Northern Wind Chapter 10 Inner Troubles, a Harry Potter + Game of Thrones Crossover fanfic

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

Thanks again to all those who read and reviewed the last chapter and for the continued support people have been giving. You guys have been amazing and thank you again to those that have stuck with me.

Winterfell gets some southern visitors and one character gets a wake up call. Not sure of the age of the Sand Snakes so I put the three oldest as in their later teens.

More to the point we are nearly at Season 1, it is to begin in the next chapter.

Questions posed by reviewers…

Roza Dragomir Belikova – Thank you and I completely understand where you are coming from and believe me I was a little apprehensive about bringing in so early but it won't be actually used for quite awhile yet.

Monsterskipatrol – I decided to lean into Nordic gods for this since they are at least to my mind the closest to the Old Gods, Loki might be an enemy to Meera maybe not. He is always looking after his own interests so will they cross with hers?

Williams1996 – I agree but it will be awhile before it is used.

Glrasshopper – Loki is here because he is a survivor, I think we can all agree that about him. Soon more details on the larger plot will be revealed.

ACE-LittleRock – Thank you, I am nervous about pairings whenever I do them and while Meera is going to have one she is not going to be dependant on them. Losing Domeric ultimately made Meera stronger and she is going to need that strength.

Raw666 – The Maesters might see Meera as a threat but bare in mind she is just one person albeit an intelligent one and works with Luwin on most of her creations, some of the more chauvinistic people around will assume he is the genius.

Warning – Fans of the Martells might get a little upset with this chapter. Oberyn fans especially, however it has a dual purpose which is going to be revealed eventually.

Warning – Sexual content in this chapter.

Chapter 10 – Inner Troubles

Winterfell, the North…

The middle of 296 AC was a busy time for House Stark, with the end of their problems with House Frey the members of the house would have thought things would be quieter and in a way it was but with the new merchant bank, managing the farming expansion and breeding projects and other things besides it was a great deal to handle.

And a lot of it fell on the slim shoulders of Meera Stark.

The young woman sat in her solar looking at the mass of documents that were now piling up around her like the summer snows, all the reports on progress of all the plans they had going on but also she was responsible for the running of Winterfell since Catelyn couldn't be trusted. Add to her helping develop the compass and recreating gunpowder she was constantly working with little to no rest during the day and as time went on this drained more and more of her energy, leaving her exhausted and depressed.

The bags under her eyes only seemed to get bigger each time she looked and to be honest she had little to help her, Steward Poole stuck to his own responsibilities and father had enough to do leading the North so maintaining Winterfell by large fell on her.

It was not like she could ask Sansa or Robb for help as both of them were now spending more time with their respective future partners, Sansa could frequently be seen taking walks with Harrion Karstark during his visits and Wylla Manderly took up most of Robb's time as she was hard for him to keep up with.

Arya bless her was so focused on her fighting and horse training that she wasn't much help either and Bran and Rickon were too young. At one time she might have asked Jon to step in and give her a hand but he was now pushing himself harder in the yard as he was determined to follow in Uncle Benjen's footsteps and join the Nights Watch as according to the house records which had recently been re-examined nearly every generation of Stark had provided at least one member of their family to the Watch and since Bran and Rickon would now be set for receiving Moat Cailin and the Twins and Robb was of course going to follow in their father's footsteps respectively he was determined to prove himself a true 'Stark' and join the Watch to uphold their legacy.

Meera sighed as she thought about her brother, once he got an idea stuck in his head it was near impossible to remove. Father seemed to drag his feet over getting Jon legitimized for what reason they had no idea...all it would take is one letter to the King and it would be done as easily as snapping your fingers. But for reasons they didn't understand father wouldn't do it, all he would say that his parentage could cause problems if it came out and for the sake of everyone it was better if he knew nothing of his mother.

That was perhaps another reason Jon was obsessed with the idea of going to the Wall, there he would be his own man and able to free himself the sigma of being a bastard. Maybe if his parentage was so dangerous then maybe once sworn to the Watch father would finally explain.

Meera and Robb had never bothered to think about just who Jon's mother could be, it honestly had never seemed important to them.

Jon was their brother, it didn't matter what woman he had come out of. The only reason they would care about it was because he cared about it and despite them asking their father the answer he gave was always the same much to their frustration and annoyance, it was too dangerous.

Meera had wondered what he meant by that many times, what the hell could their father be hiding? What could be that important?

But she wasn't able to focus on it for long as Mira Forrester and Lanna came in alongside Maester Luwin.

"My lady, it is the afternoon." Maester Luwin said with concern in his voice for his young charge who was doing so much right now, expecting far too much of herself. He was also the bearer of bad news too as another duty beckoned. "And Lord Blackwood and his family have been seen approaching."

Meera honestly was fed up, she was already overworked and now she had to drop everything to play hostess for her youngest brother's future goodfamily. Her body felt like lead as she got up and rubbed her tired eyes as tried to prepare herself for greeting the Blackwoods. Apart from their future connection through Rickon the Blackwoods were also one of the few families from the south which were respected in the North. Not only did they could from the North originally till they fought against the Starks and were forced to leave but they were the only family in the south that still worshipped the Old Gods despite all the Andal attempts to force them to convert to the Seven. Hells they ever had a Weirwood as their sigil. They had married into the Starks before and a long standing alliance between their houses was maintained till this day.

So it was expected that she and her father would greet them when they arrived to discuss wedding their daughter Bethany to Rickon.

Luwin, Lanna and Mira all looked at her concerned as she turned to the small mirror in the room to check she was presentable before going out to greet Lord Blackwood, Luwin who had the longest standing relationship with her finally said what needed to be said.

"My lady you cannot keep doing all this work alone." His worry was clear even though he tried to hide it behind professional decorum. "There must be others who can shoulder some of this burden for you."

"I can help." Lanna said looking excited at the prospect of doing more around Winterfell, her dreams of marrying Jon and the two founding a new house of their own had died such a death when Jon had decided to go the Wall when he was old enough and nothing seemed able to convince him to change his mind.

"Me too." Mira said with a smile, eager to be involved as she feared being sent south soon if her mother had her way. Her mother, Lady Forrester seemed to be thinking of sending her eldest daughter south to Highgarden to be a handmaiden to Lady Margaery Tyrell which would be far better for her chances of finding a rich and well connected husband. If Lady Meera could say she was indispensable for House Stark then chances are her father would allow her to stay in the North.

Meera smiled slightly, she knew it was a bad habit of hers one she had carried over from being Harry...carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Taking on more than she should or maybe like Hermione who tried to do all the electives at Hogwarts all at once in their third year she thought her eyes tearing up a little at those old memories but she realised they were right. They were right she realised with exhaustion, she couldn't keep doing this all on her own and it was time she allowed others to shoulder some of the responsibility.

"We will see about it, for tonight we entertain the Blackwoods." Meera said with a slight smile and they now to smiled feeling they had managed to get their point across. They walked out and arrived in the yard they saw Lord Stark already standing there with Robb and Jon too, annoyingly Catelyn had decided to poke her head out of her rooms and sneered at her daughter who coolly ignored her and stood at her father's side who gave her a worried smile.

Like the others he was concerned for her, taking on more than he thought was healthy for a girl of ten and five years. Her brothers likewise gave her worried looks but she smiled slightly to let them know she was okay.

However that only acted as blood in the water to a certain shark nearby.

"If the girl can't handle the pressures of running a household maybe she should have listened to the septa more. Maybe I should come back if she can't manage." Catelyn said with a sneer in her direction but Meera felt nothing at her words, she sighed knowing that for whatever reason Catelyn didn't love her and those insults no longer hurt because she knew to expect them.

Jon however surprised them all by speaking before either Robb or father could.

"Considering all the duties she has Lady Tully, I think she is a far more capable Lady of Winterfell than you have ever been."

The words hung in the air and Catelyn was lost for words that the bastard had dared speak to her like that, especially when he called her Lady Tully as she had been stripped of the title of Lady Stark. She looked ready to start screaming at Jon but father who silently watched it all unfold decided to stop the situation before it went any further.

"Return my wife to her rooms, I will not have her create another incident after what happened last time." Father told Ser Rodrik and Ser Jory who nodded and with a fair amount of yelling and curses Catelyn was forcibly removed just in time for the Blackwoods to appear at the gates.

The party rode in with a number of knights on horseback around the lord and his sons while a fair sized wheelhouse rolled in behind them. Lord Tytos Blackwood rode at the head of the formation, he was a thin and tall man although some of his sons were already taller than him. His hair while black originally was now starting to turn grey as was the carefully trimmed beard he had. He had a hook nose but otherwise was wearing good quality if practical leather and furs with the sole exception being his incredible raven feather cloak, his reputation for honour, chivalry and decency was well known as was his friendship with House Stark and his feud with Lord Jonos Bracken.

His sons were of the same age as Meera and her siblings, Brynden Blackwood the current heir to Raventree Hall was around the same age as Robb and his son Hoster was very tall for his age already, easily matching Robb and Jon despite being around five years younger. Out of the wheelhouse came a number of other Blackwoods, three more and their mother. The Blackwoods were a big family Meera thought with a smile; six sons and one daughter and that was just the main branch. Lord Tytos she remembered had two brothers and a sister with children of their own not to mention two widowed aunts with a number of nieces and nephews. With the Freys gone now they were the most numerous family in the Riverlands.

"Greetings Lord Stark, it is an honour to be invited to Winterfell. I can only give my regrets for the lateness of our arrival and beg forgiveness for any inconvenience it has caused." Lord Blackwood said with a polite tone but father smiled and said with warmth.

"Think nothing of it, now let us retire to the hall to eat and rest. We can begin our discussions regarding Rickon and your daughter later." Father told him and with a gesture led them all inside. The younger Blackwoods all looked around with interest at the old castle and the Starks smiled to make them feel welcome as they came to the main hall where long table with food waited. They all took their places and tucked in with the Blackwoods doing so with gusto as they were hungry from their journey.

Eventually casual conversation broke out between them all, Meera listened politely as father and Lord Blackwood talked about their recent news while Robb and Brynden Blackwood talked on jousting as they were both keen on it. Jon too was reluctantly pulled into the conversation although he was much more of a swordsman, Theon really should have been here too but he had finally reached the age where Father would permit albeit begrudgingly to let him visit the local brothel. Sansa and her betrothed Harrion Karstark too joined in the conversation especially as Sansa was interested in what the south was like having never been. Arya, Bran and Rickon not to mention Lanna and Mira all too listened to Brynden as he described his first tourney having recently been able to compete.

She wished she could be closer to actually join in the conversation herself but her place as Lady of the Castle was at her father's side and so turned her attention to Lady Blackwood who was sitting next to her.

"How do you find the North Lady Blackwood?" Meera asked politely as she carefully poured herself a fresh drink of water, Lady Blackwood was good looking woman, having dark raven hair and deep blue eyes. She smiled gently and said with some humour.

"Cold my lady but still beautiful and raw in its appearance." She said and Meera smiled back before adding.

"It is, but that is the way of the land here and it breeds strong people who know how to make the most of what they have. The Blackwoods carry that within them too, holding the Andals and the Seven at bay for so long and carving out a good amount of land in the Riverlands for themselves." Meera said repaying the compliment which was duly accepted with good grace and Lady Blackwood's smile widened.

"I do hope so, Lord Bracken was properly foaming at the mouth or so I heard when he learned you were considering a Blackwood bride for your brother rather than one of his many girls." Lady Blackwood said referring to Lord Jonos Bracken, who was a good man by all accounts but had a tendency to glower and bluster not to mention reignite the ancient feud between Blackwood and Bracken with the eager co-operation of Lord Tytos.

Meera smiled and offered Lady Blackwood some wine which was accepted with a polite nod.

- x -

In another room of Winterfell forgotten by most of the castle's inhabitants was a young man and woman locked in passionate embrace, lost in their feelings for each other however forbidden they might be and forgetting the consequences should they be caught.

The following morning was crisp and clear, Meera was early to rise and smiled as she went down for breakfast, through the castle's windows she saw it had snowed during the night and the ground was covered with a fresh clean layer of snow. When she arrived no one else had risen yet and so she sat and waited for the others before breakfast, she smiled as they drifted slowly in and soon the hall was full of people enjoying their first meal of the day.

As she sat with her sisters and friends Meera decided while their fathers spoke of this future wedding she and her siblings would have fun, too much stress had sucked the life out of all of them recently and now as they got older she realised they needed enjoy their time together because soon they would all be pulled apart.

"Wrap up warm, we are spending some time outside today." Meera said to them all and they all looked at her confused but her smile and their trust in her meant that the moment they were finished eating they went back to their rooms and wrapped up warmly before coming out to meet her in the yard. The Blackwoods and the younger members of the household joined Meera and her siblings before Meera revealed all and without warning she threw a snowball at Robb.

The surprise on his face as it hit him went quickly as he smirked and quickly picked up one of his own to throw at his sister. It didn't take long for all of them to get into the spirit and were all soon throwing snowballs at each other. The Starks and the Blackwoods were mock fighting each other while the other younger people joined whoever they wished.

Meera stood with her siblings all grinning with wild abandon as they flung snow around like they had for years, the Blackwoods too. Rickon who was experiencing this for the first time given his young age was smiling too and enjoying throwing the snow especially alongside his older siblings who all made sure he wasn't being hit while the Blackwoods did the same for their younger sister.

Meera as she threw a fresh snowball at Hoster Blackwood that hit the younger boy in the chest desided that whatever memories came back, whatever duties she had and whatever else had happened to them which she had yet to discover, whether she was Harry or Meera she was here now! This was her home and this was her family, whatever else this strange and mad life threw her way she had to live her life.

- x -

On the balcony above two men watched with a smile on their faces as their children played together, glad to see them enjoying themselves for once especially with everything that had happened.

"I would be happy for your son to marry my Bethany." Lord Blackwood wanting only the best for his little girl. He doted on her all the time and as his only daughter he wanted her to be happy. Rickon was about her age and seemed like a good boy. His elder brothers were certainly, unlikely to let any misbehaviour go unanswered and having the wealthy and powerful Starks to take care of Bethany and ensure the Brackens never got their nasty hands on his little girl. It was bad enough that Hoster Tully was pushing for the marriage of Brynden and Barbara Bracken to 'ease the rift between their families', ignoring the fact that marriages had been tried before and never worked to say nothing of the fact that Brynden and Barbara hated each other the few time that they had met was also conveniently ignored by Hoster.

To that end he was looking for another bride for his son.

"I wish I could request your eldest daughter too for Brynden but its widely whispered that the king wants her for his own son and other great houses are talking of wedding her into theirs too. I don't envy you Lord Stark." Lord Blackwood said with some melancholy feeling about it, Lord Stark sighed too.

"I know, too many for me to not make enemies especially as we have enough of that anyway." Lord Stark said looking down on his children with a sad smile, they were growing up and he was sad to see that as soon they wouldn't be his children alone any more. Robb, Jon, Sansa, Bran and even Rickon now would one day be tied to other people or the Wall in Jon's case and he expected Meera and Arya to follow suit soon.

"Well at least my house will stand with yours whatever happens." Lord Blackwood said and Lord Stark smiled a little at that, offering the man his hand and the two men shook on their agreement.

The Kings Road, the North…

A long convoy of caravans moved down the road from Winterfell, carrying more food for other castles cellars and valuable steel for weapons, freshly made medicines and alcohol not to mention much freshly made glass. It was one of the biggest such convoys the North had ever seen and was spoken of a lot by most of the common people.

As it rode close by the White Knife River and the small forest that sat close by it was happy and serene as it made its way forward. None of the men escorting it was looking particularly at the forest and some openly yawned given the early start they had.

So when a large horde of bandits came charging out of the forest nearby it should have shocked and confused the guards and terrified them given the hard and vicious looking horde coming their way, some were even riding on horses they had acquired somehow.

But instead, the men guarding the convoy just looked towards them with serious and almost...relieved expressions. At the head of the convoy, the man riding on the lead caravan took one look at the horde and blew hard on a horn he had at his side.

The horses that had been pulling the wagons instantly were detached from them and the sides of the wagons fell down, revealing not food or other valuables inside but Northern Rangers who immediately leapt out and jumped on the horses or stayed dismounted and charged at the enemy.

The raiders saw what was happening in confusion and didn't understand at first what was going on, this raid would have been the biggest all year and would give them all coin for months. Yet now a mass of well armed men were coming straight at them and suddenly in dawned on them that the convoy's route, time and contents had been leaked to draw them in.

That this entire thing was a trap that they had fallen head first into.

Some of them that were more quick on the uptake where quick to turn around and scatter but they had allowed the Northern Rangers to get too close and felt the reason they were known as the best marksmen in the North very quickly. Arrows flew around at a truly impressive speed, impaling the fleeing bandits as they tried to scatter or run back and hide in the forest nearby. Then just as things couldn't look worse for them another force of Rangers came riding up fast from the south and the north to cut off any potential escape.

Nets were thrown over some while others suffered arrow wounds but something that was very strange, almost like they were trying to take people alive rather than kill them. Few were actually killed that day and many were taken prisoner.

Marched to the Wolf's Den prison in White harbour were they were questioned after another rumour was spread purposely that nearly all of them had been killed to ensure no one knew how many had been taken alive. So when they were questioned with a strange concoction given to them by Meera Stark which had proven very useful in loosening tongues, one of them would soon give them what they were looking for.

The location of the 'Shadow Town'.

Kings Landing, the Crownlands…

Life in the capital was never simple and often dangerous but still routines were followed, at the sept prayers happened four times a day. The common folk got up in the morning went to work for most of the day and went home late.

The Red Keep was no different; meals were held at specific times, Joffrey tormented animals and servants, Cersei fucked her brother and Robert drank and enjoyed whores. Diversions were rare but one had emerged which was frequently spreading amongst the nobles and commonfolk alike.

They attended the theatre that was owned and operated by Tyrion Lannister.

The plays did follow a routine which was occasionally broken by new ones being performed for the first time or old ones being run again from time to time. The theatre always drew a good sized crowd and it was not just common folk, many nobles would attend in their private boxes among them the king and his younger two children. The Queen never attended but her brother, Ser Jaime did on occasion.

For Shireen Baratheon, visiting the theatre for the first time to see a rerun of Tyrion's first play this was an experience unlike any other. She was seeing the world for the first time and in spite of the smell that made many nobles avoid the city like the plague she was loving her new freedom.

One of the things she had wanted the most was to go see the performances held there, she had heard of them from visits members of their household made to the city but due to her isolation on Dragonstone she had never been able to go due to her scars but with them now cured she had at last been allowed to go.

"This is so thrilling." Lady Shireen said to Davos as he and a party of their men stood or sat close by, her young smile bright and cheerful as she saw the characters being silly and cracking jokes. Davos was still taken aback when he looked at her sometimes as the salve provided by House Stark had in half a year healed the skin distorted by greyscale and left the young Lady Baratheon looking like any girl her age should.

And without those scars her father had been hard pressed Davos knew to refuse her at least one trip to Kings Landing and while he was in an important meeting with a merchant who was eager to enter his service Davos had been charged to take her to see Tyrion Lannister's theatre. While he had never been himself he had heard about it and to be honest was quite enjoying the experience himself.

- x -

"So trading the dragonglass to foreign partners and the sulphur to the blacksmiths to increase the heat of their forges has netted considerable profit for Dragonstone and therefore yourself Lord Baratheon." The Merchant, a Master Lom Kilburn said with a calm and cool voice that sent a chill down many spines although Stannis ignored it. "Also some of the Stormlords have agreed to meeting you in private as they are unimpressed by your lord brother's rule and choice of alliances."

Stannis nodded, satisfied and more than a little impressed at all the merchant had achieved. He had convinced many ship captains to stop at Dragonstone to resupply and rest before heading on to Kings Landing, he had found new and better clients to buy their wares and much more to ensure the revenue of Dragonstone rose considerably.

He was a stern looking man with a thin face that could be as hard and immovable as stone, his green eyes were strange not like a Lannister's but more like a greyish green. His face had lines from age but it was hard to judge just how old he was.

And his skills as a diplomat did not stop there, Master Kilburn had used his incredible cunning and silver tongue to convince a few of the more capable Stormlords too meet with him to discuss an alliance. With the healing of Shireen that opened up many doors for her future betrothal and he hoped it would mean future support for when...Stannis stopped that line of thinking before it went any further. Despite the tension between them after recent events he and Jon Arryn were still looking for proof of their suspicions...if they were right then Stannis had no nephews and nieces at least not legitimate ones and was as it stands the rightful heir to the throne.

He turned to face one of his men and didn't see the merchant's eyes glow slightly and a small smirk appear on his face which disappeared like it had never been there the moment Stannis turned back.

White Harbour, the North…

A long sea journey was never comfortable but after spending a fair few years away from home and deciding to make one last journey before heading back to Sunspear and attend to some unfinished business it was worse than normal for a party from Dorne.

Prince Oberyn Martell was glad of his furs as he stepped off the boat, he was no stranger to other places but most of the places were at least pleasantly warmth. The chill in the air was sharper than he had experienced anywhere else than in Lorath or Braavos in the winter months.

Wrapped up in her furs his lover Ellaria stepped up to lean into his side, it was a crime he thought with annoyance to have such a fine body as hers wrapped up in thick furs. He put an arm around her waist and let her rest her head against his shoulder as she turned to look at his daughters who reluctantly were following him.

It had taken him a lot longer than he had thought to explore the Summer Isles, he smirked as she considered all the fun he and Ellaria had there and wondered if he had left some new children of his behind. Fun times he thought with mirth and decided to find them some horses to head on to Winterfell as soon as possible and especially before anyone realised they were here. Still he realised it was late in the day and they would need to wait the night before moving on in the morning first thing.

He certainly wouldn't mind a night in a bed that wasn't rocking with the sea and to enjoy some Northern cunts while he was here, if sailors docked here then chances are a brothel was here somewhere.

In the morning he and his girls had to make their way to Winterfell were he was eagerly looking forward to causing a little...upset.

Lonely Hills, the North…

The Lonely Hills was like the name suggested a group of rugged and awkward to navigate hills that were sparsely inhabited and had nothing there to attract anyone.

So very few people went near there which made it perfect for the outlaws to establish their town, although to call it a town was a bit of a stretch as in reality it was many rough looking tents and badly built dwellings arranged chaotically as men and women who were all dressed in whatever clothes they could steal or create milled around. Brawls happened frequently as did gambling, whoring and even murder and theft. Lawlessness was king here, the only 'law' was that you took care of your own business and that you told no-one about this place.

So during the middle of the night no one really kept a look at for anyone coming in or out, no-one watched the hills for potential problems.

This all worked in the favour of the Northern Rangers who slowly made their way towards the camps using the same hills that hid the town as their own cover and since it was so late at night and many of the town were either drunk or whoring, not to mention the Rangers made sure to produce the least amount of noise no one realised they were there.

Only when they arrived behind the last hill and were at last ready to make their attack did they abandon their stealth. The riders at the front lit their torches and those behind them readied their bows before finally when they were all ready...they charged.

The sudden thundering of hooves was enough to attract even the most distracted of rogues but they had no time to prepare themselves as the first wave rode in and with torches started lighting all the tents and rough buildings on fire and causing absolute panic as people ran out with often little clothing or no weapons, having had no time to grab anything in their haste to get away from the flames.

So when the second wave of riders came storming in with their bows and arrows drawn there was little to nothing that the criminals could do, the light created by the flames making it incredibly easy for the horse mounted archers to see their targets.

Screams erupted as the men ruthlessly let loose and cared little for whether the arrows killed or wounded just that they hit the target. Each of them had come with an extra quiver full of arrows so they wouldn't run out. Some tried to run in whatever direction they could in whatever they were wearing even if it was nothing at all, but the third wave circled around the area and picked off any stragglers that tried to escape.

Some prisoners would be taken that night and dragged to the dudgeons of the nearest castle for trial and sentencing whatever their crimes but many would face whatever judgement came in the next world instead while their bodies were left to rot or burn with the encampment.

Winterfell, the North...Two Days Later…

While everyone in Winterfell was busy with preparing for the feast to celebrate the Northern Rangers and Lady Sansa for the destruction of the Shadow Town, Theon took the opportunity to sneak not only himself but Robb and Jon into Winter town and more specifically the local brothel.

Robb and Jon honestly had Theon smirking as wide as was possible for a man as she saw their red faces and clear embarrassment at all the naked flesh around them and nothing gave Theon greater pleasure than watching Jon who would be the most out of his element being taken away by two young whores.

Robb though, that was something of a disappointment as he refused to indulge with any of the whores here and turned right around to go back to the castle, fearful of what his father and his twin sister would say if they found out. Theon didn't think Robb would say anything out of loyalty to him and Jon but still it was disappointing.

However he smiled again as he intended to enjoy this visit as much as possible and went to find Ros, his favourite whore and since he was her most 'important' client if she knew he was coming then she would remain free for him as was their arrangement. He made his way to her room fully anticipating the hour or so of pleasure before he heard sounds coming from the room that he recognised as belonging to Ros and what they meant.

He was immediately incensed and rushed forward to see just who was fucking 'his girl', pushing the door open hard and froze the moment he saw what was happening in front of him.

Ros was indeed with a client, in fact two clients as a man and woman of Dornish blood in positions had he honestly had never even imagined possible and they apparently hadn't even noticed him they were so caught up in what they were doing. Theon was so shocked that he couldn't resist when the Brothel's madam appeared like lightning and pulled him out of the room and closed the door behind him.

"Lord Greyjoy, I appreciate that you enjoy Ros's attention but when a Prince of Dorne, Oberyn Martell no less appears and pays more than three times the normal price he has first taste." The madam told him sternly.

"Prince of Dorne?!" Theon said finally recovering his wits and realised he was still angry about this. "A dornish fuck shows up and you just decide to believe that he is a prince."

"When he has that much gold, clothes made of expensive silk and the official Martell Medallion I tend not to question it." The Madam told him firmly and Theon suddenly realised that it might actually be true if he had that much gold, wore silk clothes and had a medallion then this might be real however unbelievable it seemed. He still doubted it quite a bit but as he turned and rushed back to the castle he knew he had to tell someone.

Arriving in the yard he saw Lord Stark watching as Meera trained with her special spear, the sight of her in thin leather training gear honestly made him stop for a moment as he realised perhaps for the first time since he avoided the yard when she was here that his friend's sister was no stick figure any more. She had actual curves of her own now puberty had set in and her teats were a good size for her age not to mention good legs too, perhaps his blood was still hot from being denied the bed of Ros but Meera honestly was making a few indecent fantasies in his head.

However he then realised that his staring had attracted attention as Lord Stark, Meera herself and a number of others were looking at him with annoyance. Feeling very small suddenly he desperately said to Lord Stark who was honestly terrifying with his hard and impenetrable gaze.

"Lord Stark, a man claiming to be Prince Oberyn Martell has arrived in Winter town. He wears expensive silks and has a lot of gold plus a Martell Medallion." Theon said extremely eager for the attention to be off of him as fast as possible.

The silence in the yard was instant as they all looked at him with surprise at his announcement then disbelief on their faces, especially from Ser Harkoon who looked suddenly very worried for some reason.

"Interesting gambit Theon." Lord Stark said as he stood there annoyed for how Theon had been leering at his eldest daughter. "Do not think it gets you out of trouble though."

Theon was ready to face whatever punishment devised as long as he got out of the yard and so he continued to speak.

"I am speaking truth Lord Stark, I know not whether he is the true Prince Oberyn but that is who he claimed to be."

The rest of the people in the yard all looked around and wondered whether or not this was actually happening or if it was some jape he was playing on them. Lord Stark sighed before turning to Ser Jory.

"Jory, go down to Winter town and find the truth. If it is Theon that saw him then he is most likely to be in the brothel."

Theon almost choked at the realisation that they knew where he had been and wondered briefly if Robb had told them but was given no time to think about it.

"You will get ready for the feast tonight and enjoy it because you will be not be enjoying yourself when you are mucking out the stables for a week." Lord Stark said before disappearing along with Meera and Ser Jory walked briskly to the town to see if he was speaking true.

Theon honestly didn't care about mucking out the stables, he could accept it but he was wondering just what Meera might do to him now she had caught him staring. That he thought with fear would likely be far worse.

Ser Jory had come back rather quickly and to their great surprise it seemed that Theon had been telling the truth although finding Jon at the brothel had earned him a week mucking out the stables with him. Apparently though they had refused coin and not said whatever Jon had done that had satisfied them so much. Many men who used whores would soon be pressing very hard to find out just what special ability Jon had to please the whores so much, either feeling envious or impressed by Jon.

But the arrival of a Prince of Dorne had thrown the already busy castle into a near panic to get not only rooms prepared but assemble the household and family to greet them when they finally came up the castle.

Mira and Lanna were looking for both Asher and Gwyn who had disappeared hours ago and no one had seen them since. She was supposed to be helping with the preparations but had yet to show themselves, this might have been suspicious to some it honestly hadn't occurred to the pair that they might actually be together.

Then just as they were checking the last of the guest bedroom's they pushed the doors open and looked inside hoping to see Gwyn or Asher so they could be rallied to help, neither Lanna nor Mira had expected to see both of them...in bed...completely naked.

The scene honestly seemed unbelievable and most of them couldn't comprehend what they were seeing, time seemed to stop until perhaps one of the worst people to see it came up the corridor from the other way.

"Have you found Gwyn? I need to know if she is going too..." Meera said as she came to the door and saw the horrified looks in their eyes especially Gwyn and Asher who had managed to cover themselves with a sheet to preserve their modesty.

Meera honestly was as stunned as they were before her face twisted into a frown and then tightened with anger.

"Get dressed, my father's solar...now!" She told them with cold fury radiating from every word. The strength of her words made the two quickly leap out of bed and quickly pull their clothes on before they followed her to her father's room where she knew he would be.

Jon was there too Meera noticed and probably getting an earful for going to a brothel but Meera was in no mood for delay and said as they came in.

"Father, we have a new problem. Asher and Gwyn have been having a physical affair and we just caught them." Meera told her father, she would normally wait for him to finish with Jon first but they needed to get a handle on this quickly.

Gods know they had enough problems right now, Meera thought with a fast developing headache.

Father instantly realised the need for urgency and as Mira, Lanna, Gwyn and Asher followed Meera into the room he asked with a cold stern voice.

"How long has this been going on for?"

The pair in question both shared a rather scared look before Gwyn sheepishly said.

"Almost half a year."

Meera felt her headache intensify as she realised just how stupid and blind she had been to miss such a thing going on for so long under her nose. She brought her hands up to her face and closed her eyes as she tried to restrain her natural reaction to yell and scream with anger. Instead she asked, desperate to know just how careful they had been.

"Did you at least use the contraceptive potion I created? Or even moontea?"

Their silence was all she needed to hear to confirm her worst fears. Father too looked very worried as the possibility of Gwyn being pregnant was now frighteningly real.

"Do you two have any idea of just how much damage this could do if it gets out?" Meera asked with frustration. "Your families hate each other! This could be enough to cause open fighting!"

Father just rubbed his now aching temples as he considered just how much trouble this could cause if Lord Whitehill found out his precious daughter had been having a physical affair with the son of his hated rival Lord Forrester. Potentially this could even result in actual war between the two or banishment for one or both of the offenders.

"How many others know?" He asked, needing to know just how far this went. The pair looked at each other nervously before saying.

"Just us in this room, but I may have mentioned something of a 'courting' in a letter to my brother Ebbert." Gwyn mentioned before hastily adding. "He is at the Citadel, he is so clever and he has always kept my secrets as I keep his." Asher they all noticed didn't seem surprised so they guessed he must have given her blessing to do so.

"But will he keep it if he figures out it is a Forrester?" Lanna said pressingly while Mira just looked at her older brother with complete disbelief that he would do something like this. "Everyone knows that Lord Robb is wedding Lady Wylla and apart from him who else would dare try and court you in Winterfell? Does he have enough detail to discover just who it is?"

The silence again showed them that might well be the case and Meera wanted to scream and yell at them again but managed to restrain herself and she began to try and find some solution to their problem which would resolve the tension and hopefully prevent open fighting between two of their vassals.

"Wed them and give them a holding somewhere, Sea Dragon maybe since Jon has refused it." Meera said and everyone looked at her astonished at the mere suggestion before she explained. "If we wed them now before any potential child is revealed then no-one need be any the wiser about the affair and if we give them a castle or holding somewhere to establish their own house neither of their families has any real standing to complain. They might grumble a bit but they shouldn't start fighting." Meera said, keeping the peace in the North was essential to their prosperity and security. They couldn't afford any of their vassals to start conspiring with outsiders again, she knew greed and past grievances might cause that to happen anyway but it was better not to create more cracks in the facade they kept of complete unity and security.

Allowing infighting would make them seem weak and unable to control their own vassals even the smaller ones and that she realised would be a sign of weakness to the rest of Westeros and the world. Like any wounded animal others would begin circling around them looking for their pound of flesh if given the chance.

She couldn't let that happen Meera thought with resignation.

"It seems excessive but you are right." Father said with tiredness, too many surprises had struck them all today. As Asher, Gwyn, Mira and Lanna looked on with astonishment he declared. "You both will be married as soon as it can be arranged and given Sea Dragon Castle, this comes with the hard duty of protecting our coast so do not think it will be an easy post Lord Asher." Father warned the overwhelmed and shocked Asher and Gwyn.

"We are honoured Lord Stark." Gwyn said, not able to fully believe this was happening. Meera however gave her a cold glare which instantly scared both her and Asher, along with the others present. An impressive feat given Asher, Gwyn and Lord Stark were all older than her.

"Then remember what has been said here and use better judgement in the future." Meera told them with a cold final tone and left to see to any remaining preparations in hopes of her anger cooling before the Dornish arrived.

The others watched her leave and Lord Stark and Jon too looked worried for her while Mira and Lanna moved quickly to follow her. Asher and Gwyn quickly left to wrap their heads around how much one day could change the course of your life. That left Jon and Lord Stark alone and the brothel was now very much forgotten as Lord Stark asked a very strange but important thing of Jon.

"Jon, I know you have been reading the legends of House Stark and the Nights Watch but bare in mind those legends are old and often not the full truth. The Watch these days is full of criminals who took the black to escape an often fatal sentence, so if you must go there then do not take your vows straight away...wait a year or so. It is not unheard of for Northern sons to serve at the Wall for a time without taking the Black themselves, you might not inherit Sea Dragon but there are opportunities outside the of the Watch. Things you can do, so promise me Jon that you will not jump into this without first looking where you are going."

Jon looked surprised but nodded in agreement, confused as his father had seemed glad when he had spoken of joining the Watch even when his siblings had not. But he nodded, wanting his approval.

- x -

As Jon left to ensure he was ready to greet their unexpected guests Ned watched him leave with a sigh of regret. He was being unfair to Jon by encouraging the lad to join the Watch, true being tied to the Wall should ensure his safety if the truth came out but it was cheating Jon of so many opportunities...things he might do and he could almost feel his sister's glares from the afterlife for thinking of doing that to her son.

While Jon might never gain the Iron Throne that was his birth right he could still have a good life and if he ever wanted it they would find a keep for him to start a new house of his own or support him in whatever he decided to do.

Still Ned thought with tiredness as he got to his feet, there was another matter that had to be attended too first.

- x -

The majority of House Stark assembled in the yard as the horses carrying House Martell arrived, Rickon being so young had to have a hand on his shoulder from his older siblings to prevent him from running off to find his direwolf which he had named Shaggydog. The direwolves were in the Godswood were they felt comfortable since it was probably better to not greet their surprise guests with Direwolves straight away.

Ned had seen Prince Oberyn a long time ago although they had not spoken during the Tourney of Harrenhal so the moment the man rode through the gates Ned knew it was him. Surprisingly he rode with a woman that he supposed must be his paramour since the man had never married and behind him rode three younger girls who all like Oberyn and his paramour had the tanned skin of Dorne.

Prior to this the only person with skin like that was Ser Harkoon who was standing quietly at the back looking very worried for some reason. Ned found this both strange and concerning because the man was nothing if not calm and after years in his home what reason did he have to be distressed?

The smirking Oberyn Martell however then took his attention as the man dismounted skilfully from his horse and helped his lady off, the girls that followed dismounted on their own and walked straight up to Ned and his family who all tensed slightly.

"Prince Oberyn, welcome to Winterfell." Ned said eager to get the introductions over with so he could find out just why the man was here and hopefully get him to leave. Oberyn Martell was renown for causing trouble wherever he went and with the headaches they already had Ned could only hope it was not going to happen here.

"Lord Stark, my how do you people live here in such a barren and cold land?" Oberyn said with a smirk and that instantly made all the Northerners frown and mumbled, annoyed at the clear insult but Ned just frowned.

"My people live here because it is our home and we love it as dearly as you Dornish love your mostly barren sandy deserts." Ned returned and everyone blinked as everyone realised their lord had just insulted a Dornish Prince to his face. Meera next to him gave him a proud look, followed by a quick elbow.

The Dornish it seemed couldn't believe it either and Oberyn then started smirking again.

"Touché Lord Stark, it is simply my wanderlust decided to take me to the North as I have never been before." Oberyn said seeming to take the slight with good grace after having delivered one of his own.

"We are to have a feast tonight to celebrate the victory of the Northern Rangers over the bandits that were plaguing our land. You are welcome to join us and rooms have been prepared for your party." Ned said trying to be polite and Oberyn smirked.

"Then our timing is very good, may I introduce my paramour Ellaria Sand and my daughters Obara, Nymeria and Tyene." Oberyn said, his hand moving with each name to show just who was who.

"Welcome to Winterfell my lady." Ned said politely to Ellaria who smirked herself before saying.

"I am a Sand, not a lady Lord Stark. You created one yourself so don't be ashamed." Ellaria said no doubt to try and make things more awkward, all the girls then turned their attention to Jon who instantly looked very confused at them. They were bastards like him but seemed to to not be ashamed of it and even revelled in their status.

Ned worried that this was only going to get worse but could not in good manners send them away, so he put a brave face on and introduced his own family.

"These are my own children. Robb my eldest and my heir and his twin sister Meera, now the current Lady Stark. Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon and of course Jon. Theon Greyjoy, my ward." Ned said and the Sand girls all started staring intently at the boys who interested them which actually made the boys in question all uncomfortable even Theon given how intense it was.

- x -

Meera much to her own irritation however became the centre of attention for Prince Oberyn who reached for her hand which she gave but only out of manners. He put a kiss on it but she pulled it back as soon as she could.

"Lady Stark, you are a particularly enchanting Winter Rose." Oberyn said with a smooth voice and Meera politely said.

"I appreciate the compliment Prince Oberyn, now I am sure your party would enjoy a warm bath and a change of clothes after your journey."

Oberyn didn't seem put off by her polite rejection, she knew his game right from the start. Either getting her annoyed so she embarrassed herself or into his bed to humiliate House Stark. She knew to keep her other sister Sansa away from him not to mention Mira and the other young women in the castle. While he was not known for going after young women who were not an adult yet Meera was taking no chances.

- x -

While the castle's cooks and other servants got things ready for the feast tonight and Mira and Lanna took some of the strain off of her, Meera was able to blow off some pent up anger in the yard. Nearby Osha and Harkoon trained alone while Ser Rodrik and the other men trained around the yard.

Gungnir remained locked in her room since the spear as too dangerous to duel people with so she used the specially made wooden spear she had made with special weights to simulate Gungnir so she could practice. It was the same height too and as she had grown taller using the spear had become easier.

The guards in Winterfell circled around her while she held the training spear in hand, her eyes and ears alert for any indication of an attack. She heard the footfalls behind her and turned in time to dodge a wooden sword coming from her left and stabbed him with the blunted edge of her spear, marking him as dead and out of the fight.

The other three men came at her all at once and she began waving her spear around in a defensive flurry while the men came at her with their own swords swinging, she with far more grace than when she had started managed to deflect them away from her before swinging it wide and catching another in the chest, ending his fight and forcing the other two back.

Now faced with just two who wee regaining their footing she stabbed another with a short leap forward and kicked the other out of the ring.

"Not bad...for a Northerner." A female voice said mockingly from the side, Meera turned and saw the eldest of Oberyn Martell's daughters Obara Sand standing their smirking with a real spear in her hand. "Fancy trying against someone who isn't paid by your father?"

If that was meant to anger her it didn't, Meera knew her father told all their men and her family too when they were in the ring to never hold back. You can't learn properly if people are taking it easy on you and anyone who did was not allowed to spar here again till they learned which for a guard meant losing their job.

Obara was merely trying to rile her up and given that she had little to no patience left anyway after today's events so far Meera decided not to hold her tongue and teach this older girl some manners.

"I can be assured my father's men don't or they lose their place here, I wonder if the same can be said of you or have your teachers been taking it easily on you because you are a Prince's daughter?" She said with a cold mocking voice.

Obara instantly looked like she had been slapped for a moment and clearly had not expected the insult but was soon fuming and without a moment's thought charged straight into the ring.

Obara stabbed at her wildly, her speed was very good Meera noted as she side stepped quickly to avoid the very real steel point being sent at her before swinging her own blunted weapon into Obara's leg, the other cried out in pain but it only seemed to spur her on. She came even closer in an attempt to impale Meera who was surprised and seized the chance it presented. She grabbed the other girl's spear and kicked her hard in the sternum, the enhanced strength granted to her by Gungnir sending Obara flying backwards.

Obara was winded and unable to stand and Ellaria Sand ran over to her as did her younger sisters and started fawning over her while Oberyn looked at her with some surprise.

"I taught my daughter, did you know that?" He said to her with an edge of threat that worried Meera given his reputation as a warrior that he was about to step into the ring. All around the yard people stopped fighting and turned their attention to them. Oberyn took up the spear Obara had dropped and before Ser Rodrik could try and stop him he stabbed straight at her.

Only her heightened reflexes saved her and allowed her to jump back and before she could fully recover he was right on her again, swinging wide to try and catch her but she managed to jump back just far enough to dodge it. He was smirking widely now as he kept up the pressure, not letting find a moment's respite as he continued stabbing at her while his companions including the now standing Obara were all smirking, sure that their family was going to show this Northern hussy just who was superior.

Meera gritted her teeth as she weaved her spear around desperately to hold Oberyn off who was completely ignoring Ser Rodrik's attempts to stop the fight and as sweat was running down her face she had to side step again to avoid another underhanded strike before Oberyn for reasons she couldn't fathom started showing off.

He started doing elaborate flourishes with his borrowed spear ad unnecessary leaps around, she was confused not sure if he was trying to put her off guard and lure her into a making at mistake or just so confident in his victory that he felt he could show off.

It was a big risk but Meera knowing she would lose a prolonged fight against him took her chance and rushed forward ploughed straight into him. Oberyn was winded by the sheer force she managed to create, being thrown onto his back but it allowed her to grab his spear and drive it straight into the ground beside his head. His girls all gasping in horror, thinking they were about to see their father killed and breathed a deep sigh of relief when they saw he was alright.

"You would have won that fight if you hadn't been showing off. That will get you killed one day." Meera said with anger before storming off to her room for a bath and a change, her enjoyment of sparring now ruined.

The Sand Snakes and Ellaria all glared after her as she left, she had hurt Obara and humiliated Oberyn. Ellaria was not happy about that, not happy at all and decided there and then to make them pay for that. She looked over to Harkoon, who she knew full well was Doran's spy and he knew the castle's layout well. He would tell her where the special spear of hers was and aid Nymeria in stealing it later tonight while she and Tyene distracted the other Starks.

- x -

The feast's atmosphere was as jolly as they hoped at least given what had happened in the yard earlier, while the leading rangers had seats of honour at the Stark's table and Sansa was sitting at their father's right side looking very happy and proud of herself which her siblings were glad to see. It had been her plan that achieved this victory and the Northern Rangers who carried it out. Lanna was sitting right next to Sansa as she had been her advisor during this and deserved recognition. Jory beamed with pride at her and she smiled back, feeling like she had done her family proud.

The Dornish guests were being surprisingly well behaved after what had happened in the yard, talking to their hosts politely and being on the whole quiet.

But their eyes and ears were open for any sign of trouble.

"I should have been there to greet the Dornish when they arrived!" Catelyn snapped later that night after Ned had paid her a visit and they enjoyed each other's bed for the first time in a while. Ned sighed and knew now she must have been so well behaved today to speak to him privately and complain about whatever matter had irritated her this time. He got out of bed and dressed while telling her.

"You would have been if I could trust you not to make a scene. The same way I can't trust you to run this castle any more."

"I ran it!" She said sharply and wrapped a sheet around herself. "I ran it well, better than our demon of a daughter."

"I refuse to speak to you when you refer to our eldest girl in such a way." Ned said and with only his breeches on and the rest of his clothes in hand walked straight out of the room to end the argument.

He didn't see Ellaria Sand or Oberyn smirking as they walked him leave from their doorway, seeing an opportunity to really embarrass the Starks and see them fall a little from grace Oberyn took his lover by the hand and sneaked forward, the guards who should have been watching the room were taking a rare reprieve from their duties due to the feast tonight and so were not there to stop them.

They quietly pushed the door open and saw Catelyn standing there fuming at her husband, she blinked a few times at their appearance and clung tighter to her sheet.

"P-Prince Oberyn! I must ask you to leave...I'm not decent." Catelyn said mortified at being naked in front of a Prince!

However Oberyn smiled gently and said.

"My lady I can only say sorry for catching you so but I was struck by your beauty, few women can dream of having such a body as yours after six children." Oberyn told her with a suggestive smirk.

Catelyn was flustered at the attention and compliment, Ellaria walked over and passed her a robe and held a sheet up so she could slip into the robe. Catelyn gratefully took the robe and was about to put it on when Ellaria let the sheet fall, revealing Catelyn's naked body.

"My lady I am sorry." Ellaria said with apparent panic at her 'mistake'. "Here let me provide a distraction for his eyes."

She then slipped her dress off and revealed her own very naked body to Catelyn who was struck speechless at this turn of events, stood there fully naked with another admittedly beautiful naked woman right before a Prince of Dorne. Her humiliation was so complete that she was blushing all over but Prince Oberyn only smirked wider, shrugging off his own robe and walked forward.

This made Catelyn step a little back but he easily caught up and whispered in her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

"It seems this could be the beginning of a very enjoyable evening."

Without giving her a chance to say a word he then pressed his lips to hers and she was so stunned that she didn't respond at first but her anger at Ned from earlier and the exhilaration of the moment caused her to kiss back. His hands went around her body and began to caress her surprisingly firm body and pull her against him, she was so lost in sensations that she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and let him pull her into bed while Ellaria poured some wine from the nearby bottle and while Catelyn was distracted slipped a small vial of a fertility potion into it. She then with the goblet and bottle in hand got into bed and Oberyn broke the kiss so Ellaria could offer the goblet to Catelyn who took it and drank some of it while Ellaria drank the other half.

Ellaria then threw the goblet aside and with the bottle poured the sweet wine all over Catelyn's naked chest while swooping in for a kiss of her own which stifled any protests especially as Oberyn began to lick the wine off her breasts paying particular attention to her nipples which became erect instantly.

Catelyn honestly was completely lost in sensation now and completely at the mercy of desire. The spicy taste of Ellaria and Oberyn of the most potent thing she had ever tasted and kissed back earnestly.

Oberyn made his way down her body and soon arrived at her most special place which was already fully aroused and waiting, deciding to play a little more he decided to let her know just what the 'southern kiss' was and began to use his tongue.

She gasped as he did so but Ellaria stole her breath with another kiss and began tweaking her nipples which only made Catelyn squirm with the great sensations running through her body.

Oberyn did enjoy her taste but he was now sporting a raging erection and keen to see how her cunt was, so he withdrew his tongue and replaced it with his cock.

Catelyn almost screamed as he forced his strong cock into her but it was stifled by Ellaria and Oberyn began to thrust in and out of her with Ellaria still kissing her which only heightened the situation, Oberyn's stamina was impressive and he kept going for quite some time the bed rocking with the strength of his passion.

But eventually he grunted and spilled his seed inside her, leaving Catelyn breathless and hopelessly aroused but Oberyn while was recovering, Ellaria then smirked before she lay down next to Catelyn and resumed kissing her which Catelyn eagerly returned and even wrapped her hands around her face.

While Oberyn watched with glee Ellaria carefully moved them until they were sitting upright in the bed and their cunts were pressing together. Both women began thrusting against each other and soon both were moaning with pleasure at the sensations.

Oberyn smirked as he watched the two beauties pleasuring each other before him knowing he was going to enjoy this night very much, how poor her husband must be at pleasuring her for Catelyn to fall into their arms so readily. He had expected much more resistance on her part but it seemed she was as up for it as they were.

Ellaria slipping her some of the North's own fertility potion though? He thought as the two sped up in front of him grasping each other tighter as they got closer to the edge, that was a far better irony for their part in the rebellion than he had hoped for. If Stark didn't realise the babe was actually someone else's? Then he would spend time raising a child that wasn't his, and if Stark did realise? Then it was a great humiliation publicly for the Lady of Winterfell to have a bastard child with another man.

He saw the two climax and without hesitating he climbed on top of Ellaria and ensured their next child's conception while she used her own tongue on Catelyn's cunt.

- x -

The return of the guards though later that night would go unnoticed by those inside, but the door being slightly ajar and the sounds of sex coming through it and voices unknown to them made the pair look carefully inside and were stunned at what they saw.

"Get Lord Stark...quickly." The elder one said to the younger who quickly rushed off to find their liege lord, unaware of the antics of the other Dornish guests that night.

- x -

Tyene, the most beautiful of all Oberyn Martell's daughters was enjoying her wine and was eyeing up prospects for some 'fun' of her own, she saw the Stark boys and girls being so well behaved at dinner that she doubted any would be willing to even get close to her.

Then she saw the Greyjoy boy however, he was older than her by a small margin but his suggestive smirk almost made her sigh with boredom...this would be too easy.

So she waited till later that night and slipped into his room which wasn't even locked to her amusement and waited, affecting a seductive pose while she waited for her prey.

It took awhile and she was actually humming quietly to herself out of boredom when she finally heard him coming, she stopped humming and made her most seductive smirk as Greyjoy came through the door. She even went to the trouble of opening the slit in her skirt so he could see her crossed legs.

The stunned look Greyjoy gave her as she sat there smirking was honestly cute she thought with enjoyment at his expression. Seeing as he was completely stunned she got up and made the most seductive walk over to him that she could and before he could say anything she pressed her lips to his before stepping back, with her smirk turning vicious and Theon looking confused at her actions when suddenly he felt blood running down his nose.

"They call it the Long Farewell. Usually it takes a long while to work but I guess you have a weaker resistance than most and I gave you a little more than usual." Tyene said with a smirk as Theon collapsed to his feet, unable to stand. She wiped her lips clean and pulled a bottle out of her robe, took a sip herself before taunting him. "This bottle could save your life, now beg for it." She said cruelly while dangling the bottle in front of him.

"Please." Theon said weakly as he desperately reached for the bottle but she just kept that bloody smirk on her face and told him.

"Not till you tell me who the most beautiful woman in all the world is." Tyene said, feeling powerful and in control at that moment.

Then the door burst open, Tyene looked up in time to see Jon and Meera come running into the run and Tyene not the best fighter among her siblings was quickly restrained by Jon while Meera took the bottle and brought it over to him.

"Here quickly." She told Theon who eagerly downed the bottle in one go, he slowly started feeling the sensation coming back to him and his limbs started to come back to life.

"Be grateful myself and Jon heard the guards running past our rooms and looked to see what else the Dornish were up too." Meera said glad that it seemed to be working before turning around and slapping Tyene around the face who was glaring at them.

"You bloody fools!" She said to the Dornish girl. "What the hell do you think you'll gain from all this? Is this some sort of game to you? Just be grateful Theon is going to live or I would have had you killed regardless of who your father is...with the same poison!" She added and turned to Theon and offered her hand. "Let's get you to Maester Luwin, he should examine you just in case."

Theon feeling more humbled than he had in his entire life took her hand and she helped him to his feet while Jon took the now restrained Tyene to the cells.

While the rest of the Starks were either sleeping or dealing with other matters and the Martells were causing as much trouble as possible, Nymeria Sand the second oldest daughter was creeping into Meera Stark's room. She was glad that tonight at least the direwolves were sleeping in the Godswood as they sometimes did when the castle was unusually full to not scare the visitors, it made her task much easier.

Harkoon at her side was looking very unsettled and whispered to her.

"Please stop, Prince Doran's orders were merely to observe and report!" He said insistingly with some desperation.

"You are sworn to House Martell." Nymeria reminded him sternly. Making sure he was quiet as the last thing she wanted was to get caught before they could escape with their prize. Obara would have liked to do this herself but she was still recovering from the kick she received from Meera Stark and Tyene was looking for her own fun so theft of the spear fell to her while her father and Ellaria found the best way to humiliate House Stark.

It was something she highly anticipated...to steal the 'special' spear of Meera Stark, something she relished in. It would be far better in her father or sister's hands after all Nymeria thought viciously.

The light created by her candle allowed her to see it mounted on the wall. She was amazed at the beauty of it at first; easily six foot long and cast in a golden coloured metal, it had three prongs on the end and was decorated with runic symbols all along its length.

The craftsmanship was truly excellent Nymeria thought with awe and she smirked, it certainly didn't belong in the hands of traitors and the family of a meddlesome hussy like Lyanna Stark she thought with malice. It deserved to be held in far better hands like her father's she decided and reached for it.

She was surprised at how light it was, she would have thought it to be heavy but it weighed less than most of the wooden spears she had seen her father and sister use. Her skin though felt strange as she touched it, prickling slightly which made her pause as she held it in her hands.

Then she suddenly felt like her hands were in a furnace, she screamed in pain and dropped the spear which clattered to the floor as she hands started bleeding for under her nails and the skin visibly started cracking open to let more blood escape from her body while she was screaming in utter agony. Harkoon rushed forward to help but the sight of what was happening but was struck dumb by the impossibility of what has happening.

The door then burst open and Meera and a number of guards came in alerted by the screaming, seeing the sate of Nymeria's hands Meera frowned before jumping into action.

"YOU FOOL! Get her to my workshop where I might be able to save her hands! I coated that spear with a poison which passes through the skin unless you are wearing special gloves or have been made immune like me. Just in case some idiot decided to try and steal it." She told Nymeria, giving the cover story she had created just in case someone decided to try and touch the spear so to hide its magic. She picked up the spear and rushed off with the guards and Harkoon to her workshop where she hoped some of her salves and potions might save Nymeria's hands.

Well at least she knew what happened when someone else touched the spear she thought as she got the strongest restoratives she had and started applying them to Nymeria's hands which finally made it stop bleeding. Thankfully her contact with Gungnir had been brief and the damage potentially repairable, Nymeria moaned with pain as the salves where applied but a pain numbing potion seemed to help. The amount of blood she had lost was significant and the Dornish girl was looking very pale but a blood replenishing potion later and she seemed to be getting a little bit better.

Her experience it seemed had humbled Nymeria as she sat there, meekly like a lamb and doing exactly as Meera said while the other girl bandaged her hands.

- x -

Oberyn was growing exhausted but the sight of his love and Catelyn Stark eating each other out was such a pleasant view that he only wished he could join them.

Then the door much to his chagrin burst open and Lord Stark accompanied by his son and heir Robb not to mention a number of guards all who were staring at the scene in astonishment.

Lord Stark and Robb however were looking at the scene in disgust, specifically at Catelyn who had stopped what she was doing and now smirking as she looked at her husband and said simply.

"He's better at it than you."

The words were like bells in how it rang around the room and no-one could quite believe what she had said, Robb Stark in particular could not believe that his own mother would betray her marriage vows and sleep with not only another man but another woman at the same time while still wed to his father whatever problems she might have with Meera.

Lord Stark despite the pain that visible in his eyes and the vicious triumphant smirk sent his way by Oberyn stood tall and told them.

"Then you can go south with them, I will request an annulment for the King and hence forth you are banished from the North. An escort of guards will take you to your father and he can do with you as he pleases. Osha, dress her and get her things packed immediately. The rest of you get this pair back to their rooms and packed they leave tonight and can take their own horses to the closest inn." Ned told them before turning his back and walking out while the guards came forward and pulled the naked Oberyn and Ellaria out of the room while Catelyn looked at them confused.

Osha with a wide smirk came forward and started gathering clothes out of the nearby wardrobe before throwing them at her.

"Get dressed...Tully. You have a wheelhouse to catch since this isn't your home any more." Osha said, taunting her with the fact that she was no longer welcome here. Catelyn struggled to swallow this as Osha literally while cursing under her breath had to force the clothes onto her and throw the rest in the chests at the foot of her bed.

Catelyn, didn't resist. She couldn't her mind simply not able to accept what was happening or what she had just done.

The Dornish party once dressed was forced onto a wagon, even Harkoon joined them since he had shown his loyalties by trying to help steal the spear but at least took his punishment without complaint and Meera pressed a small box containing salves and fresh bandages into Obara's hands.

"Change your sister's bandages once everyday and apply this salve to the skin, it will keep the injuries clean and should with time heal the skin. It might take her some time to regain the full use of her hands, take things slowly and don't push to hard or it could deprive her of full use of her hands forever." Meera warned her sternly and Obara nodded slowly and said quietly.

"Thank you."

Oberyn was horrified to see the state of his second daughter's hands but Meera said coldly at him while Ellaria and Tyene fussed over her.

"We treated you with respect and you betrayed us in return, you seduce my mother and try to steal from us not to mention trying to kill Theon. You will not be welcome back, now go and learn to think before you act in future." Meera said with her eyes sharp and her voice frightening with how much cold fury in contained.

Oberyn was taken aback not having thought someone so young could have such power and strength in their words but chose to say nothing as he urged the horses on the wagon forward and out of the open gate. They would last till they could find an inn and the escort of Northern Rangers to ensure they left the North was quite unnecessary but it would follow them till they got to White Harbour and left on the first ship south.

A separate bunch of horses came forward around a wagon which contained the still shocked Catelyn who looked at Ned with confusion but he just looked away from her as did Meera and Robb until the wagon and the horses rose out of the yard to join the Kings Road to head south to Riverrun.

Jon walked out just in time to see the wagon containing Catelyn leave and Robb turned to his brother and asked.

"Theon?"

Jon nodded and said. "He is well, Maester Luwin confirms he will recover although it might be awhile before he lets a woman kiss him again."

"We can but hope." Meera said with derision but at her brothers' slight glares backed down. The last couple of days had been hard on all of them and they would need some time to heal, especially their father who they all realised looked despondent after what had happened with Catelyn. Maybe he had hoped for reconciliation in the future and the return of the woman he had known and come to love…but that hope was gone now and he looked so defeated it broke her heart.

All three came over to him and smiled as best they could while Meera and Robb took his hand to guide him inside and into the warm where they could all just take comfort from each other's presence as he doubted they were going to get any sleep tonight.

Casterly Rock, the Westerlands…Two Days Later...

Tywin Lannister was reading the message from his spies in Winterfell, he didn't smile but he did feel a great sense of satisfaction as now a potential enemy had been sullied its own name.

The Martells were always going to be his enemy, there was nothing to be done about that given what Ser Gregor had done to Elia Martell and her children. While many thought he had ordered it they were in fact mistaken, while he had wanted Aegon dead Elia would have been a useful hostage against Dorne and Rhaenys would have been there to wed to whatever child Robert and Cersei had once the rest of her family were dead to legitimize their rule.

But Ser Gregor had not been able to contain his blood lust and killed them all, he had no problem with killing of course but it had led him to establish greater boundaries with the Mountain to ensure he did as he was told in the future.

Dorne he had no doubt had been plotting his downfall ever since but that he thought without really caring was the price you pay for making a legacy like the one he was building, you had to crush threats to it underfoot and if you ever cared for what they thought or felt you were dead.

Dorne however thanks to its infamous prince had ensured they were almost pariahs in the rest of Westeros now, acting as they did on their recent visit to Winterfell had only made them seem more untrustworthy and stupid in the eyes of everyone who mattered. Any chance of them joining themselves to the North or Riverlands was officially dead now and would be for the immediate future, that made his position stronger as his plan to match Joffrey to Meera Stark came closer.

He gritted his teeth having wanted this done by now but Cersei was doing her utmost to prevent Joffrey from being tied to anyone and looked down her nose at the North. Thinking them useless barbarians that were ultimately weak and worthless. Sometimes he wondered if she intended for the boy to ever marry so she could entertain some fantasy of being queen forever.

Barbarians maybe, Tywin thought as he thought some of their beliefs foolish...but weak, certainly not.

Nearly every war in Westeros that the North had gotten involved in had ended with their involvement, the Dance of the Dragons for example. Cregan Stark had been blunt but his efficiency was to be admired and it had seen an end to most of the infighting after the war.

Which made tying them to his legacy all the more important, so he would press the issue with Robert and get that contract drawn up.

The Red Keep, Kings Landing…

Robert was shocked to hear from Ned directly, telling him that Cat had slept with Oberyn Martell and he was seeking a dissolution of their marriage. He had always thought the two of them had the kind of relationship that he had always dreamed of, strong and loving that could withstand any storm and always stayed loyal to each other whatever problem they were facing.

It seemed he thought sadly that he was wrong and without even consulting Jon granted the divorce which was probably best given he had been so unwell recently. Robert decided to go and see Ned as soon as Jon recovered to see how he was and to meet these children of his.

Pentos, Essos…

Dany was sitting in her room at the manse she had called home for some years now and was glad of the privacy as she fumed at what her brother had cooked up behind her back with Master Mopatis behind her back...she was being wed off to a Dothraki Khal!

The mere idea of being tied to violent thug like the Dothraki filled her with dread and disgust, their violence and barbarity were a thing of legend and now she was going to be forced to marry one to give her brother an army to try and retake the Iron Throne and Westeros.

Retake the throne? She scoffed at her delusional brother, even if her new husband did give him an army he had no allies there...no one would support his claim for any other reason than greed and ambition. The Dothraki were dangerous raiders but Westeros was far more unified than Essos was and could gather an army many times the size of whatever force her brother could muster, it would be vicious and certainly be bloody but in the end Westeros would probably win.

That was if they even left Essos in the first place she thought knowing that the Dothraki were not seafarers and disliked water their horses couldn't drink.

The book on them she had 'acquired' from Master Mopatis's library was quite detailed in their customs and their traditions which she would need to know if she was going to become a 'Khaleesi' as she knew they called the queen. Some of them filled her with disgust but she concentrated on reading more, if she was going to be forced into this then she would do so on her own terms.

To that end was already learning the Dothraki language so at least she could understand what they were saying and learning their customs so she could avoid potential missteps that could endanger her position, she had even taken to speaking to the mistresses of Master Mopatis to learn more about sex and seduction...they might be her best weapons she realised in finding a way to influence her future husband.

Viserys she knew was making no such preparations and his temper and delusions were now worse than even she thought with concern, he no longer threatened her because he now realised she would fight back but the whores he brought here often ended up badly bruised or worse largely because they couldn't fight back against him.

She was tempted to run away but with sadness she realised that she had no where to go and at least as a Khaleesi she might have some power she could use. It wasn't perfect and could she knew be downright horrible for her but if she could gain enough influence then maybe she could create some plans of her own and put them into action.

So she kept on reading while considering just what might be possible as the wife of Khal Drogo.

The Kings Road, Riverlands…

The inn that the party escorting Catelyn south had stopped in for the night was not in anyway luxurious but it was a reasonably safe roof over their heads and it was cheap too. The North men couldn't wait to get their reluctant charge to Riverrun and wash their hands of her, adultery in the North was not a capital crime but it was a frowned on. More on women than men unfairly but that was the way that it was...it hadn't changed in centuries and was unlikely to anytime soon.

Catelyn was pacing around her room late into the night, not able to settle and more disturbed than she had been in her entire life before. She was struggling to understand what had happened, why had she cheated on Ned with another man? She loved Ned, despite whatever problems they were having she loved him and he she knew loved her...or rather she thought with distress he had done.

She doubted to her own misery that he would ever love her again after being caught in bed with Oberyn Martell and his whore! The fact that she had indulged with them in such...sinful acts was beyond her ability to understand, especially with the hurtful words she had flung at Ned before he had banished her from Winterfell.

Why? She thought with anxiety rising, why had she done that? Why did she hate Meera so much and why had she caused so much upset?

Then it was almost like a fog was parting as she started to remember...she had thoughts like this before...hadn't she? She honestly was struggling to think as the fog in her mind started concentrating but she pushed and suddenly she felt it...lose interest? She thought that was what it was thinking, that she wasn't useful to it any-more and it no longer cared to hide itself.

Before her very eyes she saw the red mist emerge from her mouth, her eyes wide as she saw it and the soon the small cloud was hanging in front of her. She saw a flickering of tiny lights like candles within and her mind could barely comprehend what she was seeing before it then flew away, passing through the wall with no effort and out into the night.

Catelyn was stunned, not sure of what had just happened but for the first time in years, her mind was clear again. She could finally think properly and tears began to stream down her face and her hands went to her mouth with horror as the true weight of what she had done finally became clear.

Oh gods, she thought with the greatest self loathing and dismay, what had she done?

This chapter will cause a major shift in Catelyn now whatever the red wisp was has left her. I know people will not be happy for writing Oberyn like this but he was trying to hurt those he blames for his sister's death and while the Starks played no part in that it is in his mind guilt by association especially as he knows Meera is thought by many to become Joffrey's future queen. We can't say exactly what the canon Oberyn thought of the Starks as he had no real encounters with them. And I can't remember a scene where he spoke of them.

I know people are going to be annoyed Jon is not getting Sea Dragon but before you send me any complaints, somewhere else is planned for him and his path will change after season 1 but I cannot say too much.

I have also been working on my next story project and I am going to make it Targaryen centric, also it will be during the reign of the Mad King. That is all I can say for now.

Next Chapter – Dorne deals with the fallout of Oberyn's actions, Catelyn arrives at Riverrun and Jon Arryn dies meaning the Royal Family is coming to Winterfell.