After long minutes of silence, his Lord Father said, " Son, I can see that this has been weighing on your mind for a while, I can offer you platitudes that the Others haven't been seen for thousands of years or that they might have died out in the Lands of Always Winter millenia ago, but those don't invalidate the concerns you have voiced. If we voice these same concerns to other Lords we would be luaghingstock of the whole realm, even the North. We can't reinforce Nights Watch immediately, we don't have the resources for it, what we can do, what we will do is this, we will strengthen the Nights Watch slowly, in increments so that we don't raise questions. We will plant the seeds of these concerns in the Lords of the North minds over the years. What I will personally promise you is that, I will set aside ten percent of House Starks treasury exclusively for reinforcing the Wall. Now please continue your report."
"Yes ,Father", after that Ned continued his report about his work at Castle Black, conversations he had and observations he made. He closed his report by remarking on the reasons for Nights Watch decline and research he has done into it.
After that is done he proposed the idea of leasing New Gift and Gift from Nights Watch to the North for cultivation of more crops as it is fertile land that has been dormant for last hundred years. Since Nights Watch is independent of the Realm ,the Crown cannot interfere between business ventures of a Lord Paramount and an independent entity as long as appropriate taxes are paid.
His Lord Father returned that, that was a good idea but cannot be implemented untill Nights Watch has been considerably strengthened . Ned agreed with him that this is a long term plan and they should revisit it after five years. Throughout the meeting Brandon remained silent. Closing the discussion on that note his Lord Father dismissed Ned.
As he stepped out of solar Ned remembered his promise to the she wolf to bring her food, so Ned rushed to kitchens hoping there was some meat set aside for her.
POV BRANDON
After Ned left the room Brandon still remained silent, still in shock over his little brothers maturity, the hard work he did for the betterment of the North, Neds research into things Bran didn't even think important, his amazing ideas of making money and his insight. All of these made Brandon feel inadequate and failure as the Heir, with that thought came anger, jealousy and resentment. Maybe seeing this his Lord Father begun speaking.
" You feel inadequate before your brothers maturity and ideas, is that right ,Brandon? No need to answer that son, everything Eddard has been born with, you have more of it Bran, yes he is slightly more mature, but maturity isn't a difficult thing to learn. The only true difference between you is dedication, Brandon. Life has given you everything on silver platter, you are the heir, you will have Winterfell, you will be liege lord of the North, largest of Seven Kingdoms, everyone will want to be your friend, and there is only one figure you will have to answer to, that is the King and Kings don't much bother with the North. But again that isn't completely true either, North is an enormous responsibility and it will be on your shoulders, our people never have enough food when the winter comes and we don't live in the lap of luxury like Southrons . All of these are more than any one man can handle, I know because I have been in your position, that is why House Stark is a pack son, that is why our sigil is the direwolf, dangerous when alone, but unbeatable when in a pack. Your brother will be your bannermen and hopefully your right hand, he will do his duty, will you? When Ned returns to the Vale, you will be running the Ironwood venture, it will be practice for when you take over from me. You will have people to help you, of course, a maester for advice, a steward to keep ledgers, and personal guards for security of the operation. This venture could be something that will finally pull North out of the downward spiral of poverty and starvation we have been in. So the question it comes down to is this Brandon, do you have the dedication to learn, to grow, do you?"
With those words his Lord Father dismissed Bran . As he returned to his bed Bran thought ,
' Do I have the dedication necessary to be a worthy Heir to House Stark?'