I'm Back!
Insert standard disclaimer here
Special shout-out and thanks to jman007
This one is for you mate.
Chapter 35 – Home Again, Part 2
Jon was pleased to be back in Winterfell.
Their mission to Old Valyria had been a huge success and the auction that Iron Bank was currently organising to sell off their sizable cache of treasure from Old Valyria, would stand to net them a massive fortune. Conservative estimates from the Bank's Valuables assessors, was set at seventy to eighty million gold dragons for everything they had in an open action. The Bank was thrilled naturally at the estimated profit from the auction as their cut for hosting it was set at twenty percent of the final total.
Jon couldn't wait to see his father's and Robb's faces when he told them.
Another thing that pleased him to no end was that Sam had arrived while he had been gone.
When Jon and Tyrion had first entered the courtyard, they hadn't noticed Sam. He had been standing off discreetly to one side in order to let Jon reunite with his family. Sam knew how much Jon loved his family and every time one of them had died in the Time Before, it had devastated Jon. Robb's death had hit him particularly hard so Sam was quite happy to allow Jon this time without him interfering.
Once the family had finished greeting each other, Sam had moved towards them at a steady pace. The movement had caught Jon's eye and he had turned his head to in order to see who was approaching them, felt a massive smile break out on his face. Tyrion, who had been watching Jon, also looked in that direction and his reaction was the same as Jon's.
Once Sam knew he had Jon and Tyrion's attention, Sam's hands flicked in what most people would see as random motions, but anyone watching Jon and Tyrion's reactions they would realise that the movement was anything but random. Their eyes widened and their smiles grew even bigger for with a few seemingly random flicks of his hands, he had told them who he truly was. The random flicks of his hands were actually a form of sign language that Jon and Sam had come up with in the Time Before so they could still communicate with each other when the need for silence was paramount.
Like, for example, when one was hiding from the walking dead.
Sam's hands had quickly flicked again, indicating that they would talk later.
Jon was about to instruct the servants about what to do with certain crates and chests when he was interrupted by his father's voice.
"Jon, I want to see you, Robb, Lord Tyrion and Lord Tarley in my solar as soon as you've freshen up. I wish to hear your reports as soon as possible." Ned told the assembled young men in the courtyard.
Jon and Tyrion's eyebrows raised in surprise.
Lord Tarley?
That was new.
Jon was about to acknowledge the orders, when once again, he was interrupted, only this time by Arya.
"But father…" was as far as she got before her father stopped her.
"No Arya. I need to speak with your brother now. You may pester him after dinner for stories. We will be gathering in the sitting room in the family wing to hear about Jon's adventures. After dinner, Arya." Ned stressed when he saw the she was about to protest once again.
"Yes father" she grumbled and with one last hug to Jon, she disappeared into the keep.
"Ser Davos, Welcome to Winterfell." Ned greeted Davos as a servant appeared at Davos's side with a tray containing guest rights. After Davos had partaken of the bread and salt he replied to Lord Stark's greeting.
"Lord Stark, Thank you for inviting me."
Ned had to conceal a smile at the simple reply yet sincere reply.
"Ser Davos..."
"Just Davos Lord Sark"
He liked Davos already.
"Davos then, I wish I had more time to welcome you properly but unfortunately the work of the Lord is never done and I wish to speak to my son and Lord Tyrion first before we talk. If you'll please follow the servant's, they'll see you to comfortable guest quarters. Your quarters has its own private washroom with hot and cold running water so please feel free to use them without having worry about the hot water running out. Dinner will be an hour after sundown. You have free run of Wintertown and Winterfell itself and you have my permission to send ravens to whoever you need too although if you wish to send a raven to Stannis, I ask you come and speak to me first. You have done House Stark and Westeros a great service Ser Davos, I intend see you well rewarded for it." Ned told him.
Davos just nodded and followed the servant to his room while Ned heading for his solar.
Jon and Tyrion quickly gave orders to servants about the boxes and crates on the wagons then quickly then hurried to their rooms to freshen up while Robb and Sam followed Jon to his room.
When Sam had first arrived, Robb had been almost wild with curiosity and couldn't wait to meet the man that Jon claimed as a part of his pack. He knew the two were very close. Jon had told Robb stories about the Time Before as they had returned home from Castle Black and Sam featured in many of them. Robb could see that Jon, deprived of his family when he joined the Nights Watch, had befriended Sam, Pyp, Grenn and Ed and over time had come to see them as part of his pack, his family that he would do anything to protect, including sacrificing his life so they could live.
So Robb had been expecting to meet a fat young man three name days older then him who had never wielded a sword in his life. He definitely wasn't expecting a young, fit Lord Samwell Tarley, Head of House Tarley and Lord of Horn Hill who looked like he could handle the valyrian steel great sword strapped to his back with ease.
It had confused Robb, watching Sam walk around Winterfell with absolute confidence, easily finding his way around yet he was trying to conceal that fact that he knew his way around, with emphasis on trying. He was mostly failing.
Most first time visitors to Winterfell needed a guide to make their way around at first, Sam's personal guards had needed such a guide but not Sam. Father had noticed as well but unlike Robb, he seemed to have figured out what was going on.
Robb had been frustrated for days until a random comment from his father made him wonder if this Sam came from the same future as Jon and Tyrion had. After that, he watched Sam even more closely and slowly began to realise that yes, this Samwell Tarley was indeed the same Samwell Tarley that Jon and Tyrion knew.
When he had finally confronted Sam with the truth of what he knew, Robb got to see a glimpse the old Samwell Tarley and now understood why Jon was so fond of the man. He had found it hilarious to watch Sam try to deny his accusations. He saw the truth of what Jon had told him, that when confronted unexpectedly, Sam got flustered and tongue-tied and when pressed, couldn't lie to save his life. After watching Sam struggle to come up with a convincing lie, Robb sat him down and told him that he knew about Jon and Tyrion coming back to the past and everything that had happed in the Time before.
After watching Sam slump in relief, Robb felt a little bad for laughing at him. The burden of what was coming was clearly weighing on the young Lord. Sam had then explained that he had been back in the past for the last eight years, preparing himself and the Reach for war while waiting for Jon and Tyrion to return. Robb's respect for Sam had rose even higher and he swore to help them in any way he could. They had been firm friends since that day.
Robb didn't understand why his pledge to help cause Sam to burst out laughing. When he asked Sam what was so funny, Sam had just smiled and told him that he would understand soon.
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Jon entered his room and quickly divested himself of his shirt, tossing it on the bed as he headed for the private washroom that all the rooms in the family wing had. It was one of the things he loved and had missed the most about Winterfell in the Time Before, the hot and cold water running through the walls. It was a feature unique to Winterfell. No other castle in Westeros had such a thing. True the hot water smelled a little of sulfur and other minerals, but the smell wasn't an overpowering one and Jon considered it a small price to pay in exchange for indoor plumbing in his room.
As he quickly washed up in the hand basin he heard his door open and Robb calling his name.
"Jon? You in here?"
"Yes Robb, I'm just washing up. I'll be out in a moment." The reply floated into main room.
He heard a grunt of acknowledgement as he finished washing and grabbed his towel, hurrying into his room as he dried himself off, forgetting for a moment that the scars on his chest were on full display for all the world to see.
"Hey Robb, I assume you know about Sam..." Jon trailed off as he noticed that not only was Sam in the room but they were also staring at him.
Or more precisely, his chest.
"Damn"
Jon closed his eyes and cursed as he realised what they were staring at. Sam had seen them before, but that was on another body, in another life. Robb hadn't seen them at all until now. Jon had told him what had happen, the munity, his death and subsequence resurrection at the hands of Melisandre, but Jon had deliberately neglected to tell him that the scars had follow him into this life as well.
"I'll kill em. I'll fuckin' kill em! I'll kill all of them!"
"No you won't"
"But they deserve it!"
"No!"
"But…"
"No Robb. Let it go."
"I can't! They betrayed you! They killed you! They murdered you! In cold blood!"
Jon shook his head.
"No Robb, it wasn't them."
"But it was! YOU told me that brother. Sam told me it was them. Come on, Sam back me up here"
"…"
"Robb, listen to me, it wasn't them because it hasn't happened in this life. It was another life, another body. It's not them!" Jon hissed at him, desperate to get him to understand and calm down.
"He's right you know."
"Sam!"
"No Robb, really, he's right. They can't be held guilty of a crime they haven't committed, and as much as I personally hate it, we can't touch them. They're innocent of this."
"But…" Jon and Sam could hear the struggle in his voice as he tried to come to terms with what they were saying.
"Robb, please, just let it go. For my sake if nothing else, please…"
Robb crumbled at the begging look on his brother's face.
"Ok brother, for you." Robb said as he jumped up and grabbed his brother in a hug.
"Thank you." Jon held hugged Robb back tightly.
"Well, now that's settled, Jon, what the in hell took you so long? I've been waiting for eight years for you and Tyrion to come back!" Sam's good natured complaint broke the siblings apart with a laugh.
"Oh Sam, I have missed you!" Jon laughed as he and Sam embraced as long lost brothers. Robb was smiling at the two of them, pleased to see Jon so happy to have his friend back.
"Well I'm glad your finally home Jon. Maybe now Sam will stop wondering around like a little lost puppy looking for his master." Robb sniggered as Jon laughed at the image his brother's words conjured.
Sam squawked in protest and jumped on Robb, getting him in a headlock and ruffling up his hair while Jon laughed harder at the care free playfulness between the brother of his heart and blood and the brother he chose to make a part of his pack. Shaking his head in amusement, Jon pulled on a clean shirt and quickly ran a comb through his hair. When he deemed himself presentable, he turned to the other two.
"Well, I'm ready and father did request our presence as soon as possible, so shall we go and fetch Tyrion and head to father's solar?" he asked them as they stopped playing around. Rob and Sam nodded their agreement and they straighten themselves up and while Jon grabbed a bag from his bed that he had brought up with him and the three of them headed out to find Tyrion.
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After having a servant inform them that Lord Tyrion was already waiting for them in Lord Stark's solar, the trio headed there, chatting and briefly catching up on what had been going on in their absence. When they arrived at Ned's solar, they knocked on the door and when they were told to come in, they composed themselves and walked in, closing the door behind them.
"Ah my sons and Sam, I'm glad you all here. Jon it's so good to have you back home son." Ned said with a smile as he hugged Jon once again, reassuring himself that Jon was indeed as fine and healthy as he looked while Sam and Tyrion had their own little reunion.
Jon smiled at the man who had raised him and claimed him as his own. Jon had decided that despite knowing who his true father was, Ned Stark would always be his father.
"I'm fine father, honestly and I'm happy to be home again. I missed you and my siblings. I even missed Lady Cat a little." Jon laughed as he sought to reassure his father that he was indeed fine and injury free.
"Lady Cat?" Ned asked with a smile.
Jon shrugged.
"I can't bring myself to call her Aunt, and Lady Stark seems wrong now, so Lady Cat." Jon sheepishly explained.
Ned smiled a little sadly in understanding. He turned and walked back towards his desk, stopping by Tyrion's chair, greeting the little lord and asking about his health and wellbeing before continuing to his seat behind his desk. As he took his seat, he indicated to the newly arrived trio to take a seat themselves. Knowing that everyone in this room knew the truth about Tyrion, Jon and Sam, he waited until everyone was settled, he started speaking.
"First of all, I would like to say that I am very impressed and incredibly proud of you boys. Your mission to Old Valyria seems to have succeeded beyond even my wildest hopes." Ned told Jon and Tyrion while sending them a proud smile for what they had achieved.
For their part, Tyrion and Jon blushed uncomfortably and mumbled their thanks. Neither one of them were used to other people being proud of their achievements and certainly not their fathers. Sensing that he had made them uncomfortable, Ned moved on.
"Let us start with the valyrian steel. I have the final total of how much you shipped back to White Harbour. We currently have one hundred and twenty five thousand pounds of valyrian steel ingots waiting to be reforged. I have done as you suggested and engaged Tobho Mott to forge it into as many usable weapons as possible and I have Gendry and the other apprentice smiths start forging the dragonglass into spear heads, arrow points and daggers and the amour you sent with the steel is being examined. One thing that we noticed is that there were very few full suits of armour included in the shipment and most of them aren't of a usable size for a Northerner. Can you explain that if possible?" Ned asked.
They currently had about forty full suits of valyrian steel armour almost all of them, too small to be of any benefit to the big and burly Northerners. The rest of the armour they had sent was composed of chainmail and light plate.
"We had noticed a distinct lack of full suits ourselves Ned. The conclusion we came to is that given that the Valyrian's were dragon riders, who lived within close proximity of a truly ridiculous number of volcanos, a full suit of armour, even one made from valyrian steel would be impractical, not to mention more of a liability when on top of a dragon then helpful. There may have been more suits somewhere we didn't look but I doubt it. I think that full suits were only made for those who had distinguished themselves in battle or for the head of the noble houses, like a trophy. Full suits of armour seem to be a Westerosi thing. A chainmail/light plate combination seems to be the most common form of armour." Tyrion explained the theory Jon, Davos and he had come up with.
"That does sound reasonable. I haven't studied the marital traditions of Old Valyria much but given what we know about Aegon's Conquest, it makes sense. There is no mention of Aegon ever wearing a full suit of armour." Sam commented.
"We left fifteen full suits of armour in Bravos to be auction off. They all had some minor to moderate damage from the initial explosions of the Fourteen Flames so were left behind. We only sent armour that we could tell wasn't compromised to the best of our ability. As far as the size problem goes, it can't be helped. The Valyrian people were of a smaller stature then the people of Westeros especially those of the North." Jon finished off.
Ned nodded, feeling a little disappointed that there wasn't more armour to go around but agreed that it was what it was and there was little he could do about it.
"Although, one of them might just fit your skinny ass Jon." Robb commented with a chuckle. Tyrion, Ned and Sam joining in at the sour look Jon shot his brother over the skinny comment.
"Speaking of the Iron Bank, what else did you leave with them and what is this about an auction?"
Jon and Tyrion were grinning madly. They had been waiting for this exact moment for quite some time.
"Well father, we managed to scavenge quite a lot of Old Valyria's treasures. Only the best of course but we ended up with a whole ship's hold full of the stuff. Tyrion realised with that much treasure, we would have some trouble trying to sell it off if we were to do that ourselves so Tyrion made arrangements with Nico Nestoris, our account manager, to hold an auction so we could sell everything for the best possible price. With the Iron Bank hosting the auction, there is zero chance we'll be cheated out of our rightful share and it also guarantees that what we have to sell is legitimate. The Iron Bank has the contacts to make this auction a huge success and they wouldn't risk its reputation on anything less than a sure thing." Jon explained, his mad grin still firmly in place
"And how much are we expected to make off this auction?" Jon and Tyrion's smiles grew even wider and more gleeful.
"According to the Bank's top Valuable's assessors, anywhere between seventy to eighty million gold dragons and that's a conservative estimate!" Jon proclaimed as he reached into his bag, pulling out the relevant paperwork and slapping it down on the desk in front of his father in glee.
Silence reigned.
"Umm father?"
"Ned?"
"Robb?"
"Sam?"
"Somebody say something?"
"Anything"
"Tyrion…"
"I think you broke them." Tyrion's voice was full of awe and admiration over the feat Jon had just accomplished.
"Yeah…" Jon absently replied as he looked at the three men currently staring at him in complete and utter shock.
"I think I did"
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Ned wasn't entirely sure he had heard Jon right.
Seventy to eighty million gold dragons?
Ned didn't think there was that much gold in the entire world!
"Here, drink this. Quickly now, just throw it back." Ned heard a voice say as he felt a goblet being pushed into his hand. Ned decided that the voice was right and threw the contents of the goblet back in one swallow. The unknown alcohol burned a trail of fire down the back of his throat and snapped him out of his daze with a cough.
"What was that?" Ned rasped as he tried to regain control of his voice.
Tyrion smiled.
"It's called whiskey. This particular vintage happens to be a triple distilled grain based alcohol, aged for 3 years in oak barrels, native to a region outside the Yi-Ti Empire. A little something I picked up in Bravos, courtesy of the Iron Bank." Tyrion chuckled at Ned's reaction to the whiskey and feeling relieved that Ned was starting to react to the world again.
The silence had been unnerving.
"Good stuff." Was all Ned was capable of saying at that moment. He would later realise that it was a strong, smooth and mellow tasting drink that would keep a man warm on a cold night.
It would eventually become one of the North's most popular drinks. But that's a different story.
As Ned looked at the young men in front of his desk, he could see that Sam and Robb had also been given some whiskey as well. From the slightly dazed looks on their faces, he deducted that he wasn't the only one to blank out from the shock that Jon had gleefully delivered. While he waited for Sam and Robb to regain their wits, he gingerly picked up the bundle of paper that Jon had slapped down on his desk as if it had teeth and would bite him. He could see from the front page that it was an original copy of the inventory the Iron Bank had taken of the treasure Jon and Tyrion had left in the Bank's safe keeping. Ned never claimed to be a student of history but even he knew some of the House names on the list as he looked though the inventory.
Sam had finally recovered. After everything he had been through in the Time Before and since he had come back, he didn't think anything could surprise him anymore.
And once again, Jon had proved him wrong.
Robb was fighting the urge to punch the gleeful smile of Jon's face. As far as Robb was concerned, his brother was enjoying their reactions just a little too much.
Tyrion had resumed his seat and smiled at the room.
"Well, I think that even my father may have had the same reaction as you did. It is a staggeringly large sum of money, even for a Lannister." He chuckled.
"Well if anyone would know about a lot of gold, it's a Lannister." Robb joked.
"I feel as though I should be insulted by that remark, but sadly it does happen to be true. The Lannisters have been one of the richest families in Westeros for thousands of years, thanks to the fabled goldmines under Casterly Rock. I would say that over those thousands of years, we have probably mined more than ten times that amount out of the mines but it's another thing entirely to have that sort of money given to you in one hit. Once word gets around about the huge windfall of gold that House Stark will have access too, everyone is going to want a piece of it. Especially if they find out exactly how much gold. In one unexpected move of the great game, House Stark will have gone from one of the poorer of the great houses to the one of the richest, if not the richest, although I think you'll find that Mace Tyrell will contest that particular claim." Tyrion laughed.
Jon frowned. That didn't make any sense as the War and Rebuilding account wasn't affiliated with any other house accounts, Stark or otherwise. That money shouldn't have any effect on House Stark's personal finances so what was Tyrion going on about?
"Tyrion, what did you do?" Jon asked him with suspicion.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Was the evasive reply.
"Tyrion…What did you do?" there was an implied threat in the tone.
Tyrion heaved a heavy sigh.
"I…I…I may have instructed Master Nico to scrap the War and Rebuilding account and instructed him to put the gold that was meant for that account straight into House Stark's personal account…" He mumbled sheepishly.
Jon, Ned, Robb and Sam's eyes nearly popped out of their heads, so wide were their eyes in utter disbelief.
"WHY would you do that?" Jon almost shouted at him in confusion.
Tyrion heaved another sight.
"Master Nico approached me while we were still in Bravos, and while he had no problems with creating the account; he had discovered a possible issue I had not foreseen. An account like that, unaffiliated with any house and with only three names as account holders, it's a recipe for disaster. There are a number of ways that it can be taken advantage off. For example, there are a number of talented forgers out there who could forge a letter and house seal easily, proclaiming that they were allowed access to the account. Another thing is if we all die, the money will just sit there until someone is able to prove an undisputed claim to it. It needs to be under the control of House Stark or we won't be able to use it for anything, before or after the war." Tyrion explained.
Jon nodded in understanding but was still confused as to why Tyrion insisted that House Stark had control over the gold. If they got anywhere close to what the estimate was, it would be more gold then House Stark could spend in a thousand years.
"Why House Stark?" Was Ned's question.
"When people suddenly come into that sort of money, sometimes, they change. That much gold, seems to have a way of…twisting a person into something they're not, a darker version of themselves. It can cause families to war with each other; it can cause paranoia in some people, overwhelming arrogance in others, it can bring a House to ruin in fairly short order or any number of other things. I've seen it happen in the Westerlands when a House gets a sudden influx of wealth, more money than they know what to do with." Tyrion looked more serious then Jon and Sam had ever seen him.
"It takes a certain type of person to be given this burden and not be corrupted by it. There are only two people in Westeros I would trust not to abuse this much gold for personal purposes…You Ned and my father.
I would trust my father in this matter and only this matter because he has been handling this sort of wealth for years, managing not only the Lannister wealth but also the realms and until Robert ascended the throne, managed to keep both House Lannister and the Iron Throne out of debt. He manages the money, it does not manage him. I suggest you speak to him Ned, get his advice on the best way to handle this sort of wealth. Father may hate you for asking, but he won't steer you wrong. As far as you go Ned, your practical, level headed manner and upbringing will benefit you in spending this money wisely. In this case, your harsh, plain Northern lifestyle actually works in your favour because you already know what is needed most for survival as that is all you do up here, survive. You don't care about the fripperies and useless bric-a-brac of the South so it won't be those sorts of things that you will waste your money on. Oh don't get me wrong, I'm sure you'll find a way to justify spending a little bit on your family, but it won't be the overwhelming gluttony of the South." Tyrion said, defending his decision to entrust House Stark with enough money to dominate the entirety of Westeros if they so choose to.
Luckily for the rest of Westeros, they would choose not to.
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Ned closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to relieve some of the pressure that seemed to be building up in his head. Once again, he had too much information coming at him all at once. He needed time to think, to digest what he had heard, he needed food and sleep but the day was not yet over and he still had much to do before he could indulge in either one for now. He decided to move onto other things, the day was wearing on and they still had much to discuss.
"Tyrion, I'm deeply honoured that you feel that way and while I wish you had consulted with me about this first, I will endeavour to be worthy of the trust you have put into my character. I will also consider your advice about speaking to your father for guidance in regards to the newfound wealth of House Stark. I am used to working on a tight budget I wouldn't know the first thing to do with any extra money that didn't have an allotted purpose. But for now, I'd like to move on as there are other things I need to inform you of." Ned thanked Tyrion for his efforts and accepted this new burden on top of everything else.
"Jon, I know you are happy to be home but unfortunately, I can't allow you to remain at rest for too long. I need you to start your duties as the emissary to the Wild… sorry Free Folk. There have been a few problems with them while they settle into the gift. For the most part, they've managed to police themselves rather well but there have been a couple of more serious incidences where the Warden of the North should step in but I don't know how to without causing offence and starting a war in the process. More to the point, Mance Rayder is asking for you especially. He seems to think you may be able to restore the peace between the factions. I can allow you no more than a week's rest at home son, then I need you out there. Sam, I want you and Robb to go with him. Samwell, you also have experience in dealing with the Free Folk and Robb, I want you to go with them to learn how to deal with them. There is a good chance that some of them will want to stay south of the Wall after this winter is over and they and their children's wellbeing will become your responsibility when you are Warden of the North" Ned instructed them.
The three boys nodded their acceptance of their tasks and waited for Ned to continue speaking.
"On a more pleasant topic, House Stark has received an offer of Betrothal." Ned grinned.
"Really father? Who is the betrothal for? Robb or Sansa?" Jon asked with interest. Tyrion also leaned forward in interest.
Sam just sat there, smirking.
"It's for Robb and as for who the potential bride will be, well House Tyrell, the Lords of Highgarden, Wardens of the South, have offered their beloved daughter, Lady Margaery Tyrell, the Rose of Highgarden. Your mother and I have discussed it at great length and have decided to accept the betrothal." Ned's smile widened to the point where it hurt, trying not to laugh at a wild eyed and speechless Robb.
Jon and Tyrion laughed in delight and hastened to congratulate Robb on his good fortune.
"Congratulations Lord Robb, may the Gods bless your union with Lady Margaery. I have had the good fortune to have met Lady Margaery and may I just say, you lucky bastard. She is as beautiful as she is smart. She'll do well in the north. She's a strong woman and not afraid to get her hands dirty. With you, she'll be so much happier then she would be with my twisted nephew." Tyrion jumped in, the first to congratulate Robb on his betrothal.
Jon pulled an un-responding Robb out of his chair and into a hug with a huge smile on his face.
"Congratulations brother, I could not be happier for you at this moment. My Sansa knew Lady Margaery well. She tried to help Sansa when she was trapped in the Red Keep during the war. Sansa told me that not only was she beautiful, she was also truly kind. She was always visiting orphanages in Kings Landing, giving them fund so the children could be kept in at least a minimum standard of comfort and she would also work with the poor. But she did also warn me that this Rose had very sharp thorns and wasn't afraid to show them. You need a good strong woman like her to keep you from making stupid mistakes. She knows how to play the Game of Thrones well. Margaery learned politics and intrigue at the feet of Oleanna Tyrell."
Tyrion however was looking at Sam while Jon congratulated his brother.
"You don't seem very surprised about this." He said to Sam.
Sam's smirk got bigger.
"I'm not. Who do you think talked Lady Oleanna into it in the first place?" he replied with a laugh.
"What?" that got Robb's attention.
Sam sniggered.
"I arranged for this betrothal almost four years ago Robb. I had too. The North will need what the Reach has, food and armies to fight the dead. I've spent the last eight years working towards that end. I'm sorry Robb, to use you like this, but we need the Reach and this was the best way to secure it." Sam explained.
"Well discuss this matter later. I wish to move on, I've still more to tell you." Ned quickly spoke before Robb could start demanding a more in depth explanation.
Ned took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The next few pieces of news would not be well received at all.
"We have two important Lords headed for Winterfell as we speak. One of them I invited to Winterfell, the other I did not." Ned really wasn't sure how Jon and especially Tyrion would react to what was said next.
"I received a message from White Harbor. Robert has come North." He mentally hunkered down, waiting for a reaction.
Jon, Tyrion and Sam exchanged startled looks.
This was new.
"He's early." Jon deadpanned.
"Bugger, I was hoping to put off dealing with my sister and nephew for a little while longer." Was Tyrion's sour comment. Ned smiled faintly at the comment.
"Well Tyrion, it seems it's your lucky day. The Queen and the Crown Prince did not accompany the King North, neither did the Royal Court, thank the Old Gods. It seems Robert is traveling light. He is accompanied by a detachment of guards naturally but apart from that, he had his brother Stannis, your brother Tyrion, Ser Jamie, Tommen, Myrcella and Ser Barristan Selmy. That's it. But I don't know why he's come North as Jon Arryn is still among the living apparently." Ned told them what he knew.
"He's the one I didn't invite."
Tyrion sat back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face.
"And when does King Robert arrive?"
"He was sighted on the road by the White Knife this afternoon. By all accounts, Robert and his party will arrive in Winterfell sometime tomorrow afternoon." Was the answer.
Tyrion smiled, while not pleased at the fact that Robert was arriving so soon, he was happy that Robert had brought Tyrion's younger niece and nephew with him. Tyrion hadn't spent any time with them since he had left Kings Landing almost a year ago.
"So then who is this other Lord, the one you actually invited and when will he be arriving?" Jon asked his father.
This time, Ned made sure to conceal his smile and kept a serious face.
"Shortly after you left, I wrote to your father Tyrion, asking him to come North to discuss matters of great importance to our two houses. He landed in Deepwood Mott a week ago. He's been spotted on the road from Deepwood Mott. He'll be here in two days." Ned informed them, watching Tyrion's reaction with a great deal of amusement.
Tyrion's look of shocked dismay also amused the others in the room.
"You invited my father to come here?"
Ned nodded.
"Here, to the North, to Winterfell?"
Another nod.
"On purpose?" Tyrion's voice rose to a high pitch
This time, Ned couldn't stop the smile from breaking out on his face, while Robb was watching the scene with an amused smile. Jon and Sam were laughing outright at Tyrion's reaction.
"Why would you do that?" Tyrion cried plaintively.
Ned and Robb joined Sam and Jon in helpless laughter.