beat his Son" whispered Ashara distastefully as she watched Jon try not to react in a bad way to those words.
Ned nodded as Robert stood up and walked over to Mace Tyrell.
"Fuck what you are not used to at tourneys Tyrell… that boy can fight, just like his Father and his Uncle, your Son had no chance against Ser Arthur Dayne's Nephew" said Robert sounding a little drunk.
Jon bowed his head to Robert as the crowd fell silent in shock at the Kings slight towards Mace Tyrell.
"Thank you Your Grace" said Jon.
He turned and walked back towards the tent where Robb and Theon were waiting for him.
Once he and Robb got changed out of their armour they made their way into the stands with Theon, Walt Manderly, Daryn Manderly and Jory Cassel to watch the Squires archery.
Robb glanced around to make sure no one was listening before looking at Jon and Ned.
"Who does he think he is… to talk to Jon like that" said Robb bitterly.
"Its because I beat his Son… a Son who he presumably thinks cannot be beaten" said Jon bitterly.
"Boys… talk about this when we get back to our tent, for now let us just watch the tourney" said Ashara sternly as she quickly glanced around at the other people near them to make sure no one heard them.
Both boys turned to her with looks of indignation on their faces but quickly nodded.
"Okay Mother" said Jon.
Ashara nodded and turned back to look at the archery.
Jon and Robb did the same leaning back in their seats watching as the Squires and bannermen took part in the small archery competition.
Later that afternoon…
"And what do you have to say about this Ser Oswell?" said Ned testily.
He and Ashara were stood up in the centre of the tent.
Beric was stood directly in front of them with a hopeful look on his face while Oswell stood to Ned's right glancing back and forth between Ned, Ashara and Beric.
Oswell Whent bowed to Ned.
"Your Son has asked me if he can squire for me more than once over the last two weeks… I told him to ask you and Lady Stark first" said Oswell Whent dutifully.
Ashara looked at Beric.
"You wish to squire for Ser Oswell Beric… you will have to work your utmost hardest and do whatever he tells you… are you prepared to do that?" said Ashara sternly.
Beric nodded.
"I am Mother… I have wanted to squire for a knight for years… I asked Uncle Arthur if I could squire for him, but he told me he would not be able to as he was returning to Starfall two moons after I asked him" said Beric confidently.
Ashara nodded and turned to Oswell Whent.
"Ser Oswell… do you wish to take my Son Beric of House Stark as your Squire, to teach him honour and respect, to mould him into the man he was born to be?" said Ashara.
Oswell Whent nodded to her.
"I do My Lady… I will teach him to be the man he can be, if he is willing to work for it, until I deem it necessary for him to stop squiring for me, and I might knight him one day if he earns it" said Oswell Whent dutifully.
He turned to Beric with a stern look on his face.
Beric nodded and knelt down on one knee.
"I will not let you down Ser Oswell, I swear it by the Old Gods and the New" said Beric confidently before bowing his head.
"Good, your duties will begin in the morning… you will polish my armour and sharpen my sword for the melee" said Oswell Whent dutifully.
"Yes Ser Oswell" said Beric.
"Rise" said Oswell Whent gesturing for him to get up with his hand.
Beric stood up looking up at the older knight.
"That is all I require of you for now… you may go" said Oswell Whent.
Beric bowed his head and walked towards the tent entrance.
Later that night…
Ashara watched as Jon walked back to the table with his champions purse before handing it to Oswell Whent.
"That boy does not look like he is of our blood, it appears your breeding with barbarians has sullied our family forever" said a snide male voice from behind Ashara.
Ashara froze up slightly before turning around and scowling at the man behind her.
The man in question was her younger Cousin Gerold Dayne known by most as the Darkstar. He was the Lord of High Hermitage which was a cadet branch of House Dayne.
He was 27 years of age with shoulder length silver hair with a black streak in the middle. He had striking purple eyes with high cheekbones and was dressed in a dark purple tunic, black breeches and black boots.
"Gerold… I did not expect to see you here" said Ashara bitterly.
Gerold Dayne cruelly smirked.
"Now now, is that any way to greet a cousin you have not seen for over 18 years… I was just a boy back then, and you were young and unwed" said Gerold Dayne cruelly.
Ashara glared at him.
"Normally no… but you are a Cousin in blood and name only, I care not for you, nor do Arthur, Arron or Allyria, or my Mother, and that is my Son you insulted, my Husband would beat you bloody for that, or perhaps he will take your head" said Ashara bitterly.
"Your Husband… that Northern barbarian, we Dornish pride ourselves on never bowing or bending to no one, not even the Targaryans, yet you bow to him like a sheep for slaughter, like a whore begging for coin" said Gerold Dayne cruelly.
Ashara inwardly seethed and fought back the urge to smack him.
Gerold Dayne smirked.
"My my, he must be good… look at you, you cannot even deny how much you bend to his will, a Dornish Whore to a frozen barbarian, no wonder the Martells no longer trust you" said Gerold Dayne.
"I heard Oberyn Martell wants to kill you for bedding his Niece, lucky for you he is not here, you would have bled out right here in this hall if that was the case, I would have enjoyed such a sight" said Ashara icily.
Gerold Dayne tightened up his posture with a cruel look on his face.
"Is there a problem Ashara?" said the voice of Ned from behind Gerold Dayne causing Ashara to breath a sigh of relief.
Ned walked past Gerold Dayne and stood next to Ashara who immediately took his arm.
"No Ned… my Cousin was just leaving" said Ashara icily.
Gerold Dayne glanced between the two of them before nodding.
"Very well, farewell Lord Stark… Cousin, we should speak again soon… very soon" said Gerold Dayne in a snarky voice.
He turned around and walked away from them.
Ned turned to Ashara who smiled and patted his arm.
"Before you ask I am all right, I had not expected to see him ever again" said Ashara.
"So that is the Darkstar?" said Ned bitterly.
Ashara nodded.
"I have not seen him since he was 9, and he was just as cruel then as he is now, just like his Father" said Ashara icily.
"And what exactly did he say to you?" growled Ned.
Ashara sighed.
"Something about how I have sullied our Dornish blood by having your children, then he called you a barbarian and insulted Jon, I told him that you would beat him bloody or take his head if you ever heard him insult our children again" said Ashara passively.
Ned let out a small growl causing Ashara to chuckle.
"For you I would" said Ned.
Ashara smirked and kissed his cheek.
"He insulted my Wife, our Children, and me, you need only ask, and I can deal with him" said Ned smirking.
"And what exactly will you say in your defence?" said Ashara testily.
"That he insulted us and our family" said Ned.
Ashara chuckled and kissed him.
"My brave Wolf… but he is not even worth the trouble, perhaps you should focus your attention on other things" said Ashara softly.
Ned leaned into her ear.
"Later… when the children are asleep, if you can keep it down for once" whispered Ned.
Ashara sent him a mock look of insult.
"Keep it down, of course I can keep it down, I hope something else does not stay down though, I will be very disappointed if it does" whispered Ashara.
Ned chuckled.
"When it comes to you… it has a habit of staying up" whispered Ned.
Ashara smirked.
"Given what I am to you… it should go up when required" whispered Ashara.
Ned let out a small growl and squeezed her arm slightly.
"We are in public, so behave yourself" whispered Ned.
Ashara smirked and patted his hand that was on her arm.
"Yes Husband" said Ashara smirking.
The two of them walked over to where Robert and Renly Baratheon were stood talking to Stannis Baratheon and his Wife Cersei Baratheon nee Lannister.
"And the man himself, watching from the stands as his Son beats the shit out of squires and green boys for gold" said Robert sounding drunk.
Ned rolled his eyes before turning to Renly Baratheon.
"Renly, you look well" said Ned with a small smile on his face.
Renly Baratheon smiled and shook his hand.
"Lord Stark, it has been some time" said Renly Baratheon.
"It has" said Ned.
"17 years if I remember correctly… at that tourney at Harranhal I believe" said Renly Baratheon.
Ned nodded and turned to Stannis Baratheon who nodded to him and shook his hand.
"Lord Stannis" said Ned plainly.
"Lord Stark… that was quite a performance from your Son earlier today" said Stannis Baratheon in his usual curt voice.
Ned bowed his head.
"Yes well, my Children always enjoy these things more than I ever did" said Ned as Ashara greeted Renly Baratheon.
Robert laughed.
"Enjoy these things more than you, come on Ned, you would probably be unmarried right now had it not been for you winning that melee at Harranhal" said Robert jokingly.
Ned rolled his eyes.
"Very funny Your Grace" said Ned as he glanced at Cersei Baratheon who was watching him with a forced look of happiness on her face.
Ned bowed his head.
"My Lady" said Ned.
Cersei Baratheon managed a forced smile.
"Lord Stark, I always wondered why you never joined us in the capitol, we could have used someone with your unquestionable loyalty alongside the King" said Cersei Baratheon in a tone that Ned could not place.
Ned sighed but managed a sad smile.
"Kings Landing holds nothing but bad memories for me My Lady, I will find no joy in that city" said Ned mournfully.
Cersei Baratheon looked at him with a slightly indifferent look causing Ashara to inwardly growl so no one could hear her as a young boy appeared next to Cersei Baratheon who immediately wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
He was around 10 years of age with short neat blonde hair and facial features similar to those of Cersei Baratheon. He was dressed in a dark red tunic and breeches with the black and gold crowned stag Baratheon sigil on his chest.
The Boy immediately turned to look at Ned and had an arrogant look on his face.
"Who is this peasant who has somehow managed to sneak into a feast where he does not belong?" said the Boy arrogantly.
Ned and Ashara growled slightly as Robert, Stannis and Renly Baratheon suddenly looked enraged before Stannis Baratheon backhanded the Boy across his cheek causing him to cry out and clutch his cheek.
"That is Lord Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell and Warden Of The North Boy" said Stannis through gritted teeth as Cersei Baratheon glared at him.
"Joffrey made a mistake, I am sure he did not mean it" said Cersei Baratheon passively as she held onto her Son.
Joffrey Baratheon glared at Stannis Baratheon.
"You coddle him far too much Cersei Baratheon, I have told you about this sort of behaviour from him many times… mark my words if this keeps up he will be sent to his Grandfather at Casterly Rock, I expect your Father can make a man out of him, or something close to a man at least" said Stannis Baratheon bitterly.
Cersei Baratheon immediately swept away holding onto Joffrey Baratheon walking towards the table where her younger children Shireen and Tommen Baratheon were sat with Myrcella Baratheon and Cassana Baratheon.
As she reached the table a boy identical to Joffrey Baratheon in looks and age dressed in a black House Baratheon tunic and breeches walked over to Stannis Baratheon.
"What is it Steffon?" said Stannis Baratheon bluntly.
The boy named Steffon Baratheon stopped next to Renly Baratheon.
"Lord Florent is asking for you Father, he is sat by the entrance with his Daughter" said Steffon Baratheon dutifully.
Stannis Baratheon nodded.
"Tell him I will speak to him shortly, along with you, for our business concerns you as well" said Stannis Baratheon sternly.
Steffon Baratheon nodded and turned to Ned bowing his head respectfully.
"Lord Stark" said Steffon Baratheon dutifully.
Ned nodded to him.
"This is Steffon, my Son and Heir Lord Stark, as you can tell he has more manners and respect than his Twin Brother" said Stannis Baratheon with an approving look at Steffon Baratheon.
Ned nodded.
Steffon Baratheon turned and walked over to a table in the corner where the Florents were seated.
Stannis Baratheon immediately turned and followed his Son.
Robert scoffed.
"Stannis has been trying to send Joffrey Baratheon to ward with Tywin Lannister for the last two years, since that spoilt little boy could do with a firm hand… not to mention some time away from his overprotective Mother… I had Ser Barristan Selmy teach him, Steffon and Edric how to use a sword, honestly a blind boy holding a sword for the first time would knock him into the dirt" said Robert amusedly.
"And what of the other boy… Steffon?" said Ashara warily.
Robert chuckled.
"Exactly like his Father and your Husband Lady Stark… broody and terrified of girls… but he does have some skill with a blade, he squires for the Kingslayer" said Robert jokingly.
Ashara smirked and patted Ned's arm.
"Fortunately my Husband is not scared of girls any more" said Ashara teasingly.
Ned smirked.
"Let's just hope that Edric does not turn out to be like you when he is older" said Ned cheekily.
"And what does that mean?" said Robert.
Ned wrapped his arm around Ashara and glanced down at Robert's gut.
"Well we would not want him to get as fat as you by the time he sits on that throne would we?" said Ned causing Renly Baratheon to chuckle.
Robert suddenly glared at him.
"Fat… fat as me, is that how you speak to your King?" said Robert angrily causing the entire room to fall silent and look in their direction.
Several seconds of silence passed before Robert started to laugh.
"Hopefully his advisor's will not let him get as fat as me, the realm would be doomed if they went from a Baratheon who eats and drinks and shits and fucks to a Baratheon who got so fat he could barely fit in that ugly throne by the time it was his" said Robert laughing causing a few chuckles to be heard around the hall.
Ned chuckled as Robert called Edric Baratheon over to them.
"Listen here Lad… Lord Stark here is hoping you do not get as fat as me, and that means I do not want you to do that either, so go easy on the wine" said Robert jokingly as Edric Baratheon looked at him.
Edric Baratheon glanced at Ned and then back at Robert.
"Okay" said Edric Baratheon sceptically.
Robert let out a booming laugh and clapped his hand on his Sons back.
"Go on Lad, go back to what you were doing… but watch out for that Tyrell Girl, no doubt her Grandmother and her Father will have told her to get close to you so they can try and organise a betrothal for the two of you" said Robert drunkenly as he downed his goblet of wine.
Ned and Ashara glanced at each other in concern as Edric Baratheon looked at Robert with a slightly fearful look before nodding and walking away.
"Was that really necessary Your Grace, you know it would be seen as an insult for him to ignore Margaery Tyrell, it is her name day tournament after all" said Ashara questioningly.
Robert growled slightly as Renly Baratheon suddenly had a bitter look on his face.
"I do not care about that, I will not stand by and watch that fat fucker try to muscle his way onto my throne, I pardoned him and let him keep his lands and titles for fighting for our enemies in my rebellion, but I will never forgive him for his siege of Storms End, and the damage it caused" said Robert bitterly.
"Forgive me but that was a long time ago Your Grace" said Ashara softly trying to defuse the situation.
Robert and Renly Baratheon growled.
"Forgive me for being blunt Lady Stark, but I lived through that siege, Stannis barely ate the scraps he had for himself because he gave most of them to me, and we would have died of starvation had it not been for Ser Davos Seaworth, a smuggler who risked his own life to break Paxter Redwyne's blockade for people he owed nothing to, what we went through changed my Brother Lady Stark, and not in a good way" said Renly Baratheon darkly.
"Ser Davos, the Onion Knight… it was Lord Stannis who knighted him was it not?" said Ned questioningly.
Renly Baratheon nodded.
"Yes, Ser Davos is a good man, a loyal man who knows right from wrong" said Renly Baratheon.
"Mother" said the voice of Robb from behind Ned.
Ned and Ashara turned around to see Robb, Edric Dayne and Beric stood behind them looking at them.
"What is it boys?" said Ned.
"Brandon and Elia are tired Father, they want to go back to the tent" said Beric.
Ned nodded as Ashara turned to him.
"I will take them back, I can have Brya look after them if you want me to come back here" said Ashara.
"Its up to you" said Ned shrugging his shoulders.
Ashara smiled and gave him a quick kiss.
"I will be back soon" said Ashara.
She turned to the boys.
"Edric, could you and Robb go and find Brya for me, she should be out in the courtyard with Ser Rodrik and Jory" said Ashara.
"Yes Aunt Ashara" said Edric bowing his head to Ashara before turning around and heading for the exit.
"Yes Mother" said Robb before turning around and following Edric towards the exit.
Ashara walked over to their table and sat down next to Brandon and Elia who were struggling to stay awake.
Ashara stroked Brandon's hair as he leaned into her chest wrapping his arms around her waist before yawning.
She turned to Arya who was sat across from her.
"Have you seen Jon, Theon or Lyarra?" said Ashara glancing around the hall.
"Theon left with one of the serving girls, Jon and Lyarra are over there with Alyssa and that Sansa girl" said Arya pointing to one of the corners of the hall where Jon, Lyarra, Alyssa and Ysilla Royce were talking to each other as Oswell Whent kept watch on them from a few feet to their right.
Ashara looked in that direction before raising her eyebrow in surprise as she saw Margaery Tyrell approaching Jon and the others.
Jon and Lyarra were laughing as Alyssa finished telling them a joke that Tyrion Lannister had told her about three Stark, Baratheon and Lannister men in a tavern.
"Congratulations on your victory in the melee today Young Lord Stark" said Margaery Tyrell in a sweet voice.
Jon turned to face her and bowed his head respectfully.
"Thank you My Lady, your Brother was not an easy opponent to defeat" said Jon humbly.
Margaery smiled.
"You are very kind… allow me to honour you with a dance, as a way of saying congratulations" said Margaery moving a little closer to him.
Jon took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
"Of course" said Jon.
Margaery placed her hand on his shoulder and led him backwards away from the others onto the dance floor as the bards started to play another song.
Jon placed his hand on her waist and started to dance with her keeping his eyes on hers at all times.
Margaery smiled.
"I apologize if my Father's words offended you earlier My Lord, he can be a little blunt sometimes" said Margaery in an almost convincing sweet voice.
Jon chuckled.
"We Northerners are used to such insults from you Southerners My Lady, they are nothing new" said Jon.
Margaery raised her eyebrow at him.
"Are you saying that all Southerners are the same?" said Margaery testily.
Jon spun her around.
"Far from it My Lady, not all of them are as pretty as you" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery smirked.
"Smooth… maybe you Northerners are not as barbaric as we Southerners say" said Margaery.
Jon laughed.
"We are made of sterner stuff My Lady, we might be a little… different from you Southerners, but we are very far from barbaric, those of us south of the Wall anyway" said Jon.
Margaery chuckled.
"That appears to be the case when it comes to you… I doubt a barbarian would be as graceful as you when it comes to dancing" said Margaery.
"Shame there is never a barbarian around to prove that point when you need one" said Jon jokingly.
Margaery laughed.
"True… but it is very obvious you are the farthest thing from a barbarian, so I think that has rather killed that conversation" said Margaery.
"You brought it up" said Jon.
"I did… since others viewed your fighting style as barbaric, one would be forgiven for trying to find out more about the boy trained by Ser Arthur Dayne himself, most boys would do anything for such an honour, how is it that you managed to get that honour?" said Margaery.
"Ser Arthur is my Uncle… I squired for him from when I was 8 to 13, and it has paid off" said Jon.
"Judging by your impressive victory in a Squires melee, it has paid off" said Margaery.
Jon smirked and bravely took a step closer to her.
He half expected her to push him back but smirked when she did not.
"Then perhaps you should pray for my victory tomorrow, in the better melee, and hopefully your Father will not insult me if I win this one" said Jon confidently.
Margaery sent him a small glare.
"I ask that you do not insult my Father, especially in front of me… who knows what could happen by the end of the week, maybe your Father will make an offer to my Father for the two of us to be wed" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon raised his eyebrow at her forwardness.
"We have only been talking for a few minutes and you are talking about betrothals, either I am that good, or you are trying to play a game with me, games like that do not happen in the North" said Jon testily.
"You cannot blame a girl for scanning these feasts for a potential Husband, better than my Father selling me off to the highest bidder anyway, maybe you could ask for my hand" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon smirked.
"It would be cold in the North for a southern girl" said Jon teasingly.
Margaery smirked.
"But I would have a Husband to keep me warm at night" said Margaery in a slightly flirty voice.
Jon chuckled.
"You keep on hoping My Lady, who knows what the future will hold when the week is up" said Jon.
Margaery smiled.
"Who knows" said Margaery.
The two continued dancing for the remainder of the song.
As the two were dancing Lyarra grew a little nervous as she spotted Catelyn making her way over to them keeping her distrustful eyes locked on Lyarra as she got closer.
Lyarra straightened up and curtsied to Catelyn.
"Your Grace" said Lyarra with a slight degree of nervousness as Catelyn stopped right in front of her.
Oswell Whent moved towards her as Alyssa, Ysilla and Sansa formally greeted Catelyn.
"May we have a private word, there is something I wish to discuss with you" said Catelyn in a strange tone of voice.
Lyarra quickly looked around the hall trying to find a good excuse to avoid talking to Catelyn but could not find one.
"Please" said Catelyn.
Lyarra slowly nodded.
"Okay" said Lyarra.
She followed Catelyn out of the hall as Oswell Whent shadowed her.
The three walked through one of the hallways until they were out of earshot of the hall.
Catelyn turned to face her with a bitter look on her face which was made even worse when she noticed Oswell Whent stood near Lyarra.
"You can leave now Ser, what I have to say is between this girl and myself" said Catelyn.
Oswell Whent locked eyes with her and shook his head.
"I cannot do that Your Grace, Lady Stark has ordered me to stay with Lady Lyarra for the duration of the tournament" said Oswell Whent sternly.
Catelyn gritted her teeth slightly.
"Very well" said Catelyn before locking eyes with Lyarra making her feel uneasy.
"What did you wish to speak to me about Your Grace?" said Lyarra.
"I am just surprised… that you had the nerve to show your face at this tournament, that you are flaunting yourself at this feast and shaming Lord and Lady Stark in the process" said Catelyn nastily.
Oswell Whent moved to stand next to Lyarra.
"That is not true Your Grace… Lord and Lady Stark insisted that I join them" said Lyarra quickly.
Catelyn let out a harsh laugh.
"Insisted that you join them, you, the bastard spawn of Brandon Stark, of my Brandon Stark, had we been in Kings Landing I would have had you thrown to the streets in Flea Bottom for even daring to enter the Red Keep" said Catelyn harshly.
"That is enough Your Grace" said Oswell Whent angrily as he stepped in front of Lyarra shielding her from Catelyn.
"Leave her alone" said an angry male voice from behind Catelyn.
Catelyn turned around and snarled.
Lyarra followed her gaze and felt puzzled.
The person who spoke up for her was none other than Prince Edric Baratheon who was being shadowed by Jamie Lannister.
A Prince defending a bastard girl.
"Leave, this is no concern of yours" snarled Catelyn.
"And I doubt my Father would be very happy about you insulting the Niece of his closest friend, so leave her alone" growled Edric Baratheon walking past her and stopping next to Lyarra who sent him a thankful smile.
Catelyn snarled and angrily stalked away from them.
Oswell Whent immediately turned to Lyarra with a remorseful look on his face.
"I am sorry My Lady, I should not have let her speak to you like that" said Oswell Whent remorsefully.
Lyarra smiled.
"It is all right Ser Oswell, I am okay" said Lyarra.
She turned to Edric Baratheon and curtsied to him.
"Thank you… My Prince" said Lyarra softly.
Edric Baratheon smiled.
"That is okay… perhaps you would like to join me in the hall, and honour me with your company for the rest of the feast" said Edric Baratheon holding out his arm.
Lyarra blushed slightly.
"My Prince… you should not shame yourself by keeping a bastard girl company" said Lyarra in slight surprise.
Edric Baratheon raised his eyebrow.
"Spending the evening with you would not shame me in the slightest My Lady… it would make my night more enjoyable actually" said Edric Baratheon with a warm smile.
Oswell Whent turned to face him making him slightly nervous.
Lyarra smiled and eased his nerves by taking his arm.
All of the upset and anger she felt at the Queens words left her right then and there as Edric Baratheon led her back into the hall followed by Oswell Whent and Jamie Lannister.
"What is your name My Lady?" said Edric Baratheon looking at her as they walked onto the dance floor.
"Lyarra Snow Your Grace" said Lyarra slightly nervously.
Edric Baratheon flashed her a smile and took her hands holding her in a dance position.
Lyarra turned to Oswell Whent and nodded as she started to dance with Edric Baratheon.
Oswell Whent got the message and bowed his head to her before walking away.
Lyarra turned back to Edric Baratheon locking eyes with him with a smile as the two danced around a small space on the dance floor.
They carried on dancing through several songs for a good twenty minutes before Lyarra separated from him.
"I think I have had enough dancing for now Your Grace, perhaps we could sit down and talk" said Lyarra politely.
"I would like that" said Edric Baratheon.
He suddenly leaned down towards Lyarra's ear catching her slightly off guard.
"You are far more interesting than most of the girls here, I would be happy to grace you with my company all night" whispered Edric Baratheon.
Lyarra blushed slightly.
"Thank you" squeaked Lyarra.
Edric Baratheon chuckled and led her over to the table occupied by Beric, Arya, Jeyne Poole, Beth Cassel and Edric Dayne.
"Your Grace" said Edric Dayne as Edric Baratheon and Lyarra sat down at the table opposite him and Beric.
Edric Baratheon nodded to him before helping himself to a goblet of water.
"So Your Grace… what is it like in Kings Landing?" said Jeyne.
"I bet it must be exciting" said said Beth in a slightly eager voice.
Edric Baratheon sighed.
"It is not that exciting, all I ever do is train with Ser Barristan Selmy and have lessons with Grand Maester Pycelle, and the two eldest Princesses do not like me, nor does the Queen" said Edric Baratheon in a glum voice.
Jeyne and Beth looked at him in slight confusion.
"Surely it cannot be that bad, I bet you hold tourneys and feasts all the time, they must be exciting surely" said Jeyne.
Lyarra looked at her and Jeyne and then back at Edric Baratheon with a shocked look on her face.
"What are they doing… they must realise that Edric is speaking the truth" thought Lyarra in shock.
They carried on talking with Edric Dayne and Beric steering the conversation away from the misguided views that Jeyne and Beth had on Kings Landing.
Across the hall Ned and Ashara stood watching them.
"It seems that Lyarra is a little taken by the Prince, and he seems rather taken by her in turn" said Ashara watching as the two conversed.
Ned frowned slightly.
"That might be true, but it will not go anywhere… even if he is taken by her they cannot be together, Robert and Catelyn would never allow it" said Ned sadly.
Ashara turned to him.
"Why must you say it like that?" said Ashara frostily.
Ned turned to her and pecked her lips.
"Edric Baratheon is the Heir to the Iron Throne… and even though we know different, Lyarra is a bastard to everyone else's eyes, Robert and Catelyn would never allow the two to be together, nor would Lya" said Ned.
Ashara frowned but deep down she knew her Husband was right.
She glanced at Margaery who was laughing and talking with Minisa and Lyanna Baratheon.
"Ned… have you ever thought about a possible betrothal between Jon and Margaery Tyrell, they certainly enjoyed each others company earlier" said Ashara softly scanning the room until her eyes landed on Jon who was talking to Alyssa.
"I already have other betrothals in mind for Jon" said Ned.
"Who?" said Ashara sternly.
Ned sighed.
"Sansa Arryn or Wynafred Manderly, both of them would make a fine Lady Stark one day" said Ned.
Ashara sighed and kissed his cheek.
"Ned… I know Jon Arryn is your friend, but Sansa is younger than Robb, she would be more suited to marrying Robb who is close to her own age, and Wynafred Manderly barely knows Jon, forgive me but I do not think either of those would be suitable betrothals for Jon" said Ashara sternly.
Ned looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"And you think Margaery Tyrell would be a suitable betrothal?" said Ned curiously.
Ashara nodded.
"I do, she is a beautiful and intelligent young lady, and she is only a year younger than him, she would make a great wife for Jon, and a good Lady Of Winterfell, and an alliance with the Reach will be beneficial when winter returns perhaps you should consider it" said Ashara.
Ned kissed her.
"We will speak to Jon about it first, if he thinks it is a good idea then we will speak to the Tyrells about it, though they will most likely refuse" said Ned.
Ashara smiled and traced her hand on his arm.
"The Tyrells would like nothing more than to see their kin on the Iron Throne, I would not be surprised if they are planning to speak to the King and Queen about a possible betrothal before the week is up" said Ned.
Ashara sighed.
"The King will never agree to such a betrothal, and the North is the largest of the Seven Kingdoms, being the Wife of the Warden Of The North is a worthy title, and House Stark has the Kings ear, the King trusts you more than anyone" said Ashara.
Ned managed a small smile in realisation.
"Mace Tyrell could be easily persuaded to betroth Margaery to Jon, for the same reason Hoster Tully wanted to betroth Minisa to Jon, he would see it as a way to see Tyrell blood in Winterfell… but Olenna Tyrell would not see it that way, she was determined to see her Grandson as King, she will be the same for her Granddaughter" said Ned.
"Then play her at her own game, make her see that this is a fine match for her Granddaughter… the both of us could convince her if we work at it" said Ashara.
Ned managed a small smile.
"You still amaze me at times Ashara, trying to play the Queen Of Thorns at the game she has mastered, impressive" said Ned.
Ashara smiled.
"It is for our Son, and I will do anything for our children Ned, as would you" said Ashara.
Ned pulled her into his side.
"Of course I would" said Ned.
The two walked back to the table where Lyarra and the others were still sat talking to each other and sat down with them.