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Eddard Stark II

Winterfell, North, Year 284 AC

The Glover party arrived at Winterfell that day. About twenty men in total, all proudly waving House Glover's sigil, the silver mailed fist on a scarlet field. In the North, everyone knew that House Glover had been loyal to House Stark since they were defeated thousands of years ago and House Stark had relied on them to defeat many wildling and Ironborn attacks. They were the Masters of the Deepwood Motte, their ancient seat and Lords of the Wolfswood which meant they were suzerains over a bunch of other lesser Houses such as the Forresters and the Woods.

Galbart Glover and his brothers were seemingly open individuals which Ned hoped to capitalize somehow and pacify after Brandon and he did not push for Northern independence when they could. The Glovers were also necessary for the plans to improve the North that he conceived with Ashara, Lyanna and his brothers.

Speaking of Ashara and his sister, they stood beside him, both wearing similar dresses, grey, and light blue in color with dark grey surcoats to cope with the mildly cold climate of the Northern summers. His wife also had little Jon near her heart, dressed in dark grey like Ned.

The men on horse jumped down and walked towards him, with two of them taking the lead, the Glovers. "Lord Eddard." Both men said bowing to him and the ladies of House Stark. They were tall and brown-haired individuals who wore chain mail below a scarlet surcoat with their House's sigil.

"My Lords." Ned acknowledged as he moved slightly to the right to show his wife, his sister, and his son. "May I present you my wife, the Lady Ashara with my son, Jon Stark in her hands and much to my relief, my sister."

"My Ladies." They politely nodded and were repaid with the same courtesy from the two women. Lord Galbart moved a bit closer towards Lyanna and kissed her hand. "Lady Lyanna, we are much happy to see you well. We were deeply concerned for you given everything that happened but we are relieved to see that you survived that rapist's torment."

"Thank you My Lords…" she murmured before she looked back at Ned and then at Ashara, wondering what to do no doubt…it was still hard to explain what went down with Rhaegar Targaryen…but sooner rather than later an official version would have to come out…he had written this to Brandon so he could discuss the matter with the Royal Family so they could come up with a version that suited everyone otherwise there would be conflicted versions everywhere…

"Lord Galbart, is Ethan not with you?" Ned asked to change the topic of the conversation. He did found it strange that the youngest Glover brother was not present…

"Ethan…joined the Night's Watch Lord Eddard." Robett Glover, the only brother of Lord Galbart present, informed. "The captivity left him with profound scars which he hopes to heal at the Wall where he can be of use to the Realm."

Profound scars from either captivity, war, or loneness…many Northerners would be like this, of that he had no doubt… "We pray for his quick recovery, My Lords, and may he find some happiness by serving the Watch, I'm sure Lord Commander Qorgyle is rejoiced of having such a promising man in his ranks.."

"Indeed, Lord Eddard." Both Glovers nodded. "How is Lord Brandon? Ethan told us of what he suffered at the hands of the Mad King…"

"Scarred too but recovering somewhat," Ned replied. "My wife and I have been thinking on offering to take his position in a year or two so he can rest his mind up here where everything is calmer than in the capital." They had not talked with anyone about this yet, it came to him after making love with Ashara and she agreed it could be good for Brandon but it would still need some planning and a conversation with his brother.

"It could be good for his health indeed…" Lord Galbart nodded. "And he is still the Lord Paramount of the North…There have also been some questions about his authority…"

"Who questioned it?" Lyanna pressed forward with a raised eyebrow.

"Some of my bannermen, some Mountain folk too…" Came the answer. "Lord Brandon left for the capital after all and it was Lord Eddard who led the men in the war while Lord Brandon was a prisoner."

"My brother and I made have decided to rule together," Ned explained. "He is the Lord Paramount and I'm sort of the Warden of the North and Regent of Winterfell while he is away. My father planned this for a long time, we are just making it come to life. It's not the first time this happens, my great-grandfather, Willam ruled with his brother Artos the Implacable and Rodrik the Wandering Wolf when he was around the North and not in Essos."

"Yes, but it does not stop people from making questions My Lord." Lord Galbart countered and Ned had to agree with him, especially when they did not press for Northern Independence.

"We are preparing a feast in your honor, My Lords," Ashara said with a bright smile, showcasing her beauty and coming in the rescue as she most likely saw something none of them saw due to her political savviness. "The servants shall escort you to your seats so we can wait more comfortably."

"Thank you, My Lady." Both brothers said.

"And it's good to have House Stark rebuilding itself again." Lord Galbart added with a smile as he cupped Jon. "Named after Lord Arryn?" he asked as he looked at Ned.

"And King Jon Stark who built the Wolf's Den." Ashara added before Ned could do it which made him smile.

"My Lady Dayne knows some of our tales…" Lord Galbart said amused, as his brother Robett was.

"It's a must, My Lord. No one remains an outsider for long." Ashara said and Ned thought it was somehow a bold move on her part to push her Dornish origins but he was sure she knew what she was doing.

"Perhaps, My Lady should try to give the Old Gods a chance…" Lord Galbart pushed forward. "I'm not saying for you to convert of course but here we…"

"I took them as those I pray to when I married my husband, My Lord, just as the Daynes of old." she explained and the Glovers were caught off guard by it as he assumed many Northerners would once they learned of this…

"That's…good to hear…" Robett admitted. "Not many…return to the Old Ways…it takes courage I'm sure. What about your family? Did they approve of this?"

"House Dayne stills keeps the Old Ways along with the new," she told them. "In fact, I think all the Stony Dornishmen do. I'm sure my family understands my conversion, at least my brothers and sister did." His wife then grabbed his arm. "Should we go inside?"

"Of course."

Time went by as food arrived and they feasted…Lyanna told them what went by on her captivity because they pressed the issue. They looked confused but seemed understanding… "I see…Prince Rhaegar must have gone mad with the stress of Rebellion if he did a good deed and then…Gods…" Lord Galbart said with a disappointed look. "These Targaryens…was it wise to put them back on the throne Lord Eddard? What is to say the Baby King isn't mad as his father and grandfather? It's in the family."

"I think it's too soon to know," Ned admitted. "But if he is, we now have the Charters to give us some leverage over him and I seriously doubt there will be a King as mad as Aerys was and with the powers he had…"

"And what if he decides against respecting the Charters?" Robett pressed forward.

"My Lords, I lived in the King Aerys' court for almost three years that felt like a whole decade so I think I'm qualified to give some insight on this matter." Ashara began. "The Princess and the Queen Dowager are good women with great intellect and I'm sure they will shape him to be a good King."

"My Lady was a lady-in-waiting to them were you not? With all due respect but your judgment is biased." Lord Galbart pressed forward.

"It might be biased, yes, but I do know how to recognize someone smart, My Lord and I'm sure you would share my opinion if you were to meet them." Ashara retorted. "Unless My Lord is clouded by his bias towards independence which I'm sure will not be the case."

His wife was not someone to allow herself to lose an argument that she knew she was right about but Ned was quite worried it might push some of his brother's bannermen to the edge…Lord Galbart smirked, however. "This woman is something else Ned, she has got Maege Mormont's boldness but my late wife's wits, a truly interesting combination…"

"That was one of the reasons I married her, My Lord." Ned said with a smile as he looked to his wife, proud that she was making a good image in the North even if there were plenty of harsher opponents to face…and he was worried to no end.

"I still think you and your brother should have declared the North independent." Robett Glover said, ignoring these last phrases, his face grim. "It was the best thing to do, we have been waiting for almost three hundred years for it My Lord. Even if the King turns out to be a good one, our wills and hopes must be heeded."

"But the North does not have the necessary to survive as an independent Kingdom, My Lords." Lyanna joined in the conversation, normally she would be more talkative but the conversation had been under the control of Ashara and Lord Galbart so Ned wasn't too surprised about it. "We survived for millenniums before the dragons came but how well did we live? Are we not known for our harsh winters? Winters that kill thousands and force thousands to leave their homes in hopes to spare their families from feeding them? We have improved a lot but we are still not capable of keeping our people fed in winter without the help of the south and what are we to do if we down the line have a war against the south? We have the Moat and our winters but they have plenty of resources and men to spare."

"And good commanders to lead their men," Ashara added. "We might have plenty of allies currently courtesy of the Rebellion but I have seen alliances be broken in a single day with no hope of reviving them."

The Glovers looked at him to see what he was to say but he was not changing his stance. "My wife and my sister have good points, My Lords," he said. "What is done is done…I know it's not what nearly every Northerner Lord wanted but is what my brother and I deemed the best for our people." The Glovers remained silent but they seemed as open as Ned thought them to be especially Lord Galbart. "I have something to ask you, My Lords, something which might benefit House Glover and those under their command."

"Pray tell me what it is, My Lord Eddard?" Lord Galbert questioned intrigued.

"We wish to increase the production of timber in the Wolfswood." Lyanna began explaining their plan. "We want to build a few ships on our western coast and export a higher quantity of it overseas too."

"Obviously a big portion of the profit would go to you as Lords of the Wolfswood," Ned added. "It is one of the many plans we have in mind to improve the North."

"And where are these ships to moor?" Robett Glover questioned. "The western coast does not have a port." Ned was still amazed at how his father managed to keep the construction of the western harbor a secret for this long…at times the former Lord of Winterfell seemed to be five steps ahead of everyone…Ned wondered what else was in his mind before he perished unjustly…there was still a lot of things his father took to the grave…

"My father, Lord Rickard had been building a harbor at the mouth of the Twilight before he died. We intend to make it a port town and moor a western fleet there to defend the North from Ironborn and wildling raids." Ned explained. "It was meant for me to hold, but since I'm running the North with my brother as my father wanted, I can't be there all the time so I thought maybe we could have Lord Robett act as a Castellan in my absence." Truth be told this decision just came to his mind and so he had no talked about it with anyone but surely they would not oppose it. "House Glover has been loyal to House Stark for centuries and as one of the Houses more concerned with the defense of the western coast, it seems fitting."

"It's an honor that I'm not sure I deserved Lord Eddard." Robett Glover said, his head low.

"Nonsense, My Lord." Ned dismissed. "You fought with me during the Rebellion just as your brother Lord Galbart. I think such a position would fit you perfectly."

"But we really would appreciate the increase in the production of timber." Ashara pressured. "It's for the whole North's sake, not just House Stark's."

"My Ladies and My Lord must understand that we must make sure we do not destroy the entire forest so I ask how much do you want to cut down more than what we do already?" Lord Galbart asked.

"How much can My Lord increase the production without compromising the forest?" Ashara inquired.

"Twice." Lord Galbart send pensive. "Maybe more…but I'd suggest a meeting with the rest of the Wolfswood Houses before anything is decided otherwise they might complain without any need for it." That did sound like a good idea…Ned wanted to curb the dissent no create more.

"We can make a Harvest Feast and invite the Lords of the North…" Lyanna suggested. "We can then talk with them and even arrange more deals maybe even call Brandon for a visit?"

"It does sound good, good sister." His wife nodded. "What do you say, My Lord husband?" It was so weird hearing Ashara call him that but he knew she was trying to leave a good impression.

"I think we can do it…" Ned admitted.

"That way we can finally show Jon to the North!" Lyanna added beaming.

"Aye, he must be shown at some point." Ned agreed. "Alright, it's decided then, we shall host a harvest feast at the end of the year."

"We will make sure to come, My Lord." Lord Galbart assured. "And talk more about this timber deal."

The conversation did not go on for much longer, the Glover brothers were tired so the servants took them to their assigned rooms. The rest of them did not stay for long, it was quite late already. When his wife and he returned to their room, she made sure he was the first one to enter and when he was inside their room, she closed the door behind her. Ned noticed that her expression was somewhat harsh which made him feel worried…Had he done something she did not like?

"When did you come up with Robett Glover becoming Castellan of the harbor?" she asked, making the reason for her discontent be known to him.

He did know she would bring this up at some point but now that she did he felt bad. "I…thought it would help us…"

"Ned, you don't have too many offices to grant so you can't go around giving them to everyone." His wife said.

"Yes but we needed the support of the Glovers did we not?"

"Yes, and we pretty much had Lord Galbart in our side so there was no need to offer the position to his brother…" His wife sighed as she walked towards him, she cupped his face. "You still have much to learn, my love…but I'm here to teach you and your sister as well."

"I'm sorry…"

"Do not worry…" she kissed his lips. "It's not a bad decision at the end of the day, the man seemed competent enough…" she kissed him again. "And more skeptical than his brother…" she then pushed him to the bed. "And if he lives in a town which connects with the south…"

"He will…be convinced of the benefits of being in one realm?" he asked after some thought.

"Correct." His wife agreed with a smirk as she undressed her gown and stood naked before him, her breasts calling for him. "But let us worry about that tomorrow. Right now…we have other…things to worry about…"

Today was a tiresome day, he knew the men from trips to Deepwood Motte and the war, he had plenty of conversations with them but a diplomatic conversation was much harder than a normal talk between brothers-in-arms, he still remembered when he had to convince his men to ride south with him to save his siblings and that conversation with Hoster Tully at Riverrun and…

Before he could finish his line of thought, his wife unlaced his breeches and gave him the pleasure he needed… "Indeed we do…"

Benjen Stark II

Castle Black, Wall, Year 284 AC

In the courtyard of Castle Black, the song of swords and shouts was the only one that could be heard. Benjen stood next to his newfound friends Ronnel Harclay and Alan of Rosby as they watched Ethan fight a recruit named Grubbs who wasn't half bad at fighting but Ethan was clearly superior. It wasn't too hard to conceive why, Ethan was trained in Deepwood Motte since he was a child and then he trained with Brandon and his pals who were all good swordsmen.

Ethan smacked his sword pommel against Grubbs' head and the young man swirled around confused giving opportunity for Ethan to toss him down and point the sword at his neck. "That's enough, Glover wins." Frostfinger said from his dais, the one he loved to stand at, watching everything below.

"Good fight." Ethan said to Grubbs as he extended his hand to help him up but the other man slapped it and stood up angrily, returning to the group of recruits watching. One thing Benjen had noticed in the first few days was that smallfolk recruits usually resented the highborn ones because of their training especially if they were younger. "I just don't understand why they get so sour after losing…" His friend said as he came to their side.

"Might be because they can't beat you three no matter how hard they try?" Alan suggested, supporting Benjen's idea. "Honestly it buggers me too at times…"

"It's our job to fight. We have been training in the yard since we were like six, half of them were working on the fields the other half was helping their parents in their businesses at that age, what do they expect?." Ethan said bitterly. "I don't mind helping them getting better but they look at us with more disdain than we look at them."

"True." Benjen nodded.

"Owen of Sow's Horn and Finn of Mudgrave are up next." Frostfinger proclaimed.

"I don't know fellas. Many of them just don't like highborn for one reason or the other…" Alan said while rubbing his head. "Or maybe they just have a bad temper like Finn of Mudgrave."

"I don't want to fight the Oaf!" Finn told Frostfinger and Benjen rolled his eyes.

"Talk about bad temper." Ronnel smiled.

"Why is that Mudgrave?" The Master-at-Arms asked annoyed from his dais.

"He can't fight and I'm tired of fighting losers." Finn's shit just made Benjen more confused with everything. Almost everyone hated the guts out of each other as it is and that cunt just seemed to bring more hate towards him…Why though? Must he appear like a tough guy? What goes into that fool's head? "I want to fight those who know how to fight like Glover, Smallwood, Middlebury, or Stark."

"You piss me much, Mudgrave." Frostfinger spat out. "But I will grant you your wish and wonder how long it will take before they slice your neck when you sleep."

"Never," Finn said confidently. "Who is my opponent then?"

"Let's see how you fare against Stark." Oh…Benjen had been expecting it for some time but still…Finn was clearly more excited than the young Stark was…smirking and rubbing his hands in anticipation.

"Don't lose focus and keep confidence in yourself," Ethan advised as an older brother of the Watch gave Benjen the shield. "He is tough but if you got at least half of Brandon's skill you will be fine."

Benjen did hope he had at least half of Brandon's skill…Finn enjoyed beating highborns and the youngest of Rickard Stark's brood did not wish to be his next victim. "Aye."

"Good luck." His companions said as Benjen walked towards the field. Finn was still excited by the looks of it…

"It's not every day one can give a good beating to a Stark." The bastard said. "Will you howl when you yield?"

"No louder than your weaning sounds." Benjen retorted and everyone, except for Finn, laughed or chuckled at the comment. "If it happens that is."

The tall man did not like his comment and immediately slashed his sword in an up-down cut which Benjen blocked with his shield. This cut was followed by a bunch of similar ones which Benjen kept blocking but they were tough hits and he wondered if he could keep defending for long. "Come on Stark, be a man and attack!" Finn roared. "Come on you coward!"

Benjen's strategy was to have Finn run out of stamina. It was what Rodrik Cassel taught him and what his father did to beat Brandon the few times he saw the two older Starks practice together in Winterfell's yard. Brandon was taller, stronger, and more powerful than Benjen, and yet his father despite having the same qualities as the eldest of his siblings never won by overpowering Brandon but by tiring him out. Granted the Wild Wolf of Winterfell had a huge stamina reserve but at the end of the day…a battle is bound to end…

The battle lasted for five minutes more before the Pup of Winterfell blocked one of Finn's attacks and felt it weaker and with less precision than the previous ones…the blond was getting tired so his opportunity was there…Without hesitation, Benjen waited for the next blow and when the taller man swung his sword in up-down cut, the young Stark blocked the hit with his shield, moved to the right, made sure his body was horizontally placed to Finn's left arm and struck his sword in diagonal up to down cut which hit the blond and made him hiss in pain.

The blond got angry and turned to Benjen clearly in pain but also more determined to continue the fight… "Enough!" Frostfinger roared from the dais. "If this was a real battle you'd be bleeding to death Mudgrave, Stark won."

"I can keep fighting!" Finn protested bitterly. "He hasn't won yet!"

"Sure you can because this isn't a real fight you idiot. Didn't I make myself clear?"

"You fought well, mate," Benjen said. "Just…" Just as Benjen was to say to let it go, he felt his whole body be rammed to the floor and the taller man trying to subdue him. "What the fuck are you doing?" Was the only thing he could ask before he felt a punch in the face.

"I'm better than you Stark!" And another punch hit Benjen's face and then another and another and the young Stark was beginning to see whiteness that was not the snow of Castle Black. "And I'm proving it!"

"MUDGRAVE STOP THIS INSTANT!" Frostfinger commanded. "Fuck! Take him out of Stark!"

A bunch of recruits stormed in and grabbed the taller and stronger man who kept resisting. Alan was the one that pulled Benjen away from the commotion. "Are you alright Benjen?"

"No…" Benjen replied, feeling his head almost exploding. "My head…"

"He got you good now…" Alan confessed. "Fucking coward."

Benjen looked at Finn who was being restrained by six recruits who still struggled to hold him. Frostfinger had left his dais and came by the blond who he punched harshly. "You fucking moron, learn that in life we are all losers!" The Master-at-Arms barked. "Gared, Coratt help the recruits take Mudgrave to the ice cells, maybe the cold will cool this fool off." Then he turned to Alan and Benjen. "Rosbyboy how's Stark?"

Alan glanced at Benjen who was losing his consciousness. "Ser, I think he's leaving us…"

"Othyn, help Rosby take Stark to Maester Aemon." The Master-at-Arms commanded. "I'll be damned if I let a recruit die on my watch in such stupid manner."

"Yes, Ser." Was the last thing Benjen heard before his mind went numb…

Radomir's Renegades: No Joanna did not summon Lyarra to her dream world, there is more to this than meets the eyes but I have left some clues here and there about this and will, of course, explain it fully in the far future. I don't think Lyarra met Rhaella or Joanna but who knows maybe the mothers all knew each other.

Bronn will appear around canon-time, that much I decided but I still need to polish that, though I'm not in a rush because it's so far away in time...Why does have everyone think that Brandon will impregnate Cersei? About the scandals...with so many nobles in one place...there is bound to be some sort of scandal...in fact, I need scandals to make the plot more interesting otherwise it all gets boring. Allyria is not betrothed to anyone and I confess I'm not too fond of her being betrothed to Beric Dondarrion, I have someone else in mind.

Had hoped to finish this Chapter soon but unfortunately failed...It's here though, some plans starting in the North and some people in need to be trained too and classic Night's Watch too. Next, we head once more to King's Landing and I believe it will be this the equation I will follow most of the time, alternating between the North and the capital and occasionally show something else.

Anyway, thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day and stays safe.