Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and Game of Thrones.

Here we are, I thank you everyone that read and reviewed the last chapter.

This chapter contains a few time skips and some events that influence the future.

Chapter 5 – The Northern Advances

Winterfell, the North...One Moon Later…290 AC…

The long line of carts carrying the new gold was one of the most heavily protected convoys that the North had ever seen.

There were fifteen guards to each cart and over ten carts, meaning over a hundred guards from House Stark, Manderly, Umber and others surrounding them until they finally reached the deeply comforting sight of Winterfell.

Ned at the head of the convoy with his daughter and the GreatJon just behind him on their own steeds had been nearly made into a nervous wreck by the constant thought that they were going to be attacked at any moment, the amount of gold weighing heavily on his mind. This was perhaps the most important thing to happen to the North since he had been its lord, with this much wealth so much was now possible...things he had not even dreamt of before. Winterfell could be fully repaired for the first time in centuries, Moat Cailin could be rebuilt as a defensive stronghold and keep for House Stark.

He was a little uncomfortable with the impact this knowledge could have if it got out too quickly but there was little he could do about that. He knew Roose would know soon enough as young Domeric would surely tell him, the young lad had departed their company in White Harbour for another ship that would take him to Gulltown in the Vale where he would take up squiring for Lord Redfort and beyond that other men were sure to talk.

His mind wandered a little now he had the comfort of being within his own walls, however the sight of all the carts and guards certainly caught attention as they first moved through Wintertown and then into the castle. All the people turned and looked with curiosity wondering what in the world their lord was bringing into the castle that required ten carts and needed so much protection.

His heart however lifted when he saw not only his wife and children standing there to greet him but his younger brother as well. Benjen smiled too as their gazes met, glad to see his brother after a lot of rangings into the Far North. They both had aged too much since they last saw each other but nevertheless that strong bond of brotherhood endured.

"Welcome home Ned, I see your trip was successful." Benjen said looking at the many chests and carts and wondering just what had his elder brother been up to since he had last visit.

"It is good to be home after the perils of Braavos but it was well worth the effort spent." Ned said as he dismounted from his horse and turned to Ser Rodrik and Luwin. "See that these chests are moved to the treasury and well secured." The two men nodded and immediately went to carry out his command, the vault or treasury of Winterfell was a very secure one with some of the new locks devised by his own daughter added to increase its security. However much he trusted his men the lust for gold could turn even the most loyal men so he wanted the gold locked away as fast as possible. Trusted to two men who while curious would do their job first and ask him about it later.

-x-

Meera meanwhile was eager to get off her horse and ran up to her uncle Benjen, the man rarely visited Winterfell except maybe once every couple of years and it had been a long time since she had seen him. He smiled when he saw her too, bending down and pulling her into a tight hug.

"You have grown so much since I last saw you." Benjen said with a smile, speaking truthfully given the last time he had been able to come and see his family had been when Bran was born. Now the children of his brother had grown up so much he barely recognised them, making him sad for a moment that he wasn't there to see it but his duties at the Wall helped keep them safe he thought which gave him a brief bit of comfort.

"I missed you Uncle." Meera said brightly as she hugged him. Seeing her uncle made her feel a little better after Domeric's departure.

"What was Braavos like!? Did you see the Titan!?" Voices broke in on the moment and Meera was almost annoyed to be pestered with questions by her siblings who had appeared all around them. She frowned and seeing this Benjen told them.

"Let us retire to the main hall and get something to eat, there your sister can tell you all about her adventures in Braavos. Me too actually since I have never been there." He said with a smile and they all nodded with eagerness and led their uncle to the Main Hall.

-x-

After enthralling her siblings with the details of her trip to Braavos while Theon snorted and sulked in the corner Meera went with her uncle to her father's solar where he had taken a moment to relax now the gold was safely secured. He welcomed them in with a smile before giving his younger brother a hug, Meera smiled before noticing her mother in the corner looking a little stunned Meera guessed her father had told her about the gold. She turned her attention from this though as the elder Starks had broken apart and now sat in chairs around father's desk. Meera did so too before Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik came in. The latter man she noticed did not look happy and she guessed it must be because of the castle's newest resident, Meera hoped he would not object too much to having Lanna here the little girl was a lonely very young child who had no one in the whole world now.

She needed a home, people who cared about her. A fierce wave of protectiveness rose up inside her, the little girl being an orphan struck a cord as she remembered the loneliness and despair she had endured as Harry in that other world.

She would not let that happen to Lanna. As if responding to her mood, Rema and Romulus started whimpering and she knelt down with a smile to cuddle with them, the feeling of their fur against her hand was calming and they cuddled up to her, glad she was home.

However she then noticed her father had started speaking and eager to catch up with the conversation she focused in on him.

"Some of the gold will go to the Manderlys, Mormonts and Glovers to increase the number of ships they have. The ability to fish more in winter would certainly help not to mention increase the number of vessels the North has in event of war and to trade with." Ned said highlighting his plan, Meera nodded it was a good idea. Her idiotic ancestor, Bran the Burner had cost the North its fleet with his stupid grief inspired decision to burn the North's once good fleet. His descendants hadn't helped either as they hadn't bothered to rebuild it which was a reason their west coast was in such a bad state. Any fortifications there lacked the ships needed to maintain and protect them, not to mention it prevented trade with most of the south on the western side of Westeros. Also given their recent 'appropriation' of the Swan Ship the Manderlys were hoping they could learn how to improve their own ships with lessons from studying its design.

Mother however had request.

"I was wondering if I could order a dress from Myr, just one." She sounded very hopeful at the idea, ever since she had first seen such things on Lannisters, Targaryens and other more rich families from the south at the Tourney of Harrenhal she had dearly wanted one. Even if she only wore it once it would still be a dream come true for her and maybe she thought perhaps it could be used as a wedding gown for her daughters when the time came. She could well imagine how Sansa and even Arya might look, how beautiful they would be. It nearly brought a tear to her eye, how she longed for that day yet dreaded it because her girls wouldn't be girls any-more...but women.

The fact that Meera hadn't even been thought of like that didn't even cross her mind, Catelyn just wanted her eldest daughter gone as fast as possible. Her mind returning to the nightmares and hoped this plan of hers to wed Meera off worked.

Meera had been ready to object as she saw it as a pointless waste but her father with a smile said.

"I think I can spare the gold for that."

Mother looked delighted at that Meera thought with a feeling of annoyance and wished they didn't waste money on such things. So she tried to make a more profitable suggestion.

"But we must not get carried away, ordering luxuries will only deplete the gold faster. To that end Maester Luwin and I have come up with a few beverages that we can grow in the North that should sell well in the south. Maester." Meera said and Luwin brought a small box with a number of glass bottles inside, each a different colour. One was a yellowish liquid while another was clear like clean water. Another had a brown/orange colour and the other one was a similar colour if a bit lighter.

"These are different types of alcohol we created, we called them; scotch, vodka, brandy and cinder. Some of them have uses to keep wounds clean or numb pain, not to mention vodka is useful in keeping you warm." She said offering them to her father and uncle who with some caution sipped the concoctions, their eyes widening with the strength of some of them especially the vodka.

"That...is very...powerful stuff." Benjen said with his voice croaking slightly while Ned struggled to speak for a moment. The ale that was normal around Westeros had nothing on these, he preferred the scotch though however he knew that Robert in particular would like the cinder and the vodka.

"Ned, you can't really be thinking of selling alcohol! Its the most idiotic use for gold!" Catelyn said suddenly looking at the bottles with distaste. Meera shot her a glare that instantly chilled the room although her words certainly helped.

"This at least would make money rather than losing it. With Luwin's aid I even managed to use the potions we've made to help plants adapt and grow in the cold, this way we can use the vast open spaces the North has to grown ingredients including new apple trees. They are more sour than regular apples which only makes them more useful for cinder and feeding animals or cooking." Meera said seeing her plan as far more useful to the North than her mother's pointless dress.

The pair glared at each other even harder after this, leaving Ned, Benjen, Ser Rodrik and Luwin all feeling very uncomfortable as it looked more and more each day the pair resembled two vicious rivals rather than mother and daughter. It was only getting worse as time went on and Ned dreaded what might happen when Meera became a teenager.

While he didn't drink much himself he did know these creations could sell well in the North and in the South. The fact that his daughter and maester had managed to actually create plants that could grow in the North's harsh climate without the need for glasshouses however was what struck him, he honestly was more amazed every time she came up with something. She claimed it was done in partnership with Luwin but he had long ago realised that she was the driving force and creative genius behind most of the work.

Blessed by the Gods the GreatJon and several others had said.

He did not know where she got all her ideas from and the thought that something was manipulating his daughter had crossed his mind more than once, worrying him deeply but as time went on he had seen she was the real origin of it all. She astounded him and wondered if the gods giving him such a daughter was for some other purpose he didn't yet understand.

"Establishing a brewery or two should allow us to exploit these new drinks of yours. Now Benjen, you were about to tell me what you found in the mountains north of the Wall?" He asked changing the subject before his wife could argue about their daughter's latest scheme. Benjen still wondering how bad things truly were between his family took a moment to answer before becoming very serious.

"We went to the area you indicated and Ned...I have no idea how you could have known but you were right. Gold Veins and very deep ones, enough to give Casterly Rock a run for its money." Benjen told them with suspicion as to how he could have imagined gold might be there? It was something that you would never have found if you didn't know exactly where to look.

"Recently discovered records from the ancient Starks, I didn't believe it at first either but now we know it was true. The only question is can we exploit this resource." Ned said before explaining the idea his children had for running the mine. "There is some suggestion that we can use the Wildlings to mine the gold in exchange for passage south, integrate them into the North in a controlled manner. Benjen you know Wildlings better than any of us...do you think that can work?" Ned asked hoping his brother had knowledge that they could draw on.

Benjen looked startled at the idea and given the attitude the Night's Watch had towards Wildlings or Free Folk as they preferred to be called he was almost ready to reject it but held himself back and thought as objectively as he could.

"There are many beyond the Wall that would probably accept mining the gold for awhile in exchange for free passage south but it would have to be heavily fortified as others would definitely attack it however close it is the Wall. Not to mention the Night's Watch would not exactly be thrilled to have wildlings coming through the Wall." Benjen warned them and the frowns on their faces was shared by everyone except Meera who thought of a way around the latter problem almost immediately.

"What if the Night's Watch received a little bit of the gold to maintain their castles and equipment? That way it would be a benefit to them, not only that but they could hire a few ships to travel both coasts to pick up potential recruits for the Watch. Pirates, thugs whatever it would help the Watch with its current limited numbers, as for the Northern lords objecting to Wildlings coming into the North I thought of a way to make it more attractive." Meera said with a smile as the adults around her gave her their attention.

"We offer an incentive to the Wildlings who work the mines, if they or their families are willing to learn a skill that could see them settled in the north they receive a place to stay straight away, a bit of coin to see them started and gives them the means to feed not only themselves but their families. Farming, smithing, sewing and any other industry." She said. "If our new farms take off then they will need a lot of labour, perhaps more than the North itself can provide all at once so this only makes us stronger, also if the Lords invest resources into securing the mine they can receive part of its yield. Not to mention giving us more men to call on in event of war." She added quietly.

Ned nodded with a sigh, knowing as well as she did that the one constant of the world was conflict. There was always a war of some kind going on somewhere and while he dearly hoped there would not be another within his lifetime after already seeing two but knew this was unlikely. Thinking of his sons having to fight it and even his daughters as they seemed to not be the sort of girls that would hide behind castle walls filled him with immense dread.

"Ned! These are wildlings! All the stories about them, they eat their own kind! You cannot allow them into the North, nor listen to this demon we call a daughter." Catelyn yelled suddenly, shocking them all. They had all forgotten she was even here and then she turned to her with eyes burning with rage and nostrils flaring like an enraged animal, for a moment she advanced on Meera like she was going to strike her and Meera was so shocked that she, nor the other people in the room could do anything.

However her direwolves who were now over a year old and the now so big that a small child could ride them like horses leapt up and stood in between them and started barking and snarling in Catelyn's direction. The two huge wolves stopped Catelyn right in her tracks, looking suddenly terrified as they looked ready to tear her apart.

Meera was close to tears however, in her other life she had dreamed of having a real mother, one that loved her and in this life she had actually had a mother but one who denied her the love Harry had never been given. That she actually thought she was a demon...that hurt.

Her wolves felt her pain and now sure that the danger to their mistress was passed they turned around and gently rubbed their heads against her in an effort to comfort her. Meera hugged them close and let a single tear fall from her eyes before looking up towards Catelyn who was looking at them with confusion, not sure what had just happened.

"Next time...I let them loose." She gave her one warning before turning back to her father. "The lords will want the gold the mines will bring in, so will the Nights Watch. They might grumble a bit about the Wildlings coming south but if it allows us to control it rather than them sneaking through the Wall it is a far better way to deal with it. Luwin and I will look for pictures or descriptions of Moat Cailin in the records to try and find the right plan for it before trying to improve on the old design. We also have a few plans for mills that can be driven by either wind or water, I'll show you them later but for now I think I will get something to eat." Meera said leaving the room before anyone could stop her, followed by her wolves.

Meera finally knew that any love her mother might have had for her was gone, why she just couldn't accept her stabbed deep into her self-worth but she had to accept that they would never now be anything more than strangers to each other...rivals perhaps in deciding the future of House Stark.

Enemies though...she certainly hoped not.

-x-

Seeing his daughter with eyes like that, half way between crying and trying to stay calm and collected broke Ned's heart. He stood up and said to Luwin and Ser Rodrik.

"Send the letters to the lords about this new plan, we meet in a moon to discuss it further. Then a final decision will be made." The two men did not even hesitate, eager to leave the room and not witness whatever happened next between Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn.

Ned looked at his wife with a cold and angry look, Catelyn just stared at him not able to deal with what had just happened.

"I really hoped it would not come to this, that my wife and my eldest daughter would despise each other. She is our daughter Cat, she's a headstrong girl with a mind stronger than any I have even heard of. She has much to learn about life but I had hoped you would be able to see that she is for all her gifts just a child."

"She has magic Ned!" Catelyn blurted out, not able to hold it in any more. "I saw her practice in the Godswood, she can't be allowed to spread that darkness to our other children!" She said desperate and Ned with his patience already stretched to breaking point slammed his fist down hard on the desk, silencing her.

"IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EVIL!" He shouted finally losing his temper which shocked her. "JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SCARED OF IT SHOULDN'T MAKE IT EVIL! MAGIC BUILT THE WALL! MAGIC BUILT THIS CASTLE!" Ned said with anger that she was so blind that she couldn't see what was really in front of her. "Let me ask, when has Meera ever hurt her siblings!? And I am not talking about your ideas for their education! Has she ever hurt them?"

Catelyn went to start talking but found herself unable too, she looked through all her memories intent on finding a moment to prove her point…but stumbled when she actually couldn't find a single time that Meera had ever hurt her siblings. She and them shared the bond she had hoped for when they were all born, following the words of her own house.

Family, Duty, Honour.

They cared for each other, her sons would do everything they could to protect their sisters while her daughters would support their brothers in any way they could. They were learning to do their duty by House Stark, even Meera seemed to accept that she would marry for their family's betterment. But most of all they stuck to their word, all of them.

Apart from summoning a spear back to her hand, what had Meera done that was really wrong? That could be described as evil?

She felt guilt stabbing into her sharply, she knew that she had made an error...one that her daughter and husband would not forget quickly.

But then the waves of anger and distrust came back, hitting her like a wagon rolling down a hill.

What was happening to her? She thought as she left the room, knowing in her heart that this situation with her daughter was wrong and needed to be fixed but for some reason she didn't understand those same worries and fears came back just as strong.

She looked out over the yard and saw her children and the bastard playing with the direwolves, she even saw the little girl Jory had brought back cuddling with them while Theon stood off to the side looking at he two enormous beasts with fear.

Catelyn wondered briefly if these thoughts were truly her own, they felt so different to the rest of the daily feelings, full of rage and anger. Already they were wearing away at her to not trust Meera, she didn't like it but soon the thoughts of them not belonging to her started sliding from her memory and she watched her children with concern.

292 AC…Two Years Later…

The morning was surprisingly bright in the North, the sun was bright and it was not as cold as usual. The castle was early to rise as normal with the cooks being some of the first to prepare the morning meals, the rest of the castle woke not long after.

Meera stretched as she got out bed, smiling as she saw the sun coming through the window however she had to go over and open it before she could take in a good breath of clean morning air. One of her latest innovations was to use panes of glass, wooden frames and small metal hinges to block out the wind and cold somewhat. They could still be opened but it helped keep the castle warmer and would be very useful in the winters ahead.

As she got dressed she looked over to her direwolves who still slept at the foot of her bed, she smiled at the fearsome looking but very loving creatures. They were now fully grown, nearly the size of a small horse and took up nearly as much space as her bed but still they enjoyed playing and cuddling with her and her siblings. She let them sleep, promising to check on them later.

The castle's mood these days was happier than it had been in a long time as only a short while ago, a new Stark had been born. Rickon, her little brother had come into the world in the early hours of the morning and his cries had brought many smiles to their faces. Meera like her siblings had all been amongst the first to see their new brother and all of them had been amazed even those that had seen babes before.

Arya had not been that impressed but had held her tongue for once in her life, maybe because as Sansa was just turning seven years old and Arya was only a little younger Meera would start teaching the latter magic soon not to mention begin their martial training. Catelyn was thankfully distracted by little Rickon and would not know till they had already started.

So later after they had broken their morning meal the three sisters went down to the armoury where many weapons lay on racks, of many different types and sizes. Many swords, spears, axes, bows, crossbows and even war hammers lined the walls given the two girls much to look at as they looked at the collection with awe not sure where to begin.

"See what takes your interest." Meera said with a smile. She would let them see what caught their eye and decide from that what was the most appropriate for them. She saw Arya was looking wistfully at the swords and knew her youngest sister would choose one of them, so she stepped forward and said as the young girl tried to pick up a great sword like their father wielded she smiled and steered her in a more...likely direction.

"Perhaps you need a weapon that is lighter?" Meera suggested and Arya immediately looked affronted.

"But father uses a great sword, why can't I?"

"Because those weapons are too heavy, its only because of Ice being Valyrian steel that father can lift it. You however might do better with something like this and...this." Meera said as she took a Braavosi small sword and dagger off the wall rack. Arya looked deeply unimpressed at the much smaller weapons before Meera handed them to her and explained.

"These are light and precise, you are fast and nimble so instead of attacking an enemy head on you weave around them before striking while they flail around trying to hit you. This way you take a weakness and turn it into a strength, that is how you learn to be a strong warrior. Identify your weaknesses and plan around them." Meera said kindly to her sister who stared at the two weapons now in her hand with confusion, not really understanding how that really worked.

Meera smiled, knowing she would need to find a teacher for her sister and wondered if she should get a lighter version of the longsword for her later on. Given it could be wielded with two hands and would be easier for her to lift it might be a good option for Arya.

Sansa though despite wanting to learn to fight too was a different story, she was already tall for her age and Meera didn't think that was going to change as she got older so she wouldn't have the same options as Arya. She would need a two handed weapon too, so Meera pondered on what weapon to give her.

Sansa however solved the problem by picking up a spear from the wall, it was made of goldenheart wood and given to the Starks as a gift by the Manderlys a year ago. One of their trade contacts had acquired a few while trading with the Summer Isles and Lord Manderly had given one to them as a gift to thank them for giving the coin to build more ships, better ships too as they had learnt some lessons from the Swan Ship.

Meera approved of Sansa's choice, she was tall enough for a spear or would be soon enough and it was a good weapon for a woman, it allowed her to defend herself and could put all her strength behind her jabs better yet they already had a teacher for her in Harkoon and maybe Meera herself. While not as strong as her, her sisters would develop greater strength as practised with their new weapons not to mention the exercise regime she had devised.

It was a mix of regular exercise in the form of running, weight lifting and a few other things matched with a balanced diet. It sounded a simple thing but it was backed by all the medical knowledge of the other world to make it the most efficient and effective plan she could come up with. She had wondered if she might get their fighting men to start using it but for now it was confined to her, her brothers and her sisters.

"Good, we'll get started on training with them tomorrow, but first to the Godswood." She said with a smile the girls looking confused as they did not have the faintest idea why she would want to take them there. They followed her all the same and saw the enormous tree standing before them, more surprising though Jon and Robb where also there waiting for them. They both shared a smile with Meera which made Sansa and Arya wonder if this was the set up to some kind of prank.

"Girls, its time we tell you a secret of House Stark that even father doesn't know." Meera said with a small smirk.

"What kind of secret about our family wouldn't father know!?" Sansa asked with surprise while Arya chimed in with.

"He's father, he knows everything!" She was a little angry at the insult to their mutual father.

Meera, Jon and Robb all smiled slightly however and instead told them.

"Put your hands on the Weirwood and tell me what you feel."

Sansa and Arya were confused at the strange request, not sure if they were mocking them somehow but nevertheless did as they were told. Slowly they walked forward and placed their hands on the white bark and their eyes widened slightly before they quickly withdrew.

"What was that!?" Arya asked shocked at the sensation she had felt when touching the great tree, it was nothing she had ever felt before and judging by the wide eyed Sansa, her sister felt the same.

Meera smiled at her younger sisters before explaining to them.

"Through the earth and Weirwood, magic flows through the world and more importantly through us too." She said causing Sansa and Arya to gasp. "When you touch the tree it will sharpen you abilities, as you learn to control them you will learn to put yourself in the minds of animals, see the past, present and future. It can be overwhelming but with practice it can open you mind to the world in ways you cannot even imagine." Meera explained before Robb chimed in.

"Its true sisters, we can watch the past and present through the trees with ease. We watched the battles of the past and even seen the world through the eyes of a bird in flight or as a beast running free through the forest." He said eager to share this gift with them. All of them according to Meera had it and when they were old enough Bran and Rickon would learn too. It had remained their little secret all the years they had been practising, no one not even father or mother or Theon knew about it. Now however it was time to let Sansa and Arya know and bring them into the circle.

Both girls looked amazed at the idea of learning magic even if it was nothing like their sister could do with her spear and without hesitation put their hands back on the bark joined by their elder siblings.

The Red Keep, Kings Landing…

The Small Council was as usual missing the king but at least he was not whoring and drinking which was his most frequent activity although he did take regular excursions to hunt down bandit groups and occasionally do battle with the dangerous Tribes in the Vale. He only got to take such trips once or twice a year but always came back feeling better.

That left Lord Jon Arryn with more responsibility for running the Seven Kingdoms than ever, many would think the old man who was in the latter end of life would be annoyed or even angry at this but it was in fact the opposite. Without Robert around to cause issues for him to deal with things were a lot easier to get done.

To that end he was sitting in the Small Council to discuss new business, he was just listening to Varys reporting the last attempt to assassinate the surviving Targaryens had failed. Jon looked at the eunuch with suspicion, he had long believed the man was not being earnest in his orders to eliminate Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen and might in fact be helping them. He had not wanted to keep him in the city and would have preferred to execute the man but he knew he craft far too well and good spy masters were very difficult to find.

So unless he gave Jon a stronger reason to kill him, the man stayed where he hoped to keep an eye on him.

"The manse they are currently staying in has increased the number of guards and another attempt might take some time to arrange." Varys said in his smooth foreign accent, Jon nodded before telling him.

"If an opportunity presents itself I expect it to be exploited." Jon told Varys sternly and the man without even batting an eye nodded slowly which only made Jon more confident that the man was up to something before turning to the Master of Laws, Renly Baratheon.

"How is the state of the kingdoms? Are bandits still rampant?" He asked, the man's grin which only dimmed what intelligence there had been there which Jon thought with annoyance wasn't much. The man might as well have 'Tyrell Puppet' written on his forehead for how brazenly he carried on with Loras Tyrell and his frequent visits to Highgarden.

"Well, the lords have assured me..." Renly said with smile but Stannis thankfully interrupted him with a far shorter and clearer report.

"Lawlessness across Westeros has been declining in recent months especially in the North, their new system seems to be working very well." Stannis told them looking impressed at the simple yet efficient system the Starks had put in place.

Apparently working with a number of map makers a number of new, shorter and more traversable roads had been plotted to connect all Northern settlements with a small number of new bridges being build to aid them. All trade now flowed along these routes which were regularly patrolled by a new force Ned had established with the aid of his daughter, mounted archers.

Fast horses with men trained to fire their bows while riding, it was so simple but unbelievably affective. Most raiders if they could get close enough to try their luck would either be run down by the horses or picked off as they tried to run as they lacked horses of their own. The fact that this gave the North a very elite fighting force to draw on in event of war was not lost on Jon or Stannis either.

When Ned had first put this into action Jon had been astonished, it seemed so unlike the quiet and dutiful boy he had fostered. In some ways he wished Ned had taken the throne instead of Robert but what's done was done he thought with sense of regret.

The news of the sale of the Valyrian steel armour that the Starks had found had shocked the country especially with all the gold it had sold for in Braavos. The shocks had not stopped there though as the Starks had discovered gold mine and claimed it, giving them wealth on par with the Lannisters.

How the Old Lion had worried about that had almost made Jon laugh if he was not worried for Ned's safety.

But Ned had not squandered his new wealth on luxuries or trinkets Jon thought with pride at his foster son's fiscal sense and level-head, instead he had used it to make the new roads and make them safe. He had repaired his castle, rebuilt Moat Cailin, expanded/improved the North's limited fleet, developed new brands of alcohol and other things and started selling them around Westeros. The thing they called 'shampoo' was good at caring for one's hair, many noble women including his own wife and the queen used them as did many men. The alcohol too was selling well, even Jon himself had taken a liking to scotch while Robert preferred vodka. The others brandy, cinder and whisky too had their admirers around court and now frequently appeared on banquet tables.

However it had not stopped there, over the last two years new wind and water driven mills had started popping up around the North and new crops that could be grown in their hard terrain. A new method of printing pages for books had been invented, new medicines to replace blood after it was lost, heal burns, keep wounds clear of illness and cure boils too had come from the North. The maesters had been quick to decry them at first as a fraud but when they clearly worked better than existing remedies the Citadel had quickly changed its tune, now they were one of the North's biggest clients. All over Westeros their remedies were now being used.

On top of that, they had even turned their greatest potential weakness into a strength.

The North being the one kingdom in Westeros with a land border with a hostile territory was constantly facing the danger of invasion, the Wall did stop that most of the time but Wildling raiders were common. The horse archers had proven good at dealing with them because the Wildlings moved much slower on foot but using their mind the North had actually managed to draft some Wildlings into working for them in the hope of being allowed to settle in the North with incentives to learn new skills like farming or building.

Now they had greater manpower than ever and the wealth to back it, they paid good taxes though higher than the Westerlands initially but Robert in a rare moment of asserting his will actually insisted they pay the same or less.

Baelish had tried to argue against it but Robert had ignored him and ordered that Jon keep an eye on the Lord of the Fingers to ensure he stuck to it...which Jon thought with an inside sigh was a full time job in itself.

Still the extra coin did help prevent the debt owed by the crown from rising at such a rapid pace, that Jon was grateful for.

Still his thoughts returned to House Stark but instead the apparent force behind all these changes, the eldest daughter Meera. Ned's eldest girl he was told had a powerful mind and will, one that often made her butt heads with her own mother but she had such innovative thinking that Jon was in awe of her. Not in hundreds of years had there been such change as she was bringing about in the North and slowly they were moving south, similar mills were now being created in the Riverlands and the Reach and already map makers had been ordered to work with the lords of the Westerlands and Dorne to create more traversable and safer roads. The girl was from what he had been told, a genius with the will and imagination to resolve near any problem.

And she was not too far apart in age from Prince Joffrey.

He knew that so far she was not betrothed, but if the girl was as strong and as intelligent as he had been led to believe then perhaps she might be able to handle the task of being Joffrey's queen some day, she would have he knew much competition as others vied for it but he thought knowing how volatile the Crown Prince was...he needed a queen that could handle him.

Meera Stark also would have Robert's blessing he knew, Robert still dreamed of House Baratheon and House Stark being united by marriage and Tywin Lannister would want a powerful wife for Joffrey to secure his claim. The only other true potential rival was Margaery Tyrell but they were far less trustworthy and unlikely to truly support beyond a mere token effort to ensure if the situation looked to be going against them that they could withdraw without losing too much.

Jon too thought Meera Stark was the better option, perhaps one of the few times he and Robert would agree on something.

Casterly Rock, the Westerlands…

The Glass Tumbler, a Northern invention was a strange thing but a good glass to drink scotch from which was what Tywin Lannister, Lord of the Westerlands and the Old Lion of Casterly Rock was doing now. He would never admit it but he had taken a liking the beverage and ordered a few cases of their best for an occasional indulgence unlike his son who enjoyed it far too much, he thought with disgust.

Pushing aside thoughts of Tyrion for the moment Tywin was concerned deeply on the state of things, the gold that had given the Lannisters their power for centuries was now drying up and worse still a new source had been found that he did not control. Instead it was controlled by the Starks.

The one good thing about the situation was that the Starks were unlikely to use it to usurp House Lannister from its proper place, they were too honourable under Eddard Stark to try such a thing but the thought of tying his grandson to them to make their claim stronger had passed through his mind more than once. Either one of the eldest daughters would be useable.

Still his concerns at their new weakness however much he truly despised having such a thing after a childhood of watching his father drag House Lannister into near ruin, then as a man repairing the damage and taking their power as far as he could. Now in his twilight years he was faced with another potential challenger, one that protected their assets well and used that wealth to bolster their strength while keeping much back to use as they saw fit.

His own children were no help to him in dealing with this he mused with anger, despite being queen Cersei was still as blinded by her own ambition and overinflated self-importance as she had been when she was a child as was Jaime by foolish dreams of honour. Tyrion was a drunken wastrel and being a dwarf he could not even marry him to make a useful alliance, the memory of what had happened when Tyrion had married that whore he met on the road making him vow to keep up his vigilance of him.

The fact he had no true heir he could trust to ensure his legacy continued was another big worry, his grandson being on the throne was at least one thing he had achieved but the younger one was a Baratheon, not a Lannister. He could pass his title and position to Kevan who did have sons of his own but they were not much better than his own children or grandchildren, not to mention he wanted his own bloodline to continue on.

The list of things for him to contend with seemed to grow every time he thought about it but decided to push most of those aside for now, he would continue to try and foster Tommen here so the boy might be shaped into an acceptable heir. Robert didn't seem to care either way but Cersei was refusing to allow the boy to leave her side, an action that made Tywin nearly grind his teeth.

Sometimes his own daughter was more of a problem for him than his actual enemies.

Winterfell, the North…293 AC...

The castle was full of activity as the sun rose in the sky as the new year dawned, people moved around to see to their duties. The cooks in particular as soon a feast was being held by House Stark to celebrate the nameday of Robb and Meera Stark, privately it was also the day that the Stark children also celebrated the nameday of Jon Snow too. Although none of them knew for certain when their half brother had been born Meera and Robb insisted they share the day with him much to his worry and bewilderment. Many Northern families would be coming to present gifts to the Starks, officially only the legitimate children but it was expected a few gifts for Jon might come too.

Even if they didn't Jon's siblings would give him some.

Robb had commissioned a shield made for him, a fair sized circular one painted black with a white wolf painted on it. Sansa had sewed him a new jerkin in their house colours, Arya had managed to procure (with help from her elder siblings) a hunting knife for him and while Bran wanted to give them something he was a little young yet.

Their father was in a meeting with Vayon Poole to discuss their expanded crop, leather, wool and cotton production. With careful breeding they had increased the number of sheep, cattle and other animals the North had both wild and not, giving them far more animals to draw on not to mention Meera and Luwin had manage to with the aid of potions create a cotton plant that could grow in the North's climate. Add to that iron and coal mining was now higher than it had been in over a century as they had the increased labour from the wildlings.

There had been a great deal of distrust at first with the plan, understandably so but most of the wildlings that accepted the offer just wanted a better life for themselves or were desperate to get south of the Wall for some reason. They worked hard and were duly rewarded for that great effort with passage south of the Wall and the skills to find good employment.

The lords and even the Nights Watch which had grumbled the loudest were now far quieter as their coffers started being filled with gold, it was expected that they wouldn't die away completely...quite rightly given some of the people that lived beyond the Wall but the more civilised ones were glad of what they had called 'safe harbour' but from what many refused to say. His old worries about what had killed the dragon that crashed on the lost island coming back to his mind briefly, despite asking the Nights Watch they had no idea just what could harm a dragon beyond the Wall.

He felt in his gut that these two things were connected but how he didn't see, yet.

-x-

Meera was smiling as she listened to Sansa sitting there as she sewed the cloak she was making for Robb along with Lanna Cassel and Jeyne Poole. The three girls smiling and giggling together as friends do when sharing secrets. She was glad that Lanna had had been accepted and that her sister had taken the young girl under her wing.

As they got older their bonds to each other were still very strong but they had found friends of their own as they grew, Sansa had her own small circle of friends with the other girls at Winterfell. Arya had some of the stableboys and other servants while Bran did much the same. Robb spent much of his time with Jon and Theon who had actually surprised them all by mellowing a little as time had gone on. He was still a stuck up prick a lot of the time but he at least kept his opinions to himself more and sent far fewer insults.

Meera herself though she thought sadly had fewer friends than her siblings, Dacey Mormont visited from time to time and frequently she found herself entangled with her siblings friends but she had few of her own. Instead she had a parade of would be suitors coming in and some of them honestly made her want to bang her head against the wall, they were so cocky and full of themselves or so demeaning in how they treated her, like some delicate flower she was only too glad to see most of them leave. A few much to her disgust had been older than her by a fair way and some even older than her father, she shuddered and was glad they had been rejected.

Domeric though did still write to her, the first of her suitors brought a small smile to her face. He had been squiring in the Vale and was now coming home to see her at the feast after visiting his father, she was still she thought reluctant to think of herself with any man but Domeric at least was a decent man who cared what she wanted.

However she had more on her mind than ever now, more of her memories of being Harry had returned and now she knew at least as far as when he was twelve where they had learnt magic. Hogwarts, such a strange name she thought to herself but it did pull at her heartstrings, how much the place had meant to her when she was Harry just like Winterfell mattered to her now. Where they had first found friendship and a sense of family.

Where they had found out why Lily and James Potter had died.

Looking back now she could see to some degree that Dumbledore however much she still admired him for all he had done was manipulating them, to what end she would just have to wait and see until she recovered more memories.

The lost world of magic was now clearer than ever now and while she wished for things like brooms she couldn't seem to find the magic to make them work much to her frustration. She couldn't still cast any kind of spell and despite her spear and the powers she had managed to gain it still felt like she was missing a part of herself. Her direwolves Rema and Romulus cuddled closer feeling her distress and she gently scratched behind their ears in thanks, she felt her two ravens likewise studying her from the edge of the window nearby.

-x-

Ned was feeling better after his meeting with his steward Poole, the treasury was growing and trade had increased dramatically, so much so that more goods were going out of the North than were coming in...a major change in how it had been twenty years ago.

Many did credit him for this but he would always put the praise where it truly belonged...with his daughter.

Meera had brought about so much change it honestly felt sometimes like he was ruling a completely different kingdom to the one he had inherited after his father and brother had died at the hand of the Mad King, so much had changed. Now food and clothing was so much easier to come by, food could be grown all year round and lawlessness had declined sharply. House Stark and other Northern houses were richer than they had been for centuries or indeed ever. The stronghold of Moat Cailin had been rebuilt as a future holding for one of his sons and they had a proper fleet for the first time in centuries.

But he swore to himself to not let this go to his head, he was very frugal in his spending, only spending where it was necessary to expand their interests like the breweries or farms or repairs where necessary. He was now carefully starting the construction of a castle at Sea Dragon Point, while not a desirable post for any lord it was a good staging ground for repelling Iron Born attacks on their coast and had access to all the wood needed to build ships and then moor them.

Keeping this a secret from the Iron Born was going to be extremely difficult he knew but once complete he hoped it would allow them to defend their weakest point, the Glovers and the Mormonts where on the look out for any Iron Born ship that came too close and had orders to stop them by any means necessary even killing them. A harsh order but the only reason they would be this far north would be to raid and he wanted to keep this venture a secret until it was complete. The fact it would give him another castle to hand to his sons was merely a bonus.

But for now he was focused on another goal, one that was far more personal to him...finding Meera a more permanent companion. He knew his daughter had friends but they were often not here for long periods of time and so he wanted her to have someone that she could spend time with.

To that end, he had arranged for Mira Forrester to be fostered here.

The girl was from a good and loyal family and having a Forrester in Winterfell made him feel more confident of their ties to that house being maintained, Lord Forrester was one of the most loyal of his vassals and that was something he wanted to reward.

However a complication had emerged when his wife had made arrangements of her own, to foster Gwyn Whitehill here at the same time.

This was not something he was happy with knowing of the Whitehills and the Forresters old rivalry, he would have allowed the girl to be sent here but not at the same time as a Forrester. Given both girls were young he hoped they would not act on it here. He sighed wondering why his wife had been so foolish as to do such a thing, it was like arranging for a Blackwood and a Bracken to share a room for a year and expecting a fight to not break out.

He just hoped the girls did not share the same hatred as the rest of their families.

-x-

Winterfell was the biggest castle she had ever imagined!

That was the first thought that ran through the head of Mira Forrester as she came into sight of the North's capital. The ancient home of House Stark and hers for the immediate future, she had been so excited when the raven came from Lord Stark inviting them to foster her there! Her whole family had been as despite it meaning that she would be away from home for the rest of her childhood, not to mention her siblings who she already missed so much! She would be growing up along side the Stark Children, her future liege lords.

Her mother had told her that this was a good chance to gain some influence with them but that had flown over her head as she wondered what life at Winterfell was to be like!? She was to be companion to Lady Meera Stark which honestly scared her a little as the She-Wolf of Winterfell had quite the reputation as a warrior, a tinker, a brewer and as a cunning stateswoman. She was to learn from her despite Lady Meera being only three years her senior and her brothers would soon becoming to with the rest of their family for the feast so at least she would see them soon.

She just hoped Lady Meera liked her.

The men rode with her through the gate of Winterfell and saw Lord Stark and a girl who she thought might be Lady Meera to be standing there waiting, she smiled and dismounted from her horse with ease, glad her father insist they all knew how to ride. She curtsied in front of Lord Stark and Lady Meera and waited for them to acknowledge her. Lord Stark she noticed was much like her father, a strong Northern man that seemed to tower over all of them, not in actual height but in presence but his eyes were warm and he smiled kindly at her.

"Welcome to Winterfell Lady Forrester, I hope you will be comfortable here. How is your father?" Lord Stark asked with a strong Northern accent but genuine caring in his tone. Mira smiled and said.

"Very well Lord Stark and he thanks you deeply for offering to foster me. My family has always admired House Stark for its fortitude and integrity." Mira told them excited. She then looked over to Lady Meera who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow. Mira wasn't sure that was a good thing so she addressed her next. "Lady Stark, it is an honour."

Lady Meera didn't say anything at fist, making Mira nervous as she stood there with the Stark lady studying her from head to toe. A small nudge from her father however made Lady Meera acknowledge her.

"Welcome to Winterfell Lady Forrester, the Ironwood your family produces is exceptional in its quality. Please I will show you to your room." Lady Meera said and turned without another word to enter the castle, Mira looked to Lord Stark who nodded, taking that to mean she should follow and hurried after Lady Meera.

The old corridors of the castle were usual for Northern strongholds in that they lacked decoration for the most part except occasional things here and there, Mira however was taken aback by its scale never having seen a castle so big. The amount of people around also surprised her as despite Ironrath being a castle with servants, guards and retainers of its own the number here was far greater. After all Winterfell was one of the three biggest castles in all of Westeros and the heart of Northern industry.

"I want to thank you again Lady-" Mira went to speak before Meera turned around suddenly with a hand raised.

"Stop right there." Meera said with a frown on her face. "Gushing about being invited here is something I get all the time, its irritating. I want a companion I can rely on to tell me how they are really feeling and what people are thinking. Understand?" Meera Stark told her with a glare that honestly made Mira shake a little with how intense it was, words failed her for a moment before she managed to say something.

"Yes...yes I can." Mira said with nervousness. Lady Meera just kept on staring.

"Are you sure?"

Mira felt a spike of annoyance at being questioned like that on her first day here and said back.

"Yes I am sure, and I don't like being ambushed like this!" Mira said hotly, glaring back too nervous in the moment to be scared.

Lady Meera tilted her head slightly as she studied her, before smiling slightly which confused the still annoyed Mira.

"I think we have made progress, this way oh and you can call me Meera." She said with a smile before turning to resume their walk to her new room. Mira looked for a moment before following her, not sure how but she felt like she had just passed some kind of test.

-x-

Elsewhere another lady arrived at Winterfell only this one was greeted by Lady Catelyn instead of her husband. She sat across the hall from the young woman and stared at her imperiously.

"I expect the greatest discretion, my daughter is a problematic young woman and I am concerned her activities might be potentially dangerous. I expect you to observe her actions and make me aware of what she does. Understood?" Catelyn asked with a stern glare.

"Yes completely Lady Stark." Gwyn Whitehill said with her gaze averted so Lady Catelyn would not see how uncomfortable this made her, she had hoped this was a sign that House Stark was going to acknowledge House Whitehill and she might be able to wed well. But when she had arrived Lady Stark had basically dragged her to the Hall and made her swear to be her spy against her daughter Lady Meera.

Her disappointment was considerable but what else could she say but yes? The Forresters had the blessing of both House Stark and House Glover while her family had only Lord Bolton on their side and that was an uncomfortable alliance at best. Her father yet hoped that she might wed Domeric Bolton and become the new Lady Bolton but whenever he hinted this to Lord Bolton he only received the coldest of glares in return.

This might be their only chance to improve their lot in the North she realised with discomfort, however much she felt dirty and guilty doing it. Catelyn meanwhile just smiled as she had an another layer of protection from her daughter and would praise the day she would finally leave for good.

-x-

Lanna Cassel smiled as she sat through her lessons with Maester Luwin along side her cousin Beth and the other girls. She enjoyed reading more than anything and often Luwin had joked that she was the only real rival Lady Meera had when it came to who read the most books.

Ser Rodrik had not liked that at all she thought with her smile dimming a little, he had not liked it at all when her father had brought her to Winterfell. Been outright against it in fact for her to be a member of House Cassel, he had been very vocal on his reasons.

She wasn't a Cassel by blood and her mother had been a whore.

She knew these things, she didn't remember much of the night her mother had died but knew enough to realise her profession but still she remembered her mother singing to her and tucking her in at night. Jory might not be her blood father but he had married her mother and taken her in when she had been orphaned, making sure she had an education, a roof over her head and more importantly his love. Rodrik's daughters including Beth had welcomed her as a sister.

That brought her smile back to her face and made it brighter.

She was so lucky to have Jory, she thanked the gods for that everyday. She thanked them for Sansa who was probably her best friend in the whole world and defended her from vicious taunts, for Lady Meera who had taken her under her wing and encouraged her. She taught her to speak/read Valyrian, to wield daggers & shoot with a bow, to read all the books she could and even work on some the inventions and potions she invented with Maester Luwin.

Meera had once said to her.

"Small you might be, but your mind is larger than a mountain."

Lanna felt a great deal of pride at that, she only wished she knew more of her mother's life before she had been born. Who her blood father had been? Jory knew, she realised that much because her mother had left behind a journal but he had apparently taken one look at it and refused to let her see it till she came of age.

That was the only sore point between them, one she had learnt not to ask about but it did nag at her, still she turned her attention back to her lessons.

-x-

There however another new arrival to Winterfell later that day.

A small group of people rode to the gates the castle, the leader staring at the ancient structure and smiled feeling the great old power that ran through this place. The North was the one place in all of Westeros where magic could really be found she thought sadly and hoped even though it did not belong to her lord that it would remain so.

She rode up to the entrance were guards finally challenged them.

"Halt! Who seeks entry to Winterfell?" The guard demanded with a suspicious look aimed her and her entourage. She smiled and saw a slight flush come to his pale cheeks which was something she was used too, many men fell over themselves when she was around.

"I am Melisandre of the Faith of R'hllor, I come baring gifts for the nameday of Lady Meera Stark. Given in gratitude for her discovery of the armour." Melisandre said with her exotic accent, gesturing to the entourage behind her. The guard looked behind her and saw a cart with a few fine and strong looking horses tied to it before turning to his fellow.

"Send for Lord Stark and Ser Rodrik." The man said with suspicion. Good she thought, the man took his job seriously and was not so foolish to just let them pass. These men would be the first to face the Ancient Enemy when they came and to combat the Other's servants men of devotion and strength would be needed.

She and her entourage waited for the ruler and his servant to arrive, when they did finally arrive she recognised the man immediately from that day in Braavos. He was around the same height as her and he stood straight almost rigid but she could tell from his stance that he was far too intent in his honour for his own good. Still that was good too in some ways she thought with consideration he would not refuse to take the threat seriously once it was revealed. Accompanying him was a grizzled old man who stared at them all with annoyance but she paid him no mind.

"Lady Melisandre, may I ask what a foreign priestess is doing in the North? Your religion is not particularly well regarded in Westeros." Lord Stark said with the clear intention of wanting her gone. However she did not let the fear of others deter her and merely smiled.

"I was merely delivering gifts for your son and daughter's nameday, House Stark has carried out a great service to the world with the discovery of the armour." She said without any fear and his eyes narrowed as if judging her. She did not flinch having faced many dangerous people in her near four centuries of life, this man had nothing on many of them.

"Tell me what it is you have brought before I decide if I should allow you entry." Lord Stark said.

"I have a number of fine stallions and mares from across Essos including the Dothraki Sea for your stables not to mention a glass maker from Myr familiar with how to make the lenses of their famous glasses and a smith from Qohor who will teach your own men to make better steel. He is also willing to reforge the Arkh sword you acquired." She said with a knowing smile.

Lord Stark froze for a moment, wondering how she could have known that. The Valyrian steel Dothraki sword had been hanging in their vaults for quite some time but his efforts to find a smith to reforge it into more useable sizes had been fraught with difficulties. Finding people capable was hard enough but of them no one seemed to want to come here, he had been about to sell the damned thing but this reignited his hopes.

"Very well, you may stay for a few days but no longer." Lord Stark warned her and she smiled with a graceful nod. A few days were all she needed to see if her recent visions and her earlier suspicions were true. The Azor Ahai was in Westeros but as of yet she had no idea just who it was and with the danger approaching closer and closer every day finding the chosen one was imperative. Not to mention she thought ensuring they were ready and protected, hence why her guards were actually the best infantry soldiers in the world...Unsullied. She of course knew better than to tell the Starks that though, if they realised she had brought slaves she would be arrested on sight.

Entering the castle under the watchful eye of all the guards she looked around and saw her quarry in the training yard not far away, the girl had grown taller since she had last seen her not to mention the beginning of blossoming into a woman had started. She was standing in the middle of a fighting ring with a boy around her age while others looked on.

Her breath nearly caught in her throat as she regarded him, he was a strange boy with very dark hair, pale skin and dark grey eyes but underneath she could feel his importance in her bones. Who he was she didn't know but she intended to find out.

-x-

Melisandre watched careful a short while later as her Unsullied sparred with the Winterfell guards, she smirked as the Unsullied proved why they were the most effective infantry soldiers in the world, shrugging pain off with ease and pushing on.

However she was more focused on the two Stark children, they were still training which impressed her, their dedication was good and meant they would be highly skilled by the time the Others finally revealed themselves.

She stepped forward to speak to them and the girl who had her back to her seemed to feel her presence as despite being so quiet the girl couldn't possibly have heard her, the girl turned around to look her straight in the face and looked at her with suspicion. The boy did likewise a short time later, Melisandre was surprised as they seemed to have some grasp on their innate magic already.

Westeros by large she knew feared magic and it was surprising that they had managed to practice and develop their powers without being caught. Her estimations of them rose a little as she spoke.

"Greetings young Stark and Snow, I am Melisandre." She said in flawless Common Tongue but the two kept their guard up answering politely though.

"Welcome to Winterfell Lady Melisandre." The girl, Meera she believed greeted her. "I trust you will be at the feast tonight?" She asked. Melisandre nodded.

"I am eager to try a Northern celebration, seeing the world is one of the greatest pleasures. Also I wish to thank you for your discovery of the armour, it will be of great value to the world in the future." She said cryptically before walking away, returning the room she had been given where she stared into the flames hoping for a vision.

It didn't take long before images began to take shape, she saw a figure of a woman an older Meera Stark with her spear in hand fighting in the icy lands to the north but not alone. Not far she saw the boy Jon Snow fighting at her side and what they were fighting intrigued her.

The undead servants of the Walkers surrounded the pair as the Night King himself loomed nearby.

The vision then faded before she could see just what might happen, however the image had shown them standing tall and without fear.

Could they be the ones to save them all? She thought to herself, going over what she knew about them. Both were born during war and a bleeding star had been seen around that time, while many did refer to Azor Ahai as a 'Prince' the actual term could easily mean 'Princess' as well. So she reasoned it could be either of them, she discounted the other boy as despite having strength he did not appear in the visions she had been having.

She would she realise have to observe them more and wondered how she might convince Lord Stark to allow her to stay longer, she felt the sensation as she looked into the flames again that she was growing closer to the answers she wanted desperately but still she needed to confirm her suspicions.

Casterly Rock, the Westerlands…

Tyrion was enjoying the different drinks he had ordered from the North and the whisky was particularly good he thought with some astonishment, depending on the quality you bought it seemed to get better with how much older it got. Odd that he thought but still he could enjoy it.

He was considering all the changes in the North in the last few years, so much so it scarcely seemed possible that it could first happen to a region that seemed to resist change so fiercely it had fought wars to that effect. Now they seemed to roaring ahead of them, even his father pun intended he thought with mirth. Smirking into his drink before throwing it back he enjoyed the taste and decided there and then to go up and see the North for himself.

His father didn't care if he was here or not as long as he didn't 'bring disrepute' on the Lannister name, so for a moon or two of good behaviour however irritating he found it would be enough to be able to make the trip. To see just how big the changes were and hopefully find himself some entertainment.

At least he thought with a small bit of excitement it would be a chance to see somewhere new.

Qarth, Essos...

The city's betrothals were always busy places, sailors and other traders often needed to 'relieve their stresses' when arriving in the merchant city. That was not to say the actual residents of the city didn't use them as well but often many had concubines but they did still crave a little variety now and then.

And no one craved variety more than Prince Oberyn Nymeros Martell, brother to the Crown Prince of Dorne and a prolific traveller and lover. Father of several bastards but still it didn't stop him from travelling and work at creating more.

As he languished with his paramour Ellaria in the company of a number of whores in a scented room, enjoying the body of his longest lover again he revelled in the sensations it gave him.

He was enjoying his latest travels and was planning to head south to explore the Summer Isles next where he hoped to see more of them than any one else from Westeros ever had, it might take him a year or more but eventually he would return home to see his daughters again. Not to mention he thought pursue some rumours he had heard.

Apparently an ancient spear made of a metal unknown to man but had a lightness and strength equal to Valyrian steel had appeared in the North and was held by House Stark, that he thought as he thrust into Ellaria again would not do...to allow such a rare and exotic weapon to stay in the hands of traitors who had stood by while his sister and her children were slaughtered and supported both the man that had ordered the deed and the king that had spat on their corpses.

The mere thought of it sent a familiar rage rushing through him and the idea of humiliating House Stark, the whore king's favourite and best friends made it very appealing to Oberyn. When they finally did get back to Westeros, he would definitely try to do that.

Winterfell, the North…

Later that evening the feast to celebrate Lord Robb and Lady Meera's birth was now underway. All of House Stark, even Benjen Stark was in attendance sitting at the table in whatever finery they owned as were many of the other Northern nobles.

Gifts were being given first and once done they would eat. Robb being the eldest went first, receiving a wolf themed helm from his father and mother, a new jerkin from Sansa, Jon gave him a new bear skin fur while Theon gave him a dagger and the promise of a trip to the local betrothal when they had the chance although he had the sense to keep that between themselves. After a battleaxe was presented to him by House Umber, it was Meera's turn.

Meera smiled graciously as different gifts were presented to her, some from her prospective suitors which were mostly trinkets or jewellery which she duly thanked them for to not appear ungrateful. A few from her family which she accepted with the heartfelt gratitude that they deserved given all the effort put into them.

However after this a beautiful looking hatchet was brought before her, she looked up and her smile widened when she saw her friend Dacey standing there.

"From House Mormont, in friendship." Dacey said with a smile of her own and offered it to her, Meera smiled and picked up the small axe feeling its weight in her hand. It was easy to lift and wield giving it a few test waves, admiring the intricate runic symbols and design carved into the steel. It must have cost a fortune she realised and vowed to some how make this up to Dacey and her family.

"It is beautiful, thank you Dacey." Meera said with genuine warmth to her good friend who smiled back. Then a voice appeared at the door of the hall.

"I must apologize for being late but I was delayed in the Vale." A gruff older voice said and everyone turned to see a man with black coloured armour that had a black trout on the chest piece.

"Uncle!" Catelyn said with sudden excitement as she saw her beloved Uncle Brynden for the first time since her wedding. She got up from her seat and walked over to envelope him in a hug.

"Hello Cat, its been far too long. Now where are my great-nephews and nieces?" Brynden asked with a smile and cast his eyes over to the head table where a twinkle came to his old eyes when he saw Robb, Meera, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon. He with his niece on his arm walked up to the table and from his belt he pulled two elaborate looking knives. He placed one before Robb and the other before Meera.

Robb and Meera carefully picked up the knives and looked at them, they were hunting knives they realised quickly with bronze handles and steel blades.

"Thank you Greatuncle." Meera and Robb said together as they took the knives, simple though they were it was a nice and useful gift. Brynden himself smiled, seeing the two young ones who showed so much promise. He looked to Ned who gave him a polite nod and said.

"Fetch a new chair for Ser Brynden."

Brynden nodded back with gratitude, his old bones were aching from the long trip and would love a good sit down. He sat at the end of the table with his great nephews Brandon and Rickon who looked at him with awe. He smiled down at them, seeing much of their family's blood in them, more in Robb and Sansa then the others but it was there all the same.

Ned then with the gift giving over stood and said to the whole hall.

"I thank all of you for coming and for the gifts you have given to my children but now let us fill our bellies." He said and the servants took that as they cue to bring out the food and drink so the feast could begin.

-x-

Soon the hall was full of noise as people ate, drank, talked and laughed. It was not a full gathering only certain people had come but still it was full and happy.

Nearby however at the ends of a long table two families were standoffish with each other, the Forresters along with Mira and the Whitehills who had Gwyn amongst them tried their best to avoid looking at each other and when their eyes did meet they looked at each other with anger and disgust.

However unseen by both families Asher Forrester caught the gaze of Gwyn who looked at him with interest, he too was intrigued by her. He was impressed by her boldness, risking the ire of both families and wondered if he should speak to her some time.

However a harried looking young man arrived at the door, wearing a doublet with the red tower of House Redfort. He looked very tired and unsettled as he walked in, immediately catching the attention of most of the people in the room. He walked up the table and stopped when Ned bid him too.

"Who are you and why are you here?" Ned asked wondering where this young man had come from. Eyeing the bundle in his hand with suspicion. The young man took a moment to respond before passing the bundle onto the table and saying.

"My apologises Lord Stark, I am Ser Jasper Redfort and I am here on behalf of my friend Domeric Bolton. I carry his gift and a message he desperately wanted to sent to Lady Meera Stark. I am fulfilling his wishes." Ser Jasper said and looked not only very uncomfortable with all their eyes on him but also like he had watched a member of his family die.

Meera heard Domeric's name and almost smiled, wondering why he wasn't here, hoping his time in the Vale had not changed him too much from the thoughtful and respectful young man he had been. She took the bundle and carefully unwrapped it to reveal a stunning pair of vambraces with wolves engraved into the steel. They looked amazing and Meera was astonished but swore to thank Domeric when she next saw him, but then she saw the message that was stained with what looked like blood and her breath caught in her chest as she reached over to with her hands almost trembling as she opened it. As she read the words tears started forming in the corners of her eyes.

My Dearest Meera,

By the time you read these words I will have passed from this world and I write this message with help of Maester Wolkan, I only wish I could have seen your face once more but it was not the will of the Gods.

I wish I did not have to ask such a thing of you but I beg you in the name of the Old Gods themselves to heed my warnings and save not only your house but ensure justice is finally brought to my family which I assure you is long overdue especially after what I have just learnt.

When I returned from the Vale to attend your nameday celebration I first stopped at my family's home to see my father, there I learnt that I like you have a half-brother. I have always envied the large family you were blessed with and against my father's wishes I sought him out. When I approached him he seemed to be quite happy to meet me and invited to dine with him, I suspected nothing until some time later when my insides began to feel like they were burning.

The bastard had poisoned me! I managed with Jasper's help to return home and the maester has done his best but the poison has nearly done its work and nothing more can be done.

But my tale of woe is nothing compared to the crimes my father and bastard brother have committed. My father still enjoys taking the First Night! He regularly rapes women he finds on the road which is how my brother came to be, worse recently he has been conspiring with a southern house to overthrow House Stark and install House Bolton and himself in your father's place! Which house he is speaking with I was not able to discover but I know it was very rich with considerable power.

However in many ways my bastard brother is much more of a sadistic monster than any I have ever heard of. Both he and my father still commit flaying in defiance of the law but Ramsay Snow (my bastard brother) has taken to hunting girls with a pack of vicious and mean hounds which he names after girls that they kill and then eat. If they fail to entertain him before they die then he often flays them to death and does not name a pup after them. He has four hounds already, I know not how many poor women and girls he has already killed aside from that. He has also begun assembling a band of boys and men who are nearly as vicious as he.

I implore you for the safety of the North and not only your family but the others who would no doubt suffer should Ramsay and my father succeed that you must stop them! Consider it my final boon I can ask of you.

I am not prone to declarations of emotion but you are the only girl I have ever met that I honestly felt love for. Since I was denied the chance to explore this feeling I ask that you do not miss the same opportunity and find love in this short life.

With all the love I can give,

Domeric Bolton, Heir to the Dreadfort and your devoted admirer.

There you have it, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and leave a review.

Someone else will be getting a special weapon eventually, Gungnir is not the only thing that fell from the sky that day.

I am not sure when Ramsay killed Domeric but I have heard it was around this time.

Next Chapter – Stark vs Bolton and we pay a visit to Pentos