Ned Stark V, Winter Town, 4 solar cycles after the Battle of Long Lake

Ned Stark wandered around New Winter Town and smiled. The town had grown fivefold since their war with the iron islands. Winterfell and Wintertown were both unrecognisable; anyone who had lived during his father's time would be dumbfounded by the changes. The old walls of Winterfell had been restored and even expanded. Two new walls now surrounded her ancient keep; concentric circles of walls now surrounded an ever growing merchant class surrounding them.

Winterfell was becoming more like Kings landing in that sense. The richer you are the closer you can live in Winterfell's great keep with the Starks, they were at the centre of it all. Even now plans are being made to put a wall in Wintertown, that's now surrounding Winterfell. While Winterfell grew fivefold then Wintertown grew ten.

Ned smiled as he walked around Wintertown, couldn't stop smiling at all the people walking around the marketplace. His daughter really made something of this town, everywhere he turned he saw faces that were unlike his own. While he called the north his home to only those with blood of the first men, that was no longer accurate, well, not accurate in these days and times.

During his walk he had seen no less than three different kinds of people who had emigrated to the north. Ironborn first called this home but since the new ports and roads more people started coming to the north and stayed, from Bravossi, Tyroshi, Pentoshi, Dornish, and even some Valemen now called Wintertown and the north home.

Ned saw the new faces as he walked through the town, couldn't help but think how the Norths continue to develop, this was a good thing.

Ned made his way to his favourite In. It was one of the Ins that he and his family liked to go frequently when they ever went out of the keep. As Ned sat down at a booth reserved for him and his family but right now it was just him.

Mysha Reed, the Bravossi wife of his bannerman's cousin Andres Reed, approached him.

"Good afternoon Lord Stark. The usual?" Mysha asked, holding a plate of dirty dishes, Ned smiled.

"Of course, Mysha. I'll have one blackened gator and a flagon of ale. "Ned said, his favourite food

"We're a little busy, so it'll be about twenty minutes." Mysha said, looking at the many folks eating and drinking.

"That's fine Mysha. If I'm going to wait, make it a pitcher of ale." Ned said, willing to wait, Mysha smiled.

"Of course, lord Stark." Mysha said. She made her way to the bar and got one of the server girls to get his pitcher.

Ned looked around at the many groups crowded around the bar, all from across Westeros and Essos here in the North together; he couldn't help but reminisce on the North's good fortune. He remembered how it all began.

Remembering his daughter's first meeting with the northern lords, first to propose an army for the North, the Winter legion.

It was the meeting that would change the North forever, his daughter spent all her time creating and presenting the first foundations for the army, starting with a few lords and her own money she grew to defend the north from Victorian Greyjoy.

Ned closed his fist in anger at the mention of that man, for attacking the North twice with his daughter right there.

Ned still moans the loss on that day for his first born, to lose her innocence that day. To feel so scared she needs to create an army to protect herself. Ned would kill Victorian again and again, sometimes he wished he could have joined his daughter in raiding the ironborn, increasing the north's reputations and a huge increase in northern trade.

The completion of the second port, WestHold and the road made the north a well-made trade point across the seas. Many traders and sailors use White Harbour, the new road and Westhold Harbour to get across the narrow seas over going all around Westeros.

It was the most revolutionary meeting in a thousand years.

Many had doubts that such an undertaking task would ever succeed, especially with his daughter leading it, but anyone who had seen the north now compared to what it was before couldn't argue it.

It had taken suns for it all to come into function, bickering and copper picking between him and the lords; it had taken two years for the army to come into fruition. When it was all said and done, it was well worth it.

Ned couldn't help but envy the younger generation, while they were training in the army, running down bandits, or manning the wall, he and other lords like him are stuck signing papers and settling petty squabbles between merchants.

Ned and Lyarra with others plan to create three forts that would house and help train the Winter Legion. The Legion Engineers help build the forts, one at Winterfell, called the Harrow Gate.

One at the Nightfort, which was given to the Winter Legion by Jeor Mormont after helping rebuild the rest of the castles for the Night Watch, and one at the rebuilt fort of Moat Caitlin, commanded by Lyarra.

Lyarra and her other Division leaders would switch between the forts and their patrols, to help their leaders and soldiers not get too comfortable when staying at one place. Soldiers fighting on the wall could only fight at the wall, fighting in the swamps could only fight in the swamps and vice versa, Lyarra doesn't want a predictable army but an adaptive one.

The same can be said with the Navy for the Winter legion, doing the same as the soldiers on the land.

Ned continues to think about the changes the army has brought to the north, he starts to think about his children.

Rob Stark and Jon Snow are now Wardens.

A thought Ned found strange when he first heard of it since he was a Warden of the North but now the Winter Legion are creating these titles. When he asked his daughter about it, and thought it was knighting them, she wasn't knighting them.

"It is training in the longsword, wearing heavy armour and leading their own men, it is more the knighting them father, it making them know honor, to show they know what they became and the responsibility of it" Lyarra explain to him when he asked, many more are taking this training. Hell even some lords are training to become one of these titles.

Warden, Conqueror, Peacekeeper and Lawbringer.

All titles to work for in training, only one with the title can grant you that privilege, and their armour with it.

Time has been long for his children as he sees how strong his sons have become, in armour tailed for them and a long sword with men following their command really makes him proud.

While Robb has returned from his enlistment after going his 5 solar cycles, Jon has re-enlisted, having found his place in the Winter Legion and ascending the ranks. Robb begged to join in however Ned would have none of it.

Robb needed to learn how to rule and chasing Thenns and bandits didn't help in that matter, he still kept his weapons and armour even the men that sworn under him had joined him with his house guard.

The lightning of Ned and Catelyn's workload didn't have anything to do with it; even Robbs guards can do paperwork. It seemed all this generation's sons and daughters of lords were reenlisting. It seemed a life seeking out glory and leading soldiers appealed more to them than ruling some holdfast. If he were honest with himself he didn't blame them. Ruling a castle paled in comparison to fighting bandits and defending the wall. By the old gods he wished could be young again.

But most of all he was proud of his first born daughter, becoming a Lord, rebuilding Moat Caitlin, and leading the Winter Legion, making the North prosper, he would have made her heir to Winterfell but seeing it now she better lead the fortress at Moat Cailin.

Ned smiled at the serving girl when put down a platter of his favourite meal. Blackened gator from the swamps of the Neck were a new northern delicacy and Mysha Reed was preparing it. These new Braavos citizens sure knew how to cook. As he bit into the peppered tail that was grilled to perfection, he couldn't help the contented sigh that came to his mouth. Now he knew how Robert felt when he ate at feasts everyday but, for the life of him, he couldn't really care.

Micah I Ten leagues from Moat Caitlin

Micah rode his horse as fast as it would go. It was his last three months in the Winter Legion or WL and he was excited. He had asked Division leader Jon a favour for his last posting and he agreed. So now Micah spent his days riding back and forth between Moat Caitlin and Winterfell. Some people considered riding the post a punishment but, for Micah it was the best job for him.

Riding the post is a simple but valuable job to the North. Most new recruits didn't see the value in riding but, older recruits and soon to be civilians didn't ridicule its importance. Riding the post was a fairly new idea, one made by the War-born herself. Basically between the forts and small outposts would be posted a day's hard ride along every major road in the north.

These small outposts would contain three things: Stables, caretakers, and provisions. The idea was that a rider would take letters from Moat Caitlin and the town around it and ride his horse as fast as he could to the first outpost. At the outpost he would get some rest, a meal, and a fresh horse to continue the next outpost. This monotonous journey was a boon to both horse traders and traders in general. The postal express, as it was called by the common folk, was almost faster than a raven and infinitely more reliable. Plus, as the engineer corps created the northern roads, making horse routes faster.

While many thought that the roads were the key to the North's financial boom, Micah knew better. With the adoption of a fast and speedy postal service, merchants could now account for the arrival and departure of merchandise with an accuracy they had never known before. Faster goods meant faster trade, and faster trade meant more money. It was that good that Micah was counting when he finally became a civilian again.

He and his father had wanted to expand the family business but didn't really know how to go about it. They could go two ways. One way was to simply open up another butcher shop and let Micah run it while his father ran the original. Micah didn't like this idea because the number of butchers around Wintertown had increased. Instead, he did the second option.

During his time in the army, he had met many braavos enlistees. He had met one in particular that he had become good friends with. He showed him some recipes for curing meat.

Never hearing about curing meat before so he decided to learn everything about it. When he tasted his first slice of homemade cured meat, he was hooked. He knew that there would be a huge market in it for the north and if he played his cards right, for the army. Cured meats were both portable and delicious. Add bread and water, a full meal by itself.

It was a meal made for the hunter, the commoner, and the merchant. It was both refined and simple.

Micah didn't know much but he did know it beat the northern smoked jerky any day of the week but not the Northern Beers that are becoming popular with everyone.

Coming from Wildlings of all things, a drink that tastes good and keeps you warm he heard people down south are buying it.

Micah was driven from his thoughts when the third outpost of his journey came into view. God's time flies when you're daydreaming, he thought to himself. As he strolled up the stables, he smiled to himself. He got off his horse and led him to some water. As he thought of his future one thought came to his mind.

"Not bad for a butcher's son," Micah said, walking to the smelly stable.

He takes this over working under Sarge any day.

LINE

Arya Stark II, walking though Wolf Woods.

Arya walks though the wolf woods as she looks around the area, scanning the forest as she searches for that stag they saw early. Wearing armour for her training as she slowly walks through the woods aiming her bow around the surroundings.

SNAPPPP

A stick snaps under her foot, making a noise that scares her.

"Always watch where you step, every noise you make must be silent" Lyarra said coming behind her with her armour and weapons, also her Conquer Ulrich and Peacekeeper Sarsha follow behind with a few other guards.

Arya signs as she stands up straight walking forward slowly through the woods with the others following behind her. Although Lyarra can tell her sister isn't one to stop as she can see Arya twitching for actions.

"Why so inpatient Arya, a hunter must stalk his prey in order to kill. No man can chase an animal" Lyarra asked her sister, this was training not only for Arya to hunt but on how to be silent in moving.

"I'm sorry, I just can't help but want to run after doing nothing for so long" Arya said glaring at her big sister as she let out a chuckle, as did her guards.

"Not everything is fighting Arya, as Commander of the Winter Legion I have many responsibilities, you wanted to be my Ward" Lyarra said with a bit of mischief in her voice as Arya groaned before walking forward, staying on her toes and watching her steps this time.

Arya has been well behaved after her talk with Lyarra, she has been attending all her lessons and kept quiet when any other ladies or Sept tries to insult her, taking each insult like a hit as she ignored them. Like her sister said to her.

"Swords and maces break your bones, insults are the only thing they can do, only weaklings are hurt by my words" Lyarra advises her, and Arya just takes it with a smile before going to her duties, to the confusion of those trying to get under her skin.

Her mother was surprised at her youngest daughter, after the lesson she would do the training her sister told her to do as when she was old enough she went to her parents with her sister to ask to be Lyarra's ward.

Both were surprised but ask her to leave why they talk with Lyarra, after they talk they agree for her to be Lyarra's ward, but only for a moon until she get order and if she does all her lessons, something Arya agrees to with Lyarra pointing out the other ladies and Spata don't say or doing anything to Arya otherwise they will answer to her.

Arya finally got to join her sister at Moat Cailin and see all its glory, seeing the Winter Legion train listening to Sarge yell at everyone was funny to her.

"What the bloody hell are you laughing at you horse face slut, I'll slap you so hard not even rapists would want to stick their tiny cocks in you" Sarge yelled at Arya, as she runs away from the training of the Winter Legion.

Other than that she was with her sister.

But she didn't join the legion nor fight with her sister in battle, Arya has been more of a page and writing with Lyarra going over logistics, if it wasn't for the training she got from Peacekeeper Sarsha she would have gone back to Winterfell.

This was the only time she did join her sister on patrol and it was not as exciting as she thought it would be.

"Patrols are more about marching around and looking for trouble, the bandits hide from us so we patrol to keep them hidden as we search for them," Her Peacekeeper Sarsha told her as she marched beside her.

Arya was so bored walking around the north; the first division was resting near the outpost while Lyarra took Arya and her guard hunting.

Arya was happy to do something other than walking around or moving paper around with her sister.

"Why did it take so long to do this? We never do anything fun anymore" Arya can't help but say as they walk through the woods. It's been nearly a moon since Arya became Lyarra ward and they're now doing something together, besides writing on paper.

"I created the legion Arya, leading a military force takes more than swinging a sword. Training the soldiers, getting them the supplies, weapons, talking to lords and merchants about patrols and divisions they have, it is a lot of work that needs my attention" Lyarra explains why she can't be with Arya as much as she wants to.

Arya looks down at this, now feeling selfish. Her older sister is leading an army, going more than any lord is doing and yet here she is being selfish for not getting attention.

Until she felt a hand on her shoulder as she looked to see Lyarra looking at her.

"But it times like these that I enjoy, I'm sorry I can't be there for you but take the time like these close to your heart, no matter what I do, it these times I look forward to and will always remember" Lyarra smiles at Arya, Lyarra might seem uncaring to her family but she love them no matter what, they comfort her when she was in a dark place, always there for her when she need them.

That is why she does this, to protect the north for her family, and to have moments like this.

Arya was surprised by this and gave her sister a big hug, which Lyarra returned. Both of them smile at each other and embrace as the guards look at the scene with smiles.

Snappppp

Hearing another noise everyone got to action, getting their weapons with Arya aiming her bow, looking down the forest the group of Legionary see the stag walking across them.

Everyone quiets down as they slowly walk toward the creature, Arya slowly drawing her bow and aiming at the deer, everyone being quiet as they move closer to the deer.

"Deep breath Arya, don't pull, breath is out" Lyarra said as they all watched Arya aiming at the deer.

Everyone holds their breath as they watch Arya holding her bow.

Arya aims down her sight, looking at her deer.

SHHHOOOOOOOOT

SHHHOOOOOOOTTTTT

Two arrows came flying, one of Arya and another came to the side both missing the stag, the stag caught wind and ran away from the two arrows.

"Dammit" Arya cursed as they all looked around, finding the other hunter that ruined her first hunt.

"Maybe next time Bran" A familiar voice said as the all look to see Rob Stark in his Warden armour with Stark colours, the helm having a stark dire wolves painted on the front, the one holding the bow was Bran also aiming for the deer with a few of Rob's guards behind them

"You made me miss" Bran called out to Arya in anger, Arya doesn't take that lying down.

"Miss, you arrow made more noise than me, that stag is mine" Arya called out looking for the stag, with Bran chasing her, both trying to get the stag as the others laugh as a few guards follow them with the Peacekeeper behind them.

Rob laughs as they chase after the deer.

"Come on, you can get it hahahahaha" Rob laughs as he watches his younger siblings run after the stag chasing each other, he turns to see his older sister have a slight smile on her face.

Like before, only to stop as she looks at him.

"I see you were hunting here too" Lyarra said as they both started walking in the direction of their siblings.

"Wanted to show Ban how to hunt, and get out of Winterfell" Rob said both walked through the forest.

"Understandable, still keeping up your training?" Lyarra asked, training to be a Warden was challenging enough, maintaining that training is difficult if you're fighting seriously.

"While I'm not as good as Jon, I can keep up my skills, my men won't let me grow soft dear sister" Rob said with pride to his men, they are always ready to fight him and kick his ass if he doesn't keep his skills up.

After Rob became a Warden he started leading more men and training them, from the north to beyond the wall his men have been with him since he became one.

His men have joined him since he had to become heir to Winterfell, something Rob appreciates as he gives his men the best in terms of housing and food while they protect and help him.

"That's good, it would be a waste if you got weaker after the training," Lyarra said, looking for the younger ones.

"I know I wished I could reenlist but I'm the oldest son and so to be Lord Stark" Rob said with a scowl, something Lyarra noticed.

"What's wrong Robb?" Lyarra asked him, as Rob looked down.

"Nothing….It's just, I can't help but envy them Bran, Rickon, Jon even Arya and Sansa. They can make their own choice and what they accomplished is there and there's alone." Rob looks down as Lyarra looks at her brother.

"But everywhere I go it's either Lord Stark this or future Stark lord that, the heir to Winterfell. I miss it, Lyarra, I miss manning the wall, hunting down bandits, patrolling the north, feeling the true north wind in my face. Hell I miss Sarge consonant yelling and calling me"

"A little lord's bitch with less balls than this sister" Lyarra finished as everyone laughed, even Lyarra had a slight smile.

"Yeah, wish I could reenlist" Rob said sadly as they both walk forward looking for their younger siblings.

"You may not reenlist but that doesn't mean the fighting is done" Lyarra said, Rob looked at his sister.

"The Therns are getting smarter, now using ships to raid out merchant's ships and striking fast, this new raiders are proven their capable '' Lyarra said gravely, the Thern are the most advanced Freefolk in the far north, well advanced by freefolk standard anyway. Since The Battle of Long lake Northern Freefolk now skirmishes more than anything, raiding is faster and they are now avoiding patrol and any large Legionary gathering.

Also the Therns now have weapons made of iron and steel.

"So I can join you again?" Rob asks, wanting any excuses to join the Winter legion, Lyarra shapes her head to Rob dismay.

"No matter what they call you, you're still a Warden Rob, the young wolf, and my brother. No matter what they call you, you'll always be Rob Stark to those close to you, never forget that" Lyarra said, patting Rob's shoulder as he smiles at her.

A yell is heard, causing them all to turn and hearing them, everyone runs to the noise, expecting the worst.

Lyarra, Rob and the rest come to see Arya and Bran surrounding a dead stag.

"What happened?" Lyarra asked, seeing the dead stag and her younger siblings with a few men.

"We were hunting the stag but we found it like this" Arya said with Bran nodding as they looked over the dead stag.

"What could have done this?" Rob asked, Lyarra shakes his head looking at the dead stag, seeing one of its antlers off.

"Must be another animal, take it then" Lyarra said as her Conquer nodded as he went to grab the dead stag.

"What? but it tore up" Bran said, as he watched the soldiers start to help grab the stag.

"It's still a waste of food, next time you get it before someone else does" Lyarra said, as she goes away with the others following her.

"Don't worry, one of you will get it next time," Rob said, patting Bran's head as he walked off. Peacekeeper gives Arya a nudge as Arya nods, knowing she needs more training.

They walk through the woods, walking the way back to the outpost until Bran sees something.

"Hey what's that?" Bran said, causing everyone to turn and look, Bran wandered over with everyone following.

What they found surprised them.

In the clearing near a river was the body of a dead direwolve, antlers longed at its throat with pups trying to get milk as everyone gathered around the dead animal.

"Never seen a wolf this big before" Sasha said looking at the size of it.

"It is a direwolf, looks like we found the better hunter" Lyarra said looking at the antler of the stag, remembering going beyond the wall, seeing one a few times. As she reaches for it, one of the pups jumps at her, pulling her arm back, Lyarra looks to see one of the pups growling at her.

It is more cute than imitating, black as the night and looks like it has a few scars on it.

"There are no direwolves south of the wall," Rob said in surprise, looking at the pups.

"No there six, look at them" Arya said picking one of them, as she wraps her coat around one before giving one to Bran who wraps his arm around it.

"Where would they go? Their mother's dead" Bran ask in concern for the pups

"They don't belong down here" One on Rob's men said with another nodding.

"Better a quick death, they won't last without their mother" Another said as Ulrich grabs a knife ready to kill the pups, grabbing the pup out of Bran's arm.

"No," Bran said, not wanting to see the dead pup.

"Don't kill him," Arya said, grabbing her sword with one hand.

"Put away your blade" Rob threatens but it doesn't scare the Conqueror. Ulrich growls at him.

"Please sister" Bran begs her, but she is not looking, the dark pup growls at her as she stares right back not flinching.

"Lyarra don't kill them" Arya said, not wanting the pups dead.

Both the pup and War-born stare into each other, both can see the scars in the other, Lyarra slowly reaches for it as the pup barks at her, until she grabs it. The pup bites her hand, trying to make Lyarra bleed but Lyarra is wearing armour as she only pets the direwolf pup, until it calms down, only nibbling on Lyarra armour finger.

"Stop" Lyarra commander stopping Ulrich from killing the pup as they look at Lyarra holding the pup.

"The direwolf is the sigil for House Stark, and there are six pups, I think we were meant to have them" Lyarra said grabbing another pup,

"We'll take them in, talk to Lord and Lady Stark, but as long as you take care of them, it would be good" Lyarra said, Bran and Arya grin as Ulrich puts his blade away. As the Stark's children picked up pups to take them to Winterfell.

"What about Jon?" Arya said there are only six pups, but no one for Jon.

Lyarra looked down to see her pup howling, looking at the howl direction Lyarra looked to see a white pup crawling as Lyarra went to pick him up.

"A rut, I found Jon's," Lyarra said, picking up the pup as she carried him with the other pups.

Lyarra can't help but think if these are sign that something is about to happen.