Riverrun, Riverlands, ninth moon of 281 AC
Benjen Stark POV
Benjen Stark considered himself a good person; his foster family and natural family taught him the way of the world and how to navigate it without becoming a monster. Lord Dovahkiin taught him about magic, swordplay, how to sail a ship, how to manage a coastal city, how to defend the said city against pirates and reavers, and so Manu more things. Benjen, in his not-so-humble opinion, was ready to lead, prepared to become a Lord, and that was the reason he would be competing in the Tournament at Harrenhal, to show he was ready.
Benjen and all Northern nobles attending the Tournament at Harrenhal stayed in Riverrun for two days, mainly for Brandon to get to know his future wife. Catelyn Tully, in Benjen's opinion, was a disaster waiting to happen; the woman was pious with that disgusting faith of hers; she held the Northern Lords in low regard, although she hid that very well; she also had a very obnoxious septa following her everywhere, the woman, unlike Lady Tully, didn't hide her dislike for Northern things, which was why Benjen was keeping Lord Dovahkiin as far away from the woman as possible. Ragnar's dislike for anything "of the seven" was known throughout the North; a dislike Bejen had accidentally adopted as well.
As he got ready to train with the sword once more, Benjen saw Edmure Tully, Brandon's new squire, enter the training yard, followed by a small boy, who didn't look very happy to be there. The Tully sisters were with them. The yard was full of people; all northern lords were there training for the upcoming tournament, and some ladies watched as they drank tea or just watched.
Lord Dovahkiin was sparing against Brandon, Greatjon Umber, and Rickard Karstark simultaneously, with no difficulty whatsoever. Lynara would cheer for her father from time to time as she apparently enjoyed seeing her father training.
Lady Dovahkiin held her daughter as she fed her small fruits.
"Benjen! Ragnar gave instructions for your training today. He said you were not to spar against anyone and just work on your footwork and dodging. You are to put a cloth in your eyes and dodge our strikes." Theon Stane said with a grimace, clearly not liking his instructions.
" Why are you uncomfortable? I thought I would be the one having to dodge while blind…." Benjen said humorously.
"It's not right to attack a blind enemy; I am good enough with my sword to not have to attack someone dishonorably… it's beneath me." Theon said
" Hum… where's Harwin?" Benjen said
" He got carried out in our spar once again, and his hammer slipped from his hands… the hammer flew and almost Dacey… Ragnar was furious. He put butter in Harwin's hands, took him to Riverrun's Godswood, told him to hold tight on the weirwood tree, and left him hanging in there… 12 feet above the ground… holding with his hands only… Ragnar also put some sharp things on the ground around Harwin." Theon said, and Benjen grimaced
" What will happen if he falls?" Benjen asked
" He will be sent back home… to do the mammoth's dung service with a spoon… for a whole year," Theon said, and Benjen once more grimaced
" Is he allowed to use magic to hold on to the tree?" Benjen asked
"Aye… but Ragnar didn't mention that," Theon said.
" I see…" Benjen said, " Then let's do what Ragnar asked… I don't want to be sent back home." Benjen said as he put a blindfold on his eyes.
Benjen was able to dodge most of Theon's strikes, much to the astonishment of everyone watching; it wasn't hard for Benjen to do so; he had learned from Lord Dovahkiin a spell to amplify his ear's power; he could listen to a sword moving in the air, or where a person attacking him was, which help him dodge attacks, he could hear the footsteps of a person sneaking on him which made attacks from behind almost impossible against him. As Benjen was dodging, he could hear Ragnar defeating his opponents one by one, Greatjon being the last to lose, and Rickard Karstark being the fist. The Northern lords laughed as he trained, completely disbelieving their eyes. Benjen was enjoying doing that so much that he began playing, dodging mockingly and only avoiding the strikes at the last second. That went until he heard
" Theon… out. It's my turn now." Benjen heard Ragnar say, and his whole demeanor changed.
" You are enjoying this too much. I didn't ask you to do this so you could enjoy the glory my fellow Lords barked you in. This whole training was for you to work on your footwork. You are too relaxed and too arrogant about your abilities with the sword. I taught you to be proud of your abilities, not to be arrogant." Ragnar said thoughtfully as he began striking Benjen with a wooden sword. Benjen was fast, but Ragnar was faster… way faster. Each time Benjen managed to dodge, he would take four hits from the wooden sword. It was impossible to predict where Ragnar would hit; the man spun his sword so fast and randomly that it almost seemed like he had two swords.
" Good… now you are taking this seriously. You are from the North… blood of the first men runs thick in your veins! You will not act like a hussy vale knight or a Lannister while I live. You forget your actions might bring shame upon mine and your father's name. You are good, better than many… that doesn't mean you can disrespect an opponent. I never underestimate an opponent; when I fought in Prince's Viserys tournament, I finished all my opponents with one move, not to humiliate them… but to show them respect as I was doing my best! You will do the same whenever you fight against anyone! I will not allow you dirty yours, mine's, or Rickard's name by acting like a Reach knight!" Ragnar said harshly; his voice was not loud, only enough for Benjen and those close to him to hear. Benjen wanted to say something but couldn't, Ragnar waited a few seconds for an answer, but when none came, he turned around and walked back to Dacey and Lynara. Ragnar's words hurt Benjen, mainly because it was the first time Ragnar was disappointed at something he did. Benjen could hear the disappointment in Ragnar's voice; it was almost palpable.
" I'm sorry, Ragnar! This won't happen again," Benjen said as he took his blindfold off " I swear it by earth and sky, I swear it by bronze and Iron, I swear it by Ice and fire." Benjen completed fastly, which got many people by surprise, as only a handful of them heard Ragnar's words.
" Good…" Ragnar said as he offered Benjen a small smile which the young Stark returned.
The training yard was much calmer after that; Benjen continued to train with a blindfold for a few minutes until he once again heard something that made his demeanor change.
" I challenge you for Lady Catelyn's hand, Tree hugger barbarian! I shall not allow my friend to be taken by a Northern barbarian! You should all be put to the sword! Every man, woman, and child." Benjen heard a young man say.
" What did you say, boy?" Benjen heard Ragnar thunder; his voice literally shook the ground.
" I accept!" Brandon said loudly
" Good! I will gut you li-" The young man said but was interrupted by Ragnar
" What. Did. You. Say. BOY?" Ragnar thundered once again; it was that moment the till now too stunned to speak, Catelyn Tully said
" Please, my Lord, he didn't mean it! Don't kill him! He's like a brother to me!"
" You will not hurt dear Petyr in my father's castle! Heathen," Lysa Tully screeched
At that moment, hell broke loose as the Tully guards moved closer to Ragnar, not in a threatening manner, which was the main reason they were not butchered where they stood, but to protect the Tully sisters. However, if her face was any indication, Dacey didn't interpret it like that, as she held Lynara close and closed her eyes. Benjen and the others heard a loud roar, and a few seconds later, Snowstorm landed on the walls of Riverrun, letting a loud road directed at the Tullys guards and the Petyr boy. The Ice Dragon snared at the Tully guards, who were too stunned to speak.
" Lord Dovahkiin, we are under guest rights, send the Dragon away; I will handle the feeble boy. He will pay for what he said." Brandon said, but Ragnar's eyes never left the Petyr boy, who had soiled his pants. The whole castle was silent as Lord Dovahkiin kept silent
" By my father's name, I ask you to send the Dragon away, Ragnar. Let the heir to the north defend the north's honor!" Benjen said he knew that using his father's name would work; Ragnar was a man of his word; he swore to his father, and his father was the only man that could demand things from him, and even so, his father had to tread very carefully with his demands as Ragnar didn't follow his father's demands out of fear, but out of respect. There was something about his father that Ragnar respected and admired.
Just as Benjen predicted, as soon as he said his words, Ragnar looked at him and nodded slowly.
" Dacey," Ragnar said; Benjen looked at Dacey, who closed her eyes once more; the Dragon roared once more, this time louder than before, shooking the whole castle like an earthquake, it then beat its mighty wings and flew away.
Hoster Tully arrived two seconds after, panting like a fat man, the fear and anger on his face were as apparent as they could be.
" What in the seven hells just happened here?" Hoster demanded
" Your ward almost began a war; should we be worried that the next Lady of Winterfell grew with the same education as the boy who said all northerners should be put to the sword?" Benjen answered with ice in his voice.
" What?!" Hoster asked, but before anyone could answer him, Brandon said
" Go wear your armor, dear Petyr. You will need it." Brandon said; he then turned to Lord Dovahkiin, " May I request your blade, my Lord? It would be an honor to use your blade to win this duel, a good sword Valyrian Sword forged by northern hands." Brandon said, and Ragnar nodded.
" Theon… my sword," Ragnar said, and Theon walked to Dacey, who handed him Ragnar's sword; he then walked to Brandon and gave him the sword.
" Aye… a blade worthy of defending The North's pride," Brandon said, and all Northern Lords shouted in agreement.
"I will honor your request, my lady. But he will suffer first. Death will be merciful; he will have to live with that humiliation. I won't let him forget it, nor will any northerner. The North remembers!" Brandon said to the still, very stunned Catelyn Tully, who nodded stiffly.
" The North remembers," Benjen and the other northern lords said simultaneously.
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Riverrun, Riverlands, ninth moon of 281 AC
Ragnar Pov
Ragnar didn't like the Riverlands very much; at first, it was due to the smell of the land, which smelled like humid fish; then it was because the Riverlands grounds were muddy; everywhere he stepped, the ground was muddy; that problem went away as soon as it came, for the ground was only muddy near the Kingsroad. Then the biggest problem in the Riverlands appeared, their people. The Riverlanders were extremely different from the Northerners; they talked and walked differently, and the few knights he saw in the Riverlands were nothing more than up-jumped bandits, charging tolls on the fools and sometimes outright robbing people; and those were "warriors" anointed in their gods' name, but what can one expect from a warrior of a corrupt religion?
That was why Ragnar reacted so poorly when Petyr Baelish said that "all heathen should be put to the sword."; that and the fact his daughter was part of those that should be put to the sword. Ragnar wanted blood; unfortunately, Brandon asked to be the one fighting as he was the one to be challenged, and Benjen agreed with his brother, so he reluctantly let Brandon fight.
The so-called fight wasn't a fight at all; Brandon slashed at Petyr Baelish, and with one strike, the boy went down… miserably. Brandon was true to his words and didn't kill the boy, something Ragnar admonished him for… eight times… in a roll. But it was for naught; Brandon would keep true to his word, something Ragnar admired him for, as much as he disagreed with Brandon's decision.
Dacey and Ragnar were walking on the Tumblestone's river bank, with Lynara seated on Ragnar's neck; Dacey was as beautiful as always; her blue eyes shone brightly, and her face glowed as it had done the first time she got pregnant, her hair was braided in a Skago-Lynesse style, which made her face look ever prettier as two strands of hair fell from each side of her head and reached till her cheeks, giving her a mischievous aura, something Ragnar pointed out several times he liked.
" Papa, can we go in water?" Lynara asked, " Plewwse?"
" Nay… not this water, baby. These waters are dangerous. But I'll take you to swim in the sea someday!" Ragnar answered as he got hold of his daughter's little feet and squeezed them, much to the two name day old's delight
" Otay, papa" Lynara said
" You are a great Father, Ragnar. You don't spoil her much, and you always spend time with her whenever possible. I wonder how you will do when our second child is born." Dacey said as she put her hand on her belly, something Ragnar missed as he began playing with Lynara
" Daddy is the best daddy, am I not?" Ragnar said as he tickled Lynara, who was laughing like the child she was.
" Daddy the best!" Lynara said between laughs
" Aye…" Ragnar said as he gave a quick glance at Dacey, who still had her hands on her belly…
" You jest!" Ragnar said
" No, my love! My moonblood is late, and I asked Benjen to see if I was pregnant… he confirmed." Dacey said, and Ragnar nodded
" Little shit! That's why he had that insufferable smile on his face all day!" Ragnar murmured. He then looked at Dacey and quickly gave her a passionate kiss, much to Lynara's displeasure
"Ewww! Papa! Mama!" Lynara said.
Dacey had a big smile on her face, as did Ragnar.
" Tell me, Ragnar. Would you like it to be a boy this time?" Dacey asked, and Ragnar shrugged
" I would love a boy as much as a girl. You gave me Lynara, and I wouldn't change her for anything in this world. It wouldn't matter. But a boy is the better option for Skagos; it would bring security." Ragnar said calmly.
" Aye… I hope the baby is a boy. It would bring me peace to know our family is secure." Dacey said, and Ragnar deadpanned
" Lynara will have a Dragon… and I will train her on arms and magic… no one would dare contest her right to inherit my lands should you bare me no son," Ragnar said, and Dacey nodded
" Aye… it would be funny seeing them vultures try and take what is ours…." Dacey said
" Indeed," Ragnar said he then looked up to see his daughter looking at him with a curious gaze
" So what do you think? Would you like a little brother or sister?" Ragnar asked
" Huh? Brota? Sista?" Lynara asked confused
"Aye… one more of you to play… play and play all day," Dacey said, and Lynara smiled and nodded furiously
" Like one more papa?" Lynara asked
" Like one more Lynara.." Ragnar said
" But… I just one!" Lynara said as she put one finger up to show the number one
" Aye… but a brother would- you will get one more friend." Ragnar tried once more
" like papa?" Lynara asked
" like papa but really small," Ragnar answered
" I like," Lynara said, and Ragnar laughed.
" I figured you would," Ragnar said as he and Dacey kept walking, the letter with a smile on her face.
When they got back to Riverrun, it was almost time for them to depart for Harrenhal. Lynara was sleeping, and House Tully's servants got all their belongings ready for them to depart.
( time skip 7 hours)
Ragnar rode in the front with Brandon, Benjen and his Direwolf, and Greatjon; Dacey followed behind with Barbrey Ryslwell and Lyanna Stark, and the rest of the Northern lords rode behind. Hoster Tully, his two daughters, and his household decided to wait a day to proceed to Harrenhal. By doing so, he would give the Northerners the space they needed after that whole affair at Riverrun
Brandon and Ragnar kept talking the whole time; Brandon asked Ragnar about things to do to better the North, how to help the poorest houses, etc.
" You should build roads, real roads, not like the Kingsroad. Roads would make everything so much faster, armies would be able to assemble thrice as quickly as they do now, trade would have a significant boom, and new towns would be created. Another thing you should do is teach the children their letters; if at least one person per house is educated, then your decrees, laws, or announcements would take a lot less time to sink in. You must also have a good relationship with your wife; she will be the one managing your castle; a letter could cause war, as well as stop one. I've told you before, and I will repeat it. We are as strong as we are united and as weak as we are divided. A house divided against itself cannot stand." Ragnar said to Brandon, who nodded.
" Then it will never work. She defended that Petyr boy. She is as zealous as that disgusting septa of hers. I talked to her, Brandon, and she said she would ask you to allow a sept to be built in Winterfell." Benjen said
" Over my dead body… I would never allow such a thing! But Lord Dovahkiin is right! I must have a United house, which will never happen with Catelyn Tully as my wife. That is why I will marry someone secretly." Brandon said, and he had to duck from a slap intended to hit on the back of his head
" Are you dumb or just fucking stupid? Father would never allow it. He could pass you over as heir! Ned would be the perfect heir! Calm, collected, obedient! Do not try your luck! Talk to father first!" Benjen said, and Brandon's face went red with anger. He was ready to begin shouting but was interrupted.
" Do not should right now; my daughter is sleeping. Keep your cool, or I will take your voice from you." Ragnar said, his voice as calm as the wind in summer. " I will talk to your father. Alyssane Blackwood would be a better match for you. I've been talking to Lord Blackwood about trade agreements; he spoke to me about Alyssane once; he said she's Black Aly come again," Ragnar said, and Brandon nodded.
" That is acceptable… Blackwoods were from the north. And of what Lord Blackwood said is the truth, then she's at least interesting." Brandon said, and Ragnar nodded.
" Good, just as long as we are all in agreement. Father will accept. The Blackwoods produce a lot of grains, and House Stark now has more gold than all of the Noble houses of the Riverlands combined." Benjen said, and Ragnar nodded; he didn't know how much gold the Stark had now, but with his last six years of taxes alone gave them a good one and a half million gold, nothing too much as House Dovahkiin had revenue of six to seven million gold dragons annually. That was almost as much as the Sea Snake did during his life; the thing was, Ragnar had more ships than the Sea Snake, and his ships were magically protected, which allowed it to trade with Yi-Ti and other parts of Essos. However, he had no trade agreement with anyone other than the Ibbenease and the Bravossi. The trips to Yi-Ti and the shadowlands were few, but they were highly profitable.
Ragnar and the other Northern Lords would ride two more days till they got to Harrenhal. The castle was as sad as described, grand, but sad. Many Lords were already there. Most Westerands houses were already present, as well as most Riverland's and Vale's houses. Many of the Crownlands would be arriving with Rhaegar, as would many Reach Lords. The Lords were happy; the purpose of this tournament was an open secret to Rhaegar's supporters, one no one dared to say out loud. Aerys reign would cease to exist through diplomacy or war.
(Time skip the night)
The Great Hall of Harrenhal was packed with nobles, some dancing as the bards played, some taking to business partners or family. Most of them were having a good time. The boisterous Lords were drinking and feasting as they should. Brandon Stark was dancing with Alyssane Blackwood, a tall woman with big teats, grey eyes, and raven-haired; she was taller than Dacey and as beautiful as his wife.
Ragnar and his family sat at a table with all Northern Lords and a few allies. Eddard Stark had a reunion with his family; Robert Baratheon was enamored with Lyanna Stark, much to the girl's annoyance.
" When will your sister marry Robert?" Ragnar asked Benjen, who looked at him confused
" Never… Father wants all Starks other than Brandon to marry in the North." Benjen said and Ragnar's eyes widened
" Why?" Ragnar asked " I thought he wanted to have powerful allies to help The North," Ragnar said; he had an idea of why but he chose to ask just for the sake of it
" Aye… but then you showed up with an Ice Dragon and gave it to women born Mormont… who would rather die than betray our house. We don't need more power to secure the North. We are secured enough as we are." Benjen said, and Ragnar nodded.
" Isn't that interesting… so you and Lyanna are the only ones not betrothed to someone right now?" Ragnar asked
" Aye… Eddard will marry Barbrey Dustin, as Brandon had promised House Ryswell to marry his daughter to a Stark." Benjen said, and Ragnar nodded
"I thought Eddard would take a Manderlyn wife; he will be the Stark in the Moat, won't he?" Ragnar asked
" Aye… but Donella Manderlyn got betrothed to Halys Hornwood a moon before father sent him a raven asking about her. I thought you knew about that…don't you have spies all over Westeros?" Benjen said
" No… only below the Neck. I don't need to place spies in the North. I guess those letters got loose when Frostfall Maester moved down to Kingshouse port." Ragnar said.
" Aye… did you have to make Marwyn stay in that Magicka well for a year?" Benjen asked, and Ragnar nodded
"He dabbled with sacrificial magic… his magic had to be cleaned from that." Ragnar said and that was the truth.
When Maester Merwyn arrived in Skagos and saw the College of Winterhold, he knelt to Ragnar and asked him to teach him the higher mysteries; Ragnar accepted but demanded a magical oath from him, a simple one that guaranteed secrecy and all that. He then tried to open Marwyn's Magicka pool only to find that the Maester had dabbled with sacrificial magic, something Ragnar abhorred. Marwyn promised never to practice that again, and Ragnar told him the only way to clean his pool was by letting him live in a magicka pool inside the College for a whole year. The man accepted.
Ragnar kept drinking with his family and fellow lords happily. Lynara, surprisingly enough, liked the whole atmosphere; seeing all happy around her made her happier than ever; she laughed with the other Lords and played games with others. Escalating Ragnar and Greatjon Umber seemed to be her favorite game, much to both giants' happiness.
" Jamie Lannister challenged me to a spar; it will take place tomorrow." Said Benjen said as he returned from wherever he went. Ragnar smiled but said nothing.
" It seems your little verbal spar with Cersei Lannister came back to bite your ass," commented Dacey, " or to bite his ass most probably." She completed, and Ragnar laughed out loud.
A few minutes later, Cersei Lannister passed by their table, followed by a handful of Westerlands little ladies. She stopped, turned to Benjen, and said.
" I've heard you will spar against my brother tomorrow, my lord. I wish you good luck… you undoubtedly will need it." Cersei Lannister said, " I asked the next song for you… just to bring up the mood." completed Cersei Lannister before curtsying and leaving.
A few minutes later, the bards began playing the rains of Castamere; Benjen, instead of getting mad, seemed to find it all amusing. After the song ended, Benjen got up and went to the bard, she stood there, and a few seconds later, the same melody of the Rains of Castamere began again, but that time it was Benjen who sang.
And who are you?
The leech lord said
That I must bow so low?
Only a lord of meek grey wolf, that's all the truth I know!
In your scales of black and fields of red your dragon might have claws
But our blades are long and sharp my lord
Way sharper than your claws…
And so he spoke and so he spoke the Lord of Dreadfort
And now the snow falls on his halls with no one there to see
Oh yes, the snow falls on his halls with not a soul to hear
The Northern Lords went crazy after Benjen finished the song. Ragnar looked at the Westerlands table to see a seething Cersei Lannister throw her mug at a servant.
"By Akatosh's mercy! I love this boy!"