Chapter 8:
A/N: Welcome all! New chapter and a bit longer than normal. I am in the middle of moving and changing jobs so updates may end up being slower than usual. Enjoy!
The bay of White Harbor opened in the distance, merchant ships and fishing vessels gliding before us as we set course for an open dock. The Merman banners flew at every sail, wall and tower though above the New Castle a single Direwolf whipped above all others. Clearly the Manderly's held their oath of fealty as an honor.
Seeing the sailors begin to scurry upon deck I made myself scarce as to not get in their way, my companions doing the same we moved towards the captain at the back of the ship directing operations.
As we got closer, I instructed the servants to begin gathering our belongings and to have mine sent directly to Winterfell, I wouldn't be staying long in White Harbor. Nodding to myself I turned to Theo Wull, "Will you come to Winterfell for the Harvest Festival?" I ask conversationally.
He nodded back, assenting his travel plans in an moon and a half time.
Theo was one of the only lords who stayed behind that lived in the harsh Mountains of the North, the rest of his brethren had left for the North directly from the battlefield under the command of Jeor Mormont, lord of Bear Island, a massive island on the western coast of the North, known for their black bears and she Warriors like Maege Mormont who wields a wicked spiked Mace.
Maege was on the ship alongside Howland, Wendall Manderly brother of Lord Wyman, Roose Bolton, Martyn Cassel, his brother Rodrick, and half a dozen Stark guards and my Banner Lords own escorts. The ship was a gift from the King, a massive Bravosi made ship made for mercantile transport. Already I had half a hundred ideas on how to exploit such a princely gift. A gift may be more of an exaggeration, it was given to me for my help in farretting out the truth of the purposeful misinformation given to Brandon by the bastard Petyr Baelish and Lysa Arryn Nee Tully.
Flash back:
3 week prior.
After meeting with the king I had began Gathering supplies and hiring a ship to take my men and I home North. I decided to take a walk through the city for the first time just to see why so many wished to come to this wretched smelling cesspool.
Flanked by two of my Household guard, Wyl and Artrin I rode out from the Red Keep. We made our way towards the Street of Steel, I had heard it held the best craftsmen in the entire Kingdom. We dismounted and began perusing wares left and right.
Men of every culture I had never seen were calling out trying to barter their trade, from fancy thin water dancing swords to spears of Dorne and even a stall selling 'Goldheart bows' which looked beautiful yet I severely doubted were the genuine article.
Taking my time I inspected several shields and armored coats of steel and hardened leathers at a Master Armourer from the Vale. While I found the plate steel to be too cumbersome the shields were large and well made. I decided to put an order for 200 after the Merchant assured me they would be ready for delivery before the end of the week. Thanking the man I gave him directions to have them brought to the Red Keep, where once the order had been delivered I would have it paid for.
Rhaegar had been very insistent that large orders shouldn't be paid for in advance, too many merchants would disappear without completing their jobs.
Giving the enthusiastic man a nod I turned to face a large shop owned by a Tobho Mott, a Qohori Master Smith whom was well recommended and a new commodity here in King's Landing. Entering the front of the shop, the ring of hammers on metal could be heard from the back room, a young olive skinned girl sat near the back wall, a table cluttered with scrap metals arranged in front of her. She stood up abandoning her tinkering to greet us.
"Milord, how may Master Mott be of assistance today?" A foreign accent coloring her speech, one I could not place.
"I would like to see what the Master has for Armor and possibly to see his sword, poleaxe, and spear selections." I tell her politely.
"Of course my Lord, if you will follow me I shall show you what is on display, Master Mott will join you momentarily."
Nodding my accent I trailed after the girl into an armory style room with row after row of finely made weapons, and then into another filled solely with sets of armor, helms, and the like.
The girl who's name was Melsa bowed and left to find her employer.
Taking a moment to let my eyes search the mannequins of steel armor I took a few steps forward to an exquisite set of light plate armor.
Pale steel with swirls in the steel, made to mimic Valyrian steel no doubt, it was a solid chest piece, with steel plates to cover the entire legs, arms, and gauntlets to protect your hands. Runes of some language filled every inch of the metal, the same swirls in the steel shone as well. It was truly beautiful. The helm was a rounded full head helm with a crown of steel on top, to protect from arrow fire most like.
I lifted the chest piece up and was surprised to see it weighed less than typical armor of its contemporary rivals. Oh I was impressed now.
Nodding to myself I put it back in its place and began looking at the other wares around me.
'I will put an order in for one set for myself, and see about ordering full sets like this, from the thickness they are about and eight of an inch, that seems to be a norm for this Smith.' I think to myself. If I remember correctly most heavy pate was closer to an inch or more from the other smiths on this street!
I was broken from my musing as a darker skinned man, in his latter 20s arrived.
"Ah Ser how my Master Tobho help you today!" The man gave a sweeping bow. An easy smile on his face.
"Master Mott I presume?" I ask humored by the man's antics.
"Yes, it is I!" He laughed out loud, causing me to allow a chuckle.
"This armor is amazing, would it be possible to have a set made before the end of the week, nothing extravagant just how this one here is made please." I say leading him to the pale blue/grey steel I had admired so.
"If you allow me to gather your measurements, this set may just be made for you my Lord!" He tells me as I nod my accent and remove my cloak and hand it to Wyl.
He reached into his Blacksmith smock and produced a round of knotted rope and a similar set of strings. At my questioning look her ushered me towards a clear glass mirror as he began to speak.
"The larger rope is for height, chest and arms, the strings I use for the fingers and head. This set of armor actually a new design I have been able to create from my Qohori training, it follows the process of making Valyrian steel that is partially known, as you know the true way has been lost for nearly 400 years." He says, taking my measurements with an excited voice he continued.
"I have a plate that I can demonstrate its durability in the back if you would like! I also have made some 300 hundred spear heads and a single sword made of the same metal, albeit it is not at the same level of Valyrian steel it is the closest you'll find I can promise you that!" His tone became incredibly proud of his achievement.
I humble agree for the demonstration and asked to see the spears and sword if possible as he finished his measurements and exclaimed.
"Ser please try the armor on! It seems the gods have made their decision!" I did as I was bade and began placing on the armor over my thinly made southern made clothes. The man explained his process of making the armor by hand, ranting that "If my arms didn't tire as all men's do I could make thousands of sets, the process my Lord is simple really if you can keep a secret" he whispers excitedly to me, I nodded in acceptance.
"Fold the metal, beat it, fold, beat and repeat!" He giggles in excitement. I smile and tell him it was the most extraordinary made metal I had ever seen.
'It isn't much, but is folding the metal that important?' I ask myself, resolving to look into it when I return to Winterfell, as our own sword Smith had spent much time in Essos before returning back North to follow in his father's footsteps as the Smith of Winterfell.
"It fits like a second skin!" It tell Mott as I went about moving in the armor, turning to look at myself in the mirror I couldn't help but gasp in shock.
"Damn that looks good Sire!" Astrin called, Wyl quickly agreeing with him.
"Lord Mott I will be purchasing this set today after the demonstration, I would like to see the spears and sword, now though." I tell him, thinking if the armor is as well made as it looked, I would be spending many golden Dragons making me grimace.
'What's the point of hoarding gold if you don't use it' I think, remember my family's habit of hiding away large amounts of gold, a sizeable bit in the Iron bank, the Westerosi Branch that was based here in King's Landing.
Nodding excitedly the man helped me remove the metal coverings and lead us to the first room filled with weapons, specifically to the eastern wall lined with 9 foot spears of the same dull grey/blue steel, the points themselves were a foot long and the spear butts were spiked counter balances as well.
Master Mott picked up one spear, and lead us to another section of racks but for swords of gleaming steel, one in particular stood out as it sat by itself in a cushioned velvet case. Its grey/blue steel was swirled as the armor and spears, but it had been shined to project its superiority of craft. The blade was a bastard longsword and was only two inches in width, a deep fuller running down its blade with runes etches all its length.
The guard was two metal prongs curling slightly up of the same metal, its hand and a half handle made of finely made ironwood leading to a rounded pompel with a hole through it. It looked almost like one of the Swords my uncle Tyne used but straight, double sided, and not curved.the blade was as thin as Ice, the ancestral sword of house Stark.
"Follow me please my Lord." Mott broke me out of my thoughts as he lifted to sword by the handle and made his way towards the door to the front of the store.
We followed after hurriedly, trekking through the second door of the front room which lead to a long hall with many doors leading elsewhere.
We walked through the door of the smithy with the clattering of hammers from apprectinces all whom were incredibly focused upon their craft not bothering to look at us as we passed.
We exited the building in a medium sized courtyard behind the shop, fenced in by high walls on all sides.
"My lord if you'll take this." He handed me the spear and motioned towards a practice target wearing an un polished version of the chest armor I had tried on.
"Please take the spear and attack that Mannequin, I am going to retrieve a crossbow as well!" He calls, handing the sword to Artin and rushing off.
Taking a breath I take a stance and began a series of swings and quick jabs, swirls and slashes taught to me by my Dornish friend Lord Wyvn Vaith.
Feeling warmed up I move to the target and began to replicate my attacks on the unmoving foe. A set of jabs and shuffling back, an attack from the side and a strike from a low guard, using my full strength behind each one I went on and on for nearly 10 minutes finally stopping I turned to the Master Smith a huge smile on my face.
"Not a blood scratch on either!" I tell him to his own knowing grin.
"My Lord, try the sword, see how it feels im had!" He tells me taking the spear as Artin moves to pass me the blade, my guard took turns with the spears as well on imaginary enemies. After all they were the ones who would be using them in the future.
Taking a few calming breaths I move toward the target and start a sequence of strike after strike, flowing from one to another, taking steps here and there slashing and swinging with force. Sparks flew once again as the high quality steel met, yet no notches were made, no rounding or dulling of the blade appeared as I finally stop, sweat pouring from my body, as I laughed out loud.
'It feels like a shorter, more manageable Ice!' I chuckled to myself.
I tell the Master Smith my thoughts, admitting I preferred a bastard Longsword to the Valyrian Greatsword I used.
"You own a Valyrian Greatsword!" The man shouted In astonishment.
Realizing I hadn't even told the man my name I quickly explain who I was.
"Master Tobho Mott I am Lord Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North."
"My word! The quiet wolf indeed sire! I say, if you allow me to study this Ice, I would half the price upon the entire order! I know the correct process of molding the steel but have not the chance to actually test the steel but once when I was an apprentice.!"
Oh hell yes.
I quickly agreed to his terms as we went inside where the girl from before was waiting with a platter of watered wine and foods at a dining table. We sat, including my guard and began haggling over prices for the shipment of spears, the armor and the sword I would be taking with me that day.
In the end with the reduction of price I found little to haggle over and refused to insult the mams craft and pulled out a large purse of gold and counted out the appropriate amount of dragons, and a sizable commission for the man, a letter of writ with my personal seal for the transaction for the spears to the Iron Bank.
Instead of boxing the armor I decided to wear it over the set of mail that the Master gifted to me, and the sword slung over my back I cut an intimidating figure, both guards took a singular spear for themselves and then a bundle for the men at arms I still held in the Capitol.
With new shields and spear for my garrison at Winterfell, and now an incredible set of armor and a beautiful blade on my back as well. I felt light, almost giddy as we rode back towards the Illuminated Red Keep as the sun began to set making the bloody red of the Keep stand out even more.
Reaching the Keep I dismounted ordering the men to give out the spears to their brothers at arms, and decided to take a stroll through the gardens as the sun continued to set.
As I walked slowly through the high bushed maze of colorful flowers, I let the fresh sea air waffe over me and fill me with a sense of peace. Today had been a wonderful day.
Just as I was entering a section of the garden closer to the Western Wall I heard voices in hushed tones.
"Lysa my love, you must tell me why you are so flushed!"
Lysa? As in Tully?
"Oh Petyr! It's terrible being married to that disgusting old man! I don't want to bear him children! I don't want to!" A high pitched voice raged from across the thick bushes.
"My dear you must, he is young husband no?" A the male voice soothed.
"Oh Petyr Father should have had you marry me! Why me? Oh why couldn't he have died like he should have! That letter that wolf bitch sent would have ruined your idea, that's why you burnt it right? So we could marry, when the nasty old man died!"
'What the hell is going on!?' I rage trying to keep my calm as I slowly begin to inch towards the opening of the maze that lead to their side. I needed to see them to be sure.
They continued speaking as I did so.
"We just have to readjust our plans my dear! I am due back to Gulltown and must leave tomorrow to make it, no one knows I am here other than yourself. Yes, the letter would have stopped Brandon Stark and his foolish plan but you made sure he went, to avenge me, oh I will never forget that my dear Lysa." Petyr said sickeningly to the distressed woman.
"He deserved it after what he did to you, oh Petyr my sister was so upset that she had to marry the spare! She wanted to join the silent sisters from the shame of marrying that second born fool Eddard!" She laughed hastily revealing the truth of Catelyn Tully.
'Is that true?' I think to myself as I look up and see a set of mail clad Targaryen men at arms being led by Ser Arthur towards me a smile forming on his handsome face as he opened his mouth to greet me.
Quickly raising a hand slicing the air in front of my throat I crouched back down gesturing for the men to do the same.
Immediately Ser Arthur's face morphed into a serious one and did as I had gestured and crept towards me guards in tow not making a sound as they heard Lysa and Petyr continue their damning confession.
"This is what you must do my dear, so that we can be together, you must do your duty and keep me apprised with everything you hear, I will be working in Gulltown and once I have made a name for myself you can get your Lord Husband to bring me here to become the Master of Coin." Petyr Baelish tells her, as she replies I could hear fabrics moving.
"Oh yes, anything to be with you Petyr!"
I looked over at the guards and Ser Arthur who looked as pale as I. Nodding to Arthur I gesture for the guards to take point on either side of the maze as Ser Arthur and I would rush in with swords drawn to capture the couple in the act.
Once I saw that we were on the same page Arthur and I both gripped our weapons and launched around the final bend drawing our blades coming face to face and a half naked Lysa Tully sitting upon the cock of a dark haired slight of build man with his britches around his ankles sitting upon a stone bench.
"You are hereby under arrest in the name of the King!" I roar sword pointed steadily at Lysa Tully's back. Arthur spoke next as I tried to reign in my fury.
"You will stand slowly wench! Boy if you so much as move suddenly without my saw so I'll gut you." His menacing voice hissed from clenched lips.
"No! No! Petyr please do something!" Lysa began to wail Muttering and sobbing rocking back and forth on the mans still sheathed cock.
Baelish's face showed horror and would have been pale as milk if it weren't for his cock being ridden which just made red as the castle we stood in.
Calling the guard over they each took hold of the thrashing woman, at which point the Baelish man had obviously released his seed from the look on his face.
Arthur personally took control of Petyr as we marched the duo through the Castle, men and women, commoners and nobles alike openly gossiping and gasping as we passed, making our way to the black cells where Baelish was secluded in one cell, and Lysa in the other each of the Guards taking post outside until gaolers could be fetched.
The screaming of the Tully was unbearable as we marched our way out of the cells, when Arthur turned towards me and spoke.
"I had been commanded by the King to find you for the Royal family wished you to join them supper, now we must break such news to the King and Lord Arryn." His voice low and filled with anger.
Anger that my own heart felt. Jon. Of no. This was going to destroy him, he had fallen for the young red headed girl that I knew.
Present:
It had been the scandal of the year, the most talked about gossip since before the war. Rhaegar was furious something not many had ever seen before after telling him of what I had heard. Lyanna hadn't said a word while I had told my tale, but I could see the blood of the wolf was rising in her, and Jon. Well Jon looked hurt, but oddly almost relieved as well.
In the end Baelish had not been given a trial and not given the choice of the Wall, he was executed by my own blade two days later, and Lysa was sent to the Silent sisters to atone for her sins.
Rhaegar had gifted me the Ship Blue Wind in payment even though I tried to decline Lyanna made me accept it. So now we were disembarking to a retinue of Lord Wyman and his heir Wylis Manderly.
Wyman was a large fat man, if I was being honest. He however was one of my most loyal bannermen and held the eastern coast and protected all our trade with Essos, he was my Naval expert and a dear friend of House Stark.
"Lord Stark! It's a pleasure to see you! White Harbor is yours sire!" He said while taking a step and dropping to one knee.
"Please my lord no need for that, Thank you for the warm welcome, it warms my North soul to back north!" I say, garnering a loud cheer from all around us as I help Wyman off his knee, he really was too large to be doing such a thing safely.
"Sire would you grace us with your presence for the eve?" His face hopeful.
Biting my tongue I nodded my acceptance of his hospitality, as his son offered the same to his peerage that travelled with me.
What followed was a, well, what felt like a never ending course of food. Seafare, veal, boar, light chicken dishes, and beef of every make and those I had not seen before. Manderly's could party that is for sure.
I sat at the head of the main table next to Wyman and Howland on my other side.
The night continued in that order as the main courses ended bards and fools began to entertain the gathered nobles, many whom had followed from King's Landing at the Manderly's request. I could see from my seat that Wyman had pushed is food away and was making hand gestures to servants before turning to speak with Howland and I.
"My Lord, you it be possible to meet in my solar to speak? At your discretion sire." He said as I listened intently, internally nodding to myself.
"Aye, now would be fine my Lord." I tell him glad to have an excuse to leave the merriment of the colorful and extremely loud hall.
He smiled toothily as he nodded and waved a chubby hand to motion me to follow him as he stood, Wylis following our migration to the Solar of the Merman of New Castle.
"Sire," he began as we were finally sat arranged around his stout office desk, horns of ale and mead in the gathered lords hands.
"I wished to speak to you of ramping up trade with the Essosi in Bravos, Qohor, and Pentos specifically as they each are in demand of our exports of lumbar and furs in the last few years."
"What do you mean? I wasn't aware we had such a trade agreements in place?" I say confused, leaning forward to look the man in the eye. I had plans do just this after all, however I might have miscalculated if it was already a lucrative industry, and how it was without my knowledge.
"No my Lord! It has only been a slight trade from the local market that has sent fur and lumber from my own lands in the past 3 years. I wish to do this on a large scale but I know I needed the approval of the Warden however your father, the gods rest his soul, would not allow it." He says in explanation assuaging my worries.
"Why is that?"
"He only spoke of closer relations to the south my Lord. He said that if we wished to prosper we would have to tie ourselves to the lower Kingdoms, my Lordâ .." He paused before continuing after a nod of encouragement from me. "It truly put myself and many others on edge, that we could not expand trade and business to the East, I know the KarStarks and the Bolton's wished to do something similar." He reveals.
'Never trust a Bolton.' I could hear my grandfather say in my head.
"You have my approval, however all lumber shipments and fur will pass through King's Landing that will be sent to the other Kingdoms, as per an agreement I signed with the King. A tax of 5% of the overall of each shipment will go to the Crown, and soon we will have ships filled with Flea Bottom Serfs that will be working the New Gift. Any shipments sent directly to Essos will be levied as per normal, however House Stark will also begin to take part in this Mechant business." Tell the men around me.
I look over at Howland who looked as if he wished to say something.
"Howland?"
"Ned, the Neck has much to offer and I would like to begin trading more often with the north. After all, Lizard Lion skin and meat are excellent fare." He tells us all.
"The hide of Lizard Lions are tougher than leathers and we have waterways that could benefit the North with traversing to the Riverlands as well as shipments of coal and Iron and other such resources don't have to go through King's Landing, correct?" He said
"That it is." I smile back at my friend
"Lord Manderly, I will be leaving my ship in your hands for now, it will be used for transporting merchandise for now." I say, though Wyman was already nodding his acceptance of the task.
"It will be my House's please to look after your flag Ship my Lord!"
"Thank you Wyman."
"To the North!" Wylis calls, raising his horn high.
"To the North!" We replied, draining our cups.
"Ned, what resources have been found on your lands so far?" Howland asked as we reclined back in our seats.
"Well, the Northern Hills above Winterfell carries more metals than I can count, but Iron, tin, copper, and Silver from What's been surveyed. The silver has a camp of guards protecting the area currently, and coal has already begun to be mined south of Winterfell.
Though Benjen has said that our lands farther north are incredibly untouched, and that there are pockets full of stones and gold waiting.those sites are highly guarded as well. Our Jarls are keeping the peace and protecting our lively hood, at the same time." I tell them all, though Howland already knew most of this.
"Wyman those people from King's Landing will begin arriving in the coming weeks, I will send you a list of where to direct each ship load soon. The majority will settle the New Gift, though I plan to have several of the less populated villages near long lake and the Rills begin to be settled as well. "
"You wish to spread the immigrantion so that they are surrounded by Northerns and are able to assimilate more smoothly." He summarizes for me.
"Yes." I say simply knowing what 10s of thousands of new labor could do.
"And religion my lord?" Wyman asks softly.
"I will not deny those men and women their gods, but I will not allow zealots to harm our people, any and all Septons or septas should be reviewed by yourself as the protector of the faith, and finally by myself. Those septons that wish to cut down weirwoods and cause riots will be excluded from coming to my North." I tell him seriously.
For his part Wyman nodded sighing in relief and acceptance.
"That is more than reasonable, sire. As I do with all Septons here in White Harbor they will be vetted accordingly and will be monitored juay as closely I do here."
Always dependable those Manderly's I couldn't help but laugh to myself.
I bide the men good night as I stumbled to my chambers, I haven't drank that much since I was a boy with Robert. Thinkings of him made my chest hurt, my brother by choice hadn't come to King's Landing and I had only a scarce amount of letters from the man. He was adjusting to life as the True Lord of Storm's End I knew. He had spoke of sending his brother Renly North in his letters, so that he could 'Toughen up' or something to that effect.
No, Robert did not wish to see the Queen, and how could I blame him? He was spurned and started a war for a woman who left on her own volition. I knew Robert would have to Marry soon, but would his whoring end? I didn't know.
He was a good man, I knew it, and so did others but his penchant for beautiful woman and drink were what scared me, those could kill a man quicker than a dagger.
I'll have to see him again, I resolved.
I had made it to my bed and passed out soon after.
Two weeks later of slow travel forced me to realize that I hated it, but finally Winterfell was but minutes away.
My party rode through the massive stone gateway of the southern gate avoiding going through Winter Town. We entered the courtyard as I lead by dismounting and turning to those that had gathered to welcome me home.
Benjen stood at the front, Catelyn at his side with a bundle in her arms.
Quickly I rushed forward dismissing protocol and with a look of trepidation on my face stopped short of my beautiful red haired wife.
"Lord Husband, Your son, Robert." She said quietly head bowed.
"My Lady. " I hesitate
She looked up with surprise on Her face at my soft tone.
She held the bundle out to me, tufts of dark brown hair peaked out, highlights of auburn when the sun shone on it.
Without a word I reached out and took the boy from her arms and found a set of grey/blue eyes staring back at me.
"My Son!" I shout in delight, holding the boy close as I state in wonder at the heir of Winterfell.
I stood like that for minutes, I couldn't say for sure how long. I was in awe of my child, my perfectly healthy child.
After a time I returned the child to his mother and cleared my voice as I turn towards my brother who held his own smile as we greet each other with a firm hug.
"Lord Stark, Winterfell is yours " Ben swept in a low bow, semi mockingly as we laughed and hugged again. He then turned and introduced me to the Maester, on his left, and as our custom I introduced myself to our servants and staff , and welcomed them as part of the family.
We retired to father's, well, my Solar to speak, Catelyn joined us as did the Maester.
I entered the round stone tower room, with its high windows that ran the entire length of the room, giving you the best view of all of Winterfell.
"Thank you Ben for doing this for me. Without you the North would have fallen into disarray." I tell my brother warmly.
"It was my duty Ned, though we will have much to talk about, there has been some going ons with Skagos and Skane in the last few months that I need to speak to you on, privately. " he tells me with, what looked like a blush? On his face?
"Oh course we can do so in the morning, Catelyn, tell me how was the ride from Riverrun? Are you well?" I ask suddenly, trying to bring my new wife into the fold.
She shifted In her seat with a dour look on her face.
"I did not realize I disliked travelling in a carriage my Lord, until this trip North." She said somewhat disgruntled, i could see the bruises under not only her eyes but Ben's, and the tight look he gave me when I spoke to her.
Filing away that tidbit I continued asking my wife questions as nicely as I possibly could until she rose and spoke of setting a feast she wished to oversee and bade me farewell in a still lukewarm way.
"Ben.." I started as the door closed behind her.
"She's a southron woman brother." Was his immediate reply.
I sigh, knowing there was more to it.
Ben noticed this and reached for the pitcher of ale, with ice in it and pour us each a healthy amount as he began to explain.
"She showed up and demanded that I give control of Winterfell to her. I politely declined and explained it was not our way. I swear brother I have tried to be as courteous as I could. But she has continued attempting to undermine every decision I have made. Luckily most of the servants have been with the family for years, Maester Lewin.." He gestured towards the man,
"He is a man of the North and knows our customs and everytime she wanted something done that was not acceptable he would allow me to know. Ned right now she hates me." He summed up his experience.
Before I could say anything Benjen continued.
"She ordered the men to begin building a Sept Ned! The men were furious! It took me days to get the chaos under control, and she's your wife so I couldn't be seen going against her. It has been a nightmare. " he took a long draw from his cup.
"No sept will be built in Winterfell." I say automatically. Others could have them, but not in Winterfell, my North Banners would rebel and go against me if I allowed this.
"My Lord, if I may." The Maester spoke up for the first time.
I nodded my assent.
"I have slowed the process and told the Lady that it would take time, it has calmed her for now. However we have began the repairs and renovations on the broken tower and the First Keep, both should be completed within 1 year. " he reported respectfully.
I could tell why Ben like the Maester so well, no southron ambitions.
"Thank you Maester, what of the surveyors?" I ask, might as well get the important business completed first.
"Sire, they have beens ending reports, there in the leather binder you'll find each under a tab for the type of metal or resource that has been found." He points out from his chair next to Benjen, a smile on Benjens face very much making him look like the boy he still was at 16.
"Ned. I went ahead and mapped out settlements and new Jarls to oversee the transportation and housing of people." Ben tells me, also point out another stack of folders for me to peruse.
"Maester send a copy of this map and instructions to White Harbor, Lord Wyman will coordinate the migration." I say handing him the map after looking it over, Pleased.
"Ser Rymer, and Ser Jaeger have already left to take up there duties at the Long Lake towns"
I had sent The Mooten men North with the rest of the men. I decided to give them each control of half of Long Lake each, Rymer the Northern half and Jaeger the southern, that say they could hand the shipping of good, and still be able to be independent lords on their own right. They both too 250 men apiece and this was the first report of them since leaving.
"From what I have been told they have been received well, as Long Lake hasn't had a lord in centuries. The long houses are in good repair so neither man should have much renovations to complete, they have both made deals to marry. Rymer with one of the Umber women, and Jaeger with a Dornish woman who had marched in your host I believe. " Benjen reports respectfully, another stack of papers in hand.
"They have both taken new Surnames and new emblems for their house's. Ser Rymer's a picture of a blue Long Lake one a white background and a dagger in the middle. For ser Jaeger he has also taken the Long Lake but white on a black background and a spear in the middle. Their surnames are Lord Rymer Blake and Lord Jaeger Slake." At this neither Ben nor I could keep our laughter in.
"Ha haha!" They were good men, but their names were not original. 'Blake for Blue lake, and Slake for Southern lake.
We laughed a while until we finally calmed down and spoke of Jarls that would make good aldermen to some of the settlements, and some that were distinguished enough to become Lords of larger lands that could help govern Stark lands farther North.
A servant came to alert of the feast and the three of us left with smiles upon our faces as we went across the Courtyard to reach the Great hall, i could see the masons and craftsman working on the First Keep already, building it into a larger structure and building expansions to a new set of guest houses.
In the distance I could see the Broken tower not so broken anymore, scaffolding and men seemed to cover its entire height as they turned the burned husk back into the largest tower in Winterfell.
Upon entering the great Hall I could see many of my Jarls sitting at lower tables separate from the four large long tables I was used to.
"Ben." I started, and he just shook his head.
"She is at it again." He muttered exasperated.
"Men! There seems to be a mistake, please help me to readjust the tables as how they should be!" I call loudly gathering the attention of the hall. Jarls and guardsmen alike jumped at my words and began to lift the tables and turn them to reconnect to the other four. The only table that was by itself was the high table that was for family and honored noble guests, everyone else sat as equals during feasts. During regular mornings and meals the family would typically sit among the men.
"Lady wife." I say as Ben, the Maester and I joined her.
"Where is Robb?" I ask conversationally.
"Oh he is down for a nap husband." She said quietly, focusing on her food.
"Cat." I say more softly, catching her attention.
She looks up at me.
"I know Winterfell is different and our customs are not what you are used to, but please give us chance, our ways are not as savage as the south believes." My words were soft, politely trying to convey my need for her to adapt.
"Of course Ned.. It is just so hard, I can't even do my duty as your wife and control the company." She huffs
"A stark must always control Winterfell, Ben did his duty as he was expected to. You will find that there is much for you to do I promise, the North is going to change and I will need my wife by my side to do what I must do."
"What do you mean?" She asks as servants began setting out the large roasts and various vegetables for the feast. A bards band was playing off to one side, who they hell they were I knew not, but it sounded good.
"Right now the King is organizing transport for 10s of thousands of men and women to be shipped North to begin to settle land on the gift and work in shipping and mining industries that are being opened. I will need your help to settle many duties as Ben and I will need help with sending supplies and men to these villages. " I explained to her, seeing I had her interest I continued.
"I wish to have a harvest festival in a moons time as well, I will need your help to set this up and for settling the Northern Lords when they arrive."
"Oh! We have so much to do Ned!" She exclaimed at the thought of noble guests.
"Ned, why did you rearrange the tables? It isn't proper for guards and those vagabonds to sit with proper nobles." She said, though I could tell it wasn't out of spite.
"All men are treated equally under the Lords of the North. Guards protect us, and those men are my Jarls, they collect taxes, patrol the vast range of lands of House Stark and are land owners who run farmers all around Winterfell.
These men keep order in the North, they act as elite guards if you will and lead men and dispense courtly decisions In my stead when I am too far away." I explained to her as we ate, all the while she stayed quiet.
"So they are like stewards or sheriff's in the Riverlands?" She asks me.
"Yes, they do it all. It is an old term repurposed for the modern day, just as the Starks are called Magnars in the mountains or Skagos and Skane." I helped clarify.
Beside me Ben nearly choked on his drink as I mentioned the islands.
'We will have to talk about that later.' I say to myself as the feast continued and the Jarls all came one by one to swear fealty to me officially, more than three fourths of our active Jarls had travelled to greet me before heading back out to finish the Harvest collections.
The night finished with desserts of lemon cakes and various fruits from the southern part of the North.
That night Cat led me to our chambers, the Lords suite was massive and well maintained as Ben had made sure it was ready for Cat when she arrived.
For the first time since I married her we fell asleep in each other's arms.
