4.

Couple of weeks had passed since Ned Stark's arrival in the North. Winterfell had begun to fall into routine under their new lord and lady. Benjen had been angry and upset for a week or so. He too had made peace with what had happened and began helping Ned and Artos. Cat had taken over her duties as a Lady of the castle. Maester Luwin and Benjen had showed here where to start. She seems to be doing admirable job. His relationship with Cat had improved. She seemed to busy herself with Robb and her duties. Though she didn't spend much time with Jon, she regularly checked after him. Ned was happy with that.

Artos along with Maester Luwin had been helping him understand what his father and his forefathers had hoped to achieve. Ned's father Rickard, his grandfather Edwyle and Rodrick and even Artos had put lot of effort in this project. They had collected lot of ideas and information. They had opinions of many previous Lords. His father was the first that made effort towards realizing the northern dream. It was mainly due to the fact that Winterfell had enough gold to make a considerable start. But now, after war things had started looking no so well. His Uncle and he had talked multiple times on future course of action and all the possible venues that can be looked into.

Ned had come across many interesting ideas and passages. He did not knew how much of it will be useful or how much of it will be correct. But reading through it and discussing with uncle Artos and even master Luwin had changed him. Certain passages had made him rethink what he knew or what he thought he knew. One such passeges was in Artos Stark's hand. He wrote

I am returning from wall from one of my trips. We have made camp for the night. I can still see the Wall shining in the setting sun. Everyone will always wonder how the wall was built after they have visited it. When you see it like this you just can't stop thinking about it.

I am too wondering the same. The tales of Brandon the Builder and Gaints are just that tales. But then I know for sure the Gaints exists beyond the wall. We have seen them, though they are not as big as they are in stories they still do exist. But then why was the Wall built. When you see it you realize how mighty it is. Seven hundred feet high, hundred leagues long touching sea at both ends and wide enough for dozen Knights to ride at the top with ease. What motivated them to do so? It must have taken more than one generation to build it. I imagine people must have been really afraid and that motivated them to build it in hopes that future generation might benefit from wall. If you study the lands around it you will realize it was built where the distance between the seas is least. So I think wildings are just people who were left on the wrong side of wall. But then one is forced to admit that Nightswatch was not just built to fight the wildings. They are supposed to guide the realms of men after all.

The words had been really simple. Those who had seen the wall would definitely agree with Artos Stark. He had been forced to rethink. He had resolved to study further and had hoped that old tales were just that old tales.

Same had happened when he had read Cregan Starks words. Cregan had mentioned that North was ignored after the Dance. Ned realized current situation was similar. Robert had won throne due to northern alliance. Ned was fostered at Eyre; Ned's good father was Lord of Riverlands. Robert had claim and Ned's friendship. Even Lya's and Robert's betrothal was not finalized. By the time Ned had arrived with army from north Hoster Tully and Jon Arryn had decided. He had not argued with them. Though he didn't oppose anything specifically, he was not valued as Warden of North. When he had arrived in Kings Landing, Ser Jamie had already killed Mad King and Lannisters had looted the royal treasury. He and Robert then had fought regarding Targaryen kids. Jon had intervened and sent him with army to relieve the siege in Stormlands. After Lya he never wanted to return to the Capital.

Now after hardly four moons north appeared to have been forgotten. Lannisters had done the least work and worst work to Robert's cause but had taken royal treasury hopefully not all, they had sacked the capital and if the recent news was to be believed Robert was to marry Tywin's daughter. Jon had taken Hand's duties and was going to be ruler under Robert's name, whether Jon liked it or not. Hoster had gotten his two daughters as Ladies of great houses. But the North had gotten nothing but half – hearted revenge. Ned had been really looking forward to killing Mad King but a Lannister had done the deed.

Ned had realized all this after reading Cregan's words and knew he was the reason. He had to make things right with northern lords and common folk alike.

Ned had decided to discuss this whole thing with his council and so he called them in his solar. Ned was sitting in lords chair, Catelyn was sitting to his right. Artos arrived with Ben who put various maps and parchment he had on table. The both settled to his left with Artos sitting beside him. Maester Luwin arrived last. Ned welcomed them all," Maester Luwin you are the only one who is outsider. Whatever discussed here needs to be kept in utmost secrecy is that understood. Is solar secure? " Ned asked last question to his uncle. When his father and Uncle used to discuss such things, Artos made sure only those he explicitly trusted and knew from his childhood stood guard outside the solar at respectable distance. He had made habit to check and question new faces in Castle. They had even checked for secret tunnels when they had heard of spider and his little birds. Thank fully Winterfell never had tunnels, so Lord's solar could be made secure with relative ease.

When Artos replied affirmative he continued," What you see before is plan for northern prosperity and its means. Former Lords of Winterfell from even before Lord Cregan Stark up to my father felt that north was decaying. North is home of first men. North and House Stark stood strong through Andal Invasions, countless wars with wildings in the north and Ironborn and Vale in the south. But after Targaryen conquest north has been sleeping. North did never care for south but still it was mighty. Under Targaryen it was forgotten and never thought beyond land of savages until they required our help. Afterwards they continued to think same. Cregan Stark mentions this and also North's incapability to do something about it. Cregan states that North should prosper during winter rather than surviving through it. We will do just that."

Luwin hesitantly asked," What about Robert?"

"Maester, we are not planning to rebel against Iron Throne or overthrow Barathons of Kings Landing. As for King Robert, he is not same as my friend Robert. Robert is his King and Jon is his hand but what did North get out of rebellion. I fought for my revenge but what about northern lords. They had sworn oaths and they came out of loyalty and respect but will have to repay them with something substantial. We are ensuring we are not forgotten; we are getting our dues. The North remembers, Maester. "

Artos seemed to be intently listening him said, "Ned I am glad you think that way. I had thought I had to try harder to change your opinion. The North lost its lord and its people for Stark revenge. It is therefore your duty as Lord Stark to ensure they are compensated. Have you given further thoughts?"

"I have Uncle. I think we should use our treasury, ask some from Robert, and take some loans. We should be able to raise considerable navy on both shores and trade vassels and along with some trade concessions fron Iron throne and our good relations with Riverlands and Vale, we will be able to get a good start. I think we should plan how to proceed."

Maester Luwin,"My Lord, I think you should write to King first. Write both as his friend and as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of North. You should request some trade concessions, permission for navy on the western shore and similar such. We can proceed from there. According to Citadel winter is coming to end. So we may get a chance to achieve what we have hoped. Because initially we will have to start work of any kind in summer. "

Artos nodded in agreement, but decided to add his two bits," Ned doesn't forget Riverrun. Yes, Hoster got two Great Lords as good sons. But King didn't grant Riverlands anything. You should include them in your letter. May be asking for a small council seat or something similar. "

Ned nodded at suggestions," Cat you might know your father, uncle and I had a meeting. We discussed few things after both of them shouted at me. I have told them what the world knows of Jon and promised I would do right by you and Robb."

"One of things that came up was how Riverlands always burned in war. It was due to that he had sought alliance with North, Vale or Weaterlands. He hopes his people will suffer less now, as he is allied with two great houses."

"I will write the letter today itself. It will include requests regarding monetary compensation, permission to start navy of north and its presence on western shores, trade concessions and a council seat for Hoster Tully or some bannerman of his choice."

Cat wondered why a council seat was not asked for north," But why not request for North?"

"We will need our capable and loyal bannermen here in North. I trust your father to look after his and our interests in Kings Landing. You should also write letter to your father and uncle. They have fought again I don't know if you were told or not. Ser Brynden was going to Vale and if Hoster is going to Kings Landing then your uncle will be required in Riverrun."

"We should send our missive by tonight, there is no sense in delaying." With that Ned decide to get up but master Luwin stopped him," My Lord there is something that should be discussed before sending those missives." Luwin seemed to be hesitating to say further and was looking at Benjen with apprehension. Artos always got impatient when someone was not speaking. Maester must have realized this, so he continued," Lord Benjen had made his intentions clear that he is taking black. But now we should discuss his marriage prospects before the Iron throne suggests us someone of their choice along with those concessions."

Ned was not happy to hear this, "Three of us were never given choice. Ben will never go through same."

Surprisingly it was Ben who spoke first upon hearing Ned," Thank You for the thought Ned, but Maester is right. You have done your duty I will do mine. We should at least discuss my marriage prospects. I like know who you suggest. "

Artos spoke, who appeared to have given it thought," I would suggest Dacey Mormont, Maege's eldest daughter. She is younger by a year or two and from a loyal house. If our navel plans bore fruits, this match would prove useful. Jarah Mormont, heir to Bear Islands is married to a Glover. If we make Sea Dragon Point our base, it would benefit Glovers, Mormonts and us. "

Ned is surprised by the detail thoughts his uncle seemed to have given," You have given this a great deal of thought uncle." His uncle didn't deny it," Yes. Rickard and I had discussed the prospect once like many other things we had discussed." Ned then ordered Luwin to send message to Bear Islands,"Maester send raven Bear Islands. Lord Joer Mormont had sent a message to me where talked about taking black. Invite him, Jorah, Maege and her girls to Winterfell, tell them it's a feast in his honor and discussions regarding future." With that Ned decided to end the meeting. They would finalize their letters in the evening.