Hello Everyone! As promised here I am, albeit after a long while.
Here's the new chapter. I couldn't touch my preferred 4k words mark here. Again I'm experimenting and delving into new writing themes. I hope it is good.
Chapter 3
Eddard had left her to run some errands when they returned from the ride. Lord Manderly surely had made an impression, for there was a dark shadow on his face when they parted at the doors of her old chamber. "I will call you soon. There's something we need to discuss." He spoke.
"About what Lord Manderly said," asked Barbrey.
"No", he replied almost dismissively, "something more important. You will find out soon."
Barbrey changed out of her riding clothes and made her way to her mother's chamber. The large room was swarming with ladies and stank of flowers, wine, and honey cakes. Nevertheless, she took a seat and greeted everyone. The 'grand schemes' of the fat Lord of White Harbor still hung heavy over her head, and she hardly took note of the teasing of Lady Karstark and Lady Redfort who were 'hoping that Lord Eddard was as a good a swordsman as they say.'
"He must be. I can tell," said one of the Umber women.
"And what would you know," asked another.
"Let's ask Lady Barbrey. She knows best," said Lady Redfort. Barbrey instead busied herself in pouring a glass of lemon water.
"I've heard that he is a fine rider as well," one of the younger daughters said.
That remark did manage to make Barbrey blush. She gave her a withering look, but the girl giggled anyway with the others.
After these few bawdy remarks some married women recalled their own beddings and then the gossip wagon trudged on without Barbrey on it. "Is something amiss daughter? You look anxious," her mother sat beside her and asked with concern on noticing her not talking.
"Nothing mother," Barbrey replied. "Eddard said he would call upon me soon. So, just waiting for him."
"Ohh. Your Lord husband must be, ah, fond of you." The surprise on her mother's face was plain, as were the unuttered words.
'Again already?'
"Will you excuse me," Barbrey got up and didn't wait for a reply to leave. The relief of leaving the chamber was short-lived, for as soon as she closed the door, she came face to face with the Maester of Winterfell.
"My Lady Stark, Lord Eddard has sent for you," said the grey man.
Even the sight of him made her bristle. She walked past him. "Did he now? I wasn't expecting this," said Barbrey to the ardently pursuing Maester.
"But my lady, Lord Stark said that you have been told by him." The man said, struggling with words and strides.
"But who knew you of all people would come to fetch me," Barbrey said back.
Suddenly the maester overtook and rounded up on her. For once his back was straightened and his gaze was steady as he looked her in the eye. That took her aback.
"My lady, I am not sure where this hostility towards me is coming from." The man's deep voice had suddenly become shrill. "Mayhaps your maesters at Barrowton or Castle Ryswell have not been adequate in their duties. Mayhaps you don't like my order, who can tell without knowing. Mayhaps it was some other reason. But I assure you, I am good! I worked very hard to earn my chain. I wish to serve your family well." Maester swallowed and his voice quivered. "But if my lady wishes I will write to the Citadel and ask to be replaced."
Luwin's feet seemed to sway, and his gaze flickered sideways after finishing his little speech. Barbrey gave her a long curious look. For all his rattish demeanor the man was brave enough, but there was something more interesting. almost endearing.
"Very well. Lead the way Luwin," Barbrey Stark found herself saying with amusement.
Luwin nodded and moved. Following behind him Barbrey was suddenly left to wonder what made her tell the Maester to lead the way. It didn't take long for them to reach her and Eddard's chamber. Inside she didn't find Eddard though.
Instead, two long-faced children were waiting for her, a brown-haired boy and a girl with long black hair, seated on two opposing armchairs. Both looked to be around seven years of age.
"Where is Lord Eddard," she asked Luwin.
"He should join us shortly," replied the Maester.
"And who are they?" She asked again.
The boy stood up quickly. He was wearing a long green woollen coat belted at the waist along with leather breaches and boots. The dagger sheathed on his hip looked almost comical. Unusual clothes for a child of seven. Barbrey smiled. Perhaps the little man was a soldier.
"Lem Flint, my lady Stark. I am from Widow's Watch. At your service," the child proclaimed boldly to Barbrey and bowed before her.
The girl on the other hand rose slowly. She wore the same attire as the boy, except her coat was a deep grey and more feminine and she wore no dagger. While the boy had been all swagger, the girl was more reserved. Keeping Lem Flint at an awkward distance she came forward and bowed.
"I am Nora Snow, my Lady Stark." The girl said, in a sullen tone.
A Flint and a bastard. Barbrey turned to Luwin again, and the grey man was ready with the answer. "The boy is from Widow's Watch my lady, second son of Lord Flint. And the girl is from OldCastle, Lord Locke's natural daughter. Lord Stark asked you to take a look at that," he pointed to the study desk where a thick book lay open.
When she was done looking through the opened pages of the tome, Barbrey turned towards the children. "Tell me Lord Flint, who are your parents?"
"My Father is Lord Rodrick Flint my lady, and my mother is Lady Lysara. I am their second son."
The girl answered quickly before even being questioned. "Lord Harlon Locke is my father my lady. And my mother was a washerwoman he used to like."
Barbrey closed the book and sat down with the children. "Tell me everything about yourself," she said with a smile.
"Barrowton," Lord Rodrick Ryswell announced to all the lords sitting in the Hall. Everyone's gaze turned to him, even the servants who had been busy preparing the hall for the feast that evening.
This was a meeting for urgent Northern business, and as such Eddard was the only one seated on the dais as befit the Lord Paramount. Behind him the servants were setting up table for the evening feast. Barbrey along with the rest of the Northern nobility were seated below. Eddard was sitting straight and wore his usual clothing of fur and leather, but this time he had his weapon beside him. Ice, the ancestral sword of House Stark, its hilt firmly enclosed in Eddard's right hand.
"We need to address who it passes to," finished Lord Ryswell, his expectant eyes at Eddard.
"Already," Rickard Karstark's grin sparkled like his sunburst sigil. "I thought Lord Ryswell would have wanted to wait."
"Ha! And that too just after the wedding. It's not like the Barrowlands are going anywhere. His lordship can lay a claim to them anytime he wants," shouted Lord Glover. Everyone snorted except Eddard on the dais, Roose Bolton, and Lord Manderly, who was surprisingly quiet that evening.
Jon Umber's laughter was loudest. He spoke. "Lay off you two. The man has been daydreaming about the Barrowlands ever since the match was announced." Now even Eddard looked amused, and Lord Bolton also allowed himself a smile. Barbrey turned to Lord Wyman Manderly, wondering whether he'd add his own japes to the growing pile. But the man chose to stay silent.
Her father on the other hand looked stricken. "Speak plainly you all. My daughter your Lady should not suffer these discourtesies. Remember, I am her father."
"Thousand pardons my lady," Jon Umber addressed her. "For what was said."
"And what might be said soon," finished Lord Karstark.
Barbrey rose to her feet and spoke cheerily. "While I enjoy a good jape once in a while, especially one well deserved," she watched her father redden. "I think we should hear what Lord Stark has to say in the matter."
Her statement was followed by many ayes. Eddard raised his hand, and an immediate silence followed. "Settling the inheritance of Barrowton is indeed a pressing matter and has all my attention. While we Starks will provide leadership as we have for centuries, we Northern houses are a family and must act like one in settling this. As such, I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Speak now if you have something to say."
When no one raised his voice, her father spoke. "Sadly, the ancient and noble House of Dustin ended in the war when the late Lord William Dustin was slain. In their absence, the Barrrowlands need strong leadership in the time to come. A strong hand that can make the lands prosper, from close proximity."
And that would be you, Father? Barbrey smirked. At close proximity?
"Strong hand and Close proximity, eh," said Lord Wull. "Before you suggest anything more my lord, let me remind you that Winterfell is also close to Barrowton. Torrhen's Square and Castle Cerwyn as well, but those are not noble houses, begging pardon. Perhaps those lands and castle should just be ceded to Lord Stark here."
"Winterfell already has enough on its plate, begging pardon," spoke Roose Bolton. Just like the case with Eddard everyone listened when the pale lord spoke, even though he was not on the dais. "The lands and castle would be best governed by House Ryswell. Lord Rodrick has two gallant sons, and young Lady Stark was a Ryswell and a Dustin, and in her strong guidance the wounds of House Dustin's extinction will heal well. Lord Roger Ryswell will inherit the Rills, and the Barrowlands can safely go to the young Rickard."
Barbrey stiffened. Like hell they will. Rickard was an idiot. All he ever cared for was beer, horses, and whores. The Barrowlands had been hers, and she would never allow them to pass to Rickard.
Eddard knew all this.
A few ayes followed Lord Bolton's statement. But then Lord Manderly ponderously rose from his chair. "My lords. Speaking of second sons, other houses have them as well. My son Wendel for instance, was recently knighted in Redfort for his gallantry. He is gentle and chivalrous, ask anyone. Barrowlands can pass to him just as easily as Lord Ryswell's son. But that is not all White Harbor offers. We offer more."
"Not lard I hope," shouted someone from back.
"Something heavier than lard. Silver. My coffers are full of it." Lord Wyman smiled. "Us Manderlys have made White knife and the North bloom with trade. Barrowlands can prosper under Manderlys as well…."
"Enough of your grand claims my lord," her father shouted. "You are not even from the North. What ties do you have to Barrowton? Let us hear no more of these airy talks my lords!"
"Enough Lord Ryswell," Eddard raised his voice. "You will not interrupt another lord when he is speaking."
"But Lord Stark. Lord Wyman plays us false."
"That is for us all to decide. Not for you, someone who seems way too eager to bestow the Barrowlands to his family."
Lord Wyman resumed his speech. "As I was saying, White Harbor is the richest house in the North after the Starks, and that wealth has come from our port and our ingenuity. If the Barrowlands are ceded to House Manderly, we can transmit that ingenuity deep into the heart of the North, and make the whole region bloom. I am sure my Lord Stark and Lady Stark know that my words hold worth."
With this the fat lord sat down and looked around, daring others to follow.
"We have heard two claims," spoke Eddard from the dais. "Two equally deserving to be pondered may I add. Three, if we consider what Lord Wull here said. But none of those claims pay any respect to the ancient and noble house of Dustin. who held the Barrowlands for centuries. You all say that House Dustin is extinct my lords. But I say that it is not. Its blood still flows in us Northman. Maester Luwin," he addressed the maester who was sitting close by, "bring the children."
She could feel the interest of men around her. Maester Luwin left and fetched the children, and Eddard called them to the dais. The two stood on both sides of Eddard. They had been told of course and their demeanour interested Barbrey. While the boy looked on proud and happy, the girl looked afraid.
"Lord Lem here is the second son of Lord Flint. And Lady Nora is a daughter of Lord Locke. These children have Dustin blood in them. Lord William Dustin's only aunt wed into House Flint and her blood still flows in Lord Flint's sons. Same is the case with House Locke who also had a daughter of House Dustin wedded to it two generations back. William Dustin might have been slain, but his name and house can live on in these two."
Her father looked scandalized. "But my lord, is this seemly? These children are not direct descendants, and…."
"THE GIRL IS A BASTARD," someone shouted from behind. This caused a massive uproar with many screaming their outrages. The boy was seething in defiance and anger, and the scared girl now looked ready to cry.
Eddard stood up suddenly, and a hush followed. The broadsword Ice was still in his hand, and his grasp on its hilt now seemed even tighter. His cold glare swept across the hall, looking in the direction from where the shout came. He had placed a hand on Nora's shoulder, Barbrey noticed. "It is in my right to call that person and have his tongue removed, but be grateful that I won't do that." He spoke, clearly making that offender piss in fear somewhere in the back. "As for this illegitimacy business, it can be resolved with a simple raven to King's Landing. And Lord Ryswell," he addressed her father. "What should matter more to us than your son inheriting Barrowlands, is that House Dustin will live on. Eventually history will forget what transpired today, but it will remember that the unbroken line of House Dustin continued after the war. That the Barrow Kings of old have not been forgotten."
Lord Bolton spoke. "Lord Stark if I may, these children are very young. Child lords are often a bane to their houses. Is it wise to hand over Barrowton to them?"
"I will show that you are wrong my lord," Lem Flint proclaimed loudly. "I will become the greatest lord the North has ever seen!" Many laughed at the young lord who looked on defiantly.
The boy's enthusiasm melted away a lot of Eddard's anger, Barbrey was happy to see. His had was still on Nora's shoulder. His features softened, yet there are still some tensions on his brow, the wariness that elder wolves had when they were looking out for their pups in the open. She felt her heart swell. Eddard looked glorious at that moment.
"Fully agreed Lord Bolton," spoke Eddard. "Which is why Lord Lem and Lady Nora will be fostered in Winterfell till they come of age. Meanwhile, Barrowton would be remain under House Stark's guidance, with Harwood Stout as its castellan."
Roose Bolton bowed his head in agreement and the whole hall resonated with ayes. Lord Rodrick was quivering with rage and shame; Barbrey was pleased to see.
"That was well done, Eddard," she told him. Sitting beside her Eddard's eyes twinkled as he stared down into his wine cup, swirling its contents. He looked content enough. In front of them young people were dancing to songs of love. The evening had less grandiose than their wedding feast, but Barbrey found it far more entertaining. She had hummed every good song that was played.
"Most of the work was done by Luwin, truth be told. He was the one who found the book and looked into the lineages," Eddard spoke. "House Dustin will live on. After what William did for me, I couldn't let House Dustin's legacy waste away into nothing. I owed him that much."
"Oh! What did William do for you?"
Eddard smiled sadly into his cup. "I asked him to stay back and rally the men to march back North. But he insisted to ride with me to Tower of Joy. I warned him that the ride would be dangerous, and he had a young wife waiting for him. But William, he was a loyal man, and brave. What I did today, was the least I could do."
"You did very good Eddard. William would surely be happy, wherever he is. I..I just wish you had told me more about this earlier. I got to know everything on a very short notice," she added.
"Ah, well. I had been planning this with Maester Luwin for a long time. And my lady…I didn't know you." He smiled. "I wasn't sure how happy our marriage would be. This thought had been eating at me ever since the match was announced."
"And now," she asked.
He chuckled and looked at her. "Well, things are certainly looking…promising."
"Glad to know," she smiled.
"Perhaps not as glad as me," he said back. "Care to dance?"
As they walked to the floor the singers started playing 'Two hearts that beat as one'. Barbrey and Eddard started their dance. The crowd was cheering, and Barbrey was laughing. They danced twice to the song and as they started walking away the musicians started playing 'Seasons of my love', and Barbrey and Eddard happily indulged in another bout.
They talked more about their lives, and what they aspired to be in the coming days. All the while his grey eyes were patient and attentive, and with each sentence Barbrey was feeling lighter, lighter and happier. Soon enough the evening came to an end, and everyone started retiring to their chambers. Barbrey and Eddard made their way to their own. No words were shared on their way, but her tummy was fluttering in giddiness. When they reached their chamber Eddard closed the door behind and turned towards her. The silence lingered as they gazed at each other, conversing without speaking. And then Barbrey smiled welcomingly, and he came to her.
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