The Rise Of A Dynasty
Winterfell – 296 A.C
The next day…
"Keep your shield up" shouted Jon as Ethan Forrester lowered his shield.
Ethan Forrester quickly raised his shield just in time to block a strike from Beric.
Jon was stood in the training yard with Robb, Lyra, Theon, Beric, Arya, Arthur, Rodrik Cassel, Asher Forrester, Ethan Forrester, Edwin Glover, Edric Baratheon and Steffon Baratheon.
Ethan Forrester turned to him and nodded before swinging his sword at Beric who instinctively blocked it.
They continued training for the next twenty minutes with Jon and the others occasionally greeting the Northern Lords and Ladies who made their way into the courtyard.
Unfortunately their routine training session was interrupted by the arrival of an unwelcome visitor.
"Come dog… let us see if we can find an opponent worthy of facing my superior skills" drawled Joffrey Baratheon as he approached the training yard with Sandor Clegane in tow.
Jon scowled slightly before turning to face him.
"Join us then boy… all of us would love a chance to fight against a Prince" said Jon sarcastically causing most of the others to chuckle.
"Even if he is green behind the ears" said Asher Forrester causing the others to laugh.
Unfortunately Joffrey Baratheon did not hear them.
"Ser Rodrik will get you a blade" said Robb.
Jon turned to Ser Rodrik and nodded.
Ser Rodrik walked over to the weapons rack and pulled a blunted training sword from the rack.
"Will My Prince require a shield as well?" said Ser Rodrik.
Joffrey Baratheon locked eyes with the blunted training sword and snorted.
"I am no child who requires blunted weapons, I demand that you give me live steel" said Joffrey Baratheon arrogantly.
Jon, Robb and Theon rolled their eyes.
"Yet you are a child" said Theon mockingly.
"That's enough Greyjoy… and no live steel My Prince, blunted or wooden blades only" said Ser Rodrik sternly.
Jon sighed.
"Pathetic, what do they teach you in the North, I have been using live steel since I could hold a sword" said Joffrey Baratheon arrogantly.
Jon and the others burst out laughing.
"Yet it was your Father who told me the opposite at Highgarden, he told me not to waste my time fighting you since you had as much talent as a blind and dumb mummer" said Jon.
"Jon" warned Arthur as the others laughed once again.
"Lord Stark's Son is right Joff… it would be a waste of his time if he were to fight you" sneered Steffon Baratheon.
Joffrey Baratheon looked enraged before turning to Sandor Clegane.
"Come dog… let us leave the children to their childish games" said Joffrey Baratheon arrogantly.
Jon rolled his eyes before calling out to Joffrey Baratheon as he stalked away.
"Perhaps you should come and fight me now… prove that you are no child, or are you a coward?!" shouted Jon.
"Enough Jon… get back to training your Squire" said Arthur sternly.
Jon scowled before turning back to Ethan Forrester and nodding.
Later that morning…
Arthur took his seat across from his visitor as he sipped from his Arbor Gold.
"And to what do I owe this pleasure?" said Jamie Lannister dryly as he looked bored.
Arthur sighed.
"We want you to tell us why?" said Arthur.
"Why what?" said Jamie Lannister in a bored tone.
Oswell Whent moved towards him from his position by the door.
"You know damn well what we wish to know Kingslayer" said Oswell Whent bitterly.
Jamie Lannister rolled his eyes.
"Oh I see… I did what the two of you would have done in that same situation, and yet even now you cannot accept it, so you mock me instead, you should be on your knees thanking me" said Jamie Lannister.
"Then tell us Ser Jamie… tell us why we should thank you for your actions" growled Arthur.
Jamie Lannister gritted his teeth and glared at him.
"Fine" said Jamie Lannister icily before he started to tell them the story of what happened in the throne room on that fateful day.
Kings Landing – 282 A.C
Ser Jamie Lannister was stood at the bottom of the steps dressed in his grey Kingsguard armour minus the helm looking up at King Aerys Targaryan with one hand on his gold hilted longsword.
This was the day Jamie Lannister had awaited for so long.
His Father Tywin Lannister had arrived at the city to defend the remaining Loyalists from the advancing Rebels.
Or so he thought.
After Grand Maester Pycelle had assured King Aerys that Tywin Lannister would help them the Mad King ordered the gates to be opened. It was in that moment that Tywin Lannister revealed his true intentions.
The Lannister army was currently sacking the city on their way to the Red Keep.
"Light the caches Rossart… burn them all" snarled Aerys Targaryan.
Jamie Lannister winced as he watched the exchange between the King and his lead Pyromancer.
The middle aged black haired, black robed Pyromancer Wisdom Rossart looked at Aerys Targaryan with a creepy smile on his face.
"All of them Your Grace?" said Rossart in a sadistic voice.
"All of them Rossart… this city will burn to the ground and I will be reborn as a dragon, so I can destroy all of my enemies… Ser Jamie" shouted Aerys Targaryan.
Jamie Lannister froze up slightly.
"Your Grace?" said Jamie Lannister trying to sound confident.
Aerys Targaryan glared at him.
"Bring me your traitor Father's head" said Aerys Targaryan.
Jamie Lannister remained completely still as the Mad Kings words rang through his head.
"My Father" thought Jamie in fear and shock.
"Now Lannister, or you will burn right here!" shouted Aerys Targaryan causing Jamie Lannister to jump slightly.
Jamie Lannister gulped.
"At once Your Grace" said Jamie Lannister quickly.
He swiftly turned around and headed for the open throne room doors.
"Order me to kill my Father will you… not today" thought Jamie Lannister bitterly.
"Burn them all!" shouted Aerys Targaryan.
Jamie Lannister walked out of the throne room doors and ducked into a small alcove near the doors.
"You have hurt enough people Aerys Targaryan… no more, no more" thought Jamie Lannister bitterly as he pulled out his long wide bladed dagger.
He waited a minute or two before the giddy excited Rossart walked out of the throne room in his direction.
Jamie Lannister quickly stepped out of the alcove in front of Rossart.
He plunged the dagger into the pyromancers heart before he could utter a single word.
Jamie Lannister fixed him with a cocky amused stare.
"No more" said Jamie Lannister as Rossart left this world.
Jamie Lannister let go of Rossart and the dagger causing the dead Pyromancer to fall backwards the floor with the dagger in his heart.
He looked down at him with one last look of disgust before turning around and walking back into the throne room.
Aerys Targaryan looked straight at him with a murderous look on his face.
"What are you doing Lannister?" shouted Aerys Targaryan.
Jamie kept a straight face as he approached Aerys Targaryan.
"Fulfilling my duty as a knight, protecting the innocent… from you" said Jamie Lannister icily as he reached the throne room steps.
Aerys Targaryan screwed up his face in rage.
"I am your King, you are my Kingsguard, and you will do as I command and bring me your traitor father's head, or you will burn!" shouted Aerys Targaryan.
Jamie Lannister drew his sword with one hand extending it to the side.
"You are no King of mine… and now your reign is over, Rossart is dead, this city will stand, while you will fall" said Jamie Lannister mockingly.
Aerys Targaryan finally realised what was happening and stood up.
Jamie Lannister tracked him as he ran down the steps heading for the side doors.
"Your reign is over" said Jamie Lannister angrily as he skewered his longsword through Aerys Targaryan's back.
Aerys Targaryan screamed as he dropped to his knees.
"Traitor... burn them all, burn them all!" shouted Aerys Targaryan as Jamie Lannister pulled his sword out of his back.
"Shut up" roared Jamie Lannister angrily.
He moved his sword round to Aerys Targaryan's neck and slit his throat for good measure.
Jamie Lannister breathed heavily as Aerys Targaryan fell forwards to the floor staining it with his blood.
He was finally dead.
Jamie Lannister was not sure how long he remained in place before a great exhaustion of sorts overtook him.
He made his way over to the Iron Throne sitting down so he could catch his breath.
It was there where Ned Stark found him when he reached the throne room some thirty minutes later.
"And then my Father showed Robert Baratheon what he had done to prove himself to the new King" said Jamie Lannister flatly with a hint of regret in his voice.
Arthur growled.
"When Rhaegar and Aerys fell… Aegon became your King, and Elia the King Mother… yet you did not protect them, as a Kingsguard would have done, you let them die, you failed your duty, and as a knight and a Kingsguard" growled Arthur.
Jamie Lannister recoiled and had a look of disappointment on his face before he got to his feet.
"We are done here" said Jamie Lannister icily.
He turned around and walked towards the door wrenching it open.
Oswell Whent turned to Arthur who was still scowling slightly as Jamie Lannister slammed the door.
Jamie Lannister moved through the hallways in a bitter mood before he arrived at one of the rooms on the rebuilt First Keep.
As if on cue the door opened revealing his Twin Sister Cersei Baratheon.
She sent him a glowing look before taking his arm and slowly pulling him through the door.
Jamie Lannister placed his hands on her neck and forcefully kissed her as she pushed the door shut hiding them and their secret from the world.
Meanwhile…
Beric made his way out of the Godswood and towards a door leading to a small disused antechamber.
Ser Jonothor Florent and the short brown haired, 35 year old Ser Manfred Mallister of the Kingsguard were guarding the door. They quietly opened the door and stepped aside allowing him to enter before Jonothor Florent followed him inside.
He slowly made his way inside and saw Catelyn. Minisa, Lyanna Baratheon, Myrcella Baratheon and Cassana Baratheon.
They were kneeling as they said their prayers to the Seven.
As he approached them Catelyn turned to face him with a slightly bitter look on her face.
"What do you need My Lord… can you not see that we are praying, even though your Father does not have a Sept in his castle" said Catelyn in an icy tone.
Beric straightened up and bowed his head.
"Forgive the interruption Your Grace… but I came here to ask for Princess Myrcella's company for an hour or so, I was hoping she would join me for a walk" said Beric.
Catelyn fixed him with an icy stare as Myrcella Baratheon opened her mouth to reply.
"She is praying Lord Stark… you will see her at the feast tonight" said Catelyn quickly cutting off Myrcella Baratheon.
"Mother please, Father wants me to spend some time with Lord Stark's Son" said Myrcella Baratheon in a slightly pleading voice.
"And I said no Myrcella" said Catelyn icily.
Myrcella Baratheon frowned and looked at Beric who sent her a sad smile.
"Very well… but I ask that you join me at my table for the feast tonight" said Beric.
"She will think about it Lord Stark… now if you do not mind, we would like to pray in private" said Catelyn curtly.
"And you are guests in my Father's castle, you do not order us around as if we were common servants" said Beric hotly.
"You are not common servants no… but you are mere Lords to your Queen, and as your Queen I command you to leave us to pray in private" said Catelyn bitterly.
Beric sighed before turning around and leaving the antechamber.
As he emerged into the courtyard he saw his Father making his way over with Robert and Ser Aerys Oakheart.
"Beric… what are you doing, I had thought you would be with Princess Myrcella" said Ned curiously.
Beric sighed.
"I had asked the Princess to join me for a walk Father… but she is busy praying" said Beric glancing back at the antechamber.
Ned sighed slightly while Robert looked annoyed.
"Bloody Tully Woman" growled Robert quietly before walking towards the antechamber followed by Aerys Oakheart.
Beric walked towards Ned.
They stood together in silence waiting for the King to return before raised voices could be heard from the antechamber.
"The Girl can say her bloody prayers any other time Woman, if she is to marry Lord Starks Son she will spend some time with him right now!" shouted Robert causing Ned and Beric to wince slightly.
"I told you no Robert… we have better offers for Myrcella, far better offers than those for a third born Son" shouted Catelyn causing Ned to scowl.
"The Others take your bloody ambition Woman… Myrcella will be betrothed to Lord Starks third born Son as soon as Lord Stark accepts it!" shouted Robert.
Ned and Beric stayed quiet only glancing at each other as Robert and Aerys Oakheart walked out of the Sept with Myrcella Baratheon in tow.
Ser Manfred Mallister followed Robert and Myrcella Baratheon over to Ned and Beric.
"My Daughter will join you for a walk Lord Stark" said Robert looking at Beric with a slightly stern gaze.
Beric nodded and turned to Myrcella Baratheon who was looking at him with a nervous look on her face.
"Princess" said Beric walking towards her and holding his arm out to her.
Myrcella took his arm and allowed him to lead her towards the gate.
Robert sighed and turned to Ned.
"That bloody Wife of mine, got more fucking ambition than that cunt Father of hers" said Robert in annoyance.
Ned sighed.
"If it is agreed… the betrothal will stand Robert, the Queens ambition will not matter then" said Ned.
Robert nodded.
"Why would your Son not agree to this… how many third born Sons would ever get such a match?" said Robert.
"He wants what me and his Mother have Robert… someone he can fall in love with" said Ned solemnly.
"He can have that with my Daughter" said Robert.
"Can he… we do not choose who we fall in love with Robert, life does not work like that, it is not always fair" said Ned.
Robert growled as he glanced towards the entrance to the Crypts.
"Aye… it can be cruel to all of us, my real Queen was stolen from me, your Father and Brother died so a mad fucker could further destroy his crumbling Kingdom, if life were fair that shit excuse for a King would have died long before then, his Son with him, and your Father, Brother and Sister would still be alive" growled Robert.
Ned sighed as Robert turned away from the Crypts.
"That was a long time ago Robert… I have learned to move on from what happened, so I could be strong for the North" said Ned.
"Moved on from it… how do you move on from that, neither me nor Stannis can get over what Mace Tyrell did at Storms End, we cannot move on from it, how could you have moved on from something far worse" said Robert bitterly.
Ned frowned and looked down at his feet.
"The North Remembers Robert… but it must stay strong and get ready for Winter, not lose itself in the grief of things that happened long ago" said Ned solemnly.
Robert growled.
"I wish I thought of things the same way you did" growled Robert.
Ned sighed as Robert stormed off towards the gate with Barristan Selmy in tow.
"Father!" shouted the voice of Jon from the direction of the great hall.
Ned turned around to see Jon, Robb, Theon, Arthur, Oswell Whent, Maege Mormont, Dacey Mormont, Lyra Mormont, Greatjon Umber, Smalljon Umber, Robbett Glover, Edwin Glover, Rodrik Forrester, Gregor Forrester, Jory Cassel and half a dozen Stark Guards walking towards him.
All of them had changed into their chainmail and armour and were carrying or had sheathed their weapons while Theon was carrying Ice.
Oswell Whent walked towards Ned carrying his chainmail and leather armour.
"What is it?" said Ned sternly as he slowly took the armour from Oswell Whent.
"A Farmer's Son just came into the Great Hall with a baby girl… said a band of Wildlings have taken his farm and are holding the family hostage, its an hours ride from here on the other side of the Wolfswood" said Jon.
"How many?" said Ned.
"About 30 of the Goat Fuckers Lord Stark, probably stealing anything that is not nailed down" said Smalljon Umber bitterly.
Ned looked at all of them and nodded.
"Mount up, we will ride out with haste" said Ned before nodding to Theon.
Theon nodded and walked towards him handing Ice to him.
Ned turned to Robbett Glover and Gregor Forrester.
"Lord Glover, Lord Forrester… ride out ahead of us and scout the farm, but do not engage until we arrive" said Ned.
"Yes Lord Stark" said both Men at once before they walked through the gate heading to the campsite.
Ned, Jon, Robb, Theon, Jory Cassel, Arthur, Oswell Whent and Lyra Mormont headed for the stables while the others walked out of the gate heading to the large campsite.
As Jon, Robb, Theon and Lyra Mormont went to ready their horses Ned called them over.
"Alright you four… I know this is your first battle, and that you will be nervous, just remember what you were trained to do, and make sure you put your enemy down, whatever it takes" said Ned before he walked towards Jory Cassel who helped him get into his chainmail and leathers.
"Yes Father/Lord Stark" said the Four before they went back to their horses.
Once the four, Ned, Arthur, Oswell Whent and Jory Cassel had mounted their horses they rode out of the stables.
"I want to come too Father!" shouted Arya as she ran towards them clutching her sheathed sword in both hands.
"No Arya… you are far too young" shouted Ned sternly.
"But Father" pleaded Arya.
"No Arya, I will hear no more of this" said Ned angrily.
"Arya Stark… I told you no young lady!" shouted Ashara who walked into the courtyard with an angry look on her face.
Ned turned to Ashara and then back to Arya who was looking at him with a pleading look on her face.
"Do as your Mother says Arya, now" said Ned sternly.
Arya huffed before turning around and stalking off towards the castle barging past Ashara in the process.
Ned sighed before nodding his head to the others.
They rode out of the castle and through the campsite to find the others waiting for them on the edge of the campsite.
Edge of the Wolfswood – 296 A.C
One hour later…
Ned dismounted his horse on the small ridge overlooking the farm where the Wildlings were located.
Jon and the others followed him over to the ridge where Robbett Glover and Gregor Forrester were crouched down on one knee looking at the farm.
"Any sign of them?" said Ned.
"Aye they are down there, in the farmhouse and the barn" said Gregor Forrester drawing House Forresters ancestral great sword from behind his back as Robbett Glover readied his longsword.
"You can smell those animals from here" said Greatjon Umber spitting on the floor in disgust.
Robb looked down at the farm spotting the Farmer's dead sheep and pigs littered around their respective pens.
"Strange… that they killed the Farmers livestock rather than steal it" said Robb as he readied his new spear.
"Best surround the farm… in case they try to flee when they see us" said Maege Mormont.
"Those Goat Fuckers always flee when they spot us coming" said Smalljon Umber bitterly.
Ned nodded.
"Alright… surround the farmhouse and the small barn, then we shall call them out" said Ned.
They all made their way down from the ridge towards the farmhouse and the barn surrounding both buildings with their weapons ready.
"Get out here you fucking savages!" roared Greatjon Umber as he readied his great sword.
Everything was deathly silent for a few moments before the doors to the barn burst open and a large group of Wildlings emerged.
Robb and Smalljon Umber roared and charged them with Robb skewering two of them on his new spear.
Suddenly more Wildlings charged out of the farmhouse straight for them.
Ned and the others charged the Wildlings clashing with them as the sounds of steel on steel rung out around the farm.
Jon pulled his longsword out of the throat of one Wildling before crossing blades with another.
Ned followed Jon engaging the Wildling with the two cutting him down after a few minutes.
The battle only lasted for a few minutes before Greatjon Umber chased one of the last Wildling's back into the farmhouse as Ned and the others finished the rest of them off.
Ned walked towards the farmhouse where Greatjon Umber threw the now beheaded Wildling back through the door.
"A survivor in here Lord Stark" said Greatjon Umber.
Ned, Jon, Robb, Theon and Robbett Glover walked into the farmhouse before scowling at the sight before them.
The chopped up bodies of the middle aged Farmer and what looked like two of his young Sons were piled up in the corner while the Farmer's Wife was huddled in the opposite corner in fear.
Ned sheathed Ice and walked over to the Farmer's Wife who recoiled slightly in fear.
"Its all right now Miss, its all right, your safe now" said Ned soothingly.
The Farmer's Wife backed away from him.
Ned sighed and held his hand out.
"Come on… we will take you to your Son and Daughter, they are safe at Winterfell" said Ned soothingly.
The Farmer's Wife's eyes lit up at his words and she slowly took his hand allowing him to pull her to her feet.
Ned wrapped his arms around her shoulders and guided her over to Jon and Robb.
Jon pulled the dark grey House Stark cloak off of his shoulders and wrapped it around the Farmer's Wife who held the ends together with both hands.
"Boys… you and Theon go with the Mormont's and take her back to Winterfell with our Guards, have her bathed and get her something to eat as well as some fresh clothes" said Ned sincerely.
Jon and Robb nodded and walked over to the Farmer's Wife taking her arm.
Ned frowned and turned to Robbett Glover as Jon and Robb led the Farmer's Wife out of the farmhouse followed by Theon.
"Go with them as well Lord Glover" said Ned.
Robbett Glover bowed his head and followed the boys out of the door.
Ned looked back at the bodies of the Farmer and his Sons before frowning.
He turned to Greatjon Umber.
"We best dig some graves… then burn the Wildlings" said Ned solemnly.
"And what of their dead livestock?" said Greatjon.
Ned sighed.
"Find a wagon and bring the dead livestock back to Winterfell with us… we will cut and store the meat before giving it back to the Farmer's Wife when she and her children leave Winterfell" said Ned sadly.
"Yes Lord Stark" said Greatjon Umber before turning and leaving the farmhouse.
Ned sighed and walked towards the door.
Winterfell – 296 A.C
One and a half hours later…
Beric led Myrcella Baratheon back into the courtyard as Jon, Robb, Theon, Lyra Mormont, Maege Mormont, Dacey Mormont, Robbett Glover and the Stark Guards rode through the gates.
The Farmer's Wife was on the back of Theon's horse.
Beric turned to Myrcella Baratheon with a slightly apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry Princess… but I have to leave you now, I will see you tonight when I come to escort you to the feast" said Beric.
Myrcella Baratheon looked a little disappointed before stepping back and curtsying to him.
"I will see you later then My Lord" said Myrcella Baratheon.
Beric nodded before she left him followed by Ser Manfred Mallister.
He walked over to Jon and the others as they dismounted.
"What happened?" said Beric.
"Bloody Wildlings is what happened" spat Robbett Glover as Theon helped the Farmer's Wife down from his horse.
Beric looked a little shocked as the Farmer's Wife turned to Theon presumably to ask him where her Son and baby Daughter were.
"Attacked her farm, killed two of her Sons and left her a widow" said Jon bitterly.
Beric sighed.
"Bloody animals" said Lyra Mormont bitterly.
"Where is Mother Beric?" said Robb turning to Beric.
Beric looked at him.
"I do not know, I have been in Wintertown for the last hour or so" said Beric.
"She might be in the great hall Robb, she was there with the Farmer's children when we left" said Theon.
Jon nodded.
"We best take her there then, she will probably want to see her children" said Jon.
Beric followed them into the main keep.
One hour later…
Ashara walked through the Godswood in silence.
She spotted her Husband sat down on the moss covered roots of one of the trees cleaning Ice with a wash cloth and the dark waters of the pond.
Ned would always spend time alone in the Godswood when he needed to pray to the Old Gods about decisions or if he wanted to clear his head after an execution.
"How is the Farmer's Wife?" said Ned without looking at her.
Ashara sighed and approached Ned.
"Still shaken up, as is her Son, he is only 10 the poor boy, she has not let him or her Daughter out of her sight since she got here" said Ashara.
Ned sighed.
"Are the rest of her family?" said Ashara.
"They are" said Ned solemnly causing Ashara to scowl.
Ned turned to her and sighed before placing the now cleaned Ice and the wash cloth in the grass beside him.
"Come here" said Ned softly.
Ashara smiled before sitting down in his lap leaning against his chest as he took her hand interlocking their fingers.
"Was it that bad?" said Ashara sadly.
Ned sighed and nodded.
"It was, she lost two Sons and her Husband, the boys cannot have been much older than Jon, they also killed all of their livestock and their cart horse, which she and her surviving children need to survive" said Ned sadly.
Ashara pressed herself into him.
"We buried her family before we returned… the Wildling's are getting further South each passing year" said Ned solemnly.
Ashara sighed.
"And then there are the whispers of this King Beyond The Wall… Mance Rayder, do you remember him?" said Ned.
Ashara was a little surprised at the name but nodded.
"He came to Winterfell with Lord Commander Qorgyle years ago, a nice man he was" said Ashara.
"He did… but he deserted the Watch not long after that… and now there is talk of him bringing the clans together to wage war on the Watch, I fear that such a time will come when I will have to call my banners and stop him" said Ned bitterly.
"Hopefully it will be years before such a situation arises, or perhaps it will never arise" said Ashara as she pressed herself into Ned.
Ned held her into him.
"I could not do all of this without you" said Ned softly.
Ashara smiled and kissed his chin tenderly.
"Oh you could, but you would not be nearly as good as you are with me by your side" said Ashara teasingly.
Ned chuckled and lowered his head kissing her lips.
He smirked as Ashara bit his lip teasingly.
"Are you needed by anyone before the feast tonight?" said Ashara teasingly.
Ned chuckled.
"No… as far as I know at least, but we only have around two and a half hours" said Ned cheekily.
Ashara looked at him with a flirty gaze and licked her lips.
"Good… can we escape to our chambers, and have a little tumble beneath the sheets, to help you clear your head of those bad thoughts?" said Ashara in a flirty voice.
Ned smiled and kissed her before groaning slightly as she stood up.
"Just try and stop me" said Ned cheekily as he stood up after her picking Ice up as well.
Ashara smirked.
"When have I ever stopped you?" said Ashara cheekily as she took his free arm.
Ned smirked and leaned into her ear.
"Never… you love what I do to you too damn much" whispered Ned.
Ashara tightened her grip on his arm as he led her through the Godswood.
Later that evening…
Jon was sat at the desk in his chambers as he unrolled a raven scroll bearing the wax Rose sigil of House Tyrell.
Jon
Life has been the same as it has always been since I watched you ride away from Highgarden. I hope your journey to Winterfell was a safe one. Mother is bringing me to court in Kings Landing until we are to be wed. Send any ravens you want to send to me to Kings Landing.
Love, Margaery Tyrell
Jon smiled as sipped his Arbor Gold before putting the scroll down.
He picked a blank scroll up and started to write.
Margaery
You could say I had a rather interesting day. The King and Queen are here at Winterfell along with Lords Stannis and Renly and their families. I had another run in with that blonde haired ponce of a Prince again, went after a large band of Wildlings who attacked one of the farms on our land. And Father wants me to deliver House Stark's tribute to Castle Black soon.
Love, Jon
He finished writing the two page scroll before rolling it up and sealing wax it with the Stark sigil.
As he placed the scroll in a small box on his table there was a knock at the door.
"Come in" said Jon.
He turned to look at the door as it opened.
To his surprise Benjen Stark walked into the room.
What surprised Jon slightly was the traces of wrinkles and the few grey hairs on his Uncle's long dark brown hair. Both of which were not there the last time he had seen his Uncle.
"Uncle Benjen" said Jon with a wide smile as he stood up.
Benjen crossed the room and wrapped him in a hug.
"What are you doing here?" said Jon.
Benjen smiled and let go of Jon.
"You did not really think I would miss my Niece and Nephew's Name Day did you?" said Benjen fondly.
Jon smiled and clapped his hand on Benjen's shoulder.
"I heard you fought some Wildlings earlier today" said Benjen.
"I did yes" said Jon flatly.
Benjen nodded his head slightly.
"Was that your first kill?" said Benjen soothingly.
"It was" said Jon flatly.
Benjen let out a small sigh and nodded.
"How?" said Benjen.
Jon looked at him curiously for a few seconds before understanding the question.
"Sword through the throat, almost took his head off… ugly bastard" said Jon glancing at his longsword which hung on the wall above his hearth.
Benjen nodded before clapping his hand on his shoulder.
"Have you seen Mother and Father yet?" said Jon.
Benjen chuckled.
"I would have… had they not been busy" said Benjen jokingly.
Jon rolled his eyes and looked a little embarrassed.
"I did not want to know that Uncle" said Jon sounding embarrassed.
Benjen laughed.
"Mother is loud enough sometimes" muttered Jon under his breath.
Benjen smirked.
"Come… I best go and find my other Nieces and Nephew's then" said Benjen.
Jon nodded and took his raven scroll for Margaery out of the box before walking out of his chambers with Benjen.
"And how is Lady Tyrell… missing her yet?" said Benjen in a slightly teasing voice.
Jon groaned slightly at his Uncle's teasing.
"We parted ways not two moons ago Uncle, and I will see her again in two years, which may fly by quickly if I am lucky" said Jon.
Benjen smirked.
"Your a young man in love… just like your Father was when he was your age, a little bit older actually" said Benjen teasingly.
Jon jokingly punched him in the arm.
"And what about you Uncle… what were you like when you were my age?" said Jon.
Benjen clapped him on the back.
"I was going beyond the Wall for days and weeks at a time when I was your age, I joined the Nights Watch at 16 when you were no more than two years old" said Benjen.
"Were you always going to join the Nights Watch… even when it is like it is right now" said Jon.
Benjen managed a small smile.
"The Starks have manned the wall for thousands of years, there is still great honour serving in the Nights Watch, it was my calling in life, just like ruling Winterfell is yours" said Benjen.
Jon nodded.
"Father wants me to visit Castle Black in a few weeks… to deliver our tribute to the Nights Watch, and he wants an update on this Mance Rayder" said Jon.
Benjen frowned slightly.
"It is only the Northern Houses who pay tribute to the Nights Watch any more, and sometimes those tributes are not much we can use" said Benjen.
Jon sighed.
"What is your Father giving to us?" said Benjen with a curious look on his face as they approached the steps leading to the Maester's Tower.
"Weapons, food, and 400 Gold Dragons for repairs, if that helps" said Jon.
Benjen nodded.
"It should help yes, the Gold might not help us make as many repairs as we need to, but they will help nonetheless" said Benjen.
The two stopped at the base of the steps.
"And this is where I leave you for now, I should go and visit your siblings" said said Benjen clapping his hand on Jon's shoulder and rubbing it.
Jon nodded.
"Perhaps I should visit Castle Black with our tribute when you leave here" said Jon.
"I will be going straight to Castle Black Jon… if your Father wants you to stop off somewhere on the way then I cannot go with you" said Benjen sternly.
Jon nodded.
"I understand Uncle" said Jon.
Benjen squeezed his shoulder.
"I will see you at the feast Jon" said Benjen.
Benjen turned around and started walking back down the hallway.
Jon waited for a few moments before walking up the stairs of the Maester's Tower to get Maester Lewin to send his raven to Margaery.
Upon knocking and entering Maester Lewin's chambers he saw the man in question sat at his desk writing a letter.
Maester Lewin turned to face him.
"Jon?" said Maester Lewin.
Jon approached Maester Lewin and pulled the scroll for Margaery out of his pocket.
"Could you send this to Kings Landing please Maester?" said Jon holding the scroll out towards him.
Maester Lewin took it looking down at it before looking at Jon once again.
"Kings Landing?" said Maester Lewin questioningly.
Jon nodded.
"Aye" said Jon.
Maester Lewin nodded.
"I will send it before the feast tonight" said Maester Lewin.
"Thank you" said Jon.
He bowed his head to Maester Lewin before turning and leaving the Maester's chambers.
Two hours later…
Lyarra curtsied to Edric Baratheon as she stepped away from him.
"Thank you My Prince, I would dance again but I would like to rest for a bit" said Lyarra gracefully.
Edric Baratheon looked a little disappointed before bowing his head.
"Of course My Lady" said Edric Baratheon.
Lyarra smiled and stepped away from him before walking towards her table.
As she approached her table someone stepped in front of her.
It was Joffrey Baratheon who had a cruel smirk on his face.
"Dance with me" said Joffrey Baratheon.
Lyarra smiled.
"No thank you My Prince… I am rather exhausted and wish to sit down right now" said Lyarra courteously.
As she moved to pass him he blocked her.
"I said dance with me… someone of your low status should be honoured to dance with a Prince" said Joffrey Baratheon nastily.
Lyarra immediately stepped back with a bitter look on her face.
"No girl who hears such insults would grace you with a dance" spat Lyarra.
Joffrey Baratheon looked enraged.
"I will have your tongue cut out for saying that bastard" said Joffrey Baratheon angrily.
"Is there a problem Lady Lyarra?" said a voice from her left.
She and Joffrey Baratheon immediately turned to the sound of the voice.
Smalljon Umber walked over to them causing Joffrey Baratheon to look worried.
"Get lost Boy" growled Smalljon Umber.
Joffrey Baratheon recoiled slightly while Lyarra breathed a sigh of relief.
Joffrey Baratheon looked around obviously looking for assistance and finding none as some of the other Northerners started to notice what was going on and react accordingly.
"I said get lost Boy… you have no business with the lady" said Smalljon Umber bitterly walking towards Joffrey Baratheon who swallowed nervously as the Umber Heir towered over him.
"She is a bastard, and I am a Prince, you do not order me around like some common peasant" spat Joffrey Baratheon.
"Prince or no Prince… if you speak ill of her again and you will find yourself without teeth and a tongue" growled Smalljon Umber.
Joffrey Baratheon backed away and turned to Lyarra as some of the other Northerners appeared besides her and Smalljon Umber.
"Whore's Daughters are not worth my time anyway" spat Joffrey Baratheon in the direction of Lyarra causing Smalljon Umber and the other Northerners to growl.
Smalljon Umber moved towards Joffrey Baratheon as he turned around and walked away before Lyarra grabbed hold of his arm.
"Leave him be My Lord… he is not worth it" said Lyarra quickly causing Smalljon Umber to turn to her.
"Leave him be, when he insults you so, I'll break his fucking neck… if someone else does not beat me to it" said Smalljon Umber in disbelief.
Lyarra pulled on his arm again as he tried to follow Joffrey Baratheon.
"Please… just leave it, he is not worth it" said Lyarra in a slightly pleading voice.
Smalljon Umber sighed and nodded before pulling his arm free from her grasp and walking away.
Lyarra sighed before walking back to her table.
The Saltspear Tower – 296 A.C
The next evening…
Lyanna sighed as she looked out into the distance watching the sun go down from the balcony at the top of the tower of the main keep.
Her new castle on the top of the cliffs looking down at the Saltspear bay consisted of a dark grey medium sized keep at the base of a large dark grey tower stretching high into the night sky. The keep and tower were surrounded by high granite walls and a long three man wide staircase connecting a small dock on the shore of the water to the one of the castle's two entrances. On the left side of the castle was the mouth of one of the inland rivers leading north through the Rills towards Barrowton.
She looked down into the castle courtyard which contained a barracks, stable and forge which were bustling with Guards and Household Staff. Behind the castle on the north side was another set of steps leading up the hill towards three Weirwood Trees.
The small docks were surrounded by two thick stone walls complete with two towers manned with archers and two watchtowers which contained fires to light the way for ships wishing to enter the harbour.
The harbour itself currently housed four fishing ships which were finishing unloading what they had caught from a days fishing.
"My Lady" said a female voice from behind her.
Lyanna turned around to see Bryn Snow stood in the doorway leading back inside the tower.
Lyanna nodded to her.
"Bryn" said Lyanna flatly.
Bryn Snow walked towards her.
"Lord Reed and his Daughter are waiting for you in the Hall My Lady" said Bryn Snow.
Lyanna nodded and walked towards Bryn Snow.
"Make sure their chambers are prepared, and have baths drawn for them" said Lyanna.
Bryn Snow bowed her head as Lyanna walked past her back through the door before following her.
Lyanna descended down the spiral staircase from the tower and walked through the keep for the next ten minutes until she arrived in the Hall.
She smiled as she spotted Howland Reed and his young Daughter Meera Reed sat at one of the small tables helping themselves to bread and water.
Meera Reed was nearly 9 years of age with long, bushy light brown hair and slightly milk white skin. She was dressed in riding clothes and furs with a bow slung over her shoulders and a bow slung around her shoulders.
Howland Reed had aged slightly badly with wrinkles on his face and a few grey strands of hair in his short copper brown hair.
The Crannogman turned to face Lyanna as she approached him.
"My Lady" said Howland Reed dutifully.
Lyanna sighed and gestured for him to stand up as Meera Reed turned to face her.
Howland Reed stood up and bowed his head to her.
Lyanna smiled and wrapped him in a hug which he slowly returned.
"How have you been old friend?" said Lyanna happily.
Howland Reed let go of her.
"As well as I can be… how is your Daughter?" said Howland.
"She is happy, I am going to Winterfell when the King leaves to bring her here after some time, she will rule this castle one day, which I am yet to tell her" said Lyanna with a small smile.
Howland Reed smiled.
"Not bad for a supposedly baseborn girl… to be named a lady of her own castle" said Howland.
Lyanna sighed.
"At least I can give her something" said Lyanna sadly.
Howland Reed rubbed her arm soothingly.
"You have given her everything she could have wanted, a family" said Howland.
Lyanna sighed and nodded before turning to Meera Reed who stood up and bowed her head to her.
"Lady Stark" said Meera Reed.
Lyanna smiled and walked towards her.
"My Lady… welcome to The Saltspear Tower" said Lyanna.
Howland Reed turned to face his Daughter.
"Meera has accepted your offer to be your Handmaiden, but she is a Crannogwoman, and I wish for you to train her in the sword, spear and bow while she is here" said Howland.
Lyanna walked towards Meera Reed.
"And I shall train her Howland" said Lyanna sternly as she locked eyes with Meera Reed.
Meera Reed managed a slightly nervous smile before Lyanna turned to Howland Reed.
"Come, your chambers should have been prepared by now" said Lyanna.
She looped arms with Howland Reed and started to lead him out of the hall.
She led Howland and Meera Reed to their chambers at the base of the main keep tower before returning to her own chambers.
Ten minutes later…
Lyanna signed the raven scroll as she finished writing it.
Ned
The Saltspear Tower is slowly becoming a home for me and a future home for Lyarra. I will be returning to Winterfell in two weeks once I have sorted everything out. As Ser Oswell Whent will be coming with me to serve as my new Master At Arms I expect that Beric will also be coming with him and hopefully Arya as well just to relieve you and Ashara of the headaches she is no doubt causing you. We will talk more of it when I arrive at Winterfell.
Lyanna
She rolled it up and sealed it with her sigil before placing it in a tin for safekeeping.
Winterfell – 296 A.C
Four days later…
"Have you made your choice yet Son?" said Ned.
He was sat at his desk in his Solar with Ashara stood next to him and Beric stood opposite facing them.
Beric straightened up and nodded.
"I have Father" said Beric dutifully.
Ned leaned back in his chair and motioned for him to answer.
"I have decided to accept the Kings offer Father… Lord Manderly has offered me a keep on the shores of The Bite, a short ride from Oldcastle" said Beric dutifully.
Ned nodded before turning to Ashara.
"Have someone find the King and Queen" said Ned.
Ashara smiled and stroked his arm before walking around the desk to Beric.
She wrapped him in a hug and gave him a kiss on each cheek.
"I am proud of you, my handsome boy, marrying a Princess" said Ashara lovingly.
Beric smiled and squeezed Ashara.
"Thank you Mother, perhaps the wait until our wedding will give us a chance to get to know each other better" said Beric.
Ashara smiled as she let go of him.
Beric walked around the desk to stand next to Ned as Ashara left the Solar.
"I was not sure if you would say yes or no to this offer" said Ned.
Beric sighed.
"She may only be 10, and her head is filled with false tales of the south… but perhaps I can grow to care about her as time goes on, and hopefully she will see that those false tales are just that, tales… that real life is not as kind as that" said Beric.
Ned nodded.
"And why such a small keep in the North?" said Ned.
"It is all I need Father" said Beric humbly.
Ned sighed.
"Do you still wish to be a knight?" said Ned.
"I do Father" said Beric.
Ned leaned forwards rubbing his forehead in his hands.
"You do know knights are anointed in the name of the Seven Beric, that is why Northerners do not become knights, we follow our True Gods" said Ned.
"I know Father… but knights do not have to follow the ways of the Seven simply because they were anointed before them, I can still follow and worship the True Gods as a knight, and perhaps knight my own Sons when they are older as well" said Beric.
Ned nodded.
"Very well… if that is your choice Beric, myself and your Mother will respect it, and honour it" said Ned.
"Thank you Father" said Beric.
The two waited in moderate silence for the next ten minutes before Ashara returned with Robert and Catelyn in tow.
Robert was slightly overjoyed to hear that Beric had agreed to his proposal but was rather disappointed when Beric was given a small Holdfast on the shores of The Bite instead of in the Stormlands.
"It is all I need Your Grace" said Beric in a humble voice.
Robert sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
"Just as modest as your Father" mumbled Robert.
Catelyn was not happy about the betrothal but managed to make it so they could not marry until after Myrcella Baratheon's sixteenth Name Day which Robert reluctantly agreed to.