House Icefyre
Barrowton – 279 A.L.
Three moons later…
Brandon and Barbray made their way out into the courtyard along with the Dustin's, Bethany and Theo to await the arrival of the Starks as the gates leading into Barrow Hall opened.
The first people to ride through the gates were Paladin Martyn Cassel and Paladin Mark Ryswell followed by Rickard who was dressed in his riding clothes, crown, wolf fur and cloak.
Following behind him was Ned, Robert, Lyanna and Benjen who were being shadowed by the remaining five Wolfsguard Paladins while a wheelhouse, wagon and a dozen mounted Stark Guards followed behind them.
Given that all of his birth family were here it could only mean that his Father had tasked one of his Overlords presumably Overlord Torrhen Umber with acting as Regent in his absence while he attended the wedding.
Brandon maintained a straight face as his Father gazed over at him for a moment before nodding.
Ned meanwhile walked over to the wheelhouse which was carrying Catelyn and her Handmaidens/Ladies In Waiting while Lyanna and Benjen made their way over to him.
"We missed you" said Lyanna as she wrapped him in a hug.
Brandon smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Winterfell has not been the same without you Brandon" said Benjen.
Brandon chuckled.
"I am sure you all manage without me" said Brandon.
He shook Roberts hand as Benjen and Lyanna exchanged greetings with Barbray before Ned slowly led Catelyn towards him the latter of whom was looking at him with an icy look on her face as her young Handmaidens climbed out of the wheelhouse shivering slightly from the cold.
Ned took a deep breath before straightening up.
"Brandon… meet my intended… Princess Catelyn Tully… Catelyn this is my older Brother Lord Brandon Stark… and his Wife Lady Barbray Stark" said Ned nervously.
Catelyn gave Brandon and Barbray a stiff curtsy before Brandon politely kissed her knuckles.
"It is nice to meet your Princess… I hope you and my Brother will be happy together" said Brandon politely while Barbray remained silent with a cool look on her face.
"I am sure we will be" said Catelyn stiffly as Rickard slowly made his way over to them.
Brandon glanced at Ned who sighed feeling the tension between his Brother and his future Wife.
"Perhaps we should go inside" said Brandon trying to defuse the tension.
The Starks and their Guests followed them into Barrow Hall.
Over the course of the next two days more and more Guests arrived for the wedding with those who could not stay in Barrow Hall either taking rooms in the Inn or setting up camp outside the walls.
Three nights later…
"She is watching you again" said Barbray stiffly.
She and Brandon were sat together at one of the tables in the hall enjoying a drink at Willam and Bethany's wedding celebrations.
Brandon gazed across the hall to the table allocated to the royal family where Catelyn was staring at him with a bitter look on her face while Ned looked rather uncomfortable at what she was doing.
Brandon sighed.
"I thought she would have stopped that by now" said Brandon in a bored tone.
Barbray squeezed his hand and leaned closer to him.
"Perhaps we should show her who you belong to?" said Barbray softly before she kissed him deeply.
Thankfully that did enough to deter Catelyn who turned to Ned for a conversation instead.
Barrowton – 281 A.L.
Sixteen moons later…
Brandon managed a small smile as he looked down at his newborn Son in his arms from his position next to the bed.
A sweaty, exhausted Barbray was laid under the thick wolf pelt sheets breathing heavily as she recovered her strength.
The other people in the room with them at the moment were the Wet Nurses, Bethany and the Maester of Barrowton.
As Barbray got closer to the day she was due to give birth her Sister Bethany Dustin suggested she come to Barrowton to give birth where the Wet Nurses could be on hand to help her.
Brandon glanced at Barbray for a moment before looking back at his Son who opened his steel grey Stark eyes which proved him a true Stark as did the traces of his dark brown hair.
"Jon… Jon Stark" said Brandon softly before walking back over to the bed as Theo who Brandon had named as Captain Of His Guard last year, Willam, Harald Dustin and the now 10 year old Roger Ryswell slowly made their way into the room.
Brandon's Squire had small amounts of freckles around his nose and eyes like Barbray with short wavy light brown hair and he was dressed in a simple black tunic and breeches with a red horse head sigil on his chest.
Brandon walked over to Barbray's side and knelt down next to her allowing her to stroke Jon's cheek.
As Barbray stroked her Son's cheek with a loving smile Bethany sat down on the bed next to her younger Sister with a soft smile on her face.
"I suppose I should write to your Father… tell him that you have a Son" said Harald Dustin testily.
Brandon sighed as he handed Jon to Bethany.
"I doubt that will help things… we have not spoken to each other since Ned's wedding" said Brandon flatly.
Things between him and his Father had taken a turn for the worse eight moons ago at Ned and Catelyn's wedding at Winterfell after a slightly tipsy Brandon had accused his Father of using Ned to further his own southern ambitions.
A blazing argument soon erupted between the two men which went unresolved as Brandon who had attended the wedding without Barbray left Riverrun the next morning without another word to his Father.
Harald Dustin looked at him as though he was about to say something but decided to leave it instead.
"I will send a raven to Ned later on" said Brandon.
Harald Dustin sighed and nodded before moving over to the bed to have a look at Jon.
"He looks like you" said Harald Dustin glancing at Brandon.
Winterfell – 281 A.L
Three days later…
The now 17 year old Ned was sat at the table in his chambers with Brandon's raven scroll in his hands.
Brandon now had a Son named Jon.
A Son Ned desperately wanted to meet.
He sighed and put the scroll down on the table when there was a knock at the door.
"Yes" said Ned.
He turned to look at the door as it opened.
The now 17 year old Princess Catelyn Stark nee Tully walked into the room and towards the table with a smile on her face.
Though she was not showing yet Catelyn was nearly three moons pregnant with their first child.
"Catelyn… can I help you, some extra furs or wood for your fire?" said Ned kindly.
Catelyn let out a happy sigh.
"I was wondering if you would like to join me in my chambers tonight?" said Catelyn softly.
Ned sent her a small smile as he folded the scroll up.
"I would like that Catelyn… just give me a few minutes while I write this raven" said Ned softly as he picked a blank raven scroll up as well as some ink and a quill.
Catelyn sat down on his bed with her hands clasped together to wait patiently.
"Who are you writing too Ned?" said Catelyn curiously.
"Brandon… Barbray has just given him a Son named Jon" said Ned as he dipped his quill in the ink.
Catelyn froze up slightly.
"Please… give him my congratulations" said Catelyn quickly composing herself.
Ned let out a small sigh.
"You sound disappointed" said Ned flatly as he turned to face her.
Catelyn shook her head.
"I am happy for them Ned… its just I still find it difficult to cope with what he did to me, forgive me" said Catelyn regretfully.
Ned sighed.
"I am sure as time goes on I will eventually come to peace with what your Brother did to me" said Catelyn apologetically.
Ned managed a small smile.
"That is all I ask… remember, he is my older Brother and I love him, as do Lya and Benjen" said Ned.
Catelyn nodded her head in understanding as Ned resumed writing his small letter of congratulations to Brandon.
After he had finished and sealed it a few minutes later he stood up and walked over to the bed.
"We never talked about what to call our child… when he or she is born" said Catelyn softly as Ned held his hand out to her.
She took it and stood up.
"I always assumed people waited until their child was born" said Ned as Catelyn slowly took hold of his arm.
The two walked out of Ned's chambers and made the short walk along the hallway to Catelyn's chambers in silence.
Once inside the two sat down on the bed.
"Well… I have been thinking… maybe call her Minisa or Sansa if I give you a girl" said Catelyn softly.
Ned managed a small approving nod.
"What about Robb… if we have a boy" said Ned locking eyes with her.
Catelyn managed a small smile.
Of course he wanted to name a Son after his friend Robert who would become his goodbrother next year when he married Lyanna which like his own marriage had been arranged by Rickard.
Though the fact that Robert had sired a bastard named Mya Snow on a whore last year had irked Lyanna who was angry that Robert who had a habit of bedding servants, whores and noble Ladies would bed other women before and after they were married.
Though Robert by all accounts was a good caring Father to Mya making sure she was well looked after both at Winterfell and back at Storms End Lyanna still felt bitter about Robert's ways.
"I think it is a good name… a strong name for what will be a strong boy" said Catelyn softly.
The two looked at each other in silence for a few moments before Ned stood up and pulled her to her feet.
He cupped her cheeks in both his hands and gave her a soft kiss which she sighed and melted into his kiss.
Brandon's Keep – 281 A.L.
Six moons later…
Brandon was stood on the small balcony overlooking the courtyard of their holdfast watching as Theo put Roger Ryswell through some sword training.
"Lord Stark" said a voice from Brandon's right.
Brandon turned to his right to see Maester Hadrian stood looking at him with a raven scroll in his hand having just come from the small rookery at the top of the keep.
"A raven… from Winterfell" said Maester Hadrian.
Brandon nodded and took the raven scroll from him before turning away to look down at the courtyard again where Theo had just knocked Roger Ryswell to the floor.
"You can go now Maester" said Brandon as he unrolled the scroll.
Maester Hadrian bowed his head before turning and walking away from him.
Brandon looked down at the writing on the scroll recognising it as Ned's.
Brandon
I wanted to be the first one to tell you the news which will be common knowledge in the North in the next few days. Catelyn has given me a Son who we named Robb. I know you and Father are not on the best of terms at the moment but I want you and Barbray to come to Winterfell and meet your Nephew.
Love, Eddard
Brandon managed a small smile and rolled the scroll up.
"Congratulations Little Brother" said Brandon softly before he returned his gaze to the courtyard below him.
He stayed on the balcony watching his Squire train for the next ten minutes before walking back into the castle.
Five minutes later…
Brandon slowly opened the door into his chambers and walked inside.
Barbray was sat in the rocking chair by the open window gently rocking back and forth with a sleeping Jon in her arms.
As he quietly shut the door and walked across the room Barbray turned to him with a soft but slightly tired smile.
"What is it?" said Barbray softly and quietly being careful not to wake Jon.
Brandon handed Ned's raven scroll to her.
"Ned has invited us to Winterfell… to meet his Son Robb… we leave tomorrow" said Brandon softly as Barbray started to read the scroll in silence.
Once Barbray had finished reading she turned to him with a stern questioning look on her face.
"What about the King?" said Barbray flatly as Jon started to stir in her arms.
Brandon sighed and knelt down next to her to trace his finger on Jon's cheek which always excited the near 7 moon old child.
"My Father cannot stop me from visiting my Nephew" said Brandon flatly.
Barbray let out a weary sigh.
"We can leave tomorrow then… I will have Hallis and Myra pack the wagon for our journey" said Barbray softly.
She stood up and walked towards the door.
"Lets give Jon to Beryl for a few hours so we can get everything prepared for the journey" said Barbray.
Brandon followed Barbray over to the door to open it for her.
Winterfell – 281 A.L.
Eight days later…
Brandon let out a sigh as the sight of Winterfell loomed ever closer as he led the convoy of his Household and Guards up the Winter Road towards the gates.
As usual Theo and Roger Ryswell were riding by his side while the dozen Guards accompanying them were riding alongside, in front and behind Barbray's wheelhouse and the wagon which contained their clothes, Myra the Stewards Wife and Barbray's young Handmaidens Beryl and Talla.
Brandon and the others rode up to the castle in silence where Guards and Household Staff who recognised Brandon looked at him in shock at his return to the castle while some even shouted words of welcome to him.
After a few minutes Brandon led his convoy into the courtyard where he found Ned, Lyanna and Benjen waiting for them.
As Brandon and the others dismounted their horses allowing the Stable Boys to take the horses to the stables Ned made his way over to them.
"Father sends his apologies for not being here to greet you… he is on his way to Storms End to finalise the plans for Lya's wedding" said Ned dutifully.
Brandon rolled his eyes as he saw Lyanna scowl while Benjen looked slightly disappointed.
"I am sure he is beside himself with regret" said Brandon sarcastically.
Ned sighed and turned to Barbray who was making her way over to them with Jon.
"Welcome to Winterfell Lady Barbray" said Ned.
Barbray bowed her head to him.
"Thank you for your hospitality… Prince Eddard" said Barbray politely.
"Please… call me Ned, we are family… may I?" said Ned softly glancing at Jon with a tender smile on his face.
Barbray nodded and handed Jon to Ned who looked down at him.
"He looks like a true Stark" said Ned softly.
Brandon smiled and placed his arm around Ned's shoulders.
"At least you want to hold him… he has an Aunt and Uncle over there who are yet to come and look at him" said Brandon teasingly glancing at Lyanna and Benjen.
The two younger Starks glared at him before making their way over to Ned and the others.
"He looks even more like you each time we see him Brandon" said Benjen.
"Yet there is none of his Mother in him" said Lyanna causing Ned to wince slightly at the weight of her words.
Barbray sighed causing Lyanna to look shocked.
"I am sorry… I did not mean it like that" said Lyanna sadly.
Barbray smirked and glanced at Brandon.
"Its okay Princess… though I might have a Daughter that looks like me if your Brother puts one in my belly" said Barbray cheekily.
Ned turned away with red cheeks as did Benjen while Lyanna looked a little sick at her Goodsisters words while Brandon chuckled at his Siblings.
After several seconds Brandon turned to Ned.
"Right… now lets meet your Son" said Brandon as Ned handed Jon back to Barbray.
"He is in the Nursery… with Catelyn" said Ned.
Brandon nodded.
"Lead the way then" said Brandon.
Ned sighed.
"Ben, Lya… show Brandon's Guards to the chambers allocated to them" said Ned sternly.
Lyanna glared at him before she and Benjen walked over to where Theo and Roger Ryswell were stood by the wagon.
Ned led Brandon, Barbray and Jon towards the doors of the main keep.
Nearly ten minutes later…
Ned quietly led them into the nursery where Catelyn was sat on a rocking chair by the open doors leading onto the balcony with Robb in her arms feeding him from her breast.
She glanced at Ned before assuming a cool look on her face when she saw who was with him.
Ned ignored her and led Brandon and Barbray over to her.
"Brandon, Lady Barbray… meet our Son… Prince Robb Stark" said Ned softly.
It was then that Brandon and Barbray saw exactly how much the newborn Robb had inherited from Ned.
Very little.
Other than firm cheekbones like Ned, Prince Robb Stark was all Tully with bright blue eyes and traces of red brown hair.
"He looks like his Mother" said Brandon politely as he glanced at Catelyn.
"Thank you" said Catelyn politely as she stood up with her gaze landing on Jon.
She froze up slightly but quickly composed herself as a single thought which scared her slightly forced its way to the front of her mind.
Her seven moon old Nephew who was born to a former Prince looked more like a Stark than her newborn Son did.
Catelyn handed Robb to Ned and covered her breast up once again trying to erase the scary thought from her mind.
Winterfell – 282 A.L.
Four moons later…
The now 18 year old Prince Robert Durrandon was stood at the base of the Heart Tree in the torch lit Godswood next to his Father King Steffon Durrandon and Ned.
He now stood at an imposing 6'3 and he was dressed in a black and silver house Durrandon tunic and breeches with his long black hair tied back behind his head and his black beard had been neatly trimmed that morning. He was also wearing a black cloak with a crowned stag made from thin silver stitched into the fabric which was loosely fastened around his shoulders.
Overlord Torrhen Umber had agreed to officiate the wedding and was stood in front of Robert waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The Overlord of the Last Hearth near the Gift was 60 years of age standing at 6'10 tall with short greying black hair and a short matching beard.
As a wedding between two royal families the Godswood was packed with Lords and Ladies from both the North and the Stormlands including Robert's Brothers Prince Stannis and Prince Renly and their Mother Queen Cassana Durrandon nee Estermont.
Prince Stannis Durrandon was a near 5'11 tall stiff looking young man of 16 years of age with short black hair dressed in similar clothes to Robert and his Father.
Prince Renly Durrandon was 8 years old with short wavy black hair and was dressed in a black House Durrandon tunic and breeches holding a thick wolf pelt around his shoulders trying to stay warm.
Queen Cassana Durrandon was a 5'9 tall light brown haired woman aged around 42 years old and she was dressed in a thick dark green dress with a bronze coronet on her head and wolf pelts on her shoulders to keep her warm.
They were divided into two groups along the path leading up to the Heart Tree where the Bride would be escorted up to the Heart Tree.
Robert looked down the aisle as the now 16 year old Lyanna was led towards him by Rickard.
She was dressed in a thick white wedding gown with white wolf pelts stitched into the shoulders, a grey House Stark cloak loosely wrapped around her shoulders and a crown of Winter Roses on her head which were her favourite flowers.
She locked eyes with him and smiled as she came to a halt opposite him.
"You look beautiful Lyanna" said Robert softly.
Lyanna smiled before they took each others hands and turned to face Torrhen Umber.
"Who comes before the Old Gods on this night?" said Torrhen Umber.
"Prince Robert Durrandon, eldest Son of King Steffon Durrandon" said Robert confidently.
"Princess Lyanna Stark, Daughter of King Rickard Stark, a woman grown and flowered" said Lyanna.
"And who brings her?" said Torrhen Umber.
"King Rickard Stark, her Father" said Rickard proudly.
Ned pulled two rings out of his pocket and held them out towards Robert and Lyanna.
Robert took one ring and slid it onto Lyanna's left ring finger.
"With this ring, I pledge my love, my honour and my life to you Lyanna Stark" said Robert tenderly keeping his eyes locked with hers.
Lyanna paused for a moment before taking the other ring from Ned sliding it onto Robert's left ring finger.
"With this ring, I pledge my love, my honour and my life to you Robert Durrandon" said Lyanna.
"Now that you have exchanged your vows and rings in the presence of the Old Gods, you will cloak the bride and bring her under your protection Prince Robert" said Torrhen Umber.
Robert swiftly removed his House Durrandon cloak handing it to his Father before Lyanna turned her back to him allowing him to remove her House Stark cloak which he handed to Ned.
As he took the House Durrandon cloak back from his Father, the Durrandon King gave him an approving nod.
Robert gave his Father a swift handshake knowing that at this very moment the older man was very proud of him.
He turned back to Lyanna and wrapped his House Durrandon cloak around her shoulders.
The two turned back to Torrhen Umber.
"In the eyes of the Old Gods… I pronounce you Husband and Wife" said Torrhen Umber.
Lyanna remained still as she felt Robert place his hand on her cheek before kissing her as applause broke out in the Godswood.
As he and Lyanna separated Robert felt himself get pulled into a one armed hug by Ned.
"You better treat her right Robert" said Ned seriously.
Robert chuckled and clapped his hand on Ned's back.
Later that night…
A now naked Lyanna walked over to the dresser in her chambers and removed her crown of Winter Roses placing it on the dresser and picking up the dagger that was in the open top drawer.
"Gods Lyanna… bring that sexy little body over here… let me have a closer look at your perfection" said Robert huskily.
He was just as naked as her and was lying on top of her bed with his muscular upper body resting against the headboard.
Lyanna sighed and walked towards the bed where Robert caught sight of the dagger and let out a booming laugh.
"That makes you look even more delicious my She Wolf… but I do not think you will need it tonight" said Robert amusedly as Lyanna sat down next to him twirling the dagger in her hand.
She slowly brought it up to his chest holding it above his heart close to his skin causing Robert to gulp slightly.
"Listen very carefully Robert… this is your first and only warning… I am prepared to live with your Daughter Mya and help you raise her… but after tonight, you will not take any other woman into your bed… nor will you join their beds… I am your Wife now, and you will not dishonour me ever… is that understood?" said Lyanna icily.
Robert nodded.
"And if you do… rest assured I will stick this in your heart without a second thought" said Lyanna icily.
Robert slowly took hold of the dagger while his other hand made its way up her thigh to her arse.
He took the dagger from her and kissed her hungrily as he placed the dagger on the bedside table next to the candle.
Lyanna moaned as she felt his hands grasp her arse and shoulder as he gently pushed her down on the bed with him on top of her.
Pyke – 283 A.L.
Fourteen moons later…
Brandon roared as he swung his longsword hard at the 38 year old, 6'2 tall, long sandy brown haired King Balon Greyjoy's longsword creating a clattering bang as steel hit steel.
He was dressed in his light grey steel plate armour and helm along with a sleeveless dark grey House Stark tunic covering his chest while chainmail could be seen under his armour.
He had been fighting against the Ironborn on Pyke which was the Greyjoy ruled Capitol of the Iron Islands for the last hour.
This entire war started nearly five moons ago when Euron Greyjoy, Brother of the self proclaimed King Balon Greyjoy had sailed along the western coast of the North and torched nearly half of the western based Northern fleet as well as four fishing villages on the Bay Of Ice and the Saltspear.
With half of their western fleet gone and the eastern fleet controlled by the Manderly's, Flints of Widows Watch and the Locke's on the other side of the North which would have to sail all the way around Westeros to reach the Iron Islands which would take several moons. This meant that the North was forced to look elsewhere for a fleet to bring their troops to the Iron Islands for war.
After four straight days of negotiations at the Arbor. Rickard negotiated a betrothal between High Lord Paxter Redwyne's two year old Son Horas Redwyne and the next born Daughter of House Stark in exchange for the Redwyne fleet with the permission of King Mace Tyrell of Highgarden and the Reach.
The Tully's also joined them in attacking their old Ironborn enemy providing their own ships and 20,000 men.
Even Robert, Lyanna and Stannis Durrandon had come from Storms End with 12,000 men on three hundred ships to help them put down the Ironborn King where Stannis had defeated and killed Euron Greyjoy in a naval battle near the Shield Isles.
A victory that meant they were finally able to transport soldiers and siege machines managed to transport soldiers and siege engines to the Iron Islands.
The battle of Pyke which Brandon was taking part in was the last battle of a rather bloody war that left thousands dead on both sides including most of the Greyjoy's.
Brandon kept on fighting Balon Greyjoy ferociously before he felt something hit him in the chest piercing his armour and chainmail to his shock.
As he was knocked back he looked down to see an armour piercing crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest which hurt like hell.
As quick as a flash another bolt buried itself in his chest causing him to gasp with pain once more before he fell backwards to the ground.
He laid there for several seconds seeing Balon Greyjoy look down at him with an amused cocky smirk on his face before his vision began to fade.
The last thing he heard before everything went black was the voice of his Father shouting his name.