Honor & Fealty chapter 7
A/n: Just a heads up. This chapter will be jumping from present day to a flashback from time to time. I hope it is not too jarring or confusing. That being said, enjoy the story.
298 AC
Ned Stark did not expect Catelyn to embrace the idea of Dacey Mormont having anything to do with guiding and shaping the man Robb would become. What he did not count on was Catelyn being under the impression that the word of a Northern woman in the flair of her youth whose house was sworn to his for a thousand years held more sway than the word of his own lady wife.
Before Ned could attend to the requests and quarrels of the smallfolk and the Northern houses, Catelyn gave him an earful of what was eating at her.
"We have Rodrik Cassel, Septa Mordane and Maester Luwin who have done wonders in rearing our children to become proper lords and ladies. What do the Mormont women possess that they lack?"
"Rodrik Cassel is battle tested and possesses a lifetime of martial skill. Maester Luwin and Septa Mordane have years worth of knowledge and wisdom from extensive study and training. Lady Maege Mormont and her daughters have all these attributes. However, Dacey and her sisters have a connection to our children that Cassel, Mordane and Luwin do not. They will be able to inspire them and help them embrace their Northern heritage. Why does this bother you so much?"
"It bothers me when Arya and Bran are swayed by the Mormonts to be fostered by them. Jon Snow should go to live with them, not Arya and Bran."
"They asked to be fostered on Bear Island without any influence from Dacey or Lyanna Mormont." Ned looked at Catelyn with a hard expression that matched her own. "House Mormont has kept faith to House Stark for a thousand years. They have no reason or impulse to deceive or manipulate us in any way. If Arya and Bran asked to be fostered with any house in the Riverlands sworn to House Tully, would you have shown me hostility then? Would you have protested against their fostering?"
Catelyn spat on the ground in front of Ned. "They are my children."
"They are our children, Cat. Furthermore, they are Starks and of the North."
Catelyn's face soured even more when she heard those words come from her husband's mouth.
"That sounds like something Lady Dacey Mormont would say." Catelyn scoffed. "It seems the women of Bear Island have a deep connection with more than just our children." Catelyn turned her back to Ned and walked out on him.
280AC
A fourteen year old girl rode her horse hard through the woods of Bear Island, her long hair flowing behind her akin to a banner in the wind. The three year old child sat in front of her giggled with glee as they rode through the tall sentinels and soldier pines.
"Halt!"
Pulling the horse to a stop, she looked out ahead in time to see a 26 year old man approach her on his own horse with a stern look on his face that would no doubt be worn by her father upon her return to Winterfell.
"Were you planning to flee before your brother could come to see you home, my lady?"
"I wanted to ride out into the woods. I hear tell it's wonderful to feel the crisp morning air and the scent of pine while on horseback, Lord Mormont."
Looking closer, Lord Jorah Mormont fought to keep himself centered. "Is that my cousin you have with you?"
"You need not worry so much. Little Dacey is safe and sound in my arms and on my saddle. It's not wrong to have some fun in your life before you die, is it?"
"Mind your tongue, my lady. There are some who would not take your words as lightly as I." Lord Jorah Mormont said as he glanced behind the Wolf Maid, which caused the young girl to turn her head.
A thirty year old woman approached them on the back of a black horse. Her dark hued hair was unbound across her shoulders and back. Adorned over her chainmail and leather clad body was a dark bear cloak. At her right side, a mace hung from her belt. At her left, a longsword was sheathed. Though he was his father's son and Lord of Bear Island, Jorah Mormont still looked up to his aunt with reverence, both in love and fear.
Any other day, Lyanna Stark would have been thrilled to see the she-bear of House Mormont.
Instead, Lyanna Stark of Winterfell feared for her life upon seeing Lord Jorah Mormont's aunt casting a cold stare at her. "Bring my daughter to me." The warrior woman spoke in such a way that Jeor Mormont would have been proud of.
Once Lyanna Stark was close enough, Maege took Dacey onto her saddle before grabbing the Wolf Maid by the scruff of her neck and pulling her right off her horse. "Who am I, girl?"
"Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island." Lyanna shrieked as she was held in Maege's grip. The older woman was strong as a bear and everything Lyanna wanted to be. On top of that, Maege Mormont was the only woman who frightened her.
"I am also the reason Lord Rickard Stark had not sent all his soldiers across the damned North and beyond to search for his daughter who thought to run away from home in the dead of night. Remember that as you walk back to Mormont Keep, girl."
"I have to walk all the way back? Do you have any idea how far it is?"
"You are about to find that out for yourself." Maege growled. Without warning, Maege dropped Lyanna straight to the floor.
Lord Jorah Mormont knew better than to interfere with his aunt dispensing her disciplinary actions upon someone who had it coming. Thus, he kept at a close distance without taking a step forward until he heard his name.
"Jorah." Maege called, causing the Lord of Bear Island to approach swiftly. "Take Dacey back to Mormont Keep. She does not need to see a wolf pup of Winterfell whimper and beg like a whipped hound."
"Yes, my lady." Jorah said humbly as he took Dacey onto his saddle and rode off.
"Stand." Maege ordered. Lyanna got up to her feet and brushed the leaves and dirt from herself as she looked up at Maege, who pointed forward in the direction to Mormont Keep. "Now walk and stay where I can see you."
When they reached Mormont Keep, the sun had begun to set. Lyanna Stark wept from the pain in her bloodied feet and sore legs before collapsing at the gates. After dismounting her horse, Maege grabbed Lyanna up off the ground, threw her over her shoulder and carried her the rest of the way.
Despite having done what she did, Maege cared for Lyanna Stark. At the same time, the older woman had a feeling deep in her gut that the girl slung over her shoulder would not live long if she did not change her ways.
298AC
Dacey was in the middle of putting the saddle on her mare in the stables of Winterfell when Sansa approached her. It often amazed Sansa how Dacey could wear her armor, leathers and cloak with the same grace that most other women wear silk dresses.
"Lady Dacey."
Dacey turned at the sound of her name to look at Sansa. The first thing Dacey noticed was her demeanor, which had changed distinctly from the night before. Instead of distress and anger, there was a shyness in her.
"Lady Sansa. What can I help you with?"
"Theon and Jon are coming with us along with several guards on our journey to White Harbor. If it is not out of your way, I would like to ride alongside you. There are things I need to talk with you about that I can not talk about with my parents, Septa Mordane or even my own siblings."
The militaristic upbringing in House Mormont helped Dacey maintain a stoic, unreadable expression. It did not mean she lacked any kindness or concern when Sansa mentioned how she could only talk with her openly about something that she considered gravely important.
"Of course. You can ride alongside me and whatever you need to speak of with me stays between us."
"Thank you." Sansa said with sincerity and relief.
When it was time, Robb rode out to join them with Jon Snow and Theon Greyjoy coming up behind them on horses. Grey Wind, Ghost and Lady emerged from the depths of the godswood to join them.
They went south on the Kingsroad from Winterfell on their way to White Harbor. To the surprise of the guards, the direwolves did not tire from the long journey. They had more endurance and stamina than what they expected.
Grey Wind and Ghost walked alongside their respective masters, Robb Stark and Jon Snow.
Near the rear of the cavalcade, Dacey Mormont and Sansa Stark rode side by side as Lady padded alongside her mistress.
Though the two women could not have been more different from each other, Dacey bore no ill will towards Sansa. In Dacey's eyes, the eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Stark was still a child who believed in all the pretty things spoken of in fairy tales as well as what was thought to be proper for young ladies to take interests in. When it came to discussing the capital, Sansa saw the beauty and grandeur of King's Landing. Dacey saw all the evils that lurked in the dark corners and out on the streets in the light of day.
Being far enough in the rear while being close enough to stay in sight, Dacey and Sansa were able to talk privately and freely with each other. This was where the more sensitive conversations began.
"Last night, you appeared upset and distressed. If I had anything to do with it, it was never my intention." Dacey started,
"It was not you who upset me, Lady Dacey. It was what my father revealed last night that had me in such a mood. It's what I could only speak to you about." Sansa explained. "I am betrothed to the eldest son of Lord Jon Umber and heir to Last Hearth."
"The Smalljon?" Dacey asked. Sansa nodded. "I know him well. Why would this news upset you? Jon Umber is a good man and a brave warrior. He will cherish you all your days and protect you against anyone who would harm you."
"If I marry him, I will be pulled so far into the North that I will never see the South. I have dreamed of going to the capital for so long. That's where all the culture, music and art is as well as the great knights I have heard tales of. I have always wanted to be a part of it all."
"Lady Sansa, you see all the glamour and charm the South has. During Robert's Rebellion, my mother saw the true face of the South when she fought alongside the Blackfish against House Targaryen. It is not pretty at all like in the fairy tales."
"Haven't you ever thought of going down there for yourself?" Sansa asked.
Dacey shook her head. "I'm a Northerner. My sisters and mother are Northerners too. We keep to the Old Gods. We are more known for our battlefield experience and honor rather than our politics and wealth. As such, our ways do not measure up to a puddle of horse piss and a bucket of pig shit in the eyes of a Southron." Sansa winced at the very visual vocabulary Dacey used to describe her contempt for the South.
"What of the King himself? He is close friends with my father. Does that not count for anything?"
"When he took the Iron Throne, I was a child of six. He would never have thought once about me or my house. What I do know is that he holds no authority over me and mine."
"He is the King on the Iron Throne and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, which includes the North. He could not be so terrible as you make him out to be. It was King Robert who gave your cousin his knighthood for the bravery he showed during the Greyjoy Rebellion at the Siege of Pyke."
Dacey was taken aback in both that her cousin was mentioned and that Sansa knew the events of the Greyjoy Rebellion that gave Jorah his knighthood. "He was one of several who got knighted after that debacle. Just because he gave my cousin the title of Ser does not garner himself the right to have my house bend the knee to him. As far as kings are concerned, Bear Island recognizes only one."
"Which king is that?" Sansa asked.
"The King of the North, whose name is Stark."
Sansa smiled at the declaration made by Dacey Mormont. "I'm touched that you think so highly of my family that we are royalty in your eyes but the monarchy of my father's ancestors ended with Torrhen Stark. There has not been a King of the North for years. Whether you agree with it or not, Robert Baratheon rules over the Realm, which includes the North."
Dacey frowned noticeably. "He won the war against the dragon. I'll give him that. He killed Rhaegar Targaryen at the Trident. I'll give him that too. He even beat the Greyjoys on the shores of their own retched homeland. I will gladly acknowledge that as well. Nevertheless, the King of Winter, the King in the North, that is the only king I mean to bend my knee to."
280AC
At the age of seventeen, Eddard Stark had already accepted the fact that he was more subdued and modest than his elder brother, Brandon. It was made more clear to him when his father's bannermen called him the Quiet Wolf.
Benjen was at least humble and dutiful. It was Brandon and Lyanna who were wild, hot-blooded and boisterous in their unending quest for adventure and thrills.
Rickard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, was at the end of his rope. He almost went to call his bannermen when a messenger raven came from Bear Island asking him to send the Quiet Wolf to visit Lord Jorah Mormont regarding a lost Wolf Maiden.
It did not take long for Rickard Stark to figure it out; Lyanna Stark ran away to Bear Island.
What Maege Mormont did not mention in the letter was how Lyanna dove into the cold water and swam from Deepwood Motte to Bear Island all on her own or that she rode off through the woods by herself without any bowmen or guards with a child of 3 tender years on her lap.
For reasons only the late Lyarra Stark could ever know let alone understand, Rickard Stark did not yell or shout at his only daughter's rebellious spirit. One look at his face was all that Ned needed to see how serious it was. "I'll go to Bear Island and bring Lyanna home, father. Perhaps she will listen to me."
"My son, you stand a better chance at fighting the Others with a club and a makeshift shield of decayed wood than trying to talk sense into your wolf-blooded sister." Rickard said. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, the Old Wolf gave the marching orders to Ned. "Go to Bear Island with a contingent of guards. When you are with Lyanna, say your peace. Then come home to Winterfell."
"Yes, father." Ned said solemnly with a bow of his head before he went out to prepare for the long ride to Deepwood Motte, where House Glover would have a boat ready for him to board.
298AC
When they got to White Harbor, Ser Wendel of House Manderly was there to greet them with warm gusto and a cordial invite to the Merman's Court for a grand feast made bountiful from what was caught in the depths of the Narrow Sea. He led them to New Castle where they could rest from their long journey.
While Dacey bore no contempt for House Manderly and no cause to question their guest right's value, her heart was heavy. It also bothered her, much to her surprise, that Robb would be so far away from her. When they arrived at New Castle, the seat of House Manderly, Ser Wendel took Robb to the Walrus Chamber, a place where no wandering eyes or prying ears could follow.
Dacey, Theon, Jon and Sansa along with the Winterfell guards and the three direwolves were led to the Merman's Court, where preparations were being made for the great feast being held that evening in honor of the visitors from Winterfell.
"Lady Dacey, you look worried. Is something the matter?" Sansa said as she held Dacey's hand in hers. "It is nothing of concern. I am constantly alert and in a state of ready in case anything happens."
Sansa leaned in and whispered, "I'm not so much a child that I could not see what is plain as day, Lady Dacey. You love my brother." The chaste kiss Sansa gave Dacey on her cheek was enough to unnerve the she-bear.
From a distance, Jon watched Dacey's facial expressions and they all seemed to carry a sense of worry. Like Robb, Jon learned about what could bring a smile to a Mormont woman's face. As luck would have it, there were several barrels of White Harbor's famous black beer being brought into the hall. After speaking with the servants and procuring a large mug, Jon brought to Dacey a frothy mug of cool, refreshing black beer. "A good drink can slake your thirst and wash away your worry, my lady, or so I have been told."
The gesture succeeded in brightening Dacey's mood and bringing a smile to her face. She took the mug in one hand while pulling Jon close, giving him a one armed hug. "You are such a sweet boy, Jon." Dacey whispered into his ear as she kissed the top of his head tenderly.
Theon thought to say something but held his tongue. The beating he received at the hands of Lady Maege Mormont's eldest daughter still resonated in his bones. Since then, he learned to think before speaking. So he kept quiet and watched how Dacey held Jon to her side as if he were one of her own.
Though he would inherit no titles or lands, Jon Snow's lot in life was greater than that of Balon Greyjoy's only living son.
"How was your life growing up on Bear Island?" Jon asked in an attempt to distract Dacey from her worries. Sansa and Jon led Dacey to a nearby table. Theon joined them a while later as did Lady and Ghost.
Dacey smiled over her mug of black beer. "It was never dull. There was always something to do whether it was to defend the island or hold down Mormont Keep. Since Alysane and I were the eldest, we were the ones our mother taught first. Lady Maege Mormont was the She-Bear of House Mormont long before anyone gave her the title. One time, she caught me and Aly fighting with each other over a fish that took both of us to pull in. I was ten and she was nine."
"What did your mother do?" Sansa asked. She expected something traditional like a knock upside the head or a slap.
"She made us punch and kick each other until we could not do it any longer. Once we both were sore from head to foot, she took our horses and the fish we caught before making us walk all the way back home. One moment, we were fighting with each other. The next moment, we had to help each other get home. We never fought like that ever again."
"Your mother made you and your sister fight each other?" Theon asked incredulously.
"She made us beat each other to where we understood the consequences of fighting. It's a long walk on foot through the woods to Mormont Keep." Dacey said before taking a pull from her mug of beer.
"Arya is rather unruly and Bran has taken to climbing as far up as the rafters of Winterfell in spite of the many times Mother has told him not to do it. Is that going to change when they get to Bear Island?" Sansa asked.
"Many things will change in Winterfell and on Bear Island as will Robb, Bran, Arya. Perhaps you will change too, Sansa." Dacey said before looking Jon Snow in the eye and saying, "Yes, even you, Jon."
Before anyone could ask anything else, Robb returned to them with a despondent look on his face. Grey Wind ran up to him as everyone else did. "Robb, what is the matter?" Jon asked.
"What did Ser Wendel tell you?" Sansa asked.
Robb was silent for a moment before he spoke in a rather detached tone, "We are to sit with his family at the high table as their guests of honor."
Looking at his sister, his half brother, Theon and Dacey, Robb managed a small smile. "They caught all kinds of great fish and creatures from the Narrow Sea. We'll have our fill tonight. I'm certain of that."
Theon, Jon, Sansa and Dacey were all curious as to what went on between Ser Wendel Manderly and Robb Stark but none of them thought to ask anything.
Then Robb surprised them when he spoke again. "Dacey, may I speak with you outside for a moment?"
"Of course." Dacey Mormont said as she and Grey Wind walked out alongside Robb Stark.
280AC
Eddard 'Ned' Stark of Winterfell was received by Jorah Mormont, the Lord of Bear Island and head of House Mormont. Though they were Northmen, there was no real bond between them other than the oath of fealty sworn by House Mormont and Bear Island to House Stark of Winterfell.
"How is she, Lord Mormont?" Ned asked.
"Your sister is well enough though she did cross my aunt, Maege Mormont, when she took her eldest daughter out for a horse ride through the woods without leave or permission."
"How old is her eldest daughter?"
"Dacey Mormont? She is a child of three tender years. I took her back home while Maege made Lyanna walk back to Mormont Keep."
"That sounds rather extreme for her antics." Ned said with the tone of an overprotective brother.
"With the greatest of respects due to you and your family, I fear your sister will never be tamed."
"I have prayed many times to the Old Gods that she would one day chose to change her ways for her own well being." Ned replied with a solemn tone of defeat in his voice as if knowing that such a thing would never happen.
Upon their arrival at Mormont Keep, Jorah escorted Ned to Maege Mormont's chambers, where Lyanna was recuperating on a warm, soft cot. Her feet and legs were bandaged.
Maege Mormont rose up to her feet in acknowledgement of her nephew and the Quiet Wolf.
"Eddard Stark of Winterfell." She said kindly.
"Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island." Ned spoke with an unreadable tone in his voice. "I was told by Lord Mormont what happened. Was it necessary?"
"I put the bandages on her feet and treated her wounds myself, Ned. As for why I had to bandage her feet and legs, it was nothing more than what your lord father would have done himself. The rod was spared on her one too many times." Maege Mormont said as she and Ned stared down each other.
"You chose to discipline my sister." Ned said rhetorically.
"An act long overdue and your father would not have disputed the matter like you are with me." Maege said as she raised a hand and ran her fingers through the younger man's hair. "One day, Gods be good, should you ever become a father yourself, you will understand what it means to discipline children."
Lyanna kept quiet the whole time as her brother and Maege spoke together.
The moment was broken when the sounds of an infant's cries rang out. "If you will excuse me, Lord Stark, I must tend to Dacey and Alysane."
"I will leave you both. I'm sure you have much to discuss." Jorah said before taking his leave.
298AC
"Robb, what is the matter?" Dacey asked as she and Grey Wind walked alongside Robb outside the Merman's Court.
"I am no longer betrothed to the Golden Rose of Highgarden. Ser Wendel had certain contacts in the Reach who reported to him that Margaery Tyrell and her brother, Loras Tyrell, were sent to live at Storm's End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, under the care of King Robert's youngest brother, Lord Renly."
"Do you believe it?"
Robb nodded silently. "It was organized by Lord Mace Tyrell, the Warden of the South. I guess he wants his daughter to become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms rather than Lady of Winterfell."
"That kind of information is rather close knit to only family members of..."
Dacey stopped herself before finishing that sentence. Robb leaned in and whispered into Dacey's ear what he could not say out loud. "Willas Tyrell. He traveled like a refugee to White Harbor so as to speak with Ser Wendel. By the time he gets back, I imagine he's going to catch all kinds of hell from the rest of his family."
"Never mind them. I'm more concerned about you. How did you take this news?" Dacey asked.
"I never knew her as a person. Only stories about her. It did sting that my lack of ambition for the Iron Throne is why her betrothal to me was both kept in secret and then thrown asunder so easily."
Dacey cupped Robb's face in her hands so he had no choice but to look her in the eye. "Damn the Baratheons, the Tyrells and that damned Iron Throne to the deepest pits of the Seven Hells. It's their loss, not yours. Robb Stark, you are a better man on your worst day than the Baratheons and Tyrells on their best day. Come what may, I will always stand at your side."
Robb could not help but notice how beautiful Dacey Mormont was, both in body and spirit. "I am blessed to have you with me, Dacey Mormont."
Dacey leaned in to kiss Robb on the cheek. In a move that must have been prompted by the Old Gods, Robb turned slightly and kissed her. The contact of their lips sent a sensation through both their bodies.
Grey Wind's excited whine was enough to break the moment, causing both Dacey Mormont and Robb Stark to take a step back. Though the surprise was evident in their face, there was not a hint of regret.
280AC
"Is Father angry at me?" Lyanna asked as Ned sat down at her bedside.
"He is angry with you but he could never be mad at you, Lya." Ned said as he took Lyanna into his arms. No matter how wild she was in spirit or blood, Lyanna loved to be hugged by Ned.
"Of the four of us, you would make the best parent. I would love to see you with a newborn child in your arms and a lady wife at your side. Wouldn't that be a sight to behold?"
Ned laughed softly. "Brandon is sooner to be wed before anyone thinks to wed their daughters to the likes of me."
"Sweet Ned, you do not give yourself the credit you deserve. There is someone for anyone and everyone. As long as you don't get the idea of taking the black, there is still the opportunity for you."
For as long as he could remember, no matter what she did, Ned Stark could not find it in himself to ever be angry at or with his sister, Lyanna Stark. He would always love her.
"Why did you run away?" Ned asked.
"Father spoke to the Maester about making a betrothal for me. I did not want to become some subdued lady to a lord and be expected to just keep house and look pretty. That is not the life for me, Ned."
"So you would rather ride out into the wilderness with a sword at your side, the reins in both hands and your hair flying in the wind?" Ned japed while knowing that he just spelled out what Lyanna wanted most out of life.
"All of that and more. It's all I ever wanted. To be free and ride out wherever I want."
"Well, for now, you and I are to journey back to Winterfell. Can you walk?"
Lyanna looked at her legs and asked, "Can you help me, dear brother?"
"Always." Ned said as he scooped Lyanna up from the bed and carried her out to the guards that came with him. "I will always care for you."
"Promise me?" Lyanna asked.
"I promise."
298AC
Arya and Lyanna continued to give Septa Mordane more than she could handle during the tutoring sessions though the bear cub helped the wolf pup study and improve on her embroidery. In doing this, they were allowed their freedom around the courtyards and the godswood for training and prayers.
"Jorelle once loosed an arrow right into an Ironborn raider's eye at 90 yards. It was the first time she ever drew blood from a man."
"What happened after that?"
"She put an arrow through the other one." Lyanna said as she and Arya practiced their accuracy with their bows and arrows. Arya and Lyanna both did very well in getting the arrows at the bulls eye.
The differences between the two of them were few but distinctive. Arya was left handed and Lyanna was right handed. While Arya reveled in her accomplishment, Lyanna hand another arrow knocked and the bow drawn back. "The target can not move. Ironborn raiders and Wildings, they move about all the time and they can cast arrows too." Having said that, Lyanna loosed her arrow and it split the arrow previously shot by Arya straight down the middle.
Arya looked at Lyanna with a look of admiration. "Did your mother teach you that?"
Lyanna nodded. "Those Ironborn shits sail up from the south, constantly trying to take from us what we worked for. The Wildlings come down from the deep North trying to do the same. Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island taught me and all my sisters that we fight not for dominion over anything but for the preservation of our people and defense of our home."
"It's going to be so much fun living with you on Bear Island." Arya said.
Lyanna looked Arya in the face. "Do not fool yourself, Arya Stark. My mother is not the Lady of Bear Island solely by name and family relation. She has led soldiers into constant battle and she has trained them herself. It's going to be an adventure for you and Bran just to endure her rigorous training. As well, Robb Stark and Jon Snow better prepare themselves. Dacey was the first one trained among myself, Alysane, Lyra and Jorelle. She will run your brothers hard just like my mother will with you and Bran. Winter is coming." Lyanna Mormont said firmly.
"And yet here we stand." Arya replied with resolve in her voice.
Lyanna Mormont and Arya Stark stared at each other for a moment before they both smiled at each other, knocked arrows onto their bows, took aim and fired at the same target.
A/n: Sorry for the long delay. This chapter took many twists and turns before it came out just right. Who else thought it was awesome that Lyanna and Arya would use each other's house words so skillfully?