HOUSE STARK
EDDARD STARK
Lord Eddard Stark started his day off by washing his face ad brushing his teeth. Then with his eldest son Robb and his bastard Jon, he heads for the godswood to pray for an hour. They go to the main hall to break their fast. Today it is fruit, bread, cheese, fried eggs, bacon and sausage with fruit juice. After morning meal he goes to the training yard while the children do their lessons with Maester Luwin. Everyday Ned chose a different man to spar against.
He trained for two hours, then he heads to his solar to take care of business for Winterfell. First he has to deal with messages. The first message comes from Bear Island where House Mormont rules. The Solar is almost the same way when his father ruled. Except Ned has paintings of his mother, brother. Sister and father on\ the walls. "Wow." He says.
"What is it my Lord?"
"Ser Jorah has annulled his marriage to Lady Lynesse."
"Why?"
"He doesn't say." Jorah is close friend to Ned and House Mormont is the most loyal House of all House Stark's banners. "I shall invite him to my home and ask him why?" Ned picks up another message. He immediately balls it up the message.
"Lord Frey again." Luwin asks.
"The man thinks I would marry my son to one of his daughters."
"Your son is fifteen name days old and you have yet to promise him to anyone."
Ned smiles, Robb is his pride and joy. He is very intelligent, skillful with a sword, and growing into his own reputation. The future of House Stark is secure with his son Robb. "You think it time old friend?"
"Aye my lord I do." Ned smiles picking another message. This one causes him to stand up. "My Lord what is it?"
"The Mountain is dead…Killed by the Masked Dragon in his own keep."
"And the world is a better place. If the gods be good then Ser Armory Lorch will soon follow." Luwin says.
Ned like many others wondered who the Masked Dragon is. Would he come after him and his family. Did he know Ned's secret? He had noticed a change in Jon since his ninth name day He is more confident, not arrogant. Jon is extremely intelligent, talented with his singing, drawing, and his sword skills are second to none at Winterfell. Could he be the Masked Dragon. Ned suspected him, but found no evidence, but if the rumors are true about the Dragon and magic, then Jon may be able to hide it from it.
Still there are others to consider, all with Targaryen blood; like Houses Velaryon, the Blackwoods, and Brants, even a distant Baratheon relation or maybe one of Robert's bastards.
"My Lord?"
"Nothing I was thinking…I will discuss this with my wife and son." A few hours before evening meal he summons Cat and Robb. "So I got another message from Walder Frey."
Cat shakes his head, "That man is relentless."
"What does he want?" Robb asks.
"You for one of his daughters Robb. I asked you here to know your thoughts on betrothal and marriage."
He rubs his hand through his hair, "I've thought of it. Wow me married."
"Luwin thinks it's time son and so do I."
"How about we invite all the eligible ladies of the North and the Riverlands. Then you can see who catches your eye." Cat says.
Ned kisses her on the cheek, "Excellent idea wife." They leave the Solar and head to the Main hall for evening meal.
CATELYN STARK
Ravens are sent out inviting the Lords of the North to Winterfell with their daughters. Even Ravens are sent to the Riverlands. Catelyn Stark immediately starts making preparations for their arrival. A feast so that Robb could choose a future wife. With Vayon Poole Steward of Winterfell, she checks the food stores to host a feast.
"We will need more flower my Lady." Vayon says.
They are interrupted by Cat's youngest daughter Arya Stark who is ten name days old. "Arya! What are doing now child?"
"Hiding from Bran. We're playing hide and seek."
She waves her daughter off smiling, Bran will never find her, Arya always came up with best hiding places. The only people who could find her when they played were Jon Snow and her Lord Husband Ned. With her husband they have five children. Robb the eldest, Sansa, then Arya, Bran, and Rickon the youngest.
Her favorite was Sansa who is like her in many ways and if things worked out she would be Queen one day considering Ned's relationship with the King. The brother he chose she heard many people say of the King in regards to Ned. Things are going well for Catelyn Stark. She is happy and her children are prospering and healthy. Robb developing a reputation in the North. One day he would make a fine Lord and Warden after his father.
.It had been six years since she had to have words with Jon, mainly because on each of her name days Jon had given very thoughtful and heart warming gifts. Two of the gifts that touched her heart the most were the song he wrote for Sansa to sing. And then the gold necklace with miniature statues of the seven on it. The father was in the middle and to his right were the mother, the maiden, and the crone; to the left were the blacksmith, the warrior, and the stranger. Their hands together as if praying their eyes were different jewels in the same order sapphire, emerald, diamond, onyx, topaz, and ruby.
A week after she got the necklace Lady Catelyn stands up at evening meal, "Jon!"
He stands up, "Yes My Lady!"
She sighs, "Come sit with us." And ever since then she had allowed her husband's bastard to sit at the high table and eat with his siblings.
Lady Catelyn or Cat as she is often called spends the next few days preparing everything, but she visited Arya one night as she dressing for bed and noticed a welt on her arm. "Arya! How did you get that mark?"
"I bumped into the vanity mirror that's all."
She examines her arm and despite Arya's attempts to brush it off; Cat could tell her daughter is hiding something. Even though she did not bite her lip which was a sure sign that she was either lying or hiding something. Cat left the room determined to know the truth. There are only two people in Winterfell that Arya shares her deepest feelings with; they are Jon Snow and the cook's daughter Kayla.
Catelyn approaches Kayla and convinces her to spy on Arya. A few days later Lady Stark finds out that Jon had been training Arya to fight. "I allowed you to eat with my family and this is how you repay my kindness…Bastard?"
"Mother!"
"My Lady…if this castle was ever attacked by an enemy and they got in the castle. Would not you want Arya to be able to defend herself, especially if no one was around to protect her" She has no answer and just walks away.
ROBB
Robb is walking across the yard, he had started going on guard duty with the soldiers of Winterfell. He is on his way to report to Jory Cassel, when he spotted his mother leaving the godswood. She seemed to be angry, "Mother!" He calls walking towards her. "You seem angry is everything alright?"
"No, yes, I don't know!" She sighs, "I'm sorry I just learned that…" She pauses, "…Jon is teaching your sister Arya how to fight."
"Oh well if she could get anyone to teach her it would be him. Jon is Arya's world and she his."
"You knew."
"Sort of." He casually replies.
Robb leaves his mother to report to Ser Jory, "You're late."
"Sorry…I ran into my mother, she was angry."
"Why?"
"Well it seems Jon has been secretly training my sister Arya to fight." Robb is assigned the wall over the main gate with ten other men. He smiles thinking about Jon and Arya, the two of them were closer than anyone else in Winterfell. His father has often commented on how similar Arya is to his sister Lyanna. Jon had changed a lot and Robb is a little jealous of him. Jon can sing, write songs, play the harp, draw, and is the best swordsman at Winterfell.
"Where did you learn that move?" Robb asked when they ten and four. Jon had showed him a book from the library on Bravosi style of fighting. They called it water dancing. Robb had incorporated some of the moves into his own style of fighting. He improved by leaps and bounds but never came close to Jon's skill and speed.
The next day at training Arya is present. Their father and mother agreed to let Arya train openly. "Where is your knitting needle little wolf." Theon teased.
"How about a match between you and Arya." Jon says. "And let's make it interesting. If Arya wins…" Jon looks at Arya.
"If I win you give me all your deserts for a month."
"And if I win?"
"I will call you Prince Theon the Great for a month." She replies.
Robb and few others have to laugh. "A deal."
Arya is offered Bran's padding since he had been training since he was six, but Arya refuses and Theon forgoes the padding since they are using wooden swords. Jon whispers into Arya ear before leaving the arena. "To five." Ser Rodrick the Master at Arms says.
Theon teases her with feints and flinches, but Arya does not move. Then Theon swings his long sword and hits air, while she armed with two swords whacks Theon on the knee and back. He spins around swinging wildly, but Arya ducks and hits him on the thigh this time. "Three to nothing!" Ser Rodrick yells, causing Robb to smile with pride. He looks around at those gathered spotting Lord and Lady Stark.
His Lord Father has a big smile on his face, while his Lady Stark, holds tight to his clothes, flinching every time Theon swings his sword. Arya rolls in between Theon's and as she comes up smacks him on the butt drawing a laugh from those gathered. She smacks his wrists with her right sword, causing him to drop his sword and then she places her left to his throat. "Do you yield?"
Theon puts his head down, "I yield." Then he grabs her and starts tickling her.
"Let me go!"
"Never! Now you yield!"
"Perhaps I should let young Snow train me." Ser Rodrick says.
Robb had asked Jon to teach him how to draw and so they would sit in the library drawing pictures. After a year and a half Robb became very good at it. He also took up painting. "Are you nervous about the feast?" Jon asks.
He puts down his drawing pencil, "A little…I'm not afraid of talking to girls…I mean women."
"You ever been with a woman?" Jon asks.
"If I had I would have told you."
Jon frowns, "Didn't you go with Theon to Winter Town on your Ten and fifth name day?"
"I did and I paid the girl to make noises. She did show me her breasts…I touched them and got really hard…But I did not have sex with her."
Jon nods, "Good…A man's first time should be with his wife."
"You ever been to the brothel?"
"Nope."
"You ever get hard for a girl." Jon just smiles and remains quiet. The next day and everyone after the Lords of the North start to arrive. Great Jon Umber shows up with his niece Lysa Umber. Lord Wyman and his daughter Wylla. Robb stands with the family greeting their guests as they arrive. Some Lords and ladies arrive at the same time, others come to Winterfell in their own family groups. The more prominent and powerful families are housed in the Guest Wing. The rest are Housed at the Winter Mansion in the Town.
The first night a Feast is held for the arrivals of Houses Cerwyn, Umber, Manderly, and the Tallharts. As not to be a burden on the Starks Lord Manderly bought extra food and wine which is appreciated. To everyone's surprise Roose Bolton and his wife show up. Robb dances with many beautiful young maidens ranging from ages fourteen to sixteen. He drew the line at fourteen, no matter how pretty the girl is.
When Ser Jorah arrives Robb goes with his father to his Solar to speak with the Lord of Bear Island. It is the fifth day and they had just broken their fast. "So Jorah what happened? Why did you annul your marriage?"
He shakes his head, "I thought that woman loved me…I spent my family's entire fortune on her. Even sold family heirlooms to keep her happy. Then when the gold ran out she threatened to leave. And I almost did something that would have bought shame to my family's honor." He looks at Robb, "Make sure she loves you the woman you choose. Don't chose her just because she's pretty…Chose her because she has a good personality and heart."
"What did you almost do?" Robb asks.
"I found poachers on my land. I placed them in the dungeons. My wife suggested that I sell them into slavery for gold…Then the Masked Dragon showed up. He had freed the poachers and reminded me of my honor and the pride of House Mormont."
"You saw the Masked Dragon?" Robb asks, "What was he like?"
"It was like talking to a god. His voice was so powerful. Anyway I had my marriage annulled, since we married in the faith of the seven. Two days after that I found a letter in my solar from the Masked Dragon. It said it always easier to do the right thing Ser Jorah. Do not give up on love and go take a look in your vault. When I did it was filled with three million gold dragons. I could not believe it."
Robb's father shakes his head, "Have you told anyone else this story?"
"Not me. You know Maege and my sisters how they are."
Robb was present when his father spoke to Ser Jorah, because he is the next Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, it was a learning experience. Robb had danced with many beauties, but he felt nothing for them. Then on the last day of the Feast he sees a young woman of black hair and blue eyes by herself. Drawn to her he walks over, "My Lady may I sit?"
"Of course." She says blushing.
"And what House are you with?"
"I am not from here…I'm from Volantis…My name is Talisa Maegyr."
"You are a long way from home. What brings you here?"
"Maester Luwin…I came to get supplies I am a healer. Maester Luwin asked me to stay for the feast." He holds up his index and thumb on both hands framing her, "She frowns, "What are you doing?"
"I draw and paint…I would like to draw and paint you."
She smiles, "Something to remember me by?"
"And a dance…If you…Do you dance?"
She stands up, "I do actually." They dance and talk for hours. Then they leave the main hall and Robb takes her around Winterfell.
SANSA
To my beloved friend and Lady of the North
By now you may have heard, that the Mountain is dead. Killed in his own keep at the hands of the Masked Dragon. By the gods I wish I knew who he is…A lone Targaryen fighting to avenge his family and write the wrongs of the Realm as any just Knight should…
Anyway I am also writing to invite you and your family to my fourteenth name day celebration. And yes bring your other brother Jon Snow. There will be lots of food and a tourney in my honor. Hope you can come…
Always your friend love
The Rose of High Garden
The first letter was delivered to Sansa by messenger when she was eight name days old. Since then she and Lady Margaery of House Tyrell have been writing one another every month. Sometimes the letters are long other times short. Margaery is two years older than Sansa and they have many things in common. Though Sansa a bit naïve was growing out of it as Margaery shares pearls of wisdom she learned from her Grandmother, the Queen of Thorns Lady Olenna Tyrell.
Sansa friends also included Jeyne Poole daughter of Vayon Poole Steward of Winterfell. Then there is Wyla Manderly, and Irane Talhart. Her relationship with her sister had improved some. Both girls as different as night and day. Sansa loves sowing, making her own clothes, embroidery, designing jewelry, and playing the harp. She is not as good as Jon Snow, but her skills have been improving. It was on her tenth name day that Jon gifted her with a harp, that he made himself from the wood of the heart tree. The harp has dire wolf, flowers, and hearts etched into it with gold.
Her singing skills also improving as Jon would write songs and she would sing them. Once she heard Jon singing alone in the godswood. His voice was otherworldly. Because of these things, Sansa had warmed up to Jon and she had started taking singing lessons from him. At the same time her relationship with Arya had improved. They rarely fought and teased one another and Arya started getting Sansa things she liked for her name day. One day Arya asked her to sneak off with her and they ate Sansa's favorite sweets and deserts.
During the days of the feast Sansa dances with a few boys, some of them trying to win her heart, but she wasn't interested in them. "Sansa this is Lady Talisa Maegyr." Robb says introducing them, "Lady Talisa my sister, Lady Sansa Stark."
Sansa curtsies, "An honor to meet you Lady Talisa."
"The honor is mine. Your brother tells me that you sing and play the harp."
"I do, but the real singer is my brother Jon Snow." It is the first time she referred to him as her brother. "Maegyr…Are you from Braavos are Volantis?"
"Good guess, Volantis."
Sansa likes Talisa she is very beautiful, well spoken, and she makes Robb happy. When Sansa learns that Talisa is a healer she asks her to teach her some things. In regards to the invitation south, her Father was against it, but her mother for it, in the end Ned agreed and after the feast, the starks prepared to head south by ship.
ARYA
Arya is the third child and second daughter born to Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn Stark. As soon as she was born, anyone could see had an immediate connection with Jon. As a baby there were times she would cry and would only stop if held by Jon. As she got older the two were inseparable and Jon was the only she shared her deepest feelings and emotions with.
Her father often compared Arya to her aunt in looks and temperament. She liked to ride, horses, shoot arrows, and wield swords. Arya also likes to draw and paint. At the age of seven she asked her father could she learn to fight. Of course he said no, then Robb was asked and he said no and Arya asked Jon who said yes.
They would sneak off after evening meal and he would teach her. He also had given her a book on sword styles. Eventually Jon gave her a book that he himself had written. She also took to cooking as Arya would spend her free time in the kitchens watching and learning from the cooks. On one of her father's name days she baked him a cake. She had baked a cake for each of her family members on their name days.
PRESENT
"Are you going to ride in the Tourney?" Arya asks Jon in his room sitting on the bed.
"Maybe."
"You should I bet you would win."
He looks at her, "Have you packed?"
"Yep all done."
They leave his room and as they do Arya jumps on his back and carries her through the Castle to main hall. When they enter the hall their Uncle Benjen is there. "Uncle!" Arya shouts jumping off Jon's back and running up to him.
"High Little wolf. So what is this I hear about Jon training you to fight."
"He is, but now I train in the open instead of in secret. Mother said it was okay. Have you come to get new recruits?"
"No…Since all of you are heading South, your father asked me to come and rule in his stead. There must always be a Stark at Winterfell." The next day the family is off to White Harbor and no one is more excited than Arya to see the countryside and get to visit White Harbor. When no one is looking Arya wargs into birds, she loved warging into birds. As learning about magic is one of the things Jon teaches her.
After two weeks of travel they finally reach White Harbor. Ser Wylis Manderly and his brother William are going with them to fight in the Tourney of High Garden. Also aboard ship are Ser Jorah Mormont and his sisters, Lord Karstark's son and Small Jon Umber. Arya sit on Jon's shoulders waving to the people on the docks as the ship sails away.
BRAN AND RICKON
Bran sits on Robbs shoulders as they set sail. He too is excited to be traveling and seeing new places. He looks at Talisa standing next to Robb. When she looks at Bran he looks away. She whispers to Robb, "Oh he is he!" Bran is set down. "So you making eyes at my betrothed."
"No." he replies scrunching his face.
"Liar!" Robb grabs Bran and starts tickling him. "Confess!"
"No! Mother help me!"
"You are on your own Bran."
"Jon!"
"Let him go you filthy pirate!" The two brothers wrestle on deck causing everyone to laugh and Bran is able to get away from his older brother. Soon they are out to sea. He stands by the Captain at the wheel. The Captain takes off his hat and places it on Bran. "What are your orders Captain?" Robb says.
"Sails full ahead!"
RICKON
Because of their ages the two youngest Starks share a cabin together. Rickon like his brother loves Knights and stories of Knights. He dreams of one day becoming a Knight. He looks up to Robb, Jon, and Theon, but is closer to Robb than any of his other siblings. In regards to the magic that flows through Stark blood; Arya is a Warg, while Rickon had inherited the Green Sight and tonight he dreamed about a falcon, a fish with falcon's wings, and a mocking bird. The first dream he has ever had. Whenever the Falcon looked away the winged fish and Mocking Bird would kiss and mate. The Mocking bird would laugh behind the Falcon's back.
Then the Mocking Bird and the winged Fish turned on the Falcon and killed it. Rickon wakes up screaming. "No the poor falcon!" He screamed.
Bran stirs in his bed, "You're just dreaming go back to sleep."
He can't because every time Rickon closes his eyes, he sees the dead falcon. He gets out of bed to find Jon walking up the hallway. "Why aren't you asleep little wolf?"
"I had a dream."
"Tell me about it." With teary eyes and whimpering voice he tells Jon about the dream. "It was just a dream…Would you like to sleep in my room?"
He sniffs, "Yes." The next morning Rickon breaks his fast with his family having totally forgotten about the dream.