Lord Eddard Stark

Ned took a sip of wine and sighed, summer was still raging throughout the north, though he knew that as the words of his house so often foretold, winter was coming. Right now it was boiling hot, and so, the chilled wine was one thing that helped keep him cool. He looked at his son and wife, and briefly at Maester Luwin before speaking. "It has been agreed, you are to marry Her Royal Highness Princess Myrcella Baratheon, Robb, and the marriage will take place in King's Landing at the end of the year. A ceremony in the Great Sept and then another one before the godswood." Whilst he had initially thought that perhaps marrying Sansa off to the Crown Prince would bring more benefit to the family, he still remembered what had happened to the last Stark girl who'd gone south, and he did not want that fate for his daughter. This betrothal between his heir and the Princess was still good, and it would bring a considerable dowry as well, which was always beneficial.

His son nodded and said. "That is good news." Ned knew his son had been writing to the Princess, so wasn't surprised that his son was responsive to the betrothal. "Why are there two ceremonies happening in King's Landing though? Why not simply have one ceremony in King's Landing and then another ceremony here in Winterfell?"

Ned had wondered at that as well, he'd have preferred to have the vows said before the Heart Tree of Winterfell, but then when the King commanded, one had to obey. "I believe that the King wishes for his daughter to get accustomed to certain things in King's Landing before departing. And he also wishes to discuss some things with me that he feels can only best be discussed in King's Landing." Ned had a rough idea of what those things would be, and he did not look forward to that discussion.

Robb seemed satisfied with the answer, but Catelyn asked. "And what of Sansa, has there been any word from Lord Mace?" Ned sighed again, he'd been speaking to two or three lords about having their heirs marry Sansa, as he had not been sure if the King would agree to a marriage between his heir and Sansa.

"Lord Mace has not yet responded, I believe he is still considering the proposal, as well as that of a marriage between his heir and Arianne Martell. The Martells are still waiting to hear from the Tyrells also. Whilst Lord Royce has said that he would be more than happy to welcome Sansa to his household." Ned said, out of all the options they had considered for Sansa, that was the one he most favoured. Andar Royce was someone Ned had met, and he liked the lad, and he trusted Yohn, the boy's father.

Catelyn nodded, and Ned knew she would've liked for their daughter to have married the Crown Prince and failing that marrying Willas Tyrell would perhaps do her some good, even with his damaged leg. Ned then picked up another letter, this one from Benjen and said. "It seems that there have been some very troubling developments up at the Wall. Lord Commander Mormont was slain whilst leading a retreat from the Fist of the First Men and as such there will be a need for new elections."

"How was he killed?" Robb asked, the boy's direwolf's head tilting to one side as he asked that question.

Ned looked through the letter and said. "Benjen does not say, only that he was killed whilst leading a retreat. He has asked for more men and supplies, as it seems that this ranging quite badly damaged the Watch. I think I might well need to head to Castle Black to see this for myself."

"Do you not think that would send the wrong signal, Father?" Robb asked. "After all, if they are holding elections, they would want them to be as impartial as possible and not part of any undue influence. And if Uncle Benjen has cast his name forward for consideration then you most definitely don't want to be seen as lending support there. The Watch is supposed to be without political affiliation."

Ned smiled at his son, impressed once again with his knowledge and his political acumen. "This is true, yet I would be going in my capacity as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, the Watch's lands might not be considered formally part of the north, but they are still within the area, and as such, I would be remiss not check with the Watch. Benjen is also asking for more men and supplies, I need to make sure they get there. There have been some disturbing reports as of late."

His son grimaced. "Bran's been seeing the dream again."

Ned sighed. His second son continually saw a dream of a three-headed crow taunting him, encouraging him to fly or face the dangers of the white, the snow, with its blue tinge and the cold dead eyes. Ned had tried reassuring his second son that it was just a dream, but Bran was insistent that it was real. He did not know why his son thought that way, but he did. "Did he see any more of it?" Ned asked.

Robb shook his head. "Only the same thing."

"Is there nothing you can give him, to ensure he doesn't see these dreams?" Catelyn asked Maester Luwin.

The Maester shook his head. "I am sorry, my lady, but the only thing I can think of is dream sleep and that is only to be used in the most desperate of circumstances."

Ned sighed. "I shall speak with Bran, and see whether there is any other way to help him. In the meanwhile, I want a record of all the costs and loans that have been paid and taken out in the past three moons, and I want a record of all the arms we have." Ned said to Luwin.

"At once, my lord." Luwin replied, bowing before heading out. Robb got up and left as well, leaving Ned alone with Catelyn, he took his wife's hand.

"Everything will be fine, Cat, I promise you." He said, hoping to the gods that he was right.

Prince Jon Baratheon

The council chamber was stuffy, summer was in full heat, and it seemed determined not to leave. Jon wiped his brow, and then took a sip of sweet wine. He found his mind straying once again to his betrothed, she would be arriving in King's Landing alongside her father and other Tyrells in a few weeks, and he was excited, was that the right word for it? He felt excited and a level of anticipation that was perhaps not manly to feel. He took another sip of sweet wine and listened as Baelish spoke about figures. "There is an annual yield of three hundred thousand dragons from the crops in the Riverlands, but the Northern Riverlords are growing tired of having to give fifty-five percent of that to the crown. They feel they are not getting a fair yield in return."

Jon who was sitting in the meeting as his father's representative, whilst his father and mother were out visiting the lords of Crackclaw Point, looked through his notes and then said. "They have gotten new sewage works, they've got new tools with which to plough the lands, and they've seen new buildings built which enable them to do things that their ancestors could only have dreamed of. What do they think a fair yield is?"

Baelish grinned, and in that instant, Jon decided that he did not like that grin, it seemed so very sinister. "I believe they want to cut the amount they send to the treasury to about forty-five percent and they want to be able to decide what they spend their own yield on. The works that the crown has told them they have use the money for, they believe add nothing to their people's lives."

Jon looked down at his notes and laughed. "So, they think seeing more people working and not using the begging bowl, and being able to pay their taxes and ensuring that their own pockets are lined is a bad thing? Who is it who is leading these protests?"

"Lord Walder, my Prince." Baelish replied. "It seems the old man is trying to stir up the rest of the Riverlords."

"More like he's trying to create something of a scene to distract from the fact that he's dying and there's going to be a war of succession when he dies." Uncle Renly said. Jon wasn't sure what to make of Uncle Renly, on the one hand he was smart and funny, on the other there was an arrogance about him that really grated on Jon.

"What precisely is Lord Walder's complaint? He's been getting an annual profit of some two hundred and fifty dragons per sale for the past three years." Jon said. He looked down at the notes he had made. "And he's used that to feed his growing brood. Perhaps he should stop having children if that's what he's worried about."

Uncle Renly laughed. "I do not think Lord Walder is capable of not having children. He sees a woman and he has to fuck her, he's a creepy old man. And they always have to have something to fuck."

Jon smiled slightly, whilst noticing that Uncle Stannis who served as Master of Ships looked completely disapproving. Whilst Lord Arryn, who was Hand seemed indifferent to what was being said. "Lord Arryn," Jon said and the man and his namesake looked at him. "What course of action would you recommend? I believe sending a letter to Lord Walder to remind him of how he benefits from the current system and that stirring up trouble is a treason, should work well, do you agree?"

Lord Arryn said nothing for a moment and then he said. "I do, Your Royal Highness. Lord Walder is like a petulant child at times, he needs attention and a royal slap on the wrists is something I believe will provide that."

Content with that, Jon looked at Baelish and said. "Lord Baelish you have your orders, send the letter to Lord Walder." The master of coin made a note on that, and Jon then turned to Grand Maester Pycelle, the old man looked half asleep. "Maester Pycelle," the man woke up then. "What word is there from the Conclave of Maesters? Have they reached a decision on the issue of the Treaties of Daeron?" That book was one that Jon was fascinated by, it claimed to be a book written during the time of the Dance of Dragons in the hand of Daeron the Daring, supposedly the man had written an account of his life and his thoughts and opinions, as well as something to do with dragon rearing. There was of course some doubt as to its truthfulness, considering there was no other existing record of Daeron the Daring's writing. Jon believed that if the book were true it could answer some questions about other things, that could benefit the Kingdom.

Pycelle took his time in responding, and when he did, his voice was muffled. "I believe that they have decided that the book contains some things that are genuine and other things that are not. They are holding a great council with all the maesters of the citadel in attendance to discuss what should be considered valid."

Jon listened intently, and then at that last word said. "I will attend this meeting." Pycelle looked slightly surprised and Jon elaborated. "This book is something that could benefit the entire Kingdom, not just the citadel. I would feel remiss if I did not attend." Pycelle nodded and made a note of that.

Just then a door opened and a messenger walked in and whispered something to Varys, the messenger also handed him a piece of paper. Jon looked at the eunuch and the eunuch replied. "Sire, apologies for the interruption, but my little mice report that there has been a great gathering of arms and men in the Reach. It seems Lord Florent has decided he does not like the course of the betrothals that your father, His Majesty the King chose. He has rebelled."