Wolfswood, The North, 1st moon,275 AC*
"House Dovahkiin? I've never heard of it. Are you from Essos, perhaps?" Asked Lord Stark with a curious face.
"It would be a surprise if you had, my Lord. I came from a place far away from here, and I don't think I'll ever be able to return." Ragnar calmly replied. Lord Stark seemed a little disturbed by Ragnar's answer. Ragnar didn't know why but refrained from asking; the northerners' bluntness is legendary after all, and if there were really a problem, Lord Stark would certainly let him know.
"Why wouldn't you be able to return home? Are you a criminal? Why are you here in The North? Outsiders don't usually like here." Lord Stark asked in a somewhat neutral tone.
Before Ragnar could answer, Lady Stark spoke in a gentle yet firm voice.
"Lord Husband, let us not discuss personal matters here; why don't we return to the camp? I'm sure Lord Dovahkiin can tell us more about him by warm of a campfire. We are indebted to him after all."
"Just Dovahkiin my Lady, Although I'm a Lord, my titles have no meaning here." Ragnar interjected as Lord Stark pondered his wife's request.
"Yes, Lady wife, I quite agree with you." He said and then turned to Ragnar. "Would you mind accompanying us to our camp? It's just a few feet away from here. We are actually heading to Deepwood Motte, House's Glover seat, but we decided to rest for today."
"I wouldn't mind, my Lord. Is something special happening in Deepwood Motte? I presume it's not common for the Lord Paramount of the north to visit a vassal, must be and special occasion…."
"Good then. Follow us…" said Lord Stark as he offered his arm to Lady Stark, who took it, and they began to walk…
Ragnar followed them to the camp as they talked about small matters, the north, and Winterfell. It's incredible how fast you talk about other things when trying to avoid a particular topic; it's like rabbit breeding: quick and embarrassing… When they arrived at the camp, Ragnar saw a few more soldiers working on gathering firewood and women cooking stews on an improvised bonfire. It seemed cozy in Ragnar's mind… Lord and Lady Stark signed for Ragnar to follow them to a large tent, and he did so.
Ragnar thought of the tent as rather comfy; there were furs and sleeping bags on the floor, two to be exact, there was a small wooden table and a "torch holster" there were also a few chairs, one of which Ragnar sat on.
"So, my question… I need an answer before I grant you a boon… or punishment, though I would rather not. I'm indebted to you after all." Said Lord Stark
"Well, I'm not a criminal, nor was I banned from home… I would rather not talk about why I left, but I assure you that I am NOT, nor have I ever been, a criminal… as for why I came to The North, well there're two reasons, the first is that The people of the north are honest and hardworking just like people back home… When I look at The North, I see a place where I could grow and help its people as a whole… the second reason is that my home and the North are very similar… the resemblance is quite uncanny… it just felt right to come here…."
Ragnar said honestly and bluntly…
"I see… I believe in you, Mr.Dovahkiin. First of all, I would like to thank you for saving mine and my wife's life." Lord Stark said as he bowed his head slightly, "And as a reward, you can ask me anything, and if reasonable and within my power, I shall grant you." Lord Stark said with a slight smile on his face…
Wolfswood, The North, 1st moon,275 AC*
Ragnar was, by all means, a simple man; he didn't wish for riches or luxuries; he wished to help people. So when Lord Stark offered him a boon, he could only ask a thing.
"Lord Stark, I am a strong man, but I'm also a man of knowledge. All I want from you is permission. You see, when I was learning about the North, I learned of an Island far east of here, Skagos; I learned about how stagnant and primitive life on that Island was." Ragnar silently and subtly cast a compulsive magic ( illusion magic) that would make Lord Stark more agreeable to the whole idea… "I ask for permission to go there and change it for the good of the North, bring it back to the North, and make it thrive. What I ask is for you to make me Lord of Skagos."
Lord Stark pondered the pros and cons of making this man Lord of Skagos… In Lord Stark's eyes, Ragnar seemed trustworthy; there was a part of him who wanted to trust this man; Ragnar gave the impression of being a man of his word, and with this in mind, Lord Stark made his decision:
"Kneel, Ragnar Dovahkiin." Said Lord Stark as he drew Ice from its sheath.
Ragnar remained silent and did as he was told, the tent was quiet, as were Lady Stark and the two guards inside the tent.
"Do you swear to bring Skagos to a new light in the eyes of The North and to guide it with responsibility and perseverance?" Asked Lord Stark
"I swear," Ragnar replied
"Do you swear to preserve the peace?" Asked Lord Stark
"I swear," Ragnar Replied
"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambitions and to pledge yourself to House Stark and The North?" Lord Stark asked
"I swear," Ragnar loudly replied, and the ground seemed to shake with anticipation and eagerness.
" Then repeat after me. I, Ragnar Dovahkiin, swear by the old gods and new that, on becoming a rightful Lord and oversea of Skagos, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Lord Rickard Stark, His Heirs and Successors according to the law of man and gods alike. I give my loyalty to The North and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its ancient and noble values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfill my duties and obligations as a Lord of The North and subject to House Stark, and so shall all my heirs and descendants."
Ragnar did as he was told and repeated Lord Stark's words, and he truly meant it; he would be loyal to House Stark and would shield The North from its enemies; Ragnar intended on make The North strong.
" Then rise Lord Dovahkiin, proud and rightful Lord of House Dovahkiin and Skagos. I expect you to come up with a coat of arms and your house's words before the end of this year. Winterfell and House Stark will not provide soldiers to help you in your endeavors; consider it a test. I will send a raven to my maester to inform him of your house's creation. If you wish to accompany me and my Household to Deepwood Motte, you are free to do so."
Ragnar paid attention to Lord Stark's Words and pondered if he should go with him to Deepwood Motte… but ultimately, he decided not to.
"Thank you, my Lord, I will do as you say. Before the end of this year, I shall send you a raven with my coat of arms and my house's words. I would rather take off to Skagos as soon as I can. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can conquer it," Ragnar chucked, and Lord Stark nodded.
They spent the rest of the day talking about plans and logistics… Lord Stark surprisingly didn't ask how Ragnar would do his "conquest," and Ragnar also didn't get into details about that… Came the morning, Ragnar departed to Skagos with determination and anticipation in his eyes.
A/N: There it is, the new chap… I'll try to get the chapter longer… it's my first fanfic, so it's pretty hard for me to write it… I read some fanfics tonight to get some ideas about how to write a long chapter