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Rickard Stark looked at the six persons with him in the tent.
"Fucking Hells!" He cursed and sighed, massaging his head with his right hand.
"What do you all expect from me?" He asked in a tired and frustrated voice, looking at all the four members who had somehow appeared into this world. He had heard their words and the reason why they came to him.
At first he had thought it to be a far fetched bullshit but then the boy, no Severus, had showed him by making fire in his own hands. He also saw their magical tent and it firmly led assurance to their story after he finally saw his memory.
"We want your support, or more specifically you to endorse us as your newest noble house," Severus spoke up calmly with a small smile. He looked at the Lord of Winterfell who was also the Lord Paramount of North calmly. Lord Rickard Stark looked like as if he wanted to be anywhere but here. Severus couldn't fault him. They were asking something huge from him. He may even lose his head for them should their secret ever come out.
"You all will cause me to lose my head.," Rickard said sternly looking at all the members of the tent. His glare was met by various looks inside the tent.
Ned looked hesitant along with Robert, while the other four were having mixed expressions on their faces.
"We will handle the King Lord Stark," Severus replied looking at Lord Stark with a calm and neutral look on his face. He had no fear for the Lord of Winterfell. He was already sending subtle legilimency probes of suggestions inside his head. He was making him lean to their side inside his own mind. He doubted anyone knew about his actions.
There was a reason – legilimency was considered extremely dangerous. One could simply manipulate the people around them to their whims. Making the people question their beliefs and decision. Beliefs which they had formulated and strengthened over long time. The Dark Lord himself had ensnared many people with the help of this.
He was not weakening the resolve of Lord Stark here. He was simply showing him various advantages in his mind by supplanting some thoughts.
A Lord like Lord Stark would only take actions when it suited him most.
"Which is the reason I am afraid for me! What do you think will be his reaction? When he hears about two families who survived the doom of Valyria and has dragons with them!" Rickard spoke hardly, looking at Severus with hard eyes which mirrored coldness as ice itself. This was no small matter for him or the realm.
"We know what to expect Lord Stark. We just want you to keep your silence about our past," Severus replied back unfazed by Lord Stark's words. The King will be dealt by him personally. Severus knew perfectly well on dealing carefully with mad men. His whole life was spent in doing so. And if the King becomes a thorn, then he could simply poison the King. He was not a Potions Master for nothing. Untraceable potions were his speciality afterall.
"And what will you do when he asks you for dragons? The one thing which will make him and the Targaryens absolute once again." Rickard said with cold eyes looking at Severus.
"We won't give it to him. I personally assure you that King Aerys won't receive dragons from us." Severus replied with the same calm and straight face. The Lord of Winterfell was right in his fear. The Targaryens had a habit of going insane and giving them flying fire breathing beasts was going to be nothing but a disaster in waiting. Besides the Targaryens were weak due to their dragons. If they come to possess dragons once again, then it would be extremely hard to resist them or their power. Moreover there was always a chance for another Dance of Dragons which would shatter the realm.
Rickard reconsidered their words. "I want a vow about it from you, and all the ones present here...The same type, which you want me, Ned and Lord Baratheon to take," Rickard said pointedly. What he was doing was outright treason but the people infront of him thought the King mad, the same as him. Plus he knew he could reap many benefits from having them on his side. Besides Skagos and Skane were hardly under him. He was the Lord of those islands only in name. They didn't paid any taxes nor there were overlords in Skagos who reported to him.
He also wanted to see if the man was simply not bluffing. He had taken a dip into the memories of Severus in a pensive. He had firsthand seen his life. He was amazed by the man's courage. To suffer so long yet keeping yourself composed was commendable in his opinion. He knew the man was a smooth talker and had a calm head on his shoulders. One couldn't remain the favourite of a mad man without being so. Rickard had no doubts; that there was even a chance that he could worm into the circle of trusted companions of King within no time, which was scarce this days.
"You will have that from all of us Lord Stark," Narcissa said with a small frown on her face. He was right in his worries. As much as she disliked the thought of giving vow, she couldn't help but agree to it. Besides the vow would be only to Aerys.
Dragons would take time to grow and mature. The time during which they needed a safe place for them and their dragons.
Once their dragons had matured, she will start on her plans to conquer Essos.
Robert didn't dared to say anything during the whole meeting. He had never seen Lord Stark acting so cold and tensed ever. But then again he couldn't fault him for doing so. He was dealing for them with a great risk for himself. What they were discussing now was outright treason. He wouldn't have bothered here too if not for the fact that Severus was a friend. The sorcerer was one of the few men who had an air of truthfulness around him. He never lied, infact he always said the facts straight to face till now. Plus his insults were amusing to listen sometimes. He had a fine snark with him.
"Fine!" Rickard grounded out with a sigh.
"What shall I say to my fellow bannermen then?" Rickard asked looking at the assembled men and woman there.
Severus had to suppress the triumphant feeling inside his chest. Finally Lord Stark was now with them in their plan. His compulsions and legilimency had worked.
"We shall stick to the history discussed by us Lord Stark," Severus said looking at Rickard who nodded back.
Rickard looked at Severus with a frown. The man was a skilled negotiator and had a sharp mind with him. But then again the man was older than him mentally. He didn't knew how and why they arrived in this world but he had to deal with them. With them as his vassal houses, he was going to have a magician and dragon riders with them which was no small thing.
Besides they had told that they had dragons which were very small at this moment. Rickard had looked at the items of theirs and he had to admit that some of the things and potions were miraculous ones and would be a boon to many.
He didn't want to show it, but he dearly wanted them in his camp as it will strengthen the whole North to unbelievable heights. The likes of which, that had never been seen by anyone ever. They did told that their magic was due to their blood. Perhaps marrying off Brandon's Heir to a daughter of them would result in the future Starks having magic and dragons with them.
His mind suddenly went to another thought then. A thought which was possible in this case.
"I believe King Aerys shall want Lady Narcissa to marry his Heir Rhaegar so that he can gain access to dragons." Rickard said looking a little alarmed at the idea. Such an idea was going to be obvious to King Aerys. It was something which they would never be able to deny to him. A King's word was law afterall and royal marriage was something which you don't deny. Plus the Targaryens had practised polygamy before too. It wouldn't be out of context to practise it again, when the said marriage would bring them dragons.
Everyone became a little tense at that. Narcissa herself hadn't thought about it before. How could she have missed something so obvious? She cursed herself inwardly at her stupidity again. Ofcourse she could be used in a plot like this.
"He would only be able to do so if Narcissa was free to marry. As far for His Grace's knowledge - Narcissa and I are betrothed to marry," Severus replied the next moment without stuttering. His words were sharp and commanding as if therewere no second thoughts to it.
He looked at Narcissa who was a little surprised at the words. Though she nodded back at him nonetheless. For a moment none of them realised that they were not talking to each other since their meeting in this world.
"Hmm, it will work. If she is betrothed then he won't be able to do so, lest he wished to invoke your wrath...Speaking of which you said you wanted both Skagos and Skane?" Rickard asked looking at Severus with a small smirk on his long face.
"Indeed. We will prefer it. It is apart from the whole realm. Not to mention that the volcanic terrain would be good for the dragons to live," Severus replied back with a small smirk on his lips.
Rickard nodded. "Then what shall I expect as payment for the land Lord Severus?" Rickard asked with a small chesire grin on his face. The situation might have given him headaches but he sure was going to benefit from it too.
Severus knew that the Lord Stark was utterly ruthless. His dealing with him had made him aware of it nicely. The man had won his respect though. Keeping their secret was going to cost them and he knew he will have to loosen his purse a little.
"2.5 Million golden galleons. Plus you will have my help in rebuilding Moat Cailin as I will provide you with concrete about which you have seen in pensive. The concrete provided will be enough for all the twenty towers and the castle, perhaps more so. I will personally oversee the construction — if only the seat of Moat Cailin will be given to Ned as his personal seat. . . .Crops which will suit the cold weather of North. And lastly a different type of ship which is not made by men of this world till now" Severus offered looking at Rickard with calm and impassive gaze.
Rickard considered the offers and couldn't help but agree. It was far more than he had hoped from him. Though he wanted a daughter of their house married into them, but it would be too much for now. None of the members were married till now. Ohh what he could benefit! With them being the future family members of future Starks.
He smiled at him. "Then we have a deal. You are a good and sharp man Lord Slytherin and I respect you for that. Though you will have to understand, I won't be able to show favouritism to you infront of my vassals." Rickard spoke with a small smile.
"I do Lord Stark." Severus replied with a small smile.
"It seems we have two new Houses to introduce to the rest of realm," Rickard commented again in a bored tone.
Severus smiled for the first time in the whole meeting. Finally they all were on same page. He will pay the gold from his own money. The Philosopher's stone had given him enough gold to last more than 1000 lives and still have in abundance.
"And congratulations Lord Slytherin and Lady Baelerys for your future marriage," Rickard said with a rueful smirk on his face.
Severus became a little unsettled hearing it. Narcissa meanwhile composed herself gracefully like always. She nodded to Rickard who laughed seeing both of them such. It wasn't hard to see the tension between them.
"I believe. It would be good if you shall attend the dinner with me and my bannermen today. It will be good to introduce you all to them today." Rickard offered looking at them.
Severus nodded along with Delphius and Armand, the latter of both had stayed out of the conversation during negotiations and the final part.
Delphius didn't think that he was skilled enough to negotiate freely along the likes of Lord Stark for now.
"And Ned, be ready to come to North after the tourney. I don't think I shall order you to come and see over the construction of your new seat," Rickard said looking over to Ned whose face had gone slack jawed hearing about receiving Moat Cailin as his seat.
"Aye, father." He replied obediently with a nod composing himself.
"Ned! You have become the new Lord of Moat Cailin!" Robert excitedly gushed out to Ned slapping him on the back excitedly as Rickard took a sip of the tea he was served butting out of the conversation.
"Robert!" Ned said in slight hurt voice at the strong pat. Robert was a beast of man standing at six and half feet. A small pat from Robert was like a harsh one for the receiver.
An Hour Later...
Ned had departed away from the tent. They wanted the four to be ready for the meeting between the Northern Lords where they would be introduced to the rest of Northern Lords. Ned would meet them there as he had to go and spend some time with his siblings.
"Fine Lord Robert, I will speak a little on your behalf." Narcissa spoke up to Robert Baratheon. She was tired after dealing with Robert Baratheon.
"Thank you Lady Narcissa." Robert said happily, his face was full of joy as Lady Narcissa finally agreed to his request after full ten minutes of pesturing on his part.
Narcissa sighed inwardly. Robert Baratheon was a stubborn man. She had no options but to finally accept his request to speak good of him in front of his betrothed Lyanna Stark.
"Come on Lord Armand, Lord Delphius. Let's go to the Baratheon campside. I will introduce you both to Stannis and Renly. We can even spar there a little!" Robert said as he purposely took away Armand and Delphius with him.
They had agreed to give away both Narcissa and Severus some alone time to settle their argument.
"Narcissa." Severus spoke softly looking at her.
"What?" She asked neutrally stopping in middle of getting up from the chair.
"I am sorry." Never had Severus spoken this words with so much emotion in decades.
"There's no need for it Severus. You wanted solitude. You got it." Narcissa replied as she sat back on her seat besides him.
She had wanted to hit him with her fists or even sticks for not telling her about his survival. She had freaking mourned for him.
But for strange reason she didn't wanted to do so.
She had spent the whole day imagining to give him hell for his lie. However when the time had arrived for their conversation, she couldn't do so anymore.
She knew why he did so. There was no guarantee of him being a free man even after the war. He had found his way out of the whole situation. It was a perfect Slytherin thing to do for the Slytherins.
She too had lied to the whole world about the existence of Delphini. She too understood his situation as she had been in the same boat.
However it didn't meant that he won't receive cold shoulder from her.
"I am not proud of it Narcissa. Harry Potter may call me the bravest man he ever knew. But all I was until the end was simply a... Coward. I had always been." Severus choked out softly with sadness lacing his voice first time. He had pented up so many things.
"You spied for Dumbledore. You spied against the Dark Lord Voldemort. The greatest legilimens the world had ever seen. Don't sell yourself short. I know even without Dumbledore's orders, you still would have made the unbreakable vow. You are reckless sometimes, but you aren't a coward Severus." Narcissa snapped vehemently. He was becoming his post war self. A depressed Severus which she still remembered.
Severus remained silent.
"I am sorry for not telling you Cissa." Severus spoke up again. "It wasn't easy. But I didn't wanted to drag you in my mess. You already had enough on your plates with Delphini." He continued on with the same anguish on his face.
"I had long forgiven you for it Severus." Narcissa replied with a soft smile on her face. She couldn't stay angry with him for long.
"But still expect cold shoulder from me sometimes." Narcissa continued with a small teasing quirk of her lips.
"I won't accept anything less than it." Severus replied with a small fond smile on his face.
"After all we are going to marry." Narcissa continued on pointedly.
"Ohh about that.. ...I didn't knew anything else to say. If you want, we don't have to do anything once we get out of here. We could simply play the part for now. We can break it later. I mean I didn't wanted you to be with anyone else. So I did the only thing which came to my mind. We can break it off if you want" Severus replied with an embarrassed look on his face. He started to gush out things.
"Who said I want to break it off." Narcissa replied with a calm and bored tone. She raised a single elegant eyebrow at him while doing so.
"I... " Severus was at a loss of words.
"I am no stranger to your feelings towards me Severus. I read your personal diary fully afterall." Narcissa teased with a mischievous look.
"Ahh the words! Blonde hair cascading till her waist.. " Narcissa recalled impishly. "Who knew you had it in you?" Narcissa asked looking at his pale face.
"You read the whole diary?" Severus dreadfully asked her. The diary was his relief during his teaching days. He had penned everything in it. His emotions, his fights, his feeelings towards various people, his crush on Narcissa and his affection towards her, him finally letting go of Lily, anger on Lucius for mistreating Narcissa, how he would have treated her if she had been his. The last one had been very explicit.
"Absolutely." Narcissa replied with the same teasing smile.
Severus sighed. Narcissa wasn't going to let it down. He felt awkard after learning, that Narcissa knew about his fantasies with her.
"In case it gives you a little confidence. I expect you to court me well." Narcissa said with the same laid back smile. She was enjoying Severus squirming in his seat. It just gave her another level of joy. Plus it being a torture for him just made it more enjoyable.
"Does this mean we are in a relationship?" Severus asked looking at her a little confused.
"Don't act dumb. We are betrothed to marry. Ofcourse we are in relationship." Narcissa said with a weary sigh. Severus could be really foolish when it came to women.