Northern Wind

by Sage1988

An accident sends Harry to Westeros in a new body with a new identity, born into House Stark with knowledge of his old world how big an impact will be made? And when the war begins all of Westeros will know the strength of the North. Rated T for the moment but may go up to M later. Girl!Harry.

9. Chapter 9 Tensions Part 2

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

Hello again, sorry for this chapter being later than usual but due its length and problems at home I was slower in getting things done.

Thank you to those that have continued to give me your support regarding my choice to use a female character. I am truly grateful to you all and appreciate it more than you can know.

Genna Lannister and her brood are not in this story...sorry!

Chapter 9 – Tensions Part 2

Northern Army, Camp near Kings Road north of Moat Cailin…

For the third time in the last ten years the North's Army or at least a fair portion of it was gathered once again, now just a couple of days march from the Twins. It was a fairly large camp as twenty thousand men had gathered from all across the North to march south and teach the Freys a lesson in why you don't piss off the North.

In the centre of the camp where the largest tent had been set up, it had the grey direwolves of House Stark on the side and while the Starks didn't care for great symbols of status it had to be big enough to house not only Lord Stark but three of his children and hold meetings with the other Northern lords. They crowded around the long table in the centre of the tent with Lord Stark at the head of it, on the table was a map of the Green Fork and the Twins was marked with a wooden statue of it while their army including the soldiers protecting the incomplete Barnell Bridge were marked with small statues of different house sigils.

"Right." Ned said loudly to call the meeting to order, they all stopped speaking and gave him their full attention. "As it stands we have a force of twenty seven thousand spread over both sides of the Green Fork. Regardless of the Freys being poor warriors in a direct fight the Twins are two, strong and well fortified castles. There is on each a high curtain wall, a moat, a portcullis and a strong gate house. So get any thoughts out of your heads that this will be easy." Ned said not wanting any foolishness that could get people killed.

"The Freys might have lost roughly a thousand men in their attempted attack on Moat Cailin but that still leaves three thousand men to man their walls." Ned continued. "Assuming they are evenly divided that puts fifteen hundred in each castle so how do we get in?" He asked, actually asking as given the strong defences he had to break through and he himself had few ideas.

The men seemed to realise the situation too as they looked at the looked at just what they were confronted with, Ned looked over to see Robb, Jon and Meera doing likewise. He would rather not have had them here at all but they were now of an age where it was expected that he bring them and they learn about commanding men in the field. He was very uncomfortable having them here but to his reluctance what else could he do?

"Ladders could get us over the wall and the moat is not so deep we couldn't fill it in or cross it my lord." Lord Flint said and the GreatJon who was eagerly awaiting the chance to bury his sword in some heads scoffed.

"Won't stop them from pushing them down or protect our men from arrow fire will it? Idiot." The GreatJon said with derision which made Lord Flint wilt instantly however Ned said firmly, not wanting any problems amongst his lords.

"The idea of ladders is a start but we will need more if we are to take a fortress like the Twins." Ned said with a stern look that stopped the GreatJon from making any more insulting replies when surprisingly Robb spoke in a nervous and quiet voice. He wished Theon was here to bolster him with a little of his incredible confidence but father had kept him back at Winterfell for his own safety, not wanting him to come to harm given he was a hostage against the Iron Islands.

"What about boats and ladders father?"

Everyone turned to look at him in confusion, even Ned but Meera and Jon both put a hand on his back and whispered quietly to go on before Robb spoke again.

"What if we use the boats up at the other bridge, have them pick up long ladders and men upriver and come down under cover of darkness? The distance up to the bridge in the centre is much less than the walls and its is not guarded as no-one would dare try to moor a boat against one of the bridge's arches in the fast flowing river or has tried to attack the castle by water. If we aim for the middle of the bridge under the cover of night it would be almost impossible for the Freys to see them. Once on the bridge they can head to the gatehouse and open the gates from the inside and allow our men in." Robb explained his plan which he had thought of when considering what they already knew of the castle.

The lords and Ned were astonished at his plan; it was daring, dangerous and brilliant all at the same time.

"That river flows fast, it will be difficult to moor close to the centre in the dark." Lord Karstark said but then smiled. "But I would like nothing more than to see it done. Just to piss the Freys off."

The lords all chuckled in agreement and Ned honestly wondered just where his son had gotten the idea for this plan from. It was to say the least very dangerous for the group that they would be sending in there but it could bring the Twins down if they managed it and with far less casualties than a frontal assault.

"Find a team of fifty men and three longboats from up the river and let them know a reward will be paid for their efforts." Ned commanded and the lords left to see which of their men would be brave enough to try such a stunt, some would do it despite the risks in the name of honour, for advancement or the reward.

Ned then turned to Robb with mixed feelings as to be honest he was uncomfortable with such a daring and dangerous tactic and Robb looked very uncomfortable under his gaze which would have made him relent before but he told him firmly.

"Bold plans can be legendary when they work but when they fail they can damage your credibility and people's confidence in you. I will shoulder the burden this time but keep that in mind for the future." Ned told them all, hoping they might even if this worked get a little humility as they were to his mind riding high on too much success for their own good.

Robb looked scared and ready to beg their father to call off the attempt but Jon and Meera took one of his hands each and squeezed it, giving a smile too to try and reassure him. Meera while Jon was distracting Robb gave their father an annoyed glare which he understood, she didn't like what he had said but he needed to make sure they knew that for all their skills and success they had limits. Harsh perhaps but they were getting to an age where he needed to establish boundaries on what they could and couldn't do.

- x -

A week later the march was complete and a short distance from the Twins the Northern Army was camped, just out of range of any scorpion fire but close enough to observe what was going on and charge the remaining distance if required.

No envoys from the Freys had been sent which was unexpected given they were outnumbered to a ridiculous degree but that served the Northerners fine since they didn't want to talk.

Up river and well out of sight of the Freys a group of fifty men in three longboats were practising for the planned invasion of the Twins, Ned had been surprised in some way that so many men had jumped at the chance to risk their lives doing this but he had been inundated with volunteers and even some nobles had been ready to risk their lives in this plot. He had however chosen the men going inside and would reward then with five gold dragons each, which would be easily enough for many of them to seek out a personalised reward whatever it might be...probably whores or alcohol Ned thought with some resignation.

His own words to his sons and daughter were nagging at him, perhaps he thought with doubt in his own abilities as parent he had been too harsh in his words but it was like the old saying 'pride comes before a fall'. He had to make sure they remained calm and did not allow their judgement to be skewed.

Like his siblings had.

He dearly wished sometimes that Lyanna and Brandon had been more calm and less prone to rush off with some half-baked ideas...then...then he thought sadly perhaps things could have been better for everyone.

He tried to push past that and was so distracted by this that he failed to notice Lord Karstark coming up to him.

"My lord." Lord Karstark said with his white hair and stern face. "If I don't mind asking, what is on your mind?"

Ned with most lords asking that question would never have answered with only a few small exceptions like the GreatJon but this was Rickard Karstark, their current sole remaining cadet branch and Ned's own future goodbrother. He had been incredibly loyal to him and honestly was one of the few lords Ned would trust with his life...so he answered Rickard's question.

"My sons and daughter have skill unlike any seen in decades if not more, they have so many gifts and have already achieved much...but." Ned said before cutting to the heart of the matter. "I worry that this might go to their heads and make them arrogant. How do I make sure that doesn't happen? Yet allow them to spread their wings and be themselves?"

Rickard waited until he had finished and frowned before smiling.

"The best teacher is and always has been experience, you can try and keep them grounded with rules but chances are they will make their own mistakes regardless. All we can do is be there for them when they make a mistake and hope it is one that they can recover from." Rickard said with experience from his own sons and daughter. "My boys have nearly killed themselves by being overconfident or not paying attention, I tell them time and time again to be more careful but they never listen. I know what you are feeling but you have to accept that some things are beyond our control." Rickard told him sadly, knowing that one day his boys would likely suffer some sort of disaster with their actions but he could only hope it was not a fatal one and that he would be there to help them when the ground came up and hit them.

Ned took in his words and felt terrible, he wanted so much to protect his children. To make sure that they were safe and happy and the last thing he wanted was for them to be hurt but like Rickard said, that was likely to happen anyway.

He sighed with the world seeming very dark especially given what they were here to do, not sure how to navigate his way through it all but smiled when he saw his children talking and laughing together just ahead of him.

That he thought was how it should be and if he had his way how it would remain.

---

The Twins, Later that Night…

The dark night was lit only by the moon which was full in the sky, the light it provided was a godsend to the men in the boats as it gave them light to see by and more importantly when it was midnight and at its highest point in the sky it was directly over the bridge's middle.

That gave them a baring to sail on and soon the bridge loomed ahead of them, the central arch of the bridge was at least eight men high over the water and the river's fast flow was making getting into place difficult and the leader of the men chosen for this important mission was nervous as he carefully steered the rudder of the boat. He was well aware of the odds against them once they managed to get up onto the bridge and into the castle, they would be vastly outnumbered but that was dependant of course on them getting onto the bridge in the first place.

Not to mention the third boat had sprung a leak and had to abandon their job before they had even started, leaving the men going in in far fewer number than planned.

It took all his skill but with sweat on his brow from effort he managed to line the longboat up with the stone pillar that supported the bridge and one of the men managed to drop two anchors to hold them steady long enough to do what they needed to do. As they worked to raise the ladder up the boat creaked a little with the pressure of the river pressing it against the bridge and it began to pull to the side, so at his nod two of their men threw up to grappling hooks on a strong rope to hook them more firmly onto the bridge.

With the ropes in place a man who had once been a wildling according to the camp's rumour mill grabbed hold of the rope and started with an ease that astonished them all to climb up with great speed. He was on the top of the bridge within only a few moments and secured the larger ladder with some clamps he had been carrying once it was in position on the ledge.

Nervous about how long they had before the river dragged them free of the bridge even with the anchors and the grapples men started moving up the ladder quickly and onto the bridge. The captain of the longboat was keeping a close eye on what they could see of the bridge just in case they were seen and on the boat to make sure it stayed tethered long enough to get the job done.

He looked up the river and saw the second boat coming to the stone pillar a short way off and to his horror saw they missed it due to the current and mishandling of the boat. It went straight through the arch and out the other side sending them down the river and out of control, there were rocks down stream and he knew if they hadn't managed to regain control by then they would be smashed to bits.

Probably drowned.

He also realised it meant the men going into the castle were now at half strength before they had even started, biting his lips he wondered if he should call this off and come back another night given all the troubles they had experienced thus far but soon all the men were up the ladder and seeing the ropes attached to the anchors straining against the current he had no choice but to join them before it gave way and slipped away down the river. He watched, clinging desperately to the ladder as the boat broke away and disappeared from view.

Well he thought with fear and resignation, no turning back now.

So he climbed the ladder and with some help from the men already on the top, they all carefully looked around and saw no sign that they had been detected. They were dressed in Frey guard clothing which had been gathered from the dead after their failed attack on Moat Cailin which would hopefully be a useful disguise, the only thing that was false about it was the white band of cloth wrapped around their right arm. Just so they could be told apart from the enemy.

Without speaking a word the men then ran as fast as they could the length of the bridge to the northern keep. Seeing the simple wooden doors open and unguarded they slipped through, all of them too nervous to joke and too professional to speak unless it was strictly necessary. The keep was quiet which was not unexpected given it was the dead of night and the only ones truly awake were those on the walls which was unfortunately where they needed to go.

So they moved as quietly as they could through the castle, it was surprising to see it so lightly guarded when an enemy army was so close by but perhaps they were concentrating their men on the wall? The North men were worried and grateful for this as it meant with some difficulty as none of them were familiar with the castle they managed to reach the courtyard and gates unopposed however seeing a lot of men standing on the walls made all of them stop in the quietest and most covered area of the stables and among the horses and smells of their waste they spoke in hushed whispers.

"There are more men than we counted on." One said, stating the obvious but given the situation was so grave none of them joked about anything.

"The mechanism for the drawbridge is over there." Another said, pointing to the thick rope and wheel that lowered and raised the drawbridge and next to it was the wheel that opened the heavy wooden doors and raised the portcullis.

"Can we open the doors, raise the portcullis and lower the drawbridge before the Freys swarm to stop us?" Another man asked knowing the moment that they realised what they were doing, the Freys would swarm them and they would be easily overwhelmed. However he looked around the courtyard and saw that the way down from the battlements was only possible from two doors in the gatehouses and a plan formed in his mind.

"Move those carts of hay from here to the doors on the gatehouse. They block the door from opening and should give us the time we need to clear the way for the rest of the army." He suggested and seeing the two heavy carts the others nodded.

"Fuck let's try it." It was the only possible plan right now and glad of the strength from the training their lords insisted they go through they managed to quickly and quietly move the carts over in the way of the doors. It was a testament to how scared the men on the walls were of the army outside that they didn't even notice what was going on in the yard below them.

"Now!" One of them said and they ran over to the gate and set to work. One of them who was carrying an impressive looking axe swung it hard into the ropes that held the drawbridge. The sound of them snapping and the heavy drawbridge falling was far louder than any of them had hoped and immediately alerted the guards on the walls that something was going on.

However this didn't stop them as half the man turned the heavy wheel to open the gates while the other turned another to raise the portcullis.

- x -

Watching from the edge of the camp on the back of her horse Meera saw through the eyeglass the gate open and the drawbridge drop, smiling with a wicked grin she took the horn from her waist and with all her breath, blew it hard.

The signal was one the men had been waiting for all night and before her father and brothers could stop her, Meera and her two direwolves took off with the Rangers and former Unsullied around her and followed by the rest of their army. Ned, Robb and Jon were left with worried looks on their faces as they charged after her.

Those on horseback only took a short time to cross the distance and get into the courtyard, Meera dismounted from her horse and drew her spear the weight of it comfortable in her hands. She saw a few Frey soldiers charging out from the main keep and without hesitating she readied herself and stabbed one straight in the chest the moment he was close enough. Rema and Romulus leapt into action and caught a single Frey man in their powerful jaws and turned him into a toy that they could play tug of war with. The man screamed as the wolves pulled him in two but his screams were lost in the sounds of fighting.

She pulled her spear quickly and leapt away from the others as they charged her, staying clear of the swords and began twirling her spear around ready to defend herself.

It was not necessary though as men swarmed around her and the Freys seeing the vastly superior Northern army pouring through the gate either ran back into the castle or threw down their weapons straight away, only a few chose to fight and were easily overcome.

- x -

Robb and Jon had been among the first to enter along side their own direwolves, while their father was close by the sounds and smells of an actual fight was alarming and shocked them both as they dismounted from their horses, the tight confines of the courtyard making them impractical.

Now with their feet firmly on the ground they saw a rough looking Frey knight coming towards them, thinking them an easy target due to their smaller size. Robb raised his shield at the same time as Jon and together they managed to block his attack. Robb swung his sword in retaliation and the Frey managed to block it but Jon then swung his from another direction and landed a solid blow on his leg.

The Frey cried out in pain as blood poured from the wound which the two had never seen happen at their hands before but Robb used this distraction to stab the Frey straight in the chest, piercing through the gaps in his leather armour.

- x -

Nearby she could see Jon and Robb fighting against a Frey knight with their own swords and by working together they managed to impale him in the leg and then through the chest. Father close by was swinging Ice around, taking the head of one man who was foolish enough to challenge him with ease. More men kept pouring and began rushing into the keep to secure it and from there they were to cross the bridge and secure the other side.

Meera saw her brothers now their brief taste of combat was over looking very unsettled and Robb was even physically sick as the sight of the man they had killed laid before them. Seeing that the yard was now secure and their part in the fight was over Meera walked over and as soon as she was close enough pulled her brothers into a hug. They had been so distracted by their current feelings of guilt and shame over taking someone's life they didn't even notice her coming till she had grabbed them.

"You did what you had to do." She told them sternly, pressing a kiss to both their foreheads to try and reassure them. She remembered just as clearly how it felt to take a life, that first time in Braavos still as fresh in her mind now as it had been then and wanting to ease her brothers' pain having now experienced the same thing.

- x -

The sun rose the following morning, revealing the Twins looking like nothing had happened. There was no plumes of smoke or mass of bodies all over the place, however one huge change was the banners of House Frey were lying in a pile on the floor while northern soldiers stood guard on the walls in place of the Freys poorly equipped guards.

Many of those guards and the members of the family were locked in the cells till they became overcrowded and were locked up in secure rooms in both keeps till other arrangements could be made. In the small hall Ned stood with his lords at the head of the room although none of them could stomach sitting on Walder Frey's chair. The thought that his disgusting arse had touched it and a smell seemed to be clinging to it that none of them even wanted to think about.

So they all stood.

Speaking of the old devil had been found in his chambers, raping a girl who could not have been more than twelve years of age.

Another reason why none of them wanted to touch any thing he had.

To his sides Meera, Robb and Jon all stood and he could feel the tension in his sons who had killed someone during the invasion of the castle. Ned honestly wished he had never brought them as he saw the looks on their faces, just like when Meera had killed that pirate in Braavos years ago.

Devastation, pure and simple.

He forgot his manners and what was expected of him to put an arm around both of them and they lent into him smiling a little at the security he was glad to give them. The other Northern lords if they noticed politely and respectfully ignored it. Meera gave her brothers encouraging looks but stood tall and kept her face otherwise calm and collected.

The men dragged in the man that had been the bane of the North for nearly a year, the one her mother had tried to wed her too...Old Walder Frey.

The man looked exactly as he had been described; his hair was thin and greasy like it hadn't been washed in over a month, his face like so many of his sons was thin and narrow like a weasel, beady little eyes and a nasty sneer on his face.

"Well Lord Stark." He said looking completely at ease and with no fear at all on his face. "I expected you a lot sooner but at least you came with my new wife at last." He said leering at Meera which made everyone in the room including Meera and Ned scowl with anger.

"I honestly have not known as much boldness or perhaps arrogance in a long time Lord Frey as you are displaying now." Ned said coldly, the way he was leering at his daughter disgusting him but Old Walder just kept on sneering as he answered.

"You invaded the Riverlands Lord Stark and attacked one of House Tully's strongest vassals." Walder said with derision like they were all stupid children. "I think you will be releasing us all soon enough when the Riverlands rise against you."

"Bollocks!" The GreatJon said with a disgusted look and a loud voice which made all of them give him their attention. "You didn't heed the call at the Trident and no other house likes you."

"Not to mention your guilt is clear." Ned said loudly to bring this conversation under control. "You attack one Northern stronghold you attack us all." The other lords nodded and muttered in agreement which did seem to bring Old Walder up short. However all confidence on his face disappeared when he walked forward with Ice in hand and with one swift stroke severed Lord Walder's head clean off.

Everyone blinked, not having expected Ned to be so brutal and fast in his judgement but he was right in the eyes of the law. House Frey had attacked the North and as such he was right to deliver justice whether it had been his son's future seat that was the target or the keep of his long-time friend Howland.

"We should make sure all the sons and grandsons see this." Lord Ryswell said with admiration at the quick and decisive action. "If they see we truly will execute them then most of them will jump at the chance to go to the Wall instead. Boost the Nights Watch's numbers even if they are weasels and cut down the number of Freys plaguing Westeros at the same time."

"A sound plan." Lord Forrester said with a smirk.

"Until it has been decided just who to give the Twins too we should keep control here as tight as possible." Meera said with a worry at how long it could take to determine who to keep here and who to send North or execute.

"Agreed." Ned said thinking this plan underhand but the chance to bolster the Nights Watch was always a good thing. The extra gold and recruitment drives that had been made possible in the south because of the former had risen their numbers enough to reopen Westwatch castle and so now ships trailed both coasts to find recruits but Ned thought it would do the Watch good to have some fresh recruits.

This reminded him to send a letter home to see how the temporary Stark in Winterfell was doing.

---

Winterfell, the North…

Sansa had never been as nervous the day her father and elder siblings had ridden south to deal with the Freys, her father before leaving had named her as the Stark in Winterfell!

She had been speechless at the announcement, while she had sat in the hall some times to watch her father dealing with the daily matters of ruling Winterfell and the North in general she had never partaken in such things herself and when she had first sat in her father's chair in the great hall and been faced with farmers asking for help in expanding their sheep folk she had no idea just what to say.

Thankfully her father had realised she had no experience in such matters and by happy coincidence her Uncle Benjen was visiting the castle, so with special permission from Lord Commander Mormont he was staying to advise and support her. As she listened to the Rangers reporting their latest interactions with the bandits and wildlings that still roamed the land he was there to sit with her and give her the benefit of his experience as a Nights Watch Ranger.

Her mother had tried to insert herself in as an advisor but Sansa had kept her confined to her rooms till her father returned, it hurt Sansa thought to have to do this to her own mother but given the distrust that existed between her and the rest of the family it was for the best especially as the current southern mess was one of her own making.

So instead she had Lanna sitting at her other side, while this would be considered strange given Lanna was little more than a bastard in the eyes of most nobility she was gifted with words and a brilliant strategist.

All of which was a great boon to her right now.

"We have interrogated several prisoners Lady Stark and according to them the bandits and wildlings have set up what they call a 'shadow town' a place where they can trade their ill-gotten gains and hide from our patrols. The location however was not known to the ones we captured and so far we have little information to go on." The leading ranger reported and Sansa nodded before waiting for her two advisors to give her the benefit of their wisdom.

Turning to Benjen who whispered to her.

"We should try our best to gather more information, more prisoners as eventually one of them will lead us to this 'shadow town'." He advised her and Lanna from her other side then added.

"If we could attract enough of them together at once then our chances of catching someone with useful knowledge increases substantially."

"Then continue to try and take prisoners were possible, the more information we can gain on this the better." Sansa said as she mulled over the options. "Also let us organise a large valuable convoy, one that would be irresistible to the brigands and arrange a force of Rangers to be close by in case they take the bait. We will discuss the exact bait when my father returns."

The plan seemed to shock some of them for a moment but Uncle Benjen and Lanna smiled at her decision, proud of her for taking their counsel to heart. Not to mention this plan was a good one, a prize that the brigands wouldn't be able to resist and the rangers in force ready to trap them.

Benjen in-particular was very proud of his niece, shouldering the burdens of ruling the North and Ned would be very proud of her too.

His own father, Brandon and Lyanna too he knew would have adored them all and father would have loved nothing more than to sit with them and carry on with official state business while young Robb or Meera or Sansa or any of his grandchildren sat in his lap but sadly Benjen thought with his smile dimming he had never known any of them.

Just like Ned had never known...Benjen stopped himself, that memory was too painful especially after what had happened not long after to Brandon and father.

In moments like this he missed the chance to have children of his own but was satisfied to be the uncle to his brother's children, wishing he could see more of them and made a promise to himself that when it came time for them to be wed that he would be there to see it. Vowing to never miss the chance to see their family grow.

- x -

Arya while her sister was running Winterfell had invested her time in training her new horse which she had named Torrhen after the last King of Winter of centuries past, the horse was surprisingly brave she thought with a smile as she gently groomed his mane. He was not afraid of Nymeria despite her wolf's great size and fearsome presence, he was not afraid of her either and the two had quickly established that bond of trust that was needed to train a horse.

She was slowly getting him used to a saddle and was eagerly waiting for the day when she, Torrhen and Nymeria could ride across the North together.

She felt him rubbing his head against hers and she gently petting him to return the affection. Of all the presents she had received this was the one she loved the most, not that she was grateful for everything else she had been given, she was but having Torrhen not only represented freedom but also responsibility and trust. Like her direwolf she had been entrusted to care for her own horse and given the responsibility for its training.

She vowed to show her father how well she was doing when he and her oldest siblings returned from the south.

- x -

With so many of the Starks and their best men away those that remained had to keep vigil and train the younger members of House Stark.

"With one smooth motion, draw the string back and then let loose." Theon said with his custom smirk as he taught Bran and Rickon to shoot a bow, they were past the age of starting to learn in his opinion and they had the advantage of being taught by the best archer in the North Theon thought with pride. Many would dispute that especially the Northern Rangers but Theon didn't care...how could an Iron-born be less than a greenlander he mocked. So much that he started telling them about the great Iron-born raiders of the past.

Bran and Rickon meanwhile were paying attention but were quickly losing interest as Theon began to glorify any of his ancestors. Even at their young age they knew the reputation of the Iron-born even if they had never seen it themselves and Maester Luwin when he taught them history warned it is judged through the eye of the beholder and the Iron-born glorified their ways by saying they were doing the Drowned God's bidding by 'Paying the Iron Price'.

Honestly the two young boys were not sure what to think of the situation, it seemed so dishonourable but few seemed to do anything about it. Bran looked to Rickon and the smiled though as they gently petted their direwolves who sat calmly beside them, hoping their father and older siblings would be back soon to give them some advice.

---

The Red Keep, Kings Landing…

In a rare display of actually caring for his children King Robert had actually returned on time for Princess Myrcella's nameday celebration, of his three children she was the one that disappointed him least so it was fair to say she was his favourite when he bothered to notice them. So much so that she was sitting at his right side which would usually be her mother's seat. A fact that had not gone unnoticed especially as Cersei and Joffrey had been confined to seats further down the table.

Robert was sitting around the table with her sitting next to him as he told her stories about his fights with the pirates as she listened, no-one was sure if she actually enjoyed the stories or not but she gave the appearance of listening and being gracious and appreciative. Commenting in all the right places and otherwise being enchanting.

Her mother could not even manage that, sitting there with open displeasure on her face and drinking deeply from her wine goblet, being kept full by her very busy cup-bearer while Jaime rolled his eyes at the whoremonger king's surely exaggerated tales of adventure. Joffrey sat at his mother's side, mirroring her actions with similar disdain but he did briefly perk up when Robert mentioned the bloody way he had dispatched some of the pirates. Poor Tommen meanwhile was being ignored by everyone.

"When I took that last pirate ship and slew its captain I found some treasures that I thought would suit you and your brothers." Robert told Myrcella with a big smile, sober enough to actually guard his tongue on how much he hated the blonde hair his daughter and sons were cursed with and to show them that he did actually love them. He then turned to Ser Barristan who came forward with a fair sized box.

"This my girl is for you." Robert told Myrcella with a warm genuine smile, reaching into the box as she cautiously but excitedly waited to see just what he had brought her. None of them had expected a beautiful folding fan made of exquisite simmering silk in rose pink with elegant golden thread pattens. Small pearls had been sewed into the fan and engraved on the hardened parts. Gently almost like she was afraid it would break if she touched it Myrcella carefully opened the fan and admired into incredibly intricate work. All around the table men and ladies marvelled at the beautiful piece that surely must have come all the way from Yi Ti.

Myrcella looked at it with amazement and smiled brightly at Robert before telling him.

"Its beautiful father!" She said and his eyes watered a little at that before he reached into the box and pulled out another surprise.

"I am glad you like it my girl. I also found this when I was searching through the Stepstones." He told her passing a bolt of beautiful silk in sky blue. "It is simmering silk from Naath, due to pirates raiding the island and the people retreating inwards to avoid them this is a very rare commodity and from this you can make whatever you like." He said to his amazed 'daughter' who smiled brightly and breaking decorum and the expected rules of behaviour she leaned forward and gave him a hug and with difficulty due the difference in height a kiss on the cheek. Robert was surprised but wrapped his arms around the girl and lifted her onto his knee so he could hug her back.

Many were shocked at the breaking of courtly behaviour but as it was a father and daughter most nodded and accepted it as parental affection.

However one person was not happy at all, Cersei rather than looking impressed at the gifts Robert had found for Myrcella and grateful that he believed she was his own daughter was actually looking annoyed and even jealous at the incredible and rare gifts given to her own daughter. Thinking in her mind that she should have received them instead. She had never even seen such an expensive and exquisite fan in her entire life and never had any simmering silk despite being the daughter of the richest lord in the whole country and its queen. Not to mention in galled her seeing such a strong bond exist between her beautiful lioness/princess and the whore mongering man she was forced to call a husband.

To get back at Robert and bring the attention back to her, she decided to snap at him.

"And what of Joffrey? Didn't you find any present for him?" She demanded with anger and disgust in her voice.

That broke the joyful atmosphere of moments ago and everyone looked at her with confusion, those not so familiar with the queen's character not understanding why she would speak this way in front of not only others but be deliberately cruel to her daughter to take away the focus on her on her own nameday. Myrcella became quiet and withdrawn instantly and the sunny smile that had been on her face disappeared in an instant. She tried slip back into her seat but Robert wouldn't relax his grip.

Robert noticed straight away and with an angry voice told his queen that he wished he had never married.

"I have not forgotten our other children Cersei! I merely gave Myrcella her gifts first as it is her nameday celebration, not Joffrey's! Tommen...Joffrey get up here." He ordered and the small Tommen who had been sitting near his mother and older brother giving both scared looks did as he was told while Joffrey strutted his way up with excited expectation at a gift. The fact he had stolen the limelight back from his sister was merely a bonus.

"This is an illustrated book of all the legends and history of Essos for Tommen." Robert said and Ser Barristan took the book out of the bag which was rather too large for the small boy to carry and instead Jaime took it for him. "And for Joffrey there is this Myrish Crossbow, one of their finest." Robert told them and pulled out an elaborated styled crossbow.

Robert angered at Cersei's ruining of Myrcella's day decided to remove the problem and hopefully get things back to a good place.

"Joffrey go and practice with your new crossbow in the yard and Tommen is doubtlessly wanting to read his book. The Hound can help Joffrey learn while you and the Kingslayer take Tommen and read his book with him." Robert said firmly, having command in his voice for a change and Jaime despite his hatred of Robert for all that he did to Cersei or insulted her did as he was bid and ushered the annoyed Cersei out of the hall while Joffrey went happily went off with his new sworn sword the younger brother of Ser Gregor Clegane the Hound to try out his new crossbow. Tommen looked to Myrcella who gave him a small nod and then Robert once they were out of sight started with telling tales of a beautiful doe that he apparently guided the ancient storm kings when they had been lost or in need of help.

"You my girl are my golden doe! Whenever I need reminding of what I fight for I only have to look at you and I remember." Robert told her with all the charm he possessed, hoping to restore that spark of happiness in his daughter that her bitch of a mother was so eager to snuff out.

He was rewarded a moment later when she started to smile again.

- x -

Tommen was disappointed to not be able to stay with his sister but excited when he could read his new book and more than that he was able to do it with Uncle Jaime and even better than that Uncle Jaime took him to see Uncle Tyrion in his theatre when mother had declined to read it with him.

"My what a treasure!" Uncle Tyrion said with pride as he saw the large book Robert had brought back for Tommen. "Shall we read it together?" He asked with a smile and Tommen nodded very quickly.

"YES PLEASE UNCLE TYRION!" Tommen said eagerly and with that Tommen sat at the table as Tyrion put the book down and began to read it to Tommen. Jaime sat with them enjoying the strange tales of the book and did his best to forget the angry and jealous nature of his other half who was even now he knew watching Joffrey shooting the castle's cats with his new crossbow.

---

The Twins, the Riverlands…

All the servants of House Frey had been either confined with their masters or banished from the castles when the North had assumed control. That meant of course new servants were needed to take their places.

One of whom was a woman in her early thirties, attractive with a mix of blonde and dark hair and a pleasant face. Many men had offered her coin to spend the night with them but she ignored them politely and went on her way, easily avoiding grasping hands or attempts to steal a kiss.

She watched from a distance as the young Lady Stark practised with her spear, a spear that was disturbingly familiar to her and annoyingly out of her grasp.

So she went down to the bowels of the castles and when she came to the cells were House Frey was being kept she smirked a devilishly smirk and her eyes glowed green briefly before her form shifted, turning into a man with raven black hair and sharp features. He looked around at the prisoners and his smirk turned vicious.

They looked at him and he tuned out whatever they might be saying as he considered what he now knew, the spear was indeed back and almost like his brother was spiting him from beyond the grave in the hands of a mere child! He fumed about that for a moment, he had been looking for the damned thing for centuries but it was always out of his reach. He had travelled across the whole North centuries ago looking for it and the thing had been as elusive as him when he wanted to be.

And now it was in the hands of the girl...he counted to a hundred in his mind as he calmed himself down. There was nothing he could do about it now, he couldn't separate it from her and killing her for it was out of the question as it would certainly reject him or if he allowed her to be killed.

So as much as it annoyed him, he needed to keep her alive...at least as far as it worked for his plans. He needed a mortal! That angered him more than he had ever conceived possible.

That didn't mean however he couldn't have a little fun he thought, cause them a little pain or at least some trouble.

So he channelled his power into his hand and walked forward to the caged prisoners who all looked horrified as they saw the green haze around his hands.

- x -

Screaming from the secured rooms alerted the guards later that day to something happening, they ran over and saw a room of dessicated corpses and a man standing there with a smile and a glint in his eyes that honestly terrified them. He gave them a tiny little wave of his hand and disappeared.

- x -

"All of the prisoners are dead!" Lord Stark said with shock at Ser Rodrik who stood in front of him and the rest of the Northern lords who were equally shocked at this sudden turn of events.

"Yes my lord. Except the women and children." Ser Rodrik told him. "According to the men a single assassin killed them all with some kind of green fog and then vanished before their eyes."

"Green fog?! Vanished before their eyes?!" The GreatJon said with derision and the rest of the lords present even Ned certainly didn't believe it either.

"It doesn't matter!" Meera called out loudly, bringing the attention of all to her. "Because in case none of you have noticed all the prisoners are dead! In our care! We have no assassin to show the world so everyone will believe that we killed them!" She said with fear knowing how all of Westeros was likely to react to this. "They will start comparing us to the Lannisters if this gets out! So we need a cover to hide this!" She told them.

Taking the castle had been within their rights after the attack on Moat Cailin but to kill all the prisoners was going to be a true stain on their reputation! A mark against them that none would ever let them forget.

The reality of what she was saying did sink in and Ned along with some others who were concerned about how the South viewed them realised she was right. Executing prisoners like this was beyond the code of honour that they held themselves too especially as they had been given no trial and would make many see them as vicious killers and opportunists.

However many others simply did not care what the south thought of them like the GreatJon scoffed and said.

"Let them talk! The women and children still live! The men were as guilty as their father or whatever the fuck he was!" A few sounded their agreement with a raised "Aye".

Meera however knew better to write it off like that! They had to consider the fact that this could be seen as a Northern invasion of the Riverlands and that would be treated far differently than if they had just swatted the Freys on the rear, killed a few, sent others to the Wall and left a chosen son or grandson in charge then left for home.

Now that plan was officially screwed!

Her mind ran as fast as it could to try and find a solution to this problem, they could she thought leave one of the daughters in charge instead but having seen most of the women of House Frey...well they had not been raised to rule and only to obey. They were followers, beaten into submission from the moment they were born by the old weasel and none could reasonably hold the Twins. The children were a possibility she considered but most of them were far too young to even consider it and the infighting for control among them would cause a lot of problems further down the road. She wondered about wedding one of the daughters to a Northerner but she was unsure if any would even want to marry a Frey as many shared the look of House Frey, weasel like and those that didn't were few and far too young.

So, she thought with desperation, what did they do now?

"Banish all the women and children." Meera said suddenly making many look at her with astonishment. "Say we executed all the Frey men when they refused to join the Watch since they all went along with their father's plan and were all judged guilty. Send the women to the Silent Sisters and the children to Faith of the Seven with a donation of coin to ensure they are accepted without question. Once that is done we hold the Twins till an agreement can be struck between us and Lord Tully about its future." She said really not liking this but it was the only way they might be able to get out of this without their reputation taking too much of a hit.

Everyone, especially her brothers and father stared at her in shock at her ruthless and harsh plan. It was against most of their moral codes to punish women and children for the crimes of their families. Not to mention as Old Gods worshippers the idea of giving them to the Faith of the Seven was to say the least a thorny issue.

"Meera we can't blame those innocent of their families crimes." Her father said with surprise at her suggestion and worried about it given how deceitful it was. "Surely one of the women can rule and if we tell the..."

"Tell them that an assassin who kills with a green smoke and vanished into nothing killed all the men of House Frey? And as for the women? Father none of them have been raised to rule, don't even have an idea of how to start. They were raised to serve, not to lead. And who would believe us about a mysterious assassin anyway? They would claim we just want their land and this is an aggressive expansion of the North's borders. The only other option is to match one of own to a Frey so they can rule, anyone interested?" Meera pointed out, looking around the hall for any takers.

She dearly hoped the rest of them would see where she was coming from and follow her plan, it wasn't perfect but it was the only way she could think of which would hopefully prevent them becoming known as warmongers or vicious killers, they had been offered the chance to serve in exchange for their lives and declined. Some she knew would think that anyway but if they could prevent it becoming widespread then it was to her mind a move well made. Her other option brought many looks of revulsion from the crowd who had a great disdain for House Frey in general or any southern houses. Prejudice almost Meera thought with a sigh knowing it was how her people thought and hoped it didn't truly run that deep.

It disgusted her to have to suggest things like this let alone carry them out, banishing the women and children who had not had a thing to do with any of this or forcing them into marriage against their will. Her own sense of honour nagging at her and seeming to scream at her to do something better than this but she realised this was a southern game they were playing now...a game that as a Gryffindor she was at a disadvantage at.

One that she had to win for the sake of her house and homeland...but to do that she would have to find those Slytherin traits the Sorting Hat had seen in her as Harry.

"Its rough my lord but it might be the only way to maintain the high ground and not appear as though we are as bad as the Lannisters." Lord Cerwyn said and a few others in the room nodded. The mention of being as bad as the Lannisters or specifically Tywin Lannister grated on many of their nerves and a few looked very affronted about the mere idea of being thought of like that. The Lannisters were never well regarded in the North, especially after what they had done to Kings Landing at the end of the Rebellion.

Lord Stark himself was one of the most disturbed as he had seen the results of Tywin Lannister's work first hand and the thought of his house being labelled as such was a horrific thought to him but like his daughter had reminded them all, without the assassin to confess to his crimes they had no way of proving their innocence. Especially given the horrible way that the men of House Frey had died. He had never seen a body as distorted as that before and he hoped dearly to never have to see that again.

---

The Red Keep, Kings Landing…

An urgent session of the Small Council had been called as soon as news of what was happening up at that Green Fork had reached them. It was late in the afternoon and most had been involved in their own private affairs and received the summons at very short notice, Pycelle had been caught by the messenger balls deep in a whore and had been forced to leave the woman unpaid and rushing to put on his clothes to attend the meeting.

Robert sat at the table looking like a cask of wildfire just ready to explode, his glare was focused entirely on Jon Arryn who was staring back with nervousness at his king.

"I gave you two simple commands." Robert said his voice quaking with rage as he had just learnt from Stannis what Jon had been doing in his absence. His mood was not helped by the recent arrival of Tywin fucking Lannister who he would have to dine with later so this could not have been a worse time for the truth to come out. "Write to the Freys and tell them to stop their pointless claim of a betrothal and accept that they were never going to marry into House Stark and to tell Ned he had my support to deal with the situation as he saw fit."

This was such unexpected behaviour for Robert, to stay quiet instead of yelling, to glare like this rather than throw or shout. None of them knew what to expect and were wondering just what was going to happen now.

"You not only ignore my words but actually send commands to the contrary, actually telling Ned to let Old Walder fuck him and the entire North up the arse. I can only be thankful that Ned is a better man than you and a stronger man to do what is right instead of blindly following orders." Robert told Jon who looked visibly unsettled at how intently the king was looking at him. "If you were any other man I would have your head on a block, to that end Stannis will be the bearer of the royal seal. No command or order can be made by the Hand without my consent or his if I am absent."

It was a stunning moment as Robert effectively gelded Jon Arryn politically, no longer could Jon make any decisions without Stannis giving it his approval even if Robert was out of the city. It shocked all of them but aside from Tywin Lannister or Ned there were few others Robert would ever consider for the position and so Jon stayed as Hand but with far more eyes on him than before.

Jon was too shocked to react to this and so Robert in a rare move got to the issue at hand.

"So as far as I understand it, the North after the failed attack by the Freys on Moat Cailin assaulted and took the Twins. The men were all judged guilty of the offence and executed while the women and children were handed over to the Faith. Am I missing anything?" Robert asked and Renly jumped in.

"Well they refuse to give the castle and bridge up." Renly told them with a small smirk and Varys carefully added.

"And there has been much debate over who should rule the castle now, anyone with even the smallest drop of Frey blood is laying claim to the castle. It is a very divisive issue." Varys said with a mind that open warfare over the important stronghold was likely. The three former vassals of House Frey Haigh, Erenford and Charlton were already openly fighting over the right to rule it and the North was still holding it! It was greed in the extreme and there were other houses in the Riverlands who were pressing a claim. House Tully was dragging its feet in resolving the issue and some feared a Northern invasion of their land. He mentioned this and Robert looked stunned at the quagmire that was unfolding, he had never believed Ned would do something like this but that being said he was glad to see his friend asserting himself and protecting his family since he couldn't trust Jon apparently.

"The Alliance." Jon Arryn started to say, worried that this was going to unravel the nation's unity but Robert without hesitation slammed his hands down on the table and shouted.

"If the alliance was weak enough to fold from this then it was never going to last anyway!" He shouted loudly before bringing his voice's level down after a calming breath. "Hoster and Ned can sort this out, Stannis go up there and see that those two start talking since I can only trust you at the moment it seems." Robert said sharply.

He knew Stannis was no diplomat but regardless of Robert's rather vain hope that he would relax some time his younger brother would tolerate no bullshit and get to the heart of the matter. He could be sure that Stannis would not waste time with false courtesies and get Hoster and Ned to sit down and sort this issue out.

He would have gone himself, the chance to see Ned again would have been worth the trip in itself but he needed to keep an eye of Jon after what he had pulled. The old man was still dear to him but if he was openly disregarding his orders then he would need to be watched, Robert didn't want to replace him as Hand as the candidates were few for the difficult work of running the country while he fucked and drank himself into an early grave.

Still he would now have to keep a far sharper eye on his hand till Jon learnt to never do that again. It grated on his nerves but it had to be done.

Baelish meanwhile was sitting in his seat surprised at how aggressive Stark's actions had been, he had not been expecting to see an actual attack on the Twins nor an action this grasping. They hadn't outright taken the Twins for themselves but it could certainly be leaning that way and even if they didn't openly take it they could be installing a puppet there instead.

Still he thought with some relief his plan to ruin Stark's marriage appeared to have worked and it had weakened Jon Arryn at the same time, he would be busy for some time restoring his reputation and standing which would only cause more chaos for him to climb on...right to the top or so he hoped.

- x -

In another room of the Red Keep another meeting was being held, the sort that no-one would admit too or even know happened unless you were there.

Tywin Lannister sat at the head of a small table were his three children had joined him, Cersei's own children were of course not here since they would only be a distraction in Tywin's mind. It would he also hoped give them some limited time to spend away from her ruinous influence.

"And it seems that they will not give the castle up until Lord Tully goes up there himself to deal with it." Tywin told them. His children were surprised at the boldness of House Stark and that they were demanding House Tully resolve the issue or they were not giving up the castle.

"Who would have thought Stark had it in him?" Jaime said with derision, his own feelings of disdain for Ned Stark evident on his face after the overly honourable fool had given him the Kingslayer title that he so despised and would dearly like an opportunity to make Stark suffer for that.

"Jaime this is an insult..." Cersei started to say but Tyrion anticipating what she was about to say interrupted.

"Not everything is about House Lannister!" Tyrion rebuked her and added with her far greater experience. "By large the Starks prefer not to deal with us, unless what we do effects them. They don't care whatever happens south of the Neck as long as it doesn't affect them. So if we leave them alone they will leave us alone, what purpose does it serve to create more enemies when we have enough already?" Tyrion said sharply, trying to prevent his incredibly short-sighted and egotistical sister from creating another problem for them to deal with.

Tywin normally would dismiss anything Tyrion said as another worthless use of words but he hesitated this time as the dwarf made sense for once in his life. House Stark's most defining trait was they were concerned with the North alone, they had no interest in gaining power in the south and often attempts to do so had exploded in their faces like Rickard Stark's foreign marriages.

This move at the Twins though, Tywin thought with cold calculation did concern him. It was far more aggressive than was normal for the North especially under Eddard Stark's rule not to mention it being against a house from the Riverlands albeit a much hated one. They had executed all the men for their attack on Moat Cailin and banished the women and children to a place where they could no longer claim the Twins. Similar to what he had done to the Reynes and Tarbecks, while it was widely thought that he killed them all that wasn't true he thought to himself although it was useful for maintaining his reputation. In reality there had been two daughters of House Tarbeck that survived the assault on Tarbeck Hall, while he couldn't remember their names he had done much like the Starks had and forced them to join the Silent Sisters so they would never again be a threat to the Lannisters.

He wondered briefly what to make of it all, the Starks had been powerful before the Rebellion now however he was unsure of just what kind of threat they might pose presently although as Tyrion he reluctantly admitted had pointed out, why make an enemy when it wasn't necessary. So he asked Tyrion who had the most contact with them to tell them more.

"How is the power within House Stark truly balanced? Who actually pushes it forward?" He asked, he had his spies of course but none of them were as perceptive as a Lannister and while Tyrion was the lowest of the Lannisters he was one of them and might he thought with some doubt have useful information.

Tyrion who had been enjoying his newly complete theatre, putting plays and receiving a good income from it was surprised to be asked his opinion, Jaime and Cersei likewise were stunned at unexpected event and waited to see what he would say or like Cersei were too surprised to speak. Tyrion who was still reeling from being asked his opinion and refusing to allow his pride to rear its head spoke after a moment to think.

"Eddard Stark is not the driving force, its guiding hand maybe but the force that pushes them forward is the eldest children. The others are still too young to truly affect its decisions and after her attempt to wed her own daughter off Catelyn Tully no longer has any power there but the elder two children? They are ambitious in their own way, they have aspirations to make House Stark and the North as a whole stronger and while the heir and eldest son Robb is bound by most of the same code of conduct that his father has instilled in him, the daughter Meera is the main force behind the change and she is far more cunning and ruthless than anyone else in her family."

Tywin had to agree although he would never give Tyrion the satisfaction of knowing that, it was not Eddard Stark that he had to worry about it was these two young Starks Robb and Meera although if Meera was the more ruthless and cunning of the two then she could be a far greater threat than her brother...or a useful tool he concluded.

---

The Twins, the Riverlands…

A fair sized column of men leading a wheelhouse appeared on the horizon riding up from the south, they wore armour and chain-mail that resembled a fish's scales and had shields with red and blue stripes and a white trout on them. These men belonged to House Tully and at the head of the formation was Ser Edmure Tully who was relishing the change, to ride ahead of his father who could no longer ride and now travelled in the wheelhouse at their rear.

Behind them another group of riders came, these ones however wore much more normal steel plate and leather without the scale design of the Tully's, their cloaks were black and on the shields they carried there was a black and yellow design with a stag emblazoned on it.

At the head of the second column was a far sterner man than any other, as unyielding as iron who would break before he bent or compromised. Lord Stannis Baratheon, younger brother to the King and Lord of Dragonstone.

The latter of which infuriated him every day.

His face, hard cast as if from the aforementioned iron Stannis rode up to the southern castle of the Twins with his men at his side. They approached the gate and saw the Wolf banners hanging from its walls, he was actually impressed at how effectively the Starks had captured the Twins as although the exact plan they had used was unknown to him they had apparently suffered hardly any losses in the process.

As a man that truly knew siege warfare (after holding a castle against the Reach and Tyrells for a year) he was actually impressed not that he would ever say that aloud. Nearby he saw his trusted right hand Ser Davos Seaworth looking at the castle with a troubled look. He knew his man's concerns, this was an awkward situation between the North and Riverlands but he sworn to himself that it would be resolved.

The sight of the Tully Party made him frown as he saw the proud looking Edmure Tully who in his mind had nothing to be proud about, he had no achievements on the battlefield nor did he really rule as his father still lived and kept from what he had heard a tight hold on the reins of power. Stannis wished that it had been Ser Brynden Tully who was here as the man had at least achieved good skill on the field and a reputation for strength unlike his brother and nephew.

The gates of the Twins opened and they rode straight inside and saw Lord Stark standing there with Lords Umber, Karstark and a number of other Northern lords or their heirs. Stannis noticed to his surprise that a girl stood there at his side alongside two boys of the same age, his oldest children Robb Stark, Jon Snow and the most infamous of all Meera Stark he assumed.

He regarded them and to his surprise although they bowed in respect, even the girl scandalously they didn't flinch or break from his gaze. They all looked him straight in the eye and he wondered if this was the famed Northern stubbornness but put that aside. Hoster Tully meanwhile had appeared from out of the nearby wheelhouse as they dismounted from their horses. Edmure Tully meanwhile as bold as brass walked up to Lord Stark and without waiting or showing any deference said to the girl.

"Why aren't you wearing a dress or showing good grace to your betters girl!?" He remarked with derision, Stannis and even Davos just shook their heads, what a fool Stannis thought to himself. He might be heir to the Riverlands, Lord Stark's good-brother and the girl's uncle but...Stannis thought with disdain there was a protocol to be observed and he had just violated it.

The Northern lords and especially Lord Stark and his two sons did not look pleased by his comment either and would likely have said something but again to Stannis's surprise the girl beat them too it.

"Ser Tully, it is such an interesting experience to receive a Riverlands welcome, one that does not acknowledge the most senior lord present and proceeds to call attention to my own preference in clothes." Meera Stark told everyone, pointedly reminding Edmure that he had completely ignored her father and it had been noted as had the insult against her and him. "I must say you have exacting standards in regards to a woman's apparel, it must be difficult finding a woman who can reach such lofty heights...perhaps it is the reason you are unwed?." She then added with a cruel smirk on her face.

The yard fell silent for a moment before the Northern lords even Lord Stark and his sons began to smirk too, seeing the 'trout's heir' as he was known to them flounder like a fish out of water ironically. Stannis himself would never show such a thing in public but he did feel a little...amused at how quickly she had disarmed Edmure Tully. At his side Davos was not so stern in his expressions and a slight smile appeared on his face.

Edmure stood there with his face in a state of shock while an irritated Hoster Tully came storming up with the aid of cane.

"Stop making a fool of yourself and me boy! We are here to sort out who gets this castle not make the situation any worse." He barked furiously at his son who visibly wilted at his father's words, Hoster then turned to Lord Stark and said. "Lord Stark, welcome to the Riverlands. Perhaps we should adjure to the hall for our discussions? I must confess my legs are not as steady as they were in my youth."

Lord Stark then politely inclined his head to his goodfather and turned to Stannis himself.

"Lord Stannis, welcome. I must thank you for your letter informing of Jon Arryn's decision to violate the king's orders."

Stannis inclined his head in respect to the Warden of the North.

"Greetings Lord Stark, it was my duty to inform you as a loyal subject of the King." Stannis said simply which would have been off putting to many including Edmure Tully and some of the Northerners but Lord Stark accepted it with good grace and led them all to the hall where they could discuss the ownership of the Twins.

- x -

"The North will hand over the Twins to House Tully or we will come and take it back." Edmure said boldly having apparently recovered his pride from the earlier incident in the yard, the Northerners immediately started complaining and angrily shouting at the Tullys before Lord Stark immediately shut them all down with a loud and stern.

"QUIET!"

The room fell silent instantly and Stannis was impressed at how much control Lord Stark had over his vassals, his own had been and were still he suspected Targaryen loyalists so he could not trust them at all. Lord Tully it seemed knew better than to offend the North any-more than his son had already done.

"Edmure be silent! Sit and learn, then when I say...you can speak." He told his son who instantly stopped and became very quiet and small. Hoster having got his son back under control then with a calculating look in his eye suggested.

"Since all the Freys are now either dead or unable to inherit the seat and in the interests of peace...perhaps a union of North and Riverlands will restore the peace."

None of them were exactly sure what he intended although the mention of 'a union' made many of the think immediately of marriage. An irritated look pass through many of them at this man's ambition and Stannis decided to settle the issue himself, wanting this dealt with quickly and effectively.

"Lord Stark has a younger son without a keep of his own yet, a boy that is of Tully blood through his mother." Stannis said suddenly making all of them look over to him in surprise at his interruption. "Give the castle to him and ensure his bride is from a Riverlands house."

The majority of the crowd were shocked at his solution and Hoster he noticed looked very happy while Lord Stark was not. He wondered if he had other plans for the boy but he was the youngest son and Stannis didn't really care either way...his brother had given him a task, settle the dispute and get things back on track quickly and this to his mind was the fastest way.

"My son...Rickon is too young to rule yet Lord Stannis." Lord Stark told him with uncertainty about this plan clear on his face. His children too looked very uneasy at this Stannis realised although he didn't truly care.

"The Riverlands will agree to that." Hoster said eagerly and the Northerners all looked amongst themselves, many of the vassals not happy as they had hoped to gain a marriage with the boy themselves. However it would allow a Northern lad to rule and provide another layer of defence for their homeland as a Stark would be the one who ruled here. Lord Stark looked around to judge their mood, then to his sons and then his daughter waiting for her to react Stannis realised. He wondered just how much say the girl had on her father's decisions, she had already assumed the mantle of Lady Stark that he did know but had she become a key advisor too?

"A regent will be needed if we agree to this plan." Meera Stark said looking at him coldly, her gaze strong and defiant. He wondered if this was what had captivated his brother so briefly, whether Meera Stark had the same gaze as her late aunt who he knew Robert still mourned.

"My brother Ser Brynden should be suitable for the job. How long before the boy can rule alone?" Hoster said with eagerness. Robb Stark however was the one who answered this time, showing his boldness.

"Rickon is only just turning three lord grandfather." Robb said pointedly, reminding them all that he was their grandfather and should know how old each of them was. "So it will be thirteen years before he comes of age."

The fact that Lord Stark sat there and did not rebuke his son for speaking out of turn showed how much of the same mind they must be about this. It was certainly a long time to wait Stannis thought with understanding of why they were unsure of this or at least part of it. Still the boy seemed healthy and the others were not so old they would all be dead when the time came, and that meant they had far more time to prepare him.

"Perhaps Myself and Lord Tully could retire to a private room to discuss who they might choose as Rickon's future bride? We will uphold our promise to Lord Barnell as it makes travel north easier with two bridges." Lord Stark said looking annoyed but accepting and told his men. "Enjoy yourselves as from the sounds of it, we will soon be going home."

A cheer went up through the room as the men dearly missed their own halls and hearths, while some were disappointed their own daughters would not wed Rickon in the years ahead they could live with this as one of their own would be guarding one of the roads north.

So they began to drift out of the hall or stay to talk with each other, Edmure suddenly lost sight of his father and despite having a number of his family's knights at his side he became very afraid as the North men surrounded him with menacing chuckles. A look to Stannis was met with a shrug, he had dug his own grave with this one and while it was unlikely the Northern men would harm him, they would make their displeasure known.

Stannis was going to leave to find beds for himself and his men for the night when the Stark girl came up to him, he was surprised again at her boldness but more so at what she did next.

"Lord Baratheon, you are most welcome. My apologies for not being greeted as a lord of your standing deserves, I regret having to take your time with this matter and am glad for a quick resolution." Meera said in a perfectly polite and calm voice and even gave him a slight curtsy, it was so at odds with what he had observed earlier he was very surprised having assumed she was just arrogant or simply didn't care for proper protocol.

Now he revised his opinion, she knew full well how to behave and would give such courtesies when she felt they were deserved. If she felt they weren't or she had no reason to hold her tongue she would treat them with the same disdain she had Edmure Tully earlier.

"Lady Stark, I too am glad that the matter will be resolved quickly so I may return to my daughter's side." Stannis told her, while he was a cold and stern man he did love his daughter...deeply and was eager to return for her nameday on Dragonstone soon. She was likely to be his only child as his wife it seemed even with the aid of the Northern potions could not carry any more children to term. The fact that she was scarred with greyscale did not repulse him, he was angered at the hands that had dealt his daughter such a horrible fate. The Seven he thought with anger had never helped him or his family and now spat at him with this! He controlled his fury so as to not reveal it in front of others but it was a struggle.

"Actually I had meant to write to you about your daughter before this business began Lord Baratheon." Meera Stark told him and he frowned, not sure what in the world they would have to talk about in regards to Shireen. "At Winterfell we have been working on a salve for repairing damaged skin, while it is still new we have used it to successfully heal the scars left by greyscale. It may be able with time to repair the damaged skin of your daughter."

That instantly shocked Stannis who had resigned himself to having a badly scarred daughter long ago, this Stark however was telling him that she would be able to heal Shireen. That his daughter's scars could be mended.

"You can heal the Lady Baratheon's skin?" Davos said out of turn and instantly looked to his lord to say sorry but Stannis waved it off, this matter was too important to bother with such things now. He knew full well his daughter had a strong bond with Davos, the man was one of her most regular visitors after all and Stannis did not begrudge him that. Sometimes he dearly wished not to be on the Small Council so he could see her more often.

"Well in reality what the salve does is encourage grown of new skin under the scars so the dead skin falls away, as I said before we have tested it on another with similar scars to Lady Shireen Baratheon and it worked well. With a daily dose applied to her damaged skin for a period of two months or so she should be healed by the end of that time." Meera Stark explained and Stannis was in two minds of using an unknown substance on his precious daughter but...if it could do what she said...if it could give his daughter back the future which was stolen from her when she received those scars.

"Are there any other things it does? Any bad things?" Stannis said eager to find out if it was safe for his daughter. Lady Stark nodded.

"Indeed, there has been no ill-effects to anyone and in fact makes the skin healthier."

"I want some sent to Dragonstone immediately...whatever it cost." Stannis said sternly, it was a risk on his part but if it could do what they promised...how could he say no, it was certainly worth the gold at least.

And if it harmed his daughter further...well he would make his displeasure known but for the first time since he had watched a storm consume his parent's ship from the battlements of Storm's End he was hoping for a miracle.

Meera Stark nodded and curtsied again before leaving to follow her father and grandfather, leaving him standing there with Davos. His man with the deference expected said to him quietly.

"Do you think she wants something for this my lord?" Davos asked him and Stannis nodded.

"Probably, what that is I can't say yet."

- x -

In the former solar of Lord Frey Ned sat across from Lord Tully who stared balefully at him, the bad feeling between them now lay bare by the fact they no longer had anyone else around to see it. Ned was angry that this man's ambition had forced him to wed Catelyn even with the children and few happy years they'd had before it had all fallen apart and meant that despite the bad feeling between them he was not able to send her south like he wanted.

"Well boy, get to it." Lord Tully said with a stern look, expecting Ned to be overwhelmed or intimidated but Ned who was now far older and wiser than he had been the first time he had dealt with his goodfather merely raised his eyebrow and said.

"I will allow Ser Brynden to rule the Twins till Rickon comes of age, the North respects his skill as a warrior." Ned said, the Blackfish was the only Tully that did have any respect in the North any more.

"Good, Eleanor Mooton will be his match." Lord Tully said, eager to get his hands on Maidenpool via his grandson as presently she was her father's only heir even though the man's wife was currently pregnant so that could change. His gaze intent and hoping to break Ned so he would just agree to it but Ned held his own and said.

"No chance Lord Tully, Eleanor Mooton is years older than Rickon. She will be at least twenty before he comes of age and while there have been bigger age gaps I will not permit this marriage."

Hoster was shocked at Ned talking back to him, no one but Brynden ever talked back to him and he was trying to recover from this shock when Meera just walked straight in.

"Girl leave!" Hoster said sharply, turning his attention to his rebellious granddaughter while trying to wrap his head around Ned simply not being cowed by him any-more. Ned it seemed however did not like that at all, his eyes narrowed and his voice was cold as he said.

"Meera is my daughter and she will be present if I wish it Lord Tully." He then turned to his daughter who gave him a smile before asking. "Did you find out the information I asked for?"

"Of course father." Meera said now being the dutiful daughter to perfection, being deferential to her father in public and polite in front of others. "I reviewed all the current daughters of all houses in the Riverlands in anticipation of a marriage being proposed and three houses have girls that are close to Rickon in age. The Vances of Wayfarer's Rest have their third daughter Emphyria, the Brackens have two Bess and Alysanne and House Blackwood has Bethany Blackwood. Bethany is the closest in age to Rickon though, only a year older than him."

Hoster was now looking at them in confusion, how could they have known what he was going to propose what he was going to propose? The father and daughter smiled slightly at him and Meera said with a cold smirk.

"It helps to be prepared Lord Tully, given your previous actions in other situations we thought it prudent to review the sons and daughters of the Riverlords. Of course we had no idea you would choose Rickon but there was a feeling nonetheless." Meera told him and he was about to talk again to 'put her in her place' as some would have put it but Lord Stark cut in.

"So we must write to Lord Blackwood and see if he is agreeable to this marriage, the two of them can be introduced when they are slightly older and get to know each other before their nuptials. House Blackwood being the only house south of the Neck that worships the Old Gods will ease tensions in the North about the wedding." Ned said, it was a good choice as the Blackwoods were on good terms with the North and used to be from there. Lord Blackwood was also respected for his service in the rebellion so that was benefit and there had been marriages to Northern houses from them before.

"Wait a moment!" Hoster said regaining his voice, eager to regain some lost ground. "I have not consented to this!"

"Yes you have grandfather!" Meera said her face suddenly losing its smirk and becoming a cold mask that sent a chill up his spine especially at the harsh way she had said 'grandfather'. "The moment you did nothing to resolve the situation with House Frey and left us to deal with the problem ourselves. You gave us the responsibility of dealing with it and we take such things seriously! If my youngest brother is going to be tied to this castle then as a son of House Stark my father has overall power here, you will give your blessing because if you don't we will ignore you and go ahead with the plan anyway. If you feel the need to complain all you do is lose face, you were slow to act when needed and ambitious in the aftermath. All of Westeros is watching and it is better to be seen as trying to fix the problem than working for your own gain." Meera told him with a quiet implied threat.

Be our friend or be our enemy, Hoster realised what they were saying and for the first time realised just what was happening here. He had underestimated the Starks, how strong and determined they were and now had the choice of being in their path or at their side. No longer was he the leader here, just another player.

- x -

Taking his silence as agreement Meera turned to her father and added a thought she had regarding the castle and its lands.

"Father the lands of the Twins are fertile and strong, with the smaller tolls from the bridge it will be hard for Rickon to generate much coin but if we establish this place as an area for grain farming that could change. Grain is one of the few things we still have problems with in the North, we were lucky the last year with a decent harvest but as you know luck is a fickle mistress. Rickon could sell his grain to the North and make good coin that way and reduce any more trading for food that we need in the North. It should provide him with a good living." Meera told her father who smiled in agreement, a source of grain which would not overcharge them and be very close.

It was a perfect deal for the North and one for Rickon too as he would do well from trade with his homeland.

It did create an issue though Ned realised quietly to himself, just what was going to be done with Sea Dragon Castle? He had intended to give it to Rickon and while it was not unknown for a lord to control more than one castle it would be very difficult to manage given the distance not to mention be seen as greedy by many. So he would have to put a lot of thought into just who to give the castle too.

- x -

A week later the Northern army left the Twins with a number of men left behind to guard the castle while it waited for Ser Brynden to arrive from the Vale who would then take over.

Unknown to all of them though a figure watched Stannis riding south and smirked, he climbed on his horse and rode after him.

---

Highgarden, the Reach…A Few Weeks Later...296 AC...

Olenna Tyrell looked at the reports on trading for their food and it brought a frown to her face.

Over the last few years their income from trade had dropped considerably, they still made enough from trading to live on but the wealth they had made before was now just under half what it had been before Robert Baratheon's Rebellion. A good portion of their trade was with the North who had before not been able to feed themselves and in fact had been dependant on their trade, allowing the Reach to make a lot of coin from it. Now however with the creation of more glass gardens and foods that could be grown in their climate they were no longer so eager for trade except for grain and if her spies were right even that was about to go as they were creating a new source in the Riverlands.

While they were by no means poor it was a worrying development and one that made her wonder if she had been too complacent. Smaller coin purses were never a good thing for any family she knew with concern, for one that was ambitious like hers it was a potential disaster.

She suppressed any rage or worry she might have been feeling as that wouldn't help her in this situation. There was little she could do about the North's farms or glass gardens short of invading and smashing them all to bits which was not an option for several very important reasons. She could hire some thugs to smash them but the Northern Rangers would probably catch them before they could do too much damage.

This only made the Starks and the North as a whole wealthier as they had to pay far less and still had their gold mines, given a few short years they would be the second most wealthy family in Westeros and her family would be forced into the third position or worse.

Being powerless did not sit well with her and knew she needed to either bind that house to hers or cut them down but thanks to the Bolton's idiocy the latter option was out of the question. The Starks were alert to such things for now and it would be a few years at least before they could even try sneaking assassins into Winterfell. The former might be possible though she thought to herself as she drank her water...the same girl that she feared could prevent Margaery becoming queen was of a similar age to Loras and he had no betrothal at the moment...nor did she.

It would tie them to the growing power that was the North and remove a rival to one of their own becoming queen at the same time, after all if Meera Stark became Loras's wife then she couldn't wed anyone else. The fact that they could potentially kill her brothers, allowing Loras to claim the seat of Winterfell was not lost on her either.

She would she reasoned have to get Loras to go up to Winterfell and find some reason for it, she knew the boy preferred men but all he had to do was marry the girl and put a babe in her once or twice and he could spend his time with whoever else he chose she didn't care as long as he did what was required of him.

So she went to work, honestly she thought with a small smile what would House Tyrell be like without her?

---

Winterfell, the North…

"Make way for Lord Stark!" The herald said as he moved ahead of the column as they rode home, cheering people lined the streets of the town all the way to the castle and Lord Stark rode through, imperious in how stern his face was and behind him both Robb and Jon were overwhelmed by the cheering of the crowds, never having been the centre of such a thing before.

Meera however was feeling melancholy over the whole thing, she had known fame and infamy as Harry. Seen first hand how people could go from praising you and putting you on a pedestal, to tearing into you for even the slightest thing and treating you like the lowest creature possible.

How fickle you are, Meera thought quietly to herself. These people might be celebrating them now but all that would and could change in a blink of an eye. She felt depressed for a moment as she wondered if it had been a lifelong struggle for them as Harry to manage. Last night she had realised it was the dawn of a new year and while that might have been a cause for celebration for some she had received more memories.

Her fifteenth year as Harry, the year where no one had believed them about Voldemort's return and worse yet...Sirius's death. She could still see it, as clear now as it had been back when it had first happened. How they had stupidly fell into the trap in the Department of Mysteries and gotten not only a good number of their friends and allies hurt but Sirius killed. Her hatred for Bellatrix rising inside her like a wave of anger but with all her will she suppressed it, she just hoped that the years ahead would give her some justice for that murder.

Their naïvety back then made her pause, how sheltered they were and how little thought they put into things, how often they had only managed to escape by luck alone and how much not thinking of a better plan had cost them. Without Hermione she also realised they would rarely have gotten anywhere in the first place, since neither Harry or Ron had applied their minds to anything much.

She certainly hoped they had learned from that although memories of being a boy going through puberty were awkward to say the least, her disastrous relationship with Cho Chang was enough to make her wince with embarrassment. It had been inappropriate and so poorly handled she wished she could erase it from her mind. She knew the pain that girl had been going through first hand now losing Cedric in a similar way that she had lost Domeric and hoped things had improved for them both in time but she would need to wait for more memories for that hopeful confirmation.

Still as they rode into the courtyard of Winterfell it was good to be home she thought with a smile coming back to her face. Seeing her siblings standing there waiting for them along with the loyal household they kept was a balm to her soul and she dismounted from her horse, her wolves at her side and walked forward.

Father walked ahead of her and was soon face to face with Sansa and Uncle Benjen, Sansa had a beautiful smile but this one was nervous. Worried perhaps that he was going to think her rule was poor but Uncle Benjen spoke for her.

"Her ruling here has been strong and smart Ned, you can be sure of that." Benjen told his brother forgetting the more formal titles that were expected in public but no-one here cared about that. Instead father smiled and told her.

"Then I was correct about her ability to rule, her strength or her wisdom. Well done my daughter."

Sansa smiled with a slight dampening of her eyes, showing her happiness at father's words. Meera was glad of that, her younger sister was far more capable than she herself realised and now had proven it. That being said she knew Lanna had been helping her and knew the two girls had done the job together.

"Lanna and Uncle Benjen were the most capable advisors I could hope for father." Sansa told him hoping to be fair and father nodded before adding.

"Then tonight they will be honoured and know that they have my gratitude."

Lanna in the back of the line looked very surprised at being mentioned and was so conscious of everyone now looking at her that father took pity and said.

"Now all of us get inside and warm our weary bones."

Meera then left her siblings and her wolves who were all reuniting to sit in her workshop alone, she pondered about what she had seen at the Twins. The lengths they had gone to so they could breach the castle and wondered if she should make it easier with an invention which she was too say the least apprehensive over.

If she brought that knowledge to Westeros, warfare and perhaps the entire world could change. Walls and armour would become near useless and large numbers would no longer be such an advantage unless they too had the powder.

She looked at the history of Earth and knew full well the change it had brought about there, once that bottle was uncorked then it could never be put back in the bottle again...everything would change. It could make the North the most powerful nation in the world potentially she realised but only as long as they alone held it and that would not be the case forever if she did create it here, other nations would eventually get it and then they too would have the advantage.

She felt the weight the decision lean heavily on her, leaving her not sure what was the right thing to do, eventually it was likely someone else would create it if they hadn't already so should she do it first? Was it worth the risk?

She sighed, deciding it was best to start just in case it was ever needed but she would ensure no one knew just what it was she was working on. The fewer people who knew, the better in her mind.

---

A Month Later…

Life had finally returned to normal at Winterfell after the excitement at the Twins and everyone was back in the regular routine; Lord Stark was ruling, his sons trained and learned as did his youngest daughters. The servants went about their jobs and life was steady and secure.

However in her solar, Meera Stark was reading a large mountain of documents relating to the recent census. She wished dearly after more than an hour reading through the most dry and boring information imaginable that she could leap from the walls or bang her head against them at least in frustration but she managed with effort to contain herself and made her own notes as she went on, discovering the key points she was after and after more than a week of the same mind numbing work she was finished.

Leaning back in her chair she let out a very relieved sigh, glad to at last be through the sheer amount of paperwork as it was called on Earth. She knew governments there had entire departments for this sort of thing and wondered if she had been mad to attempt this alone but regardless she had done it.

Looking at the pages near her that she had made personally, containing the key points she picked them up and reviewed it carefully.

Firstly that their population was larger than any of them had realised, if they called on all their levies they could field a force of roughly just over seventy five thousand men to fight with. Far more than any of them had realised and their enemies knew which was a great advantage, Meera would of course tell her father this but advise him to keep it to himself for now. Like father said, conceal your strength so when the time came you can surprise your enemy with it.

Moving on to other points she realised that their reserves of coal and iron were far larger with some very large veins to be exploited along with the gold they had beyond the Wall. Mineral wealth was good she confirmed especially if they used it sparingly and their forests were being carefully preserved too, for each tree cut down another was planted in its place or more depending on just who was doing it.

Farming however revealed a potential set of problems she saw with a frown, their livestock population like sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and aurochs was lower than was really needed with their population and the year without southern trade had not helped their numbers. Horses too were not in is as big a number as hoped either and would need to be expanded to help with farming if nothing else. Also their grain production was barely sufficient and would have be carefully managed until the fields in the south could be developed. Otherwise she was glad to say things were looking good, she even had some potential new wines, jams and cheeses to introduce which might trade well in the south.

Also turning to the levels of lawlessness there was still a strong level of it despite the Rangers' hard work and she vowed to make sure Sansa's plan went ahead to break any sense of organisation. But to ensure it stayed that way once they had broken the supposed criminal settlement she would need to expand the number of Rangers as soon as possible. More barracks and horses would also be needed for the increase in manpower once recruits were found.

Expensive she thought, they could afford it and when the farms started producing more food and lessened their need to buy expensive southern wares they would see the money coming back in slowly and the tightening of security across the land would help improve internal trade and that with their foreign partners.

So she sat down and started work on plans for the expansion of farming and Rangers across the North and also for the opening of the Merchant Bank here at Winterfell. Most of the work had already been done but it had been put on hold due to their trip down south, but now she could put it into action at last.

- x -

The following morning a number of people stood in the main hall with her father and siblings sitting at his side and the rest of their household nearby as father gave his speech. All his children looked proud and happy to be there on this big day.

"In the old days when the Starks ruled as Kings of Winter we supported the causes of our people, made the North stronger by finding those that could help us grow. Today we return to that honoured tradition, House Stark will listen to proposals and if we judge them worthy, we will support them." Lord Stark told the hall and a cheer ran through it which brought smiles to the faces of many. "Well we may as well get started, Steward Poole call forth the first proposal." He said to his steward who nodded and read his list.

"Representatives of the Farming Guilds, approach." He said and a group of simply clad men came forward, their hands everyone noticed were rough from a lifetime of hard work and while their clothes were clean and undoubtedly their best they were marked with tears and scuffs which had been roughly repaired. These men were salt of the earth as some would say, simple men that worked the land for their livelihood and were unashamed of it.

Ned himself favoured them straight away, these men had kept the North alive during the previous year's difficulties and deserved respect for their hard and exhausting work.

"My lord." The leader, an older man with a grey nearly white beard said and bowed with a grimace of pain crossing his face as if bending over hurt his back. "I represent the many farmers of the North and thank you deeply for your daughter's work in finding ways to make crops grow easier in our hard soil and for the glass gardens you have provided. Things for us all have become far easier and better for our families."

"It is appreciated, as is your and your fellows tireless work to keep the North fed given recent events, what is it you wish to discuss?" Ned asked them and the man smiled at the compliment before explaining in detail what it was they were hoping for.

"My lord, while we are still much more able to feed the North now than we were twenty years ago there is still some room to grow. With your support and blessing, we hope to grow our farms bigger and our livestock numbers. It would allow us more manure to help crops, more animals for meat, milk or cheese. There are many benefits my lord if you help us." The old man said.

Ned nodded, having already been informed of this by his daughters who had come up with some good plans for the expansion and even provided a way to use the fertility draft to make animals more fertile for breeding. While the loans would take years to repay it would provide them with enough food when combined with the grain farming in the south to feed the North and potentially even export food for the first time.

"You have my blessing, my daughter anticipated your request and has some interesting plans for you all to look at regarding expansion of our farming." Ned said with a smile and felt much relieved that at least that was going well.

That did make his thoughts turn back to his daughter though, he managed to keep the smile on his face to not let anyone else know how he was really feeling.

Meera's plan at the Twins to prevent them all being accused of killing all the Freys by claiming they had all been judged guilty and executed since they refused to join the Watch and then banishing all the women and children to the Faith of the Seven with coin to ensure they were accepted scared him a little in how ruthless it was. He was no stranger to dishonesty as he had lied to everyone for years about Jon being his son but that his now fifteen year old daughter had come up with a plan like that which punished the innocent worried him in how cruel it was. He knew she was not Tywin Lannister, not a cruel person by nature but...how could his daughter who he had seen grow before his eyes do something like that?

He understood her reasoning, of course he did but it did concern him.

Thankfully he was distracted by the leader of the glass-blowers coming forward with a proposal of his own.

"My lord." The man said with a calm voice. "Myself and the other glassmakers in the North have enjoyed much success in creating all that we have the last few years but we have been creating some new and exciting plans for new designs. Better bottles, vases, drinking glasses, jars and lenses amongst others. Creations which could sell well and earn Winterfell much coin." The man added and Ned was a little unsure about this one as it was less necessary for survival but if it was all he claimed it might earn them good coin.

"I might be persuaded to support your work if you show myself and my daughter your plans and see merit in them." Ned said without adding any more commitment than that. The glass-maker nodded having expected this and retreated back to his fellows so they could plan their demonstration better.

The day went on with several other would be inventors and merchants coming forward to seek their support, some of their plans were clearly scams to try and take gold from them or others just wildly impractical. Many went away without backing but as the day drew to a close one final man came forward with a strange brass object in his hand.

"Lord Stark." The man said with a bow, looking nervous. "I am Edmund, a tinkerer by trade and I hope to set up a workshop so I can produce and sell my latest invention. I call in the Wayfinder." He said proudly showing them the brass thing he had in his hand. The silence in the hall was unimpressed as the object appeared to be a simple brass saucer with a glass sheet over a white paper sheet and a pin.

"Is is this a jape?" Lord Stark said, tired and just wanting to end this so he and his family could enjoy their dinner. Edmund looked worried before rushing to explain, sensing the annoyance in everyone around him especially Lord Stark whose support he was deeply counting on.

"No! No! My lord this creation always points north regardless of where you are in the world! It allows the person using it to find their way without being dependant on the sun or local landmarks to know where they are! For ships at sea and far from land this could be a life saving invention!" Edmund said desperate to not be thrown out when he had something that actually could change the world.

Lord Stark was about to dismiss him when Meera intervened.

"Let me see it." She said calmly and many looked at her like she was crazed for believing that such a thing was possible without magic. Edmund eagerly came forward and put the device carefully in her hands.

- x -

It was simple and very crude in its construction Meera thought with a critical eye but without a doubt this man had created the world's first working compass! She thought astonished and impressed at the discovery, checking and it lined up perfectly with the sun's position in the sky showing east to west.

She had always meant to introduce such a thing herself but events and other works had taken up too much of her time to even start! She knew the usefulness the compass had as a navigational tool especially for those at sea when there was no land to provide a baring. When people realised how useful it was then they would become the most sought after tool in the world.

And while Edmund had created it it did need some improving which she could help him with.

"It is impressive and with some work might be a true discovery for the ages." Meera said before carefully handing it back to Edmund who looked delighted at her support while the rest of the hall just looked on in surprise. "A workshop will be given to you and under my supervision we will see about producing these instruments. If they live up to your claims then it will be an investment worth the expense." She said with a smile.

It was a gamble but she knew this was worth it, once perfected the compass would be an invaluable tool. Politically as well the North would gain the credit for its discovery which would only cement their reputation for excellence.

---

Kings Landing, the Crownlands…

Loki in the form of an older man sat in a decent for this world anyway set of rooms in a wealthier part of the city, drinking some fine scotch and wondering just how these mortals thought this 'game' of theirs was challenging?

He had been in Kings Landing less than a week before knowing the place inside and out, all the schemes and dirty little secrets some so poorly hidden it was a wonder in his mind that the whole world didn't know about it. The fact the queen was fucking her own twin brother and had no less than three children with him that she was passing off as the drunken king's! That was so bloody obvious it had only taken him a day to uncover and other secrets too like Varys being in league with the Targaryens and more.

He missed Asgard just thinking about it he thought with a sigh, at least there it had taken a little effort to find out their secrets...here it was ridiculously easy.

So he was enjoying himself with minor little pranks around the city; small things like the head of the City Watch being left naked and tied in the city square or changing the hair colour of people at random.

Faking hauntings in the Red Keep and the Great Sept he mused with a slight smirk, that had been fun...watching people pale and run in terror brought a tiny bit of satisfaction. But even that was starting to pale he thought with sadness.

Still he could at least say that he was getting himself established here, using his abilities and some tricks he had managed to become a fairly successful merchant in a relatively short time. He would ingratiate himself with one of the players and see if he could feel some enjoyment from playing their foolish little game but to be honest he doubted it. They had no real idea of just what a plot or scheme really was he thought with a superior smirk.

Still he thought with amusement, he had been surprised at how quickly the Stark girl had moved to lessen the damage of his little fun up in the Riverlands. Reducing the blow and eliminating the threat to her family at the same time, it was a surprise as he had imagined that she would be foolishly naive like her father but...she seemed to have a small amount of cunning.

He would keep an eye on her Loki decided, she was regardless of whether she knew it or not vital to his plans and as much as it irritated him he needed her. A fact that grated on him deeply but if he ever wanted to escape this miserable little world it was unavoidable.

---

There we have it, another chapter done. Please review to let me know what you thought.

While it might be possible that the compass already exists in Game of Thrones I have looked into it and found no evidence of it although I admit that I could have missed something. So I decided to add it in now.

Next Chapter – Drama continues in Winterfell and the North, Loki finds himself a role and House Stark has some announcements to make.