Ned inspected the work at Moat Cailin with a critical eye, it was coming along well and the damns and moats used to drain the land offered an unexpected layer of defence, a layer which Wendel Manderly and Howland Reed had seen the potential in early on. For hundreds (maybe thousands) of years the road had gone through the ruins of Moat Cailin, there was no way to build a road around it. The three remaining towers plugged the top of the Causeway, the only road through the Neck, like a cork in a bottle. The road was narrow, and the towers positioned in such a way that any enemy approaching from the south would have to pass beneath and between them. As a ruin, that had not been a concern, but if the place was to be inhabited it was.
The solution was simple, Moat Cailin would act as two keeps. The main Keep would be on the east, and would include the Gatehouse Tower and the Children's Tower. (Mostly because those structures were in better condition .) The lesser Keep would be on the west, and would include the Drunken Tower. It was Ned's intention that the west Keep would become more of a town for the people, much like Wintertown was to Winterfell, but walled in.
The Kings road would be a funnel, walled in on either side with little room for manoeuvring. A death trap for anyone foolish enough to attempt to attack. Only the North side of the Keep would have gates to land, there would be a west gate to the water with a pier and an east gate, much like the water-gate at Riverrun. Three pair of eighty-foot high guard towers were in the process of being constructed, when completed each would have a bridge spanning over the road at their apex. Even now, in its partially constructed state, Moat Cailin was a death trap to any attackers, both from the south and the north. Wendel Manderly was proud of their progress, and so he should be. Yet there was a cold in Ned's very bones, a fear that none of his preparation over the last ten years would be enough to keep his children safe. Especially Arya, how could the North keep her safe if she was not in the North?
Ned's thoughts were disrupted by Robert's grumbles. "Are you really going to give this tomb to Jon Snow?" Robert questioned, glaring around the bog-land in disgust. "There's nowhere to farm, what will he live on?"
Ned slowed his horse, taking a good look at the land around him, he didn't bother mentioning his plan to build glass gardens, he focused on the facts that Robert would pay attention to. "There is land to farm, not like in the south, but we northerners are cleaver. There is fish, and other things to hunt, Lizardlions make good eating. There are plenty plants and herbs in these bogs which can be harvested for food."
"That won't be enough." Robert replied.
"No, it won't." Ned agreed. "I'll have to support him to start with. Do you know where the North gets most of its income from?" He question Robert.
Robert shook his head. "No, not really."
"Wool, clay, and silver." Ned replied. "Do you know what we do with that wool, clay and silver?" Robert shrugged. "Almost nothing." Ned supplied. "If we worked it we would get much more for it. It is my plan to fill the west keep with weavers, potters, and silversmiths. Artisans of skill."
Robert scoffed. "It won't work, Ned, you'll never get them to come here, why should they? You'll never compete with the Qohorik smiths or the Myrish weavers, and the best dyes come from Braavos and Tyrosh."
"Braavos and Tyrosh are also good markets for Dothraki horses." Ned replied. "Jon won't fail because I won't let him. Moat Cailin will never be rich like Whiteharbor, but I plan to make it a very good home for Jon. And, given its strategic position, he will have Winterfell's full support."
Robert clasped his shoulder and nodded. "Of course he will." He agreed. "Now let's get in there before you try and convince me that frogs make good eating, I'll race you!" With that Robert spurred his horse into a gallop, forcing his guards to try and keep up. Ned laughed and let him go, he'd have to dismount soon enough, and Ned would catch up with him then.
The night was late and Robert had long retired with Lady Yaya. Wendel Manderly had confirmed that Jon had passed through safely, and passed on his orders. Confirmed that Howland Reed had set things into motion before joining the expedition to Essos. Ned had set matters in motion before leaving Winterfell as well, two hundred men from House Dunstan were already on their way and Houses Glover and Tallhart were each sending one hundred archers to man the towers, Wendel gave his word that no enemy army would get past Moat Cailin while he was castellan. They were sitting outside under the stars, the night was cool, but not so cold as to worry either of them, the fire beside them had long burnt low, but neither of them cared to move. They had been quiet for some time, so it was a surprise to Ned when Wendel wordlessly produced a letter from some pocket and handed it to him, the handwriting was clearly Jon's.
Ned was surprised and relieved to discover that the letter was about the fates of young Myrcella and Tommen, once he had read the note he burnt it in the smouldering embers of the fire pit. Jon was already showing good leadership… Ned only hoped that Jon didn't suddenly get regal ambitions, what would he do if he had to choose between his King, and his blood? Unfortunately he already knew the answer to that, he had made that choice many years ago. The only question was; had he done enough to prepare?
~~/~~
Ned watched Arya train with her hand maidens and Jeshi in the late afternoon, today they were the un-welcomed guests of House Darry. The King had simply decided that they had travelled far enough for the day and they would rest here. The Darry's had been Targaryen loyalists and had lost half of their lands and much of their power after the Rebellion, although Ser Jonothor Darry had retained his place as Kingsguard at Jon Arryn's insistence. That had been enough to keep the Darry's in place, for now.
Yet Ned knew that he would not sleep well tonight, even with guards on the door. His gaze shifted to the two direwolves, both of which were constantly on guard… they had shared bread and salt, guest right should protect them… but Ned was still glad that his baby girl slept with two direwolves on her bed.
Ned scanned the courtyard and noticed that the butcher's son, Mycah, was watching the girls train, the look of a boy whom longed to be a knight on his face. A few minutes later Arya noticed too, and Ned could not help but smile as a training sword was placed in the lad's hand and he was given basic instruction, teaching others would help Arya reinforce what she knew.
"She's quite a girl." Robert muttered from beside him.
Ned nodded. "Yes." He said quietly. "But a girl all the same, I worry for her."
"That's not the only reason you're worrying." Robert replied. "Talk to me."
Ned sighed. "I still don't like this delay, word will get to Tywin soon enough, we should be moving with haste."
"You worry too much, Ned." Robert replied, dismissing his concerns.
Ned shook his head. "No, your grace, I fear I do not worry enough, for it seems that as your hand I am now required to do your worrying as well."
Robert sighed. "Alright, fine, out with it, what should I be worrying about?" He replied.
"Lots of things, Yaya for one… you cannot make her queen, nor her children your heirs… you know the realm with never accept a Summer Islander as their King."
"Those children have never stepped foot on the Summer Islands." Robert snapped.
"Yes," Ned acknowledged. "But still…"
Robert sighed. "People will see them as foreigners, because of their skin… I know. There's Mya, but she's a girl, even if I legitimise her succession laws will put Stannis and Renly ahead of her… Jon Arryn was looking for others, most of those he found were already dead," Robert gave a bitter laugh. "Killed at Cersei's orders, no doubt, but he said he had found one of my sons… said Varys had pointed him in the direction. Find him, Ned, see if he is worth legitimising."
"And if he's not?" Ned asked nervously.
Robert's expression looked grim. "Then I'll betroth Arya to Arryn and spend the next ten years making people love him because of her."
Ned frowned. "Arya won't love you for betrothing her to a six year old."
"Better than a forty-six year old." Robert muttered.
Ned swallowed thickly. "You are my friend, Robert, and my King… but never joke about marrying my daughter again."
"I've seen worse matches." Robert scoffed, he took in the seriousness of Ned's expression. "It was just a joke, Ned, but I guess I finally know what your breaking point is, your children."
"All of my children," Ned replied firmly. "Even Theon."
"Sometimes I thing you're more Arryn than Stark." Robert muttered. "Alright, what else should I be worrying about?"
"Myrcella and Tommen." Ned replied. "It was stupid to send them off, they may be illegitimate, but they are still Tywin's grandchildren, I could have taken them as wards at Winterfell."
Robert scoffed. "Hostages, you mean? Focus all of Tywin's rage on the North and rob me of my cut of the fighting? I don't think so, Ned. I told you, they're better off wherever Beric puts them, out of Tywin's reach and mine, besides, Tyrion has been ordered to court."
"And you trust him to come?" Ned asked.
Robert laughed. "Tyrion likes me better than he likes his own family, on Jon Arryn's advice I put him in charge of the rebuild of Summerhall last year. The last two people had failed and claimed that the place was haunted."
"And Tyrion?" Ned asked.
Robert shrugged. "Tyrion agrees that it is haunted, but claims that he had a nice conversation with the ghost and they are getting on fine, he's even retrieved five dragon eggs so far."
"Five dragon eggs?!" Ned replied in astonishment.
Robert gestured for Ned to lower his voice. "Yes, five, can you believe it? Five eggs is a fortune, I've promised him the right to choose one when he is done, that ought to buy his loyalty."Robert laughed. "I don't need to turn him against his father, Tywin Lannister did that years ago, I almost want Tywin to try and rebel. The minute he does I'll offer Tyrion Casterly Rock and Protector of the West to turn the other Lannister's against him and bring him down, I might even find a pretty little maid of a wife to throw into the bargain for him."
"And if Tyrion insists on his niece and nephew as part of the deal?" Ned asked.
Robert shrugged. "Then I'll send Beric to retrieve them from wherever he's put them."
Ned frowned, if the note from Jon was correct that might not be as easily done as said, yet it seemed that there was no point voicing his concerns with Robert. Gods, Arya would not be happy about being pushed into a betrothal, with anybody, yet it seemed that Ned had little choice… unless…
"What about Robb and Mya?" He said quietly. "That would be a good union, legitimise her and link our families that way, she'll be happy at Winterfell… marry Arryn to Shireen… I'll see what I can find of your other children."
Robert nodded. "I'll think about it." He replied. "I had hoped to make Sansa a queen, but if Viserys has defiled her the people won't accept that now… it has to be Arya."
Ned nodded and tried to hide his concern, gods be merciful, he would have to start softening Arya up to the idea… maybe it could get put off until after the war… wars were easier than daughters.
~~/~~