House Icefyre
Winterfell – 299 A.L.
Eight years later…
The now 18 year old Jon Stark was stood next to the now 17 year old Prince Robb Stark and 18 year old Theon Greyjoy.
Now looking even more like his Father Jon stood at 6'2 tall with shoulder length curly dark brown hair that was almost black in colour as well as a little bit of stubble on his cheeks. He was dressed in a dark brown leather tunic and breeches with a longsword and thin circular dagger strapped to his hips.
The former Squire to Paladin Mark Ryswell, Commander of the Wolfsguard now served as Sworn Shield to Robb at his Uncle's behest since he turned 17.
Robb also stood at 6'2 with short wavy red brown hair and a matching moustache and stubble. Like Jon he was also dressed in a dark brown leather tunic and breeches with a longsword though he did not have his longsword and dagger with him.
Theon was a bit shorter than both of them at 6'0 tall with short messy sandy brown hair with thick matching stubble. Like Robb and Jon he was dressed in a leather tunic and breeches though his were lighter brown in colour and he was wearing a thick light brown cloak with a longsword and dagger strapped to his hips.
The three young men were stood in the courtyard near the archery targets watching the now 9 year old Prince Brandon affectionately known as "Bran" practice his archery under the tutelage of Paladin Rodrik Cassel. Also stood in the courtyard with them were Benjen's 6 year old Son Prince Edric Stark, the now 18 year old Mors Umber, 19 year old Eldric Dustin, 17 year old Eddard Karstark, 17 year old Jonothor Locke, 12 year old Jojen Reed, 12 year old Martyn Cassel and 19 year old Walt Manderly.
Bran looked like Robb did at 9 years old with short wavy red brown hair with the Tully look and he was dressed in a brown leather tunic and breeches.
Bran readied another arrow before releasing it only for it to fly into the grass several feet away from the target.
Jon and the other boys including the short dark brown haired Edric who was sat on the wooden fence dressed in a dark brown leather tunic, breeches and black cloak holding onto a wooden training sword chuckled at Bran for missing the target.
"Try again Prince Brandon" said Rodrik Cassel sternly.
Meanwhile…
The now 12 year old Princess Arya Stark who was short and skinny with long dark brown hair tied up in a Northern braid and she was dressed in a grey/blue northern style dress. She was sat in a large room with several other young girls working on some sewing that looked rubbish but she did not care.
She glanced to her left and saw the blonde haired southern Seamstress her Mother had brought to Winterfell kneeling in between her older Sister's Princesses Minisa and Sansa Stark looking down at Sansa's sewing work with a proud look on her face.
Catelyn had originally wanted to hire a Septa of the Faith to raise her Daughters to behave like southern ladies but Ned had put a stop to that saying that his Daughters will be raised to follow the Old Gods, instead keeping Bertha Cassel as Governess to teach the girls.
Minisa was now 15 years old with a growing young woman's body and shoulder length dark copper red hair looking a lot like her Mother did at her age with a dark green northern style dress.
Sansa was now 14 years of age with long copper red hair dressed in a light grey southern style dress what her Mother had had made for her.
The other young Ladies in the room were Robb's betrothed Wynafred Manderly, the now 10 year old, neck length light brown haired Princess Melaro Stark, 15 year old, long brown haired Jeyne Poole, 14 year old, shoulder length, light brown haired Beth Cassel, 16 year old, black haired Walla the Brewer's Daughter, 16 year old dark brown haired Lyra Mormont, 15 year old long, copper red haired Alys Karstark, 14 year old dark brown haired Meera Reed, and the 15 year old, neck length dark brown haired Lyarra Flint of Flints Finger.
Wynafred Manderly was the 16 year old Granddaughter of Overlord Wyman Manderly of White Harbour. She had long light brown hair and a soft face and was dressed in a fine southern style dress no doubt gifted to her by her Grandfather who was known for spreading his wealth.
"It looks lovely Princess Sansa" said the Seamstress softly.
"Thank you" said Sansa kindly.
Arya sighed and turned away from her Sister as the Seamstress started commenting on how good Sansa's work was while the sounds of arrows from outside caught her attention.
Meanwhile…
Jon placed his hands on Bran's shoulders in support and knelt down beside him slightly.
"Go on… your Father's watching" said Jon glancing up at the balcony behind them.
Bran turned around and looked up at the balcony where Ned and Catelyn were looking down at them.
Ned was now 35 years old standing at 6'2 tall with neck length dark brown hair and thin matching stubble. He was dressed in a dark brown leather tunic, breeches, a dark grey wolf pelt, black cloak and the Winter Crown on his head.
Catelyn was also 35 years old standing at 5'8 tall with her coronet resting on her braided long dark copper red hair. She was also dressed in a dark green northern style dress and dark grey cloak to keep her warm as she had her hands on the railing watching the Boys practice their archery.
Ned gave Bran a nod and smile of encouragement causing the young Prince to turn around and ready another arrow.
Jon and the others laughed several seconds later as they watched Bran shoot another arrow over the walls.
"And which of you was a marksman at 9?" said Ned in a slightly teasing stern voice.
Jon and the others glanced up at Ned and Catelyn.
"Keep practising Bran" said Ned with a nod of encouragement.
Bran nodded and turned to look at the target once again readying another arrow.
"Relax your bow arm" said Robb.
Bran did as Robb told him and concentrated on aiming his arrow before another arrow flew past them burying itself into the bullseye of the target.
Bran relaxed his arrow and turned around as did the other Boys.
Arya was stood underneath the balcony with a bow in her hands and a proud smile on her face.
Jon and the others chuckled as did Ned who was looking down at Arya while Catelyn had a flat look on her face disapproving of her unwillingness to behave like a lady.
Arya gave a small curtsy to the Boys before Bran dropped his bow and arrow and ran after Arya who dropped her own bow and took off running through the courtyard.
Jon and the others kept laughing as Theon followed Rodrik Cassel away from the rest of the boys towards a single mounted Guard who had just ridden into the courtyard.
Jon picked both bows up and walked towards the targets to pick up all of Bran's used arrows.
As he picked up the last of the arrows and walked back towards the others he saw Ned looking directly down at him.
"Jon… go and find Bran, get him mounted up… we have to ride out for an execution" said Ned solemnly.
Jon bowed his head as he put the arrows back in one of the barrels.
"At once Your Grace" said Jon dutifully as he handed the two bows to Rodrik Cassel.
He glanced up out of the corner of his eye and saw Catelyn give him a small approving nod while Ned looked a little displeased at his reluctance to call him Uncle.
Jon ignored his Uncle's look before walking off to find Bran.
Ten minutes later…
Jon finally caught up with Arya and Bran wrestling in the Godswood.
He smirked as he walked towards them where Arya had pinned Bran down to the floor.
"You know your Mother would scream if she saw you like that?" said Jon amusedly.
Arya immediately jumped up to her feet with a scowl on her face.
"You better not tell her" said Arya icily.
Jon chuckled and pulled Bran to his feet.
"My lips are sealed" said Jon placing his fist over his heart with an amused smirk on his face.
Out of all of his Cousins Arya was the one with whom he had the closest relationship.
Unlike the rest of her Siblings she had the Stark look just like him and despite Catelyn's wishes, Arya refused to act like a proper Lady instead wishing to play with swords instead of sew while she preferred tunics and breeches instead of the dresses Catelyn wanted her to wear.
He was also close to Robb, Bran, Melaro and Edric, while Minisa and Sansa were not so close to him due to Catelyn's dislike for him which she passed onto her two eldest Daughters.
Sansa like her Mother treated Jon as though he wanted to take Winterfell from Robb and would often remind him of his place compared to her, while Minisa was at least respectful to him even though she like Sansa would remind him that as a Princess she was more important than him.
Jon turned to Bran.
"Your Father wants you to accompany him to an execution" said Jon flatly.
Bran frowned.
"Come on… lets get your cloak and saddle your horse" said Jon solemnly.
"Let me come with you as well Jon" said Arya defiantly.
Jon sighed and turned to face her.
"You know your Father's rules Arya… you are not coming with us" said Jon flatly.
Arya huffed and stormed away from them towards the exit to the Godswood.
Jon sighed and placed his hand on Bran's shoulder.
"Come on… your Father is waiting for us" said Jon solemnly as he started to lead Bran out of the Godswood.
One hour later…
Jon was stood behind Robb and Bran as they watched Ned approach the Nights Watch Deserter who was on his knees bent over the large oak log with his head in the beheading position.
Martyn Cassel was stood next to Ned with the sheathed Ice in his hands while Paladin Ryswell and three Wolfsguard were stood around them along with some of the Stark Guards.
Theon, Mors Umber, Eddard Karstark, Eldric Dustin, Walt Manderly, Jojen Reed and Jonothor Locke were also stood with Jon, Robb and Bran.
Ned unsheathed Ice and pointed it down at the floor as he started to sentence the Deserter.
Robb placed his hand on Bran's shoulder.
"Do not look away… Father will know if you do" said Robb.
Bran did not reply as Ned finished sentencing the Deserter.
Jon remembered the time he, Robb and Theon saw their first execution nearly two years after Jon had arrived at Winterfell. The three Boys had trouble sleeping for days after witnessing it which only subsided when Ned sat them down and explained how it was his duty as King to carry out the kings justice on oath-breakers and Night's Watch deserters.
Bran flinched slightly as Ned swiftly beheaded the Deserter with Ice.
"You did well Bran" said Jon solemnly.
Bran turned around and walked back to his horse.
Later that afternoon…
Jon sat down on his bed placing his sword next to him before sighing.
His small, three moon old, white furred, red eyed Direwolf raised its head up in his direction with a passive look on its face.
Ghost was lying on its side on the fur pelts next to his large oak wardrobe.
He had received Ghost one moon prior with Robb, Minisa, Sansa, Arya and Bran also claiming a pup each.
The pups had been birthed by their Mother who Robb had named Winter, Robb, Jon and Theon had been out riding in the Wolfswood one day when they came across the large grey and black Direwolf named Winter and her equally large white mate named Snowstorm seven moons ago.
The two Direwolves had been wounded by something as the Boys found them off the track in the woods.
After spending nearly ten minutes gaining the trust of the two Direwolves they managed to bring them back to Winterfell on a wagon where Ned was displeased and Catelyn was furious but they eventually allowed the Direwolves to stay.
Now the two Direwolves lived in the Winterfell kennels under the care of Farlan the Kennel Master with Melaro and Edric wishing to claim a pup each from Winter's next litter.
"Come here Ghost" said Jon softly patting the spot next to him on the bed.
Ghost who was the size of a small hound stood up and walked over to the bed before jumping up onto it.
Jon smiled and stroked Ghost's head when the Direwolf laid down next to him with its head on Jon's lap.
One week later…
Jon was stood behind Robb with his hands behind his back as Ned ended the latest monthly council meeting where Ned would meet with his Overlords and other advisors to discuss the affairs of the Northern Kingdom.
His Council was made up of Overlords Rickard Karstark, Greatjon Umber, Medger Cerwyn, Willam Dustin, Galbart Glover, Howland Reed, along with Wendel Manderly who was the eldest Son of Wyman Manderly, Roger Ryswell, Paladin Mark Ryswell and Maester Othyl.
"I believe that is all for today My Lords… but if my Son, Lord Manderly, Maester Othyl and Paladin Ryswell could all remain here… we have further business to discuss" said Ned as his Council stood up and bowed their heads to him and Robb who were still seated.
As the rest of the Council left the chambers Ned turned to Jon.
"Jon… could you find the Queen and Lady Manderly and escort them here please?" said Ned.
Jon bowed his head before walking out of the chambers to carry out Ned's request.
Five minutes later…
Jon arrived at the door of Catelyn's private Solar which was being guarded by the now 23 year old Paladin Jonothor Karstark who had joined the Wolfsguard seven moons ago following Paladin Theo Wull's death in a Wildling battle beyond the Wall eight moons ago in which both Jon and Robb participated in.
"Jon" said Paladin Karstark gruffly.
Jon straightened up.
"Is Lady Manderly in there with the Queen?" said Jon.
"She is… why?" said Paladin Karstark sternly.
"The King has sent me to escort both of them to the council chambers" said Jon dutifully.
Paladin Karstark nodded and knocked on the door.
"Yes!" said the loud voice of Catelyn from inside.
"Your Nephew to see you Your Grace… with a message from the King" said Paladin Karstark.
Silence ensued for several seconds.
"Send him in then!" said Catelyn.
Paladin Karstark opened the door and allowed Jon to walk past him into the private Solar.
Once inside Paladin Karstark closed the door behind him.
Catelyn was sat on one of the leather settees with Minisa, Sansa, Arya, Lyarra Flint, Meera Reed, Alys Karstark and Wynafred Manderly.
"What do you want?" said Catelyn flatly as Arya got up and ran over to Jon giving him a hug.
Jon wrapped his arm around Arya returning her hug as he bowed his head to Catelyn.
"Apologies for the interruption Your Grace… but the King requests yours and Lady Manderly's presence in the council chambers" said Jon dutifully not wishing to anger her and start an argument.
Catelyn stood up with a flat look on her face.
"What does he wish to speak to us about?" said Catelyn as Wynafred Manderly stood up.
"He did not say Your Grace… just that I was to escort you there" said Jon dutifully.
Catelyn fixed him with an icy stare.
"Paladin Karstark will escort us to the council chambers… you will take his place guarding the door" said Catelyn flatly.
Jon sighed knowing that he could not dispute her order and had to follow it.
"Of course Your Grace" said Jon.
He walked over to the door and opened it for Catelyn and Wynafred Manderly.
Once the two Ladies had left the room and were escorted down the hallway by Paladin Karstark Jon shut the door and took up a guarding position next to it.
Within seconds Jon started to hear voices from inside the Solar.
"You heard what Mother said Arya!" said the voice of Minisa.
"He is guarding the door, leave him to it!" said the voice of Sansa.
"You will get us in trouble with Mother!" said Minisa.
"I said he can come in here with us!" said the voice of Arya.
"I will tell Mother if you let him in!" said Sansa.
Jon heard footsteps approaching the door.
The door then opened with Arya stood looking at him.
"Get in here" said Arya sternly.
Jon sighed.
"Your Mother asked me to guard the door" said Jon flatly.
Arya glared at him.
"And as a Princess of House Stark I am commanding you to get in here" said Arya flatly.
Jon chuckled and followed her into the room.
When he walked inside Sansa glared at him.
"You were told to guard the door" said Sansa icily.
Arya glared at her as Jon sighed.
"Shut up Sansa… I said he could come in here" said Arya heatedly.
"Do not tell me to shut up Horseface!" said Sansa angrily.
Jon frowned and pulled Arya close to him as she felt traces of tears appear in her eyes at the mention of the mocking name which had followed her since she was a little girl.
Minisa turned to Sansa with a frosty look on her face as did the other Girls in the room.
"That was not right Sansa… apologise to her" said Minisa icily.
Sansa looked at her older Sister in shock about to protest before turning to Arya with a disinterested look on her face.
"Sorry Arya!" said Sansa flatly clearly not meaning it.
"Mean it Sansa… I have heard thieves muster better apologies!" snarled Jon before he could stop himself.
The entire room fell silent before Jon saw tears appear in Sansa's eyes while Minisa looked shocked.
Before Jon could open his mouth again Minisa and Sansa quickly walked out of the room no doubt to tell Catelyn what he had said.
Jon sighed as the door shut.
"I should not have said that" said Jon with a weary sigh.
Arya looked up at him and hugged him tighter.
"She deserved it" said Arya as she and Jon sat down on one of the settees.
"Your Sister is right Jon… Sansa should not behave like that, especially not to her own Sister" said Lyarra Flint handing Jon a glass of Arbor Gold wine gifted to them by House Redwyne of the Arbor.
"She knows better than to treat her Sister like that" said Alys Karstark frostily.
Jon thanked Lyarra Flint and took a sip.
"Still… when the King finds out I will be in a lot of trouble… just like last time" said Jon in a weary voice.
"Not if we tell the King what Sansa did" said Alys Karstark.
Jon sighed.
"I doubt that will make much of a difference… not to the Queen anyway" said Jon flatly.
He remained there for the next ten or so minutes before Minisa and Sansa returned to the Solar with Ned and Catelyn in tow.
Later that afternoon…
Jon was stood with his hands behind his back in Ned's Solar looking down at the floor while Ned and Catelyn were stood in front of him.
"Why were you rude to Sansa Jon… she was in tears when she arrived at the council chambers" said Ned wearily.
Jon sighed and raised his head.
"She called Arya Horseface… which put her in tears" said Jon flatly.
Ned sighed in slight frustration.
"Sansa apologised to Arya… you did not have to get involved" said Catelyn bitterly.
Jon straightened up.
"She did not even mean her apology… she only said the words because Minisa told her to, she had no intention of doing so otherwise… forgive me but I have seen criminals make better apologies" said Jon harshly.
Catelyn glared at him.
"Mind your tongue" snarled Catelyn.
Ned sighed.
"Cat!" warned Ned.
"He should mind his tongue and know his place before speaking filth about our Daughter… maybe you should send him back to Barrowton where he belongs, or to his Grandfather in the Rills instead" said Catelyn.
"And you will hold your tongue as well… I will decide what punishment to give to my Nephew" said Ned angrily.
"You only keep him here because you want his Father back… and he is dead" snarled Catelyn.
Jon growled.
"Only the Gods know what my Uncle sees in you… at least my Father had the sense not to marry you in the first place" said Jon feeling his anger reach breaking point.
The room fell silent before Ned snarled.
"You are confined to your chambers for three days Jon" said Ned angrily.
Jon glared at him before turning and walking out of the Solar slamming the door on the way out.
Ned sighed.
"Bring Sansa and Arya in here" said Ned flatly as he sat down at his desk.
Catelyn looked at him in slight shock.
"Do we need to do this Ned… the problem has been resolved" said Catelyn softly.
Ned sent her an icy stare.
"Bring them here… now" said Ned in a quiet forceful tone.
Catelyn sighed before walking out of the Solar to fetch Sansa and Arya.
Ned frowned as he leaned back in his chair.
Shortly after Sansa and Arya arrived in the Solar a tearful Sansa was confined to her own chambers for one day.
Two weeks later…
Jon took his seat at the end of the high table to eat supper with the Starks in the great hall while their Guests were seated on the other tables eating their supper.
Ned and Catelyn were sat in the centre of the table while their children and guests were sat at each side of them.
However there was one notable absentee from their Guests tonight which was Theon.
The new Ironborn Lord had departed from Winterfell four days ago with Victarion Greyjoy so he could take up his Lordship of the Iron Islands.
As the Starks finished their supper Ned cleared his throat to get their attention.
"We have been invited to Dragonstone by King Rhaegar Targaryan… to attend his Son Aegon's 19th Name Day tournament" said Ned flatly.
Minisa and Sansa looked excited while Jon braced himself for Ned to say that he was not coming with them so he could serve as the Stark in Winterfell.
"When are we going Father?" said Sansa excitedly.
"We leave for White Harbour three days from now… it will take us at least two weeks to reach Dragonstone from there" said Ned.
"Will all of us be going?" said Robb.
"Here it comes" thought Jon with disinterest.
"Yes" said Ned.
Jon felt slightly shocked at the realisation that he would not be left behind while his family went to enjoy a grand tournament in the Dragon Isles.
"But there must always be a Stark in Winterfell Father… you said so yourself" said Bran.
Ned turned to his youngest Son and nodded.
"Yes… that is why your Uncle Benjen and Aunt Dacey will rule the North in our stead" said Ned.
All of his children looked excited with the news before Robb turned to Ned.
"Is it just us who are attending from the North Father?" said Robb.
Ned shook his head.
"The Umbers, Cerwyn's, Manderly's and the Mormonts will be coming with us" said Ned.
"Do you think there will be people from the other kingdoms there Father?" said Minisa excitedly.
"Your Aunt Lyanna and her family will be there… I imagine there will be Royals from the other kingdoms there as well" said Ned.
Minisa and Sansa turned to each other eagerly whispering in excitement.
Two nights later…
Jon finished packing a single trunk full of everything he would need for the journey south and subsequent tournament.
They were leaving Winterfell in the morning hoping to reach Castle Cerwyn before sundown.
The Umbers who would be accompanying them led by Greatjon Umber had arrived earlier that day while Smalljon Umber was remaining in Last Hearth with his Wife of three years Yara Umber nee Greyjoy to rule in his Father's absence.
After a night at Castle Cerwyn they would ride for White Harbour where they would take four ships south to Dragonstone.
As he closed the lid of his trunk he saw Ghost looking at him with what he imagined was a pleading look.
Jon sighed.
"You cannot come with me boy" said Jon with a small smile on his face.
Ghost laid down on the floor pressing his chin and neck into the floor showing his disappointment.
Jon chuckled.
"A Direwolf has no place in the south Boy… too damn warm" said Jon.
Ghost made a grunt like whine of disappointment before laying down on his side.
The next morning…
Jon helped Wynafred Manderly climb up into the long wheelhouse designed to hold at least eight or nine people comfortably before turning around and walking over to where Robb was stood holding the reins of his and Jon's horses.
Robb's betrothed was going to be sharing the wheelhouse with Catelyn, Minsa, Sansa, Arya, Brandon, Melaro and Edric.
Jon, Robb and the rest of the Boys were going to be riding on their horses alongside Ned, the Wolfsguard, Jory Cassel and their thirty mounted Riders while some of the girls were riding in the two wagons carrying all of their belongings along with Bertha Cassel.
"Helping my bride now are you Jon?" said Robb in a teasing voice as he handed the reins of Jon's horse to him.
Jon chuckled and climbed up onto his horse.
"I thought it was your duty to help her get in the wheelhouse… not the duty of your Sworn Shield" said Jon dryly as Robb mounted his horse.
Robb chuckled as they saw Arya glare at them before climbing into the wheelhouse with a scowl on her face.
"Looks like Arya is still pissed that the Queen refused to let her ride all the way to White Harbour" said Jon amusedly.
Robb snorted.
The two continued their joke filled conversation before Ned rode up to them asking them to ride by his side as they left Winterfell.