So got a bit of a scathing review stating that this story was a crack fic due to how Iris handled Lady Stark. I disagree completely, but it brought up a few points that I felt I should expand upon so I made this chapter to flesh out Iris's (lack of) logic.

On a side note, you offer scathing criticism in a guest post, I delete it. You post it under your name, I will respond politely and offer up an explanation of where I was going with my writing, don't be a coward and hide behind anonymity.

Side note, next chapter Iris meets Tyrion. Just leaving that there.


Lord Eddard Stark left the great hall of Winterfell and came to a dead stop when he saw the grounds before him. His ancestral castle was impressive yes, even more so after Lady Peverell had repaired it to its ancient glory, yet the yards had always been sod and dirt, there was no real point to bother with anything more after all.

Northerners were a practical lot like that.

So he was of course a bit surprised to find most of the area paved in cobblestones, giving the magically repaired castle a look of refinement and grace it never had before. Glancing about he saw massive standards bearing the snarling dire wolf of House Stark, the moving dire wolves mind, fluttering in the breeze affixed to the great walls, along with flickering sconces housing blue flames. It was all just...so...so...magical.

Hearing a scuffing noise to his right Ned turned to see Lady Peverell herself sheepishly toeing the ground with a slipper clad foot. It took him a shocked moment to realize she was in fact wearing a scarlet dress with her hair up in double plaits, and for the first time he fully grasped what a budding beauty she truly was.

"Lady Peverell, I must admit I had grown to believe you would never wear proper attire befitting your station, you look most radiant."

Much to Ned's amusement she blushed heavily at that and shot her green gaze to the side as she curtsied in turn, "I thank you for your kind words Lord Stark, and I hope the...enhancements I made to your home are acceptable."

Acceptable...well the banners may be a bit much yes, otherwise...

"You've made the ancient seat of my House put shame to the Red Keep and all of Kings Landing My Lady. If I may ask, what spurred this on?"

Frowning she approached him and extended her crooked arm to the bemused Lord, who taking her queue, hooked his arm through hers and began walking across the yards beside the young witch.

"I...wanted to apologize for the way I treated your Lady wife, I do not believe my words lacked truth but they were...well..."

Ned snorted, "As blunt as a smith's hammer?"

She blushed once again and nodded quickly, "Where I am from, many of us hold power that the rest of the world does not share, amongst them I am considered something of...an apex predator. My sisters of the heart and my dear brother all share this power with me, we..that is to say myself, Dudley, Luna, and Hermione, are terrifyingly powerful.

"I am a straight forward woman. I am blunt, as you say, and am quite used to getting my way through the simple fact that even to my people, I am the closest thing to a God they will ever see."

She pointed at the cobbled ground and as she continued, "This transfiguration would have taken a group of wizards hours to do at best, likely it would take a day. Even then, it would last only for a week at most. It took me seven minutes and it will last forever, the only reason it took that long was because I was distracted by Ghost. He's so fluffy and thus I had to play with him a bit you see..."

Processing this and not sensing a hint of boasting Ned allowed her to guide him past the befuddled denizens of the castle as they took in the new additions before replying.

"You are so used to people taking into consideration that they quite literally cannot stop you if you disagree with them, that you tend to just do what you wish?"

She nodded solemnly, "Yes, and my words and actions were more than a little...forceful... These additions to your home are my final gift to you and your wonderful family, my thank you for taking me in."

Ned stopped and released her arm before turning and looking down into the young woman's wide eyes, doing his best to ignore the small tears gathered at their corners.

"Do you intend to leave My Lady?" She scoffed and wiped her eyes distractedly before shaking her head quickly.

"I assumed your Lady wife let my offense be known and I would be asked to leave, I just wished to give you something in return for your hospitality."

Ned inwardly groaned at this, was his wife truly so predictable that this young slip of a girl already anticipated her demands? He grimaced, yes probably, if her treatment of poor Jon was any indicator...

"She did make such a demand," her face fell, "and I denied it."

Her confusion was palpable which actually made Ned feel in a bit more control of the situation, eventually she sputtered out, "What ever for Lord Stark?"

He sighed lightly before gesturing to one of the many newly created benches lining the inner walls before approaching it, the teenage witch took a seat beside him and quickly crossed her legs in a lady like fashion. That was telling, she knew of etiquette and propriety, she simply chose to ignore it in favor of whatever fancy took her at the moment.

"My L-...Cat overstepped her bounds, you disagreed with the way she was raising our children and took it upon yourself to teach them what you felt would help them survive. You knew this would cause problems and actively avoided her in an attempt to stave off conflict. She cornered you, in the bath, and demanded answers. Answers you gave."

Ned pinched the bridge of his nose as he leaned back feeling far older than his years as he continued, "As far as I can tell, you've done nothing to harm my family. You've repaired and improved my home, you've taught my daughters the basics of how to defend themselves, albeit with some reluctance from Sansa. All while tricking my sons into teaching each other skills they had not previously shared, asking for nothing in return."

He turned to face the girl who was now staring at him curiously as he smiled lightly while shaking his head, "You may have been painfully blunt, but you were not wrong. Next time though, come to me with your concerns, it will cause fewer...headaches in the end."

She cocked her head to the side in disbelief, "Wowzers...so I'm not kicked out?" Her slip into childish innocence made Ned want to give her a hug, but he resisted.

Barely.

"No, you are not kicked out, after all you are family...and you get to meet the King on the morrow, although how that turns out will be anyone's guess."

Iris beamed the brightest smile up at him before wrapping him in a hug, it was improper yes, but the action was very much in character for her.

"Thank you so very much Lord Stark!"

He laughed and wrapped an arm around her in return, "You are quite welcome My Lady, just do me one small kindness? Try not to catch anyone on fire? Please?"

She released him and worried her lip before sighing, "If any hopeful young man's hands wander to where they are unwanted...may I...teach them a lesson?"

Ned smirked and nodded, "I practically insist on it."

She threw him a wide grin and an affirming nod, "No immolation then...for tomorrow anyway."

Ned sighed. He'd take it, it was probably the best he could have hoped for regardless.


Poor Ned, so much stress. Please review!