*Please readers understand that before I started writing this, I planned family trees for all the great houses that continue for generations, generations much further than even ASOIAF do. As in 400 hundred years into the future, the are very extensive if I may say so myself. Thank you all for what you wish to happen in this story and what you think to expect, but please understand, I am already aware of who everyone is going to marry. I know how many and what children they will sire, I know what they will do to.

Thank you for understanding.

296 AC

Robb

"Robb, we've received a raven from Maege Mormont a week ago, your mother and I have elected to wait until now to share the news."

Robb stood in the solar of his Lord father. He had been called from the sparring yard by a guard who had summoned him.

Robb, some time ago, had elected to choose Dacey Mormont as his betrothed. She was older than him sure, as well as the heir to her own house, but Robb, having spent more time in the library with Edwyle soon recognized that House Mormont had been one of, if not the most loyal vassal of House Stark.

They had been looked over for many generations as politically and militarily, they did not have much to offer. But Robb decided it was high time to reward good service. House Karstark and House Umber were good and loyal but being awarded too much was just as large a disadvantage as well, growing soft.

House Manderly was the only other house he seriously considered. However, when it came down to it, House Manderly was another near-devoutly loyal House. At that point, it just came to who was more preferable to Robb. Robb had remembered the dark-haired bear woman when she came with her mother for the harvest festival some years back.

He turned his attention back to his father. "What was her response? Did she accept?"

Eddard Stark, instead of answering immediately, instead took a moment, and not in a good way.

"I am afraid that, though she is not opposed to it, she has to take some…dynastic precautions."

"What does that mean?" Robb was confused, marriage to House Stark was near royalty within the North.

His father sighed. "Robb, you are in the unique position of being the heir to the largest kingdom within the Realm. To you it may seem simple, but, to a house as small as House Mormont, marriage to House Stark may not only cause feelings of disenfranchisement among the more powerful lords, but also make the smaller houses more ambitious themselves."

Robb realized it than. Lady Mormont was actually thinking not only of her house and the problems it could face, but also to House Stark itself.

House Mormont knows no King, but the King in the North whose name is Stark. Robb remembered reading the history of Robert's Rebellion, how House Mormont under Jeor Mormont refused to bend the knee to Robert I Baratheon after the end of the war.

It nearly caused another war after, but apparently Jon Arryn, the newly appointed Hand of the King managed to calm everyone down. Citing that since the Mormonts had sworn service to House Stark, and since Eddard Stark swore to Robert, there was no real incident.

Robb, tired of the politics, however foolish it was, simply declared: "I care not. I have chosen Dacey Mormont, to hell with the ramifications. I shall deal with them as every Stark has dealt with problems; with the loyal behind me, and the traitorous before me."

His Lord father coolly regarded him for some moments. Finally, he made a face of…respect?

"Very well. I shall respond to Lady Mormont that House Stark does not care and looks forward to the next Lady of Winterfell to have been raised by bears." Ned Stark humorously noted.

"Many thanks father. May I return to my studies?"

His father nodded once. "Go my son. Learn from Ser Rodrik, learn from Maester Luwin, and learn from your brother especially." His father now looked directly into his eyes. "Edwyle will be your greatest ally Robb, recognize that he is smarter than you, use it, learn from it, and never forget it."

Robb would have felt anger over such a declaration from his father, but he had matured since that pitiful era. "Of course father." That reminded him. It would be Edwyle's nameday in the coming weeks. "Have you any ideas for a gift for him? I am at my wit's end for ideas."

Eddard Stark thought for a moment before he responded. "Perhaps a story of some kind. Ed loves to read and learn. It might be difficult but find a book within the library that he has not seen or read yet. Have Luwin assist you, he often helps Edwyle."

"I had not thought of that father, many thanks."

296 AC

Edwyle

"Happy nameday Ed!"

Edwyle heard this only a second before the fiery ball of energy that was his youngest sister jumped onto his bed.

"Happy nameday! Get up, get up, let's have fun!"

Edwyle was turning twelve. He was soon to be grown. Thankfully he had longer to wait to be married than his brother. He had learned that House Mormont had accepted the marriage proposal. Today, he just looked forward to enjoying his day.

Normally, by his father's command, everyday started with a light breakfast, followed by three to four hours of practicing in the tiltyard. Washing up and having a light lunch before going to study with Robb and their father about lordly duties. After another two to three hours, they were to spend one or two more hours with Maester Luwin in the library, learning history and the cultures of the Realm and beyond. Afterward, dinner would be held in the family hall at which point the young children went to bed and the older ones were given the last hour or two to do as they saw fit.

However, at the request of his Lady mother, his father had allowed every child the day off on their nameday. Whether this was used to go hunting, or to spend it in Winter Town shopping…or doing other activities that their parents did not know.

Edwyle wasn't sure what he wanted to do. Quite honestly, spending time with Robb in the library sounded perfect, but perhaps a nice ride through the country, an hour or two, also sounded nice.

"Get off of me Arya!" Edwyle shouted, though not unkindly. "Leave, I must ready myself for the day!"

Arya pouted but quickly left and allowed him to change from his evening wear to his day wear.

Edwyle, much life Robb, usually wore light leathers and a small, shoulder cape of wolf's fur. If they were sparring, he would wear thicker leather and once he and Robb had graduated to live steel, to the plate armor provided by the Winterfell Guard.

Leaving his room, he found Arya waiting right at the end of the hall for him. "Come sister, let us walk together to break our fast."

Robb

Edwyle walked in with Arya in tow. His father and mother were already seated. He was to the left of his father while their mother was busy trying to feed young, baby Rickon his morning meal.

"Son, happy nameday!" His Lord father announced when he saw him. At this point, Catelyn Stark looked up and smiled at her second son.

Soon, a small chorus of celebratory congratulations could be heard; mostly from Bran and Sansa.

Taking his seat with poise, Edwyle thank everyone for the well wishes.

"Ed, what are your plans for today?" Robb questioned.

"I was actually wondering if you wanted to join me for a short ride around Winterfell today."

Before anyone could respond, Arya jumped in. "Ooh, can I come? Please?" She turned her attention to their father. "Father can I go, please say I can go too?"

Their mother frowned at her. "Now Arya, remember your manners. First ask your brother if he allows it, then ask your father."

The rest of the day was agreed upon. He joined Edwyle for a ride around the close lands of Winterfell, they had guards accompany them as well as Arya, the little spitfire. After returning to the castle, they once again rode out armed with equipment to hunt. They had left Arya and switched their guardsmen with some Hunters of the Guard.

Robb humorously thought back to the day years ago when he had been taught by Ser Rodrik of all the groups within the Winter Guard. There were the household Winterfell Guards, made up of mostly heavy foot, as well as a horse detachment. The Hunters however, he quickly learned were not hunters in the same way others were.

Hunters of the Guard were the elite of the elite, founded by his Lord father after returning from Robert's Rebellion, Hunters were trained with both sword and bow by the masters at Winterfell. After this, they were sent to the Neck, to be trained by the Crannogmen in hunting, tracking, healing, poisoning, and stealth.

Thought a relatively new unit, Hunters soon made a name for themselves, ruthlessly hunting down bandits and evil doers. Their loyalty to House Stark is said to be bound like iron, though admittedly, their loyalty has yet to be truly tested.

Regardless, Robb had an enjoyable time. Together with Ed and three Hunters, two of the Hunters made camps while the third and the two brothers went off to hunt.

Much to Robb's chagrin, he was the worst bowman out of the three of them. He understood the Hunter, but he was minorly annoyed that Ed was surprisingly good.

Is there one thing that he isn't good at?

However, despite their marksmanship, they succeeded only in catching two small hares. After eating the light lunch and enjoying time with the Hunters, getting to know all of them. Despite it being Ed's birthday, Robb, technically the highest-ranking individual in their party, called it time. They should be back to Winterfell.

Since then, he had washed up and found himself back in the hall, preparing to eat Ed's nameday supper.

Edwyle

Before him lay a banquet fit for a King, Ed thought to himself. Before him lay an entire suckling boar, no doubt the leftovers would be given to guardsmen or the servants. Together with roasted potatoes, fresh bread with butter and both apple and blueberry jam. There was also a nice serving of roasted leeks, cabbage, and carrots. Although there was not one present, Ed noted the absence of any sweets on the table.

Perfect. While others enjoyed them, Edwyle had always preferred the more savory foods and would rather a second helping of the main dish than a serving of cake or a fruit pie.

"My son, you have been ever patient today. Come, let us eat heartedly and regale us with your tales of adventure." His father requested.

Edwyle took the time to give a brief recount of what his day had been, with both Arya and Robb filling in when he forgot something or did not mention a detail. They had enjoyed the meal, but time had come to present gifts, or at least that is what Edwyle assumed.

By custom, the youngest went first. Rickon, being just a babbling babe still, was safely passed over. After receiving a nod from their father, Brand stood up and walked over, in front of him.

"Happy nameday Ed! My gift is this hunting knife!" Bran held in his hands a small knife, no more than eight fingers in length, the accompanying scabbard was simply, but expertly detailed as well. No doubt it was commissioned by his father in Bran's name.

Exaggerating so as not to offend Bran, Edwyle thanked him. "Well, this looks like a knife fit for a lord dear brother! Many thanks!"

Bran smiled brightly before returning to his seat. Next up, Arya stood and walked over to him.

"I have personally prepared a great parcel for you! Here!" What Arya handed him, made the rest of them very confused.

It was a helmet, reserved for the guardsmen, upturned to serve as a primitive bucket, filled with small tiles of what looked like…is that metal?

Indeed it was. "It's to make your own armor!" When their parents looked at her suspiciously, she responded with a sheepish smile.

"I may have…found some scraps from Mikken's forge and gathered them up, hammered out the dents, and filed holes in them so as to string them together.

"Arya!" Mother gasped

Edwyle was very amused. The metal itself was useless in its current state. It wasn't hardened to serve as effective nails, let alone armor. But regardless, it was a wonderful gesture, and one that Arya herself had actually done, not from their parents.

Not needing to exaggerate, he smiled wide. "Thank you very much! I will be sure to put this to good use!" Arya smiled and returned to her own seat, under the watchful gaze of their mother. No doubt she would be having a conversation with her before bed.

Next was Sansa's gift. Assuming the spot that her previous siblings took, she silently, though not unkindly, handed him his gift. It was an exquisite piece of needlework.

There was a light grey background and upon it as two supporters, were two stone towers, those that could be found along the walls of castles. Between them, was a dark grey wolf; though unlike House Stark's banner, this wolf was directly facing the viewer, with its two front paws each in front of one of the towers.

"Happy nameday Ed." Sansa said in her quite but graceful voice, excitedly. "I thought this suits you best."

Holding it up to show the rest, others began to question it. Firstly father. "Dear one, what does it represent?"

"Well, the wolf represented Ed as a scion of House Stark. The two castle towers represent Winterfell. I made the stance of the wolf to symbolize that Edwyle would protect the castle and our House as wolf does her cubs."

It was an incredibly heartwarming gift. Sansa was the most southern of all of the Stark children, but she was still kind and loved her family dearly. He heard his mother sniff, assuming it was tears of joy.

Robb

It was his turn to present his gift. Admittedly, all the gifts so far were actually quite wonderful. Standing, he made his way to his brother.

"I have said it far too many times to count by now, so I shall refrain from wishing you a happy you-know-what." He decided to open up playfully to the chuckles of Ser Rodrik and his father, but to the mild, but weak-willed disappointment of his mother.

He handed Ed his gift. "You spend more time in the library than the rest of this combined, yet even so, with the assistance of Maester Luwin, we found a tale of the early winter kings that even you have yet to read." Robb presented proudly.

Taking the scroll delicately, Edwyle thanked him profusely for the gift. Robb had no doubt that after supper, Ed would take the rest of his evening to begin reading it.

He returned to his seat to await the final gifts, from their parents.

Standing up, his father addressed Edwyle directly, but from his body language, the room at large.

"My son, I hope you shall find it in you to forgive us, but your mother and I decided to share our gift to you."

Oh please, it's Ed, of course he'd forgive father.

"Your mother and I have watched as you have grown into an intelligent, brave, and loving man." At this, he turned to Robb. "Your brother, Robb, will learn how to rule Winterfell and the North after I pass."

An odd thing to say.

His father once again turned to Edwyle.

"And how is he to do that, without his closest vassal and lord?" Eddard Stark, proudly, openly smirked.

It began to slowly dawn on Robb, and by Edwyle's face, to him too. But before either could comment, his father finally gifted him his present.

"Edwyle, some weeks ago I wrote to King Robert, and through our correspondence, he has granted my request." At his father's gesture, Ser Rodrik walked over to Edwyle with a scroll in his hands.

Their father continued. "Edwyle, by my decision, I have decided to name you Edwyle Stark, Lord of Moat Cailin and Defender of the Marches of the Neck!"

At this, thunderous applause could be heard from everyone within the chamber, including from the surrounding guards, some of whom no doubt, would be sent with Edwyle when he moved their permanently.

Looking over to Edwyle, Robb noticed that he began to tear up, with a few running down his cheeks. In a break with his normally reserved manner, Edwyle leapt from his seat and ran up to father and mother and embraced them with a tight hug.

Their father let go of him after a few moments. This time he addressed the entire family.

"Remember, when the snow falls, and the white winds blows…" He started.

The family responded. "…the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives."