Chapter 14
This chapter has not been beta and is subjectable to change in the future.
Whats up all sorry I have not updated in sometime, but I have been busy with work and have also found that this story is becoming harder and harder to do. Now I have no lost interest or anything, but we have more or less entered the show and I have to pick and chose what to leave out what to change what to add in. List goes on you know.
Moving on can anyone else believe that it has been a year now sense I started this story. I am going to be real here I didn't think I get any followers none the less over 1000. So thank you all for reading.
Now some people didn't like the last chapter that much and thought it was a bad idea for Lelouch to reveal who he truly was. I feel not only did he need to but he had little choice Ned is a very honorable and good man. The more Lelouch changes things the more Ned's sense of honor comes in to question. When you think of what has to be happing in the back round for Lelouch to turn the North in the rich land that it is you come to realize that the body count of innocent or semi innocent people most be high. The fact that I have not let Ned confront his son about it to me is really kind of a insult to the man's character. But I digress, I feel that if Lelouch didn't tell Ned the some what truth Ned would move to stop Lelouch sooner or later when he did find out.
Never- enough7407 when I read you review, I liked very much what you added at the end and plan to add something along that those lines in the next chapter. Shirley role in the story is about to increase a lot in the coming chapters and it would be best if she does not go in to them blind.
DeathLock when Shirley comes to the North I am going to try and add more soft moments for Lelouch. Not guaranteeing anything but am going to try.
Ashecross if you can help with any of the geographical errors I made please do.
Austin thank you for the review. Sadly Robert will still die and if you can give me a good way to kill him off that be wonderful seeing as I don't wish to kill him in the same way. On another note I have been taking notes on a new fanfiction were he lives but will not be doing that one till this story is done.
Once more thank you all the reviews and don't forget even if I didn't say anything in the notes I do read all of them and take each suggestion seriously. If you have any thoughts feel free to say them be it good or bad.
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-The Moat 298AC-
Commander Harrion Karstark had just received a letter from the king ordering him to muster the men of the Northern army and march them to the Twins. Once there they were to surround the eastern part of the Twins and dig in till the king showed up with reinforcements from King's Landing. Orders have also been sent to House Tully telling them to raise what men it could and surround the western part. The plan was to move so quickly that the Freys wouldn't have time to put up an adequate defense. It was a good plan seeing as if the Freys could dig in like the rats they were then they could hold off an army for years before they broke. However, it was a plan that was also completely unnecessary.
Harrion was one of the few men who knew the true purpose for the Northern army and had been training it for the war that was to come. In preparation for that war he and Lord Lelouch had been making plans for the eventual attack on the Twins. Those same plans were now tossed out the window, but he still felt sure that the Northern army could take it with in a week. His orders were clear however and he would follow them. Calling in one of the guards he orders the man to find his commanding officers and tell them to meet him in the war room. It was time for the Northern army to prove their worth.
-Riverlands-
It had taken a total of 3 weeks for Robert to assemble what men he could and march to the Twins. He knew the amount of men that he could call up was going to be limited but he also knew that a coward like Walder Frey would do one of only two things when he realized that his men were dead or captured. Frey's first option was to dig in and hope that he could talk his way out of the death sentence Robert was going to give him. His second option was to try and flee towards the Bite where he could hope to board a ship to the free cities. That is why he couldn't wait to call up more men, if Robert wanted to end this quickly time was of the essence.
It was for that reason that when he rode up a hill overlooking the Twins, he got the shock of a life time. For stretched out before him was the Northern army of what he could only guess was 15,000 men and a wall that formed a half circle around the eastern keep.
"By the Seven. How the fucking hell did they get here so fast and how did they put up a wall as well?" Robert asked in sheer amazement at what he saw.
Robb who was sitting on a horse by the king answers him. "It is called a prefabricated wall my king. It was one of Lelouch's little ideas. What you do is build smaller parts of a wall a head of time then move said parts with the army so as to put it up were you need it."
"That way there is always a wall between the Northern army when it is camping and who ever their enemy is." Robert finishes. He was no stranger to putting up obstacles around an army camp in case of a surprise attack, but this was fucking unbelievable. They even had wooden watch towers put up for gods' sakes.
Jon Arryn who had come with the king in hopes of stopping Robert from going too far in his vengeance for the attack on the bridge was having similar thoughts. It really was a feat of military engineering that had never been seen before. It was also something that was very concerning. The message that was sent to Commander Karstark had only been sent some 3 weeks ago and yet they were already here with a wall put up. It spoke loudly about how strong the Northern army really was.
As they rode towards the camp a small group of riders met them half way. The lead rider bowed to the king from on top his horse. "My king I am 3000-man commander Theobald Snow. We received word from our scouts that you were almost here. Lord Stark and Commander Karstark are awaiting your arrival at the command tent."
Robert and Jon are surprised at what they hear. "Ned is here?" Robert asks.
"Yes, my king. Lord Stark arrived just yesterday with his Master-at-Arms Rodrik Cassel and some 500 guardsmen." Theobald says to his king.
Robert can't keep the smile off his face at the thought of seeing his old friend once more. "Well lead on man." Robert orders.
"Yes, my king." Theobald says as he starts to lead the king and his men towards the command tent.
As they ride through the camp everyone takes in the site of it. The men of the army are moving back and forth going about what ever task they have been ordered to do with a professionalism rarely seen in any army. Some are resting inside their tent's others are sitting around a camp fire talking and joking with each other but only those that are clearly off duty. The one thing they all have in common however is that each of them has their arms and armor on ready ready to jump into action at a moment's notice. As they ride on each man stops but for a moment to bow their heads to their king.
Robert for his part nods his head back at them in respect for their professionalism. He has never seen a more professional army and each man has a hard look in his eyes. The eyes of a soldier who is ready and willing to die in the battle that is to come.
Soon enough they arrive at a large tent with the flags depicting the sunrise over a snow-covered background. Getting off his horse with the rest of his men Robert orders Jon, Robb and Sir Barristan Selmy to follow him. When they enter the tent, they are greeted by the bowed heads of Ned Stark, Harrion Karstark and three other men Robert doesn't recognize.
Walking up to Ned Robert says. "You have gotten fat."
The tent is silent, and everyone is feeling uncomfortable at the insult. That is till Ned looks down at Roberts own stomach which though no longer as big as it was is still fatter than it was in Roberts youth. Looking back up at Robert's face Ned just raises an eyebrow.
Both men start to laugh out loud at this till Robert embraces Ned like a brother and says. "Ned you old bastard it's good to see you."
"It is good to see you as well my king." Ned says with a happy smile on his face. It quickly turns to a frown however as he adds. "Though I wish it was not under such circumstances."
At Ned's words Roberts face takes on one of pure fury. "Aye, that bastard Frey will pay for attacking Lyanna's bridge."
"And he will Robert but first I think introductions are needed. I recognize Commander Karstark but I don't recognize the three young men by his side." Jon says.
Robert can tell Jon said that in order to stop him from going in to a rage and though he may not like it he knows it's important for the leader of an army to know its commanding officers which these men must be if they are in here. "Your right Jon. Commander Karstark who are these men."
Harrion bows his head before he answers his king. "My king the men here are the 5000-man commanders of the army. On your right is Garth Rivers, the one in the middle is Harry Snow, and the one on your left is Omer Ironsmith son of Lord Ironsmith."
Each man gives a bow to their king before standing back up straight at attention.
Robert, Jon and Barristan are all a bit surprised that 2 out of the 3 men are bastard born and yet hold the 3rd highest rank in the Northern Army with only Lieutenant commander and Commander being higher. Though when they stop to think about it, they really shouldn't have been. It was common knowledge that when the army was first formed over a 3rd of the people who joined were bastard born. And there was also that story about the first Northern military trial. Well it wasn't really a story seeing as it really did happen, but the story went that in the first year of the army's formation a bastard was risen to a higher position then the son of a noble lord who was up for the same position. In retaliation the noble boy killed the bastard thinking he would get away with it seeing as he was the son of a noble and him nothing more then a bastard. Except that is not what happen, the noble boy was arrested, tried and hung for his crime. This incident shock the hole of the kingdom for never had a noble ever been executed for the killing of a bastard. It was also a message that if you joined the Northern Army it didn't matter if you were noble, smallfolk or bastard. If you broke the law of the army you would pay the price for it.
After greeting the commanders in turn Robert takes his seat at the head a of the table with a lay out of the Twins and the surrounding area. The others greet each other as well but make it short for there were more pressing matters to deal with at the moment.
Looking over at Commander Karstark Robert says. "Commander tell me what we are looking at."
"Yes, my king. Right now, we have the east side of the Twins surrounded. Do to our fast arrival we were able to get here before Lord Frey could dig in or gather supplies. Unfortunately, the west side of the Twins is not the same. From the reports I have gotten the Riverland forces led by Ser Edmure Tully are still a good two weeks away. This allowed the Freys to gather some supplies from their western holdings and as we speak, they are fortifying that end. Luckily Lord Mallister saw it prudent to send out what cavalry he could to slow down them down and has also moved his ships out to sea in order to prevent an escape attempt."
Robert nods his head at this. "So, in other words we have Lord Frey trap like the rat he is with no hope of escape."
"That may be true my king but even though he can't escape Lord Frey could hold off any army for a long time fortified or not." Ned said to Robert.
Robert just grumbles at this but does not argue with what Ned says. "Do we know how many of his men he was able to call up?" Robert asks Harrion.
"From what we can guess a little more than half and none of his vassal houses have come to his aid." Harrion answers him.
"And do we have any ideal now long their supplies will last them?" Robert asks.
"Best guess a half a year my king. Maybe a year at most if they ration it carefully." Harrion tells him.
Robert sits in silence for a bit thinking over what to do. Siege warfare was always a straight forward thing. Surround the castle and wait them out or attack with heavy numbers overwhelming the castle defense. The problem was that the Twins is one of the hardest castles to attack. You could only come at them from one way which would lead to heavier casualties then normal. Robert knew what he wanted to do but did they have the numbers to take the Twins with just 15000 men. The answer was most likely seeing how highly trained the army was but there would still most likely be heavy losses.
Finally making up his mind Robert stands up and says. "We will hold here for now till Ser Edmure Tully arrives with his men. Till then you are all dismissed."
At his words everyone gets up and bows his head and starts to leave the tent. "Ned you stay here. I wish to speak to you." Robert says to his old friend.
Ned does as he is told and stays behind. Robert waits till everyone is out and when they do, he just flops back down into his chair tired from the day.
"You look like a tired old man." Ned says with a smile on his face.
"Fuck you, you bastard. You try riding for 4 days straight and see how you like it." Robert says back to him.
"No thanks Robert I am not so young as to be doing that anymore." Ned's amused smile shows how happy he really is to see his old friend despite the circumstances.
Robert dry laughs at that. "Aye how things were so much easier back when we were young. Us at the Eyrie when we were fostered to Jon all those years ago."
Ned takes a seat and looks at his friend. "Yes, those were better days. Now it paper work all day long and dealing with the never ending complaints of my vassals."
Robert laughs at that. "You think that's bad try having a fucking kingdom to run. Everyday its bitch bitch bitch. And you know who I have to think for that Ned?"
Smiling Ned says. "I am guessing the same pain in the ass as mind."
Robert starts to roar out in laugher. "Aya that boy of yours each time he does something new I have every lord in fucking Westeros complaining about how unfair it is that the North is not sharing this thing or that. Where is he by the way. I was honestly surprised the little shit was not here."
Ned can't stop himself from laughing again. "He was in Deepwood Motte talking to Lord Glover when I got the news of what the Freys did. No doubt he is on his way with what men he can gather but I doubt he will make it on time for the battle."
Soon both men start to laugh once more as they start to drink some wine with each other. For a time, they just talk about the old days at the Eyrie and make jokes at Lelouch's expense. Some fathers would have been insulted by some of the things Robert was saying but Ned couldn't bring himself to defend his son. After all he has been the main cause of his headaches for the last couple of years.
"You know I do owe the boy a debt. Up intel he showed up in King's Landing with his idea for a bridge I had started to forget what she looked like Ned. When I slept all I ever dreamed of was killing that man Ned."
Ned makes to speak but Robert keeps talking. "But now, now I dream of something new and it was your son who gave it to me. In this dream I see her there Ned waiting on the other side of that bridge. She is waiting there Ned, waiting for someone to take her home. I don't think it is me she is waiting for, but it matters little. I will see the bridge finished Ned and not that fucker Frey, those dragonspawn across the sea or that horsefucker of a soon to be husband will stop me." Robert yells as he slams his fist on the table shaking it with the might he once had long ago.
Ned just looks at his friend as he says that. On one had he is happy to see the Robert he once knew back but on the other he could feel his sons' hand in this. Robert had more or less just dismissed the Targaryen in favor of building this bridge. Was that why Lelouch had come up with the idea of the bridge and was that why he had set this trap for Lord Frey, just so he could protect the Targaryens' or was that just a byproduct of his actions. Whichever it was it was clear to Ned that his son was moving Robert around like a puppet on a string and he didn't like it.
-Dothraki Sea-
Daenerys rides through the Dorhraki Sea with Jorah Mormont by her side. Much had change for her over the years sense the day she met Jon Stark and got her mother's crown back. She had done as he had told her after she had stormed out of the villa, he was staying in. She had indeed gone and ask anyone she could find who was willing to talk to her about the rebellion and what she found out had shock her to her core. She may still not agree with the rebellion, but it was no wonder it had happened in the first place. The kidnapping of Lyanna Stark by her brother Rhaegar, the murder of the then Lord Stark and his heir when they called for her return. Then to top it off her father demanded Lord Arryn to turn over his wards, so he could do the same to them. It was no wonder they had rebelled against her family.
When she asked her brother about what she had been told he had called them lies and a plot by the usurper to turn the people against their family right before he slapped her. When they moved in with Illyrio Mopatis she had ask him about it only to be told more are less the same thing. But that didn't make any sense to her. How could the usurper influence the people of the free cities to lie for him? They had nothing to gain by it.
As she kept riding next to Jorah, she had asked him all types of questions from what he thought would happen if the Dothraki crossed the Narrow Sea. She also asked him to tell her everything he knew about the usurper. There was however one question she had wondered about more than any other.
"Ser Jorah I have heard many tails of the one called the Black Wolf of Winterfell. Tell me do you know him?" Daenerys asks of him.
Jorah does not say anything for a bit. Then answers "Yes, I know him Khaleesi." And then says no more.
"Are you fine Ser Jorah. That answer was offly short." Daenerys says finding it odd that Jorah had been very open in answering all of her questions in great detail up till she asked her last question.
"My apologies Khaleesi. To be honest I know little more then you do. I had only met him a hand full of times before my exile." Jorah stops to think over what to say next.
Daenerys speaks up first however before he can. "And what was he like?"
Jorah thinks back on all the times he had met Lelouch. "The first time I met him Khaleesi he was but a boy. It was shortly after the Greyjoy Rebellion and I didn't really get to speak with him all that much but the 2nd time about a year later I met him I did, and I would never forget that day for the rest of my life. His eyes they were colder than the coldest winter and when those eyes looked at you it was like you were laid bare before him where no secret could be hidden from him. When we spoke, he was charming, and I dare say even charismatic but that cold look never left his face. But it was his last words to me before I left Winterfell that have stayed with me even till this day."
The hair on Daenerys's neck stands on end as she listens to Jorah. From the little time she has spent with him she knew him to be a brave if not somewhat short-spoken man who came off as a bit cold, but he had warmed up to her over time. Now however she could feel a bit of fear in his voice as he spoke of the Black Wolf. "What did he say to you?" She questions not able to help herself from wondering what a boy could tell a full-grown knight to make him seem afraid.
"We had just got done playing a game of Cyvasse that he had asked me to play with him. I lost within a few minutes and when he got up to leave, he looked me in the eye and said, such a lost. At the time I thought he was mocking me but after I had time to think about it and from the way he said it I could tell he was not. It was like somehow I had impressed him, but he knew he would never be able to make use of me." Jorah says to her.
"He knew of your crimes?" Daenerys asks in surprise seeing that at the time the black wolf couldn't have been older then 9 name days old.
"I believe he did or at the least he had a hint of them." Jorah says in a cold voice.
"That…that is hard to believe. Daenerys says with some fright in her voice.
"Not hard to believe at all if you think of what happen after I left. He has taken one of the poorest parts of the Seven Kingdoms and turn it into an economic powerhouse whose influence reaches some parts of Essos." Jorah says back to her.
Daenerys is silent for a bit not saying anything as they keep riding. Then she asks a question that she has been wondering about sense Jon Stark mentioned him. "Do you think he would side with my family if we crossed the Narrow Sea?"
"As long as Robert Baratheon lives the Starks will side with him. As for if he passes away before that happens, I can honestly say I can't see Lord Stark taking your family's side and that goes for his son as well." Jorah answers her truthfully.
With that said they continue to ride but this time in silence.
-Three weeks later the Twins-
Lelouch truly believed that there was a limit to how stupid a person could be before he just ended up dead do to their stupidity. His uncle was a good example of that. Lelouch had met his uncle many times and had always found him to be a well-meaning man if not a bit short sited. He was also a bit to proud for what little accomplishments he had. He was no fool however and clearly knew he had no real accomplishments under his belt and because of that he felt the need to go seek it out. Which of course sadly led to his death.
Once the battle for the Twins, as some of the men were now calling it started his uncle was doomed. Edmure and his men were the last to show up at the Twins which they knew made them look bad seeing as the Northern army had showed up weeks ahead of what many believed could have been done. Because of this his uncles' pride led him to believe once Robert gave the order to attack the Twins his men had to be the first to brake down the gates on his side of the river first to regain his lost pride. Which was just a foolish way of thinking seeing as unlike the side Robert and the Northern army was on the Freys had time to re dig the moat and was over all better prepare for an attack on that side. So, when Robert gave the order to attack Edmure sent his men quickly and recklessly with a crudely made battering ram in hopes of braking down the portcullis before they did. As a result, the Riverlands suffered heavy casualties from the Twins' arrow slits and murder holes. On the other side the Northern Army used a version of the siege hooks that the Romans from his world used but were designed to rip gates open instead of tearing down walls. It really was a simple thing, by using steel hooks attached to heavy chains and a winch system that was designed to pull on something with a consistent force of about 500lbs. When you split that between three different winch systems, you would get around 1500 pounds of pulling force on a portcullis that was made of a mix of wood and metal. It was no wonder the gate didn't hold for very long.
Lelouch was happy that his designed had work but at the same time that was where things went a bit downhill. As soon as the gate came down Robert picked up a shield and led the charge into the castle. From what Lelouch had been told the roar that came from the men at seeing their king lead the charge was so loud that it could be heard for miles. Sadly, that meant his uncle had heard it too. In an act of true stupidity, his uncle had moved closer to the castle so as to hopefully inspire the men to hurry up in tearing down the gate. He failed however to pay attention at how close he was to the castle and got an arrow to the throat for his lack of attention.
Now Lelouch understood that not everything could go exactly as he had planned, but this was an unexpected development. With his uncle dead that left House Tully with no true heir. He was sure his mother or he could convince his grandfather to name Robb as his heir seeing as his great-uncle Ser Brynden Tully who was also at the battle for the Twins had no wish to rule. This was not ideal however for this left Robb in charge of a land that was filled with incompetent fools for lords and no trained army to speak of. All he would have when war came was a questionable amount of smallfolks for an army and even more questionable commanders whose loyalty could change at the drop of a hat.
Over the years Lelouch had gauged his brothers' skills when it came to things like warfare and politics. When it came to Robb, he would put his skills somewhere around Kyoshiro Tohdoh's level when it came to tactics and was without a doubt a better warrior then Jon. Sadly, he lacked in political thinking which was what he would really need if he was to rule the Riverlands. It would have been better if Jon was his mother's child for if he had to compare him to anyone from his old world, he would put him along the same lines as Li Xingke but not as great a warrior or as intelligent as him, but Jon could think politically and had a better grasp of overall strategy.
Just the thought of sending Robb to a place that he was ill prepared to deal with worried Lelouch to know end. Or maybe he was just being an over protective big brother and should really show more faith in his brother. Still if Robb was named his grandfather's heir maybe he could convince his father to allow Robb to take Theon with him. He could at least count on Theon to be a good human shield for his brother if nothing else.
It wasn't all bad news however seeing as the Twins did fall with less than 600 men lost for the Northern Army and Walder Frey was dead along with the majority of his family. Something Robert was not to happy about seeing as he didn't get the chance to kill Lord Frey himself do to Frey's own men killing him themselves. When the eastern castle fell to Robert and the men of the Northern Army, they quickly found that Frey was not in that part of the Twins. Before they could move on to the western castle a man road out across the bridge carrying the white flag of surrender. They were also carrying the bodies of Walder Frey and several of his family members. No one knew what had happen inside the castle that made these men turn on Frey but most agreed that it was done in an attempt to save their own skins. Sadly, for them it didn't work out that way seeing as Robert killed the men were, they stood for their treachery.
After the battle was over the rest of the Frey family's bodies were found inside that castle. Not even the women or children were spared from the men who were trying to save themselves. Lelouch didn't condone the killing of non-combatants even though he had killed far more innocent people then any man living or dead in this world. He did however accept that innocent bystanders would always get caught up in warfare and understood this was a golden opportunity to put the Twins in the hands of someone far more trustful then the Frey's were. Seeing as most of the Freys were now dead and Ser Stevron Frey would be forced to take the black if he didn't choose to be executed. After all Robert would never allow the Frey's or anyone related to them retain their power after this.
Now here Lelouch sat in side a tent with the other lords of the Riverlands who showed up for the battle along with his father, brother, King Robert and commanders of the Northern army discussing what is to be done with the Twins. He may have not shown up to take part in the battle, but no one was going to argue his right to be here seeing as it was his invention that ripped open the gate. Plus, who wouldn't want the input of who many believed to be the greatest genius of their time.
"I say we give the Twins to the Northern Army." Calls out Lord Tytos Blackwood. "They broke the gate of the Twins and took the eastern side of it with our king. They have proven their might and loyalty to the crown and friendship to the Riverlands. Who could we trust more than them to hold it?"
Protest are immediately shouted out along with a fair number of agreements from the Lords of the Riverlands. That is till Jon Arryn stands in says in a strong voice that grabs everyone's attention despite his old age, "I see were you are coming from Lord Blackwood and agree the Northern Army has shown its loyalty by coming when called. So, there is no doubt that they can be trusted with the Twins however the law is clear the Northern Army is only allowed to operate in the North unless called to arms by the king or escorting a northern lord south. That is unless House Tully wishes to forfeit the rights to the Twins and the surrounding lands to the North?" Lord Arryn directs the question towards Ser Brynden Tully who was acting on behalf of his brother Lord Tully.
The sour face of Ser Brynden Tully looks back at Lord Arryn which clearly shows his displeasure at having to represent his house now that his fool of a nephew was dead and his brother sick. "I can't answer that till I speak with my brother on it."
Lord Arryn nods his head at that. Ser Brynden could appoint a noble house on his brother's behalf but giving away land was a whole other issue.
Standing up Lord Jason Mallister says "Why not just elevate one of the richer merchant families and let them take over the manning of the Twins. Like the Corbet family for example, they are rich and honest folk."
Lelouch had to fight back a laugh at how little Lord Mallister knew of the Corbet family. Of what many were calling the big three merchant houses the Corbet's were the ones Lelouch had mix feelings on the most. Unlike the Auditore family and the Andres' who originally came over from Essos the Corbets' have been in the North for as far back as they could remember. But unlike most northerners the Corbets were anything but honest people. Before Alphonse Corbet became head of the Corbet family and elevated their family to merchant class they were really just a large collection of farmers, cutthroats and thieves. Hell, if you were to go to the Wall and ask around you would most likely find a good number of Corbets' manning it.
They truly were violent men, but they also had their own code of honor. It was for that reason that Lelouch gave them the chance to elevate themselves.
Having a strong sense of justice, granted it was his own brand of justice Lelouch didn't like the thought of having to compromise it. Sadly, as the North got richer and Winter Town grew bigger higher crime rates would sadly follow. No matter what he did slums would start to become a common site in the North and with it those who would pry on the weak for their own benefit. That is where Alphonse Corbet and his family came in. Alphonse was that kind of rare person who was both cunning and ruthless but was extremely loyal to the North and my default House Stark.
Lelouch had first met him when he came to Winterfell to ask to be allowed to raise his family to the merchant class. At first Lelouch was going to tell him no seeing that after he used his geass he found out how truly violent and loathsome he and his family really were. He had half a mind to have the man arrested right then and there if he had not learned that they also had their own little code. They didn't hurt women or children and only stole from those who were like them. That was something Lelouch could use and agreed to give them permission to sell wolf steel. But that was only to be a front for what Lelouch truly had in mind for Alphonse and his family. The agreement Lelouch made with Alphonse was simple the Corbets would get to be merchants so long as they used their more violent talents to keep the crime level in check around the North.
So far Alphonse had proven Lelouch had made the right choice for crime levels did stay the same and even drop in some places. When Ros started to take over the brothels of the North and the Riverlands it was them who provided the protection for her establishments seeing as Lelouch couldn't justify the using of the army. They also showed they could be great negotiating tools for those less willing to sell to her. In a few short years after they rose in power the Corbets were now the first and only crime syndicate in the kingdom. Controlling things like gambling, theft and loansharking from the North all the way to Kings Landing. Alphonse was smart however and never went too far with any of those things. He knew sooner or later someone would go after him and his family, so he had also built up an honest trade in the selling of Northern goods around the Riverlands, the Vale, and the Crownlands. That way when that day did come, he or one of his descendants could pull his family out of the criminal world.
"Never! I don't care how honest they are they are still of the North and the Twins should go to a Riverland lord." Yells out one lord who was not important enough for Lelouch to remember his name.
Soon the tent is filled with the sound of men arguing over who should get the Twins. It is enough to give Lelouch a headache hearing these men bicker like children.
Lelouch is not the only one for Robert is starting to feel the same way and soon his temper boils over and he slams his fist on the table shaking it. The tent becomes silent as Robert stand and in a commanding voice says, "Enough I have had it with this bickering. Commander Karstark you will leave 5000 men here at the Twins to occupy it till such time that his mess can be settled, and I will hear no more of this. Now everyone get out and go home."
With those orders from their king each man gets up and takes their leave to go pack up their stuff and head home. That includes Lelouch and Robb who take their leave with out their father who Robert asked to stay behind to talk some more.
As they are walking Robb speaks up in the Japanese language, "I am surprised you didn't speak up in there brother. I expected you to make a play to keep the Twins in Northern hands."
Lelouch just gives a dry chuckle at that. "And why would I need to do that brother when the River Lords are doing such a fine job for me."
Robb nods his head at this. "You expected them to fight over the Twins like they did."
"Of course, if there is anything the Riverlands is known for more than its fertile lands and strong trade it's how often their lords quarrel over the smallest of things. And who the Twins go to is no small thing." Lelouch says in a matter of fact voice.
"And because of that you knew King Robert would in trust it to the army till they can decide on it." Robb says more as a statement then a question.
"Exactly and with grandfather sick as he is it could be years if not decades till this matter is resolved which works well in our favor. But then again they could have made a decision today and it wouldn't have made any difference." Lelouch says to him.
Robb gets a somewhat confused look on his face. "What do you mean brother?"
Lelouch has to stop himself from rolling his eyes at his brother as he keeps walking and just answers with a question. "Brother how many men did the North lose in this battle?"
With that question ask Robb realizes what his brother is trying to tell him. "Ah, I see. Because we took the Twins with such ease and with such little lost of life it will make who ever takes over the Twins think twice before starting anything with the North."
"Not just who ever takes over the Twins brother. Right about now word will have reached every lord in Westeros about what has happen. Imagine if you will how the lords of Westeros will take the news that one of the most impenetrable castles was taken with such ease by the Northern Army." Lelouch says to Robb.
Giving his own chuckle Robb does imagine it and to say that it will give them a very rude wake up call will be saying the least.
- Dorne 4 months later-
Sitting down at a balcony Doran Martell overlooked the Summer Sea with many thoughts running through his head. But none of them revolving around the latest upheaval the North had caused which got a good laugh from him. The reports from his spies said that once the other lords of the kingdom found out that the Freys were no more and that the North took the Twins with such little loss of life they almost went in to a panic.
No, his thoughts were on his niece and the memories of the times he had with her. In a few short days she would arrive at White Harbor. From there she would then travel to Winterfell where she would marry the man Doran now believed to be the most dangerous man in the world. He was not worried for her safety however for even a blind man could see the love they held for each other.
So why was he sitting here with his mind lost in thoughts of the past if he was not worried about her. If he had to guess it would because he knew he would miss her dearly. Just the thought that he would no longer wake up in the morning and have to deal with her antics was a sobering thought. He knew she would be visiting often and when she did visit it would be like she never left. Still he couldn't help but remember when she was just a little girl who before his gout got to bad would run up to him and demand he pick her up and if Arianne was there, she would demand he pick her up to.
His favorite memory was from when she was just 4 years old. He was sitting in the Water Gardens reading a book and eating some lemon cakes when she showed up. Just like all children of that age who believe that the whole world belongs to them she went up to him and climbed up on his knees, sat down and started to eat the treats that were on the table. Between bites she would turn an face him and would hold up a cake for him to take a bite from which he would do every time. Even now he had to shake his head at the fact that even back then she had them all wrapped around her little finger.
"By the Gods will I miss her." Doran says with a sad smile.
- White Harbor-
As they rode through the biggest city in the North everyone from Dorne were trying to keep an unimpressed face on at the sites they were seeing. Well everyone who's name was not Shirley.
Shirley had traveled to more places than most people could ever dream of with her father, Ellaria and sisters over the years so for any city to impress her would be hard to do. Right now, White Harbor was doing just that. It may not be on the same level as Braavos but was without a doubt leaps and bounds ahead of that shit hole King's Landing. The whitewashed stone buildings were lovely to look at and fix perfectly with the back round of the surrounding area. It was also clear that many of the buildings were new seeing as they didn't look worn down. The harbor was also a site to see, with traders from all over the world here selling their wares. Silks, furs, jewelry made of silver, gold, diamonds and other precious gemstones were just some of the things they were selling. She also saw new styles of clothing for both men and women that she had never seen before. But what stood out the most were the many glass and crystal items that were for sell.
Her family could make glass and crystal as well from the deal the Starks made with them, but it was obvious that Dorne's was just plane inferior to the North's. There were fucking tables made of glass for crying out loud and each building had glass windows and doors of such design that it put whatever the glassmakers of Dorne made to shame. Seven Hells those buildings even had stained glass of such high quality that it made what she had seen in other places look sad in comparison.
"By the gods I have never seen such glass work. Ser Wylis Manderly how do you produce so much stained glass that it can be used on even the smallfolks dwellings?" Shirley asks as she sees commoners come out from those buildings from a top her horse.
Ser Wylis gives a joyful laugh at the look of wonder that is not on just her face but on all of their faces. "You're going to have to ask that question to your soon to be husband Princess Shirley. White Harbor has its own glass makers, but all the stained glass you see comes from Winterfell."
"So, you buy it from the Starks and use it for the dwellings of the smallfolk?" Arianne asks in a truly confused voice seeing as she knows of no house who would do such a thing for the smallfolk.
Two coaches were provided for House Martell by Shirley's soon to be good-mother and sister. It was done in the colors of House Martell, with glass windows, enough room to fix 6 people and was very comfortable to sit in. But Shirley being who she was of course had to ride her horse instead of riding in one of the coaches. You think this close to her wedding day she could stop and act like the princess she was, but no she had to be like her father and do things her own way.
Ser Wylis just gives another laugh at her confused voice. He can understand why she sounds so confused because no doubt in her mind something like this would cost a lot of gold to do, and what noble house would go so far for the smallfolk. "No Princess Arianne we didn't buy any of the glass you see that makes up the smallfolk's dwellings. That was given to us by Lord Stark and Lord Lelouch as part of what many are calling the Year of the Wolf."
"The Year of the Wolf? Is that anything like the Hour of the Wolf?" Asks Shirley.
Rubbing his chin in thought before he answers Wylis says, "Kind of princess. You see after the fall of House Bolton in 294AC a grand meeting of every lord of the North was held before the harvest feast of that same year to discuss the future of the North. One of the things talked about was infrastructure and the building of better housing for the smallfolk for when winter came. Along with the glass Lord Lelouch had also given us the plans for better housing and something he calls insulation to help trap heat inside a person's dwellings."
Everybody of lesser minds were impress by what Lelouch was doing but for those like Shirley, Arianne and Ellaria they had a strong suspicion that Lelouch was doing this for more than just to improve the lives of the smallfolk. It is Oberyn however who figures out what Lelouch is doing first.
"Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons and they will follow you into the deepest valley. Or in other words they will follow you to hell." Oberyn thinks as he recalls the Art of War the book Lelouch sent him. The only difference is Lelouch is using it to include the smallfolk and not just the men in the army. A brilliant if not cold plan to enact.
-Winterfell the same time-
Sitting outside overlooking the training ground were his younger brother Bran train his archery skills under the watch of his father and older brothers Lelouch sat and watched as he drank some wine. His mind however was not on his brother, nor was it on his soon to be wedding. So, what was it that occupied his mind right now, well it was simple he was thinking about the reason Death had sent him here.
Death had never told him what it was that was threatening to end this world but after only a hand full of days after his birth Lelouch had eliminated a good amount of possibilities. He could already rule out natural disasters seeing as they were just that, natural. Death had already told him that this world was ending before its designated time and a natural disaster on such as scale that it would end all life on the planet would mean that it had reached its designated time. So that would only leave unnatural causes left on the board.
Now granted there were many ways that humans could go about killing itself off, be it through pollution or some war like weapon. For example, the F.L.E.I.J.A. warhead acted a lot like a black hole when detonated. What if the Sessrumnir Sphere didn't stop expanding once it reached its set range capacity. It was a question he had ask Lloyd Asplund seeing as unlike Nina he would be extremely honest with him. Lloyd had told him that though it was highly unlikely it was still possible. The odds were somewhere around 1 in every 200 million or so. Not that it mattered now seeing as technology in this world was no whereas close to being able to make something like that.
So, ruling out natural disasters and technological disasters that only left the supernatural. Now magic was believed to have died out with the last of the dragons but that didn't really mean anything. After all, if you look at it closely Lelouch's geass was a form of magic in of itself. Yes, it was safe to say Lelouch was sure that the end of this world would be caused by magic. The only question left was what type would it be?
To answer that question Lelouch had to do a run down of what he knew about this world's history on magic. As far as he could tell there was no other geass users or signs that there ever were any in the past. So that eliminated the possibility of someone trying anything like what his original mother or father had tried. Maybe a type of blood magic could cause something like the end of the world but Lelouch doubted it. A rebirth of the Dragonlords could cause some trouble but if that happen, they would most likely be focused on conquest and not the destruction of the world. Besides even if they did come back Lelouch had contingency plans prepared to deal with them. He was already working on a type of flak shell for his cannons. If a dragon can be killed by an iron bolt, then they wouldn't last long when you filled the sky with chunks of metal. He was still years away from making one but that was ok seeing as Lelouch didn't really expect for dragons to show back up on the world stage. Still it was always best to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.
Once you eliminate all of that you're only left with one thing and it was not something he was sure he could deal with. The Long Night and the Battle for the Dawn was a well-known story told to children for thousands of years, and there was the problem. Most people even as far up here in the North thought of it as nothing more than a story. For those few who believed it had happened they thought the Others were extinct and that nothing like that could or would ever happen again. Even if Lelouch could find some evidence proving otherwise anything short of a living example wouldn't convince anyone. Hell, even then most people would refuse to believe it after all it was human nature to ignore things that were unpleasant to think about and bury your head in the sand till it all went to hell.
Now Lelouch was not ready to believe it himself seeing as no evidence showing that something like that was happening but reports coming from Lieutenant commander Jon Umber reported that the wildlings seemed to be fleeing South. This was proven by the fact that more then a fare amount of them had taken the offer of being allowed the head forwarder south in exchange for them bending the knee to House Stark. There were also rumors of a cold frost coming down from the Land of Aways Winter and talk of a new King-Beyond-the-Wall among the wildlings of Hardhome. Lelouch was not worried about that last part seeing as Hardhome was now one of the most fortified places in the land. The concrete wall was up, and the iron gate was completed just last week. To add to its fortification, cannons had been sent to line the wall with canister shot rounds that could mow down any enemy foolish enough to attack Hardhome.
Laughter rang out just below him and he looks up to see what was going on. It seems Bran had fired a shot that missed badly, and his brothers were having a good laugh about it.
"And which one of you was a marksman at ten? Ned asks of his sons. They stop laughing as they hear their fathers voice but the smiles on their faces don't go away.
"If I recall correctly father Arya was quite the marksman at 10." Lelouch says with a matter of fact voice.
Ned looks at his son and before Bran can get discouraged, he says with a smile. "True son but if I recall right you were a terrible shot at ten. In fact, didn't you accidentally hit Hodor once when he was standing far off to the side."
At their fathers' words Robb, Jon, and Bran start laughing so hard they double over recalling that day.
"Yes, poor Hodor. I still don't understand how I shot an arrow that deflected off a piece of metal and somehow hit him in the ass. Now whenever I am near a bow he mysteriously vanishes." Lelouch says in a flat voice which just makes everyone in hearing distance fall over in laughter.
Once he gets control of himself Robb says. "Speaking of Arya, where is she? I was sure she would have ditched her sewing lesson and once she found out Bran was training in the bow today."
Cat looks at her son and says, "She is with Sansa, Wylla and Septa Mordane doing her needlework lesson."
"And pry tell milady how you are so sure she is there?" Jon asks. His half-sister would never pass up a chance to show up her younger brother, so he had his doubts she was still there.
"I just had to tell her if she skips her lesson that she would not only get the tongue lashing of a life time, but I wouldn't let her take any more lessons from Diana when she returns." Cat says in a cold voice that makes Jon's, Robb's and Bran's backs go straight feeling a bit of fear towards her.
Lelouch just laughs at this till a man of the Northern army who was assigned to guard Winterfell walks up to Ser Rodrik and tells him something that makes the grim man look even more so. He walks up to Ned and tells him something about a deserter from the Night's Watch being captured.
Ned's face goes cold as well at this news and orders Theon to go get the horses. Cat is not happy with them leaving seeing as they were having such a good day, but Ned reminds her of his duty. When he informs her that Bran is going as well, she gets even more upset.
"Ned, 10 is to young to see such a thing," Cat tells her husband.
"He won't be a boy forever and winter is coming." Ned tells her.
Walking up to his parents Lelouch says, "Father is right mother. This is a lesson that all Stark children must learn. I did it, Robb, Jon, Sansa and even Arya had to learn this."
Cat says nothing back despite wanting to. She knows her husband's and son's words to be true and it was something that must be done. Still she didn't like it and her face clearly showed that.
Facing his father Lelouch says, "Father I shell accompany you this time as well."
Ned just nods his head at this. Lelouch had never missed any of his siblings first execution and Ned knew he was not going to start now. It made him proud of his son to see how much he cared for them.
-Hours later-
The ride home was quiet after the execution of the deserter whose name was Will. Before his execution the man warned his father about the return of the White Walkers and how he had seen them. Were they the words of a madman like his father thought or were they words of truth? Lelouch didn't know and the word of one cowardly deserter didn't give him enough reason or justification to send people to go investigate.
"What are you thinking about son?" Ned asks as he rides next to Lelouch.
Looking at his father Lelouch says. "What that deserter said it disturbs me."
"Come on Lelouch you can't possibly believe what a coward and a deserter say." Theon says with a bit of a mocking tone.
Looking back at Theon with cold eyes Theon smug smile falls from his face as he feels a bit of fear go through his body. "It matters little if I believe him or not Theon. All that matters is the evidence that has been shown before me."
"And is there evidence that points to that man telling the truth?" Robb asks in a serious tome.
"No there isn't brother. However, reports have come in from Hardhome that stated that an unusual number of wildlings are fleeing South. More everyday show up at Hardhome looking to be taken in and many of them are also bending the knee to our house for the chance to flee past the wall. And these are not just women and children that are bending the knee but some of their fighting men to. There are even rumors of a new King-Beyond-the-Wall." Lelouch says with an even tone.
At Lelouch's words every man in their company start to feel a bit unnerved. It was a well-known fact that the wildlings preferred death to kneeling. So, the knowledge that many of them were doing so caused more than a bit of worry. After all what could scare them so much that they would willingly bend the knee. Then there was the thought of another King-Beyond-the-Wall. If there was one, then he could cause trouble for the North that was not wanted or needed at this time. They do take some comfort in how even Lelouch's tone is and how Lord Stark seems unworried.
It is but a show however for if you were riding next to Ned or Lelouch you would see that they in deed were concerned. Ned's eyes betrayed his worry for he could not help but recall the night his son told him he was reborn in to this world to battle some great evil. Could it be that this was the evil his son was meant to deal with? Ned didn't know that answer, but he still held out hope that no evil would ever come to pass, no matter how naive he knew that hope to be.
Lelouch's concerns came however from the lack of information he had on hand. It was frustrating that the only place in the world where he could not gather information from was as it stood the one place where he needed it most. He was hoping to have at least another 15 to 20 years to prepare for whatever was to come but if what that deserter had said was true and the white walkers were indeed coming back then he doubted he had that long.
As they kept riding, they all spotted a dead stag.
They all got off their horses to check on the dead stag. "What is it?" Jon asks
"Mountain lion?" Theon guesses.
Shaking his head Ned says, "No mountain lions in these woods."
"Yes, and I am more then sure mountain lions do not have antlers." Lelouch says with a roll of his eyes as Theon looks back at him giving a rude gestura in return.
Wishing to find out what did this they follow the trail towards the river where they come across the corpse of a direwolf mother. Theon says something or the other and his father says something in turn but Lelouch is no longer paying attention for his mind is thinking about more important things. Direwolfs have not been seen this far South of the wall in at least 200 years. Is this just a coincidence or was it fleeing something from the North? Animals did have a heighten sense of danger, so it was not hard to believe it would flee here out of a sense of pending doom. Whichever it was Lelouch didn't like how the evidence was stacking up on his suspicions.
"What do you say Lelouch should we not keep them?" Jon asks looking to him for support and Bran looking at him with pleading eyes.
Lelouch may not have been fully paying attention to what was being said around him, but he got the gist of it. "I don't see why not. We can give the five of them to my younger siblings. Gods know they could use some responsibilities."
Bran's face lights up with joy at his brothers support knowing that his father would more than likely listen to Lelouch's words. Robb just feels insulted by what his older brother just said but does not let his irritation get the better of him knowing that his brother would love nothing more than for him to show he is getting under his skin. That irritation however turns to laughter when a little black blur rushes out of the bushes and bites Theon in the leg who still holding one of the pups in his hand and a knife in the other.
Giving a loud painful cry Theon calls out "Son of a whore! Get it off me get it off!"
All of the men save Ned and Rodrik start to laugh at Theon's plight. Even Lelouch gives a soft laugh and says, "Oh looks like we missed one. Good job finding it Theon."
Theon falls down dropping his knife and the pup at the same time. "Go to hell Lelouch! Get the fucking thing off me!" He yells as he shakes his leg and the pup goes flying off.
Once the pup lands on the ground it gets right up and runs right behind Lelouch's legs and growls at Theon.
Looking down at the pup Lelouch can't help but smile. "Well well looks like the pup is a good judge of character." Lelouch then bends down and picks it up easily.
It is Ser Rodrik who says something as he gets a good look at the pup that bit Theon. "My young lord I don't think that can be called a pup. It's almost twice the size of the other 5."
"You mean six Ser Rodrik there is one still hiding in the bush that this one came out from." Lelouch says then looks down at the pup in his arms. "Hmm your right this one does seem to be a bit bigger than the others."
As Lelouch says this Jon goes to the bush and picks up a pure white one. Before he can say anything, Theon who has just gotten back up on his feet looks at the pup in Lelouch's arms with anger. "I don't care if there are 7 of them or if you keep the fucking things just let me kill that one."
"Now now Theon, no need to be so upset he was just protecting his siblings." Lelouch says but then takes on a look of realization and holds out the pup facing it towards him. "That must make you the oldest and smartest. I know how you feel it is hard looking after your younger siblings with how clumsy they can be. Such a hard life we older siblings have." And like the pup can understand Lelouch it barks as if it agrees.
Now it's not just Robb who is irritated with Lelouch but Jon and Bran as well. And all as one they say, "Go to hell Lelouch!"
"Enough!" Ned yells out before Lelouch can say something back and starts another fight with his siblings. "You may keep them, but you will take care of them yourselves. That goes double for you Lelouch. No having you brothers, sisters or servants looking after yours."
"Of course, father I wouldn't think of it." Lelouch says as he follows his father back to his horse. "Now what should I call you. I know I will call you Fenrir."
"Brother isn't Fenrir the name of the monstrous wolf that killed the king of the gods in one of your fantasy books that you wrote?" Bran asks.
Looking back at his brother with an evil smile Lelouch says "Why yes, it is Bran. Why do you ask?"
His brother smile sends a cold chill down Bran's back, "N….no reason."
"Evil brother." Everyone thinks at once.
-Winterfell days before the wedding-
Shirley was literally bouncing in her seat as they were just moments from entering the main court yard of Winterfell. This of course was annoying her cousin and sisters to no end.
"Shirley will you sit still already." Arianne says in a sharp tone.
Looking over at her cousin Shirley says. "I can't help it Arianne in a moment I will get to see my darling Lulu again after such a long time apart."
Arianne just rolls her eyes. "It's been less then two years Shirley and you write him all the time."
"That may be but Lelouch is so busy he doesn't get to write back all that much." Whines out Shirley.
Arianne's annoyed face becomes even more clear, but she says nothing knowing there is no point in trying to make Shirley behave herself. She would settle down once they were fully inside Winterfell anyways. Shirley may have a whimsical if not erratic personality, but she would never embarrass their house or the house she was about to become apart of.
With that knowledge on hand Arianne's mind turns to what she has seen of the North so far. The climate she could honestly say was not to her liking, and that went for everyone else as well. Well everyone if you were not Shirley who just loved it, but Arianne suspected that had more to do with the Black Wolf being here then a actual like for this place. She did have to admit however that it did have its own charm once you got pass the biting cold of it. The rolling hills, the trees, and paved roads that where clearly new, painted a lovely picture.
Then there was Wintefell itself and the town around it that was called Winter Town. In Arianne's opinion they really needed to change the name because it couldn't be called a town anymore. Just like in White Harbor she saw new buildings being built for the smallfolk, with the only difference being that these buildings were far more plane then White Harbor. Each building still had glass windows and doors, but they were made simpler with little decoration to them. She guessed she really shouldn't have been surprised by that seeing as when the heir of Winterfell, his brother and the Grayjoy came to Sunspear it was only the Grayjoy who took great pleasure in the luxuries they had to offer. For the to Stark boys they kept things moderate and didn't give in to excess during their stay.
Feeling the carriage stop Arianne knew they had arrived in the court yard of Winterfell. She put on her game face and readied herself to meet her cousins soon to be family. Looking over at Ellaria she saw her do much the same. Gone was the teasing woman she had known all her life and, in her place sat a mother who would do anything to protect her daughter which to Ellaria Shirly was.
Stepping out of the carriage they were greeted by the site of the Stark family. At the head of them was of course Lord Stark himself, by his side his lady wife Lady Catelyn Stark and standing just slightly behind them are their children. The first one Arianne looked at was Robb Stark who was now one of the captains of the Northern Army Elites better known as the Wolf Pack. Though if rumors were true that would not be for much longer seeing as the word was that his grandfather Hoster Tully had named him his heir after the death of his son Ser Edmure Tully. Next to Robb was his half-brother Jon Stark whose name became well known for his adventure into the ruins of Valyria. It was the first known successful exploration of that place and there was even a book written about it by Jon himself which detailed the exploration. Now Arianne had not read it herself but by all accounts, it was a very boring book that read more like a report to a lord then a personal account of the journey. In fact, other than her father Arianne didn't know anyone in her family who had fully read the book.
Standing my Jon side was the oldest daughter of Lord Stark and Lady Stark one Lady Sansa Stark. From what Arianne knew about the girl she was a famed dress maker here in the North and the Riverlands with some of her designs being seen in the other Kingdoms as well. She held herself with the proper grace a noble lady should, had a beauty that was rare to see in one so young, and by appearance look meek, but Arianne was not fooled. Like her cousins Shirley or to a lesser degree Nymeria she looked meek, but if you paid careful attention you could see the small hints that showed she was on guard ready to strike at a moment's notice if need be.
After her were the youngest siblings whose names she had only just learned before she had arrived at Winterfell. The youngest daughter was named Arya if she recalls right and had the look of a born trouble maker. If that was true, she and Shirley would get along well. The one next to her if she guessed right was the 2nd youngest boy whose name was Brandon. He looked curious at first but then Arianne and his eyes met. His face went red and Arianne had to cover her mouth so as to not show the smile that was now there. No more than a minute has passed and already she has one of the Stark boys smitten. He may have been one of the youngest but still it was flattering to see him get lost in her beauty and not Shirley's. Looking at the youngest of the Starks she sees that he is more nervous then the others and looks about ready to run behind his mother's skirt. His name was Rickon the youngest of the Stark children if she was right.
Last but not least was the one who stood next to Lord Stark himself and if you were to ask anyone from Dorne over shadowed him, Lelouch Stark. He looked just as handsome as Arianne remembered, but gone were the cold calculating eyes. In their place were soft loving eyes that had yet to look away from Shirley. In this moment it was clear that she was all that mattered to him in all the world and the rest of them were just forgettable background. The same could be said for Shirley for she too had yet to look away from him. As everyone greeted each other as was proper Lelouch and Shirley only halfheartedly greeted everyone in turn till they finally got to speak to each other.
"Princess Shirley it has been too long." Lelouch says with a small smile on his lips.
"Indeed, it has Lord Stark. Pry tell did you miss me?" Shirley asks of him with a hint of curiosity.
"To say I have missed you would be to small of a word to say how much I have longed to see you once more." Lelouch's voice is flat but his words echo with such sincerity that all know his words to be true.
Shirley's face quickly reddens at his words. "Well it is a good thing that before the week is out you will have no reason to miss me anymore, for I will be yours and yours alone."
The look in Lelouch's eyes speak of love and joy that can't be missed by anyone who is watching the two of them. "And I yours milady. Please do me the honor of allowing me to show you around your soon to be new home."
"I would love nothing more than for you to show me our home Lulu." Shirley says with a smile as she takes his arm and they walks off fully forgetting to bid farewell to everyone.
-Wedding day-
It was a wonderful day in Lelouch's mind. During his first life he had given up so much and though he did not regret it he still realized that before it was all over, he would lose even more. He feared what he may lose in this civil war that he was going to instigate, and that was to say nothing of what he may lose against this great evil that was to come. But for today however he would put those fears aside and let himself bask in the happiness that was his wedding day. To marry the girl, he had lost so long ago though she was not the same girl she was still the girl he loved. He worried that he could not make her happy, that she would die before him, but he was older now and had put those fears behind and accepted that he may indeed lose her, but he would not stop himself from letting himself have however much time he had with her slip by again. He had to wonder if he could be called a pervert in his old world seeing as he was really a 34-year-old man in a young man's body who was about to marry a girl who could have been the same age of his own daughter if he had lived long enough to have children.
As Lelouch waited under the heart tree for his bride to show up, he looks at his family. His father, mother, brothers and sisters who he had come to love just as much as Nunnally. The wedding had been agreed to be in the old way much to his mother's irritation. As a follower of the Seven she didn't like it one bit, but Shirley didn't care one way or the other, so his mother had to let it go.
Speaking of his bride to be there she was walking towards him with her father by her side. She was stunning and Lelouch could feel his breath being taken away. The white dress his sister had made for her was done in what would have been called a Victorian style wedding dress made out of the finest silks. Finally, after what felt like an eternity Oberyn presents Shirley to Lelouch then takes a step back as Lelouch's father goes over the ceremonial conversation identifying the bride.
When ask if she accepts Lelouch as her husband Shirley answers, "Yes now and forever I accept him as my husband." Her words are spoken with such joy that all know that this is no political marriage but one of love which is so rare in their world.
Joining hands, they both kneel before the heart tree and give a silent prayer. Shirley of course prays for a happy marriage and long life with her husband. Lelouch on the other hand does not give a prayer but a promise of destruction to who ever or whatever is watching him if it tried to take her away from him. In reply to his promise Lelouch feels a small amount of fear coming from the tree in front of him. It would seem they got his message.
Rising to their feet Lelouch removes Shirley's maiden cloak and replaces it with the bride cloak. At that the people of Winterfell gives out a cheer so loud that it shakes the very ground. Kissing his bride Lelouch lifts her in his arms and carries her to the feast.
-Lelouch's Room aka Tower of the Wolf-
Shirley was feeling happier then she can ever remember feeling before in her whole life. She had look forward to this day for 2 years and it was everything she could have ever hope for. The wedding was wonderful, the dress was wonderful the feast and food was wonderful. Lords and nobles from all over the land had shown up for the wedding and even her cousins Ser Deziel Dalt and Ser Andrey Dalt had shown up for the wedding. The only ones to not show were of course the lords of the Westerlands, Reach and Iron Islands though many of the Houses of the Reach did send representatives. One of the best things was that the horse shit of a king didn't come to her wedding.
Oh, how happy she and the rest of her family were when he sent a letter explaining why he couldn't show. If it were not for the circumstances for his not showing she would have laugh at the reason. She never had a high opinion of the crown prince but to think the fool would lose over 100,000 dragons in the span of a week, which brought the construction of the Winter Roses Bridge to a complete halt. Yes, she could have just laugh at the fool if it was not for the fact that his fuck up got in the way of her Lulu's plans for the bridge whatever those were.
King Robert not showing had of course put her father in a wonderful mood and that was help even more so when Lelouch gave her father a Valyrian steel spear as a gift and he even gave her cousin Deziel a Valyrian bastard sword as well. Every lord in Westeros was trying to carry favor with the North just to get their hands on a Valyrian steel weapon. Seven hells that is why so many of them were here, just so they could make offers of better trade deals or try to flat out pay for one. Fools the only reason House Martell and House Dalt got one was because of her marrying the heir of the North. If it wasn't for that Shirley doubted, they would have ever got one.
"Is their something you find funny my dear." Lelouch smiles as he looks at her standing there in her wedding dress with an amused smile on her lips.
Looking at her wonderful husband Shirley smiles, "Nothing much Lulu, I just can't help but find it funny how all those lords showed up mostly just in hopes to earn your family's favor."
Lelouch himself can't help but give a small smile at that, "Yes well the parasites will all ways go were the warmest body is."
"You are going to make a lot of enemies from giving my families those weapons like party trinkets and not the other lords you know." Shirley says with a worried look.
"Indeed, I will." Is all Lelouch says back to her.
Shirley's eyes narrow at that, "You want them to see you as their enemy don't you."
"Possibly." Lelouch answers.
Looking at Lelouch with soft yet strong eyes Shirley starts to remove her dress. "Lulu no secrets, no lies between us. I am not the same Shirley you knew from before. I am stronger then she was, and I will help you in whatever it is you have planned."
-Warning Lemon Skip if you don't want to read it-
Letting her dress hit the floor she reveals her breasts and womanhood to Lelouch's eyes.
With his face turning a deep red Lelouch says, "Truly you are a Goddess who walks the world."
She walks to her new husband with a teasing smile on her face. "And this Goddess now belongs to you my dear husband."
Saddling his knees, she kisses him deeply and he kisses her back. The kiss soon grows in intensity as they get lost in each other. Flipping her over so she is under him Lelouch removes his shirt as Shirley watches on as his tone and muscled chest is revealed. Standing back up Lelouch starts to remove his pants but Shirley sits up and stops him, so she can do it herself. She soon has them undone and pulls them to the ground and Lelouch kicks them off.
Laying back down they resume their kissing till he moves on to kissing her cheek then neck as Shirley moans in pleasure. Lelouch then kisses her jaw line and moves on to her breasts. He sucks on her right breast as one of his hands plays with the other. The moans of pleasure coming from Shirley is the sweetest music he has ever heard, and he wishes to hear more.
Moving his hand from her breast down her stomach her breathing becomes labored. When his hand finally reaches her womanhood her back arches as she releases a loud moan. Finding her wet with arousal he inserters one of his fingers much to her pleasure. They go back to kissing as Lelouch slowly moves his finger inside her.
Most women of her time would be finding with the man taking control of the love making but Shirley is not like most women. So, using what strength she has left she somehow flips Lelouch over and smiles at him. She kisses his lips and then made her way south kissing his chest. She kept going south till she is at his manhood which was standing straight up. She then licked the shaft and began to suck on the tip and put her mouth around it.
Because he died a virgin Lelouch has never felt such pleasure before and moans loudly. Knowing he will not last long if this keeps up Lelouch pulls Shirley up and kisses her neck leaving love bites along it. Sitting them both up Lelouch has Shirley saddle his lap and she wraps her legs around him. For a moment they just look in to each other's eyes getting lost in the love they have for each other.
"Lelouch, I'm ready." Shirley whispers in to his ear then kisses his neck.
Lining himself up with her womanhood he pushes in slowly. Shirley gives a moan of both pain and pleasure as tears of happiness fall from her eyes. The dream, her dream of marrying the man she had loved in two lives had finally come true. There was no greater happiness in her mind.
Lelouch pulls out and thrusts back in and repeated it over and over as Shirley moans got louder and louder. "Harder, faster," Shirley moans out then falls to her back as Lelouch follows her. He uses his hands to keep from squashing her and keeps thrusting into her. They kiss deeply as Shirley's legs and arms wrapped around his body. Their moans grow louder and more frequent till they could both feel themselves reaching the end.
"Lulu, I am coming," Shirley moans out.
"Me too my love." Lelouch said as he picks up the pace.
"LULU/SHIRLEY!" They shout out as they both came. Both are breathing heavily and sweat glistened on their bodies. Resting their foreheads against each other they smile. They kiss one last time before Lelouch rolls over and she rests her head on his chest.
- Lemon end –
"That…That was amazing." Shirley says in a breathless voice.
"I am happy you enjoyed yourself. And just think we have the rest of our lives to enjoy each other." Lelouch says with a smile.
"Yes, and the rest of tonight as well." Shirley looks up at him and gives him a lustful look that says he will not be getting any rest to night.
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So that is the end of this chapter and thank you for reading. Now I know there will be question likes, dislikes and all that.
So, to save time I was not fully happy with the part about the down fall of the Freys and feel I could do better. But like I said I have it has not been beta and will most likely change down the road at some point.
Ok so I found out that if I am bad at battle scenes, then I suck badly at Lemons and am happy to note that their will not be many of them in the future. If someone can do one for me that is better please do.
I plan to give the wedding a flashback because I skip over a lot of what I wanted to do so I could get this chapter out. If you all don't think I don't need to then I won't but it is in the plans for now.
Anyways I hope you all enjoyed and I well seen you next time
P.S 1-6 have been re beta once more and working on 7 now.