Cerulean eyes watched the Silent Sisters prepare the body of Jon Arryn for departure to the Eyrie, the owner of the eyes held a face of sorrow, and standing beside him was his brother, younger by five years.
A knight entered the throne room, on his breastplate was the sigil of the blue falcon of House Arryn.
"My Lord Arryn, your Lady Mother bid me to say the ship is ready." Anders Arryn turned from his father's still form to Ser Vardis Egan, his father's Captain of the Guard and his mentor in martial training since he was but a lad.
"I thought we would wait for his grace to wake?" He thought aloud and the Knight shook his head, sighed and relenting he turned to his little brother "Come, Robin, time to leave." His little brother took his hand, "Thank you, Sisters, for your good work." The leader of them bowed her head as they exited the throne room and left out the gatehouse with their retinue.
The sun wasn't even up when they were on the bay, aboard the Sea Falcon, a Swan Ship made in the Summer Isles and gifted to him for his twelfth name-day by the King and Queen.
He sighed sadly, wishing they could have left with his father's corpse than having it travel alone when the King woke. "My son, why so sad? Aren't you happy we are heading home?" His mother asked, not sporting any black clothing he and Robin wore but bright blue and white and her hair was done up.
Anders was no idiot to believe his parents had a loving marriage, it was made for a political alliance during the rebellion.
But, they never showed their distance when they dined together and treated one another courteously. They may not have loved each other but there was some respect which is what he could count on should fortune favor a loveless marriage over a loving one.
"I just miss him, mother." Living in the city was foul, his little brother struggled with his shaking illness and now it has taken his father. "And I am happy we're going home but... Don't you think the King will be angry? For us leaving without telling him?" He asked and his mother wrapped him in her arms.
"Pay it no mind, Anders. The King won't be too upset, I left for the safety of your brother, it took your father and I won't let it take my sons." She said sternly but her face soon softened with a loving smile, "Go back to bed, Lord Arryn. Sweet dreams." He smiled and went to the cabin, his falcon Steelfeather greeted him and he gave him some salted meat.
In his gut he doubted what his mother said, it was as if she was hiding something that she doesn't wish for him to know or perhaps their leaving so suddenly wasn't just done randomly but planned... Anders shook his head, no good to stress over theories and assumptions.
Falling into his bed, the swaying of the ship went side to side as they got further and further away from the Crownlands. The Lord of the Vale closed his eyes, the light snoring coming from Robin's slumbering form and the waves being all he hears.
Five days of sea travel, though it very well might have been eight as the Seven blessed them with good winds.
Gulltown was the major port of the Vale, a walled city protected by the fleets of House Grafton. It has houses, shops, and a large sept not far from the estates of House Grafton and the cadet branch of House Arryn.
Anders smiled and embraced Gyles, his friend for almost two years. "Welcome home, Lord Arryn." The older boy said to him.
Gyles was young, a year older than himself with shoulder-length blond hair and brown eyes. "Waiting for us by the port?" He asked and the youngest son shook his head.
"No, but I am glad you're here, and Lady Arryn... I'm sorry about your loss, we all mourn for Jon Arryn." Gyles said with the utmost respect which he accepted graciously.
His father held the Kingdoms whole since the rebellion, quelled the conflict somewhat with Dorne and House Martell in the aftermath of the Sack, and was overall significant in King Robert's reign for the first decade and a half.
"Thank you, my friend. Maybe you can come with us to the Eyrie, I'd like a friend and many more in the days to come." He said and Gyles sheepishly said that he would ask his father, the Lord of Gulltown. "Meet us there then?" the group departed and began making their way.
Riding toward the front gate, atop a new horse, a black-coated Palfrey he named Shayde. Anders spotted a member of the lesser branch coming out of a shop, the small boy quivered and ran back inside.
The Arryn's of Gulltown is often ignored even when they have a head and half a dozen heirs, but they would never be considered appropriate heirs to the Vale and the Eyrie mostly due to the bloodline mixing with lowborn men and women and are more or less a merchant family.
Wealthy? Yes, but they are no more noble blood than Varys, the Master of Whispers of Robert's Small Council.
"Ser Vardis?" His mother called and the older knight came to her side, on the wagon that she and Robin were riding on. "Send a man ahead, we will need a dozen more guards for the journey home."
"Right away, my Lady." Vardis rode on and did as commanded.
Anders turned his head, "We already have a hundred men and forty servants with us already, mother. Are you sure this isn't excessive?" His mother waved him off.
"Nonsense, the Vale is treacherous and I want to be ready for anything." That is sadly true.
His father's absence at all has no doubt made the Mountain Clans far bolder, bold enough even that one of Lord Lynderly's daughters was kidnapped nearly a month ago by the Stonecrows and is now a slave or worse, a broodmare for a chieftains bastard.
It's both a strength and a curse, the Arryn Kings of old used the Wildling population as a second defense against invading armies, for if the Kings of the Rivers or the Kings of Winter ever wanted their land, they'd be harried by Valemen and savages both.
But since the Conquest, the Targaryen Queen Visenya taking the titles from a boy wishing to fly a dragon made the use of the Wildings ultimately useless in his inexperienced opinion when broached by Maester Colemon or his father before his untimely death.
Maybe when he's older he will pacify or purge them, give them the choice of exile, servitude, or the Night's Watch.
"My Lord!" Gyles voice rang out, waiting with Vardis and almost thirty Gulltown watchmen with him. "My father and brothers have allowed me to come to the Eyrie, ten of these men will become permanent soldiers for the Eyrie's guard captain."
"Thank you, Gyles, shall we proceed?" His mother answered for him and his friend nodded and off they went.
Steelfeather was released from his cage and sat on his hand, "Fly, my friend." He whispered and the bird took flight from his hand and would follow the column of people heading for the Eyrie.
For several hours they traveled, often taking a break or two to feed and water horses before continuing on. It was nightfall when they made it to the Giant's Lance and not too long after that had arrived at the Gates of the Moon which was the first of many stops up to the Eyrie.
The Gates of the Moon is a stout castle with a moat, the drawbridge lowered upon their approach. Lord Nestor Royce and his daughter, Lady Myranda Royce, and son Albar Royce greeted them in their night clothes and a meager party to welcome them.
Nestor is a massive, barrel-chested man, with a thick neck and a bluff face. He is bald with a grey beard. His mother calls him a rock but more as an insult, it was Nestor who was effectively active Lord of the Vale while they were all in King's Landing. "Mama, look at his mole," Robin said and he grinned, then frowned and shushed his little brother.
Albar Royce stood over his father, with fierce black sidewhiskers. Myranda curtsied them, her brown eyes watching him and her buxom cleavage being shown from her Myrish white night dress.
"M- My Lord Anders? I didn't know you would be home so soon, please, forgive me for not being well-prepared." He waved the man off.
"It's fine, Lord Nestor, Mother decided we return earlier than the raven described, it was my fault." He started and looked back at his mother and brother, both are tired and look to be near sleep. "As it is night, we will rest within the Gates before moving onward to the Eyrie in the morning."
Nestor looked hesitant, but reluctantly nodded, "Of course, my Lord Arryn, and I must say I am sorry to hear about your Lord father." Anders nodded, "Myranda will remain to get you all settled, the Lord's chamber is yours, my Lord."
"Thank you, Lord Nestor."
The Lord's chambers resided in the Falcon Tower, Myranda made sure to show her shapely bodice as they climbed the stairs.
It was a good shape and she wasn't unattractive in any way, "Right here, my Lord." She said with a sultry tone, opening the chamber, and as he went to enter, Myranda pressed him slightly and he could feel her hardened nipples on his shirt, "Would you like anything else, my Lord Arryn?"
It had more meaning than intended, Anders gulped and smiled whilst blushing. "I... " Myranda then laughed, kissing him on the cheek before descending the staircase. "Gods help me," Anders whispered as he felt his member constricting his trousers and closed the door.
There was a large bed, and a burning hearth. The bed itself was a mess like someone was sleeping in it and he realized that it must have been Nestor.
A large mirror stood near the vanity, and Anders stared at himself.
Still growing, he stood of average height for a young man. His features weren't muscled as his distant cousin Harrold Hardying but lean. He had either his mother's or father's eyes and his hair was reminiscent of a dark auburn like his brothers, a feature he heard they share with their closer cousins in the North.
Morning followed and a mist covered the air as he went from the Falcon Tower to the hall where his family and Nestor's own were breaking their fast.
His mother smiled, sat beside Robin who picked at his eggs, and addressed him, "How was your sleep, son?"
Myranda winked at him and he gulped again, "It was eventful," Taking a seat, he threw together some food starting with an orange from wherever it came from. "Lord Nestor, we will require mules to continue the rest of the way, we still have ways to go."
"I had Mya Stone ready them when dawn broke, Lord Arryn." Lord Arryn, Anders frowned and realized people would be calling him that for the rest of his life, his father is really gone.
"Thank you, my Lord Nestor, and thank you for protecting the Vale in my husband's absence." Tell that to Lord Lynderly, Anders thought as his mother smiled and Nestor took the praise with pride.
After they were done eating, Lord Royce and his family bid them farewell as Mya Stone led them up the path. He decided to walk having been on a saddle far too long to want to ride, he pulled his mule alongside Lady Mya who was eating an apple.
A few years his senior, Mya is a tall, strapping young woman, with coal-black hair cut short and deep blue eyes. The daughter of Robert Baratheon and a serving woman from the Eyrie, she grew up between the Gates of the Moon and his father's castle.
His mule struggled to follow and he chuckled, "I don't know how you keep them so calm, Lady Mya."
"I'm far from a Lady, Lord Arryn, but I appreciate the thought." Mya said and she hummed, "I am good with these animals because I spend plenty of time with them, they know the road far better so instead of pulling him, let him walk with you. Yes, right there." He did as she suggested and the mule started to calm down and behave himself.
Along the path towards the Eyrie, there are three waycastles which are named Stone, Snow, and Sky.
The first, Stone is surrounded by forest. It has a massive Ironbound gate and a yard. The stone walls are crowned with iron spikes and its two fat round towers rise above the keep.
The path becomes steeper as they get to the next castle, Snow. It consists of a single fortified tower, a timber keep, and a stable placed behind a low wall of unmortared rock. It is nestled into the Giant's Lance so as to command the entire pathway from Stone to Snow.
The trail then continues up the mountain to Sky, the last of the waycastles.
The path to Sky is treacherous. It is open to the wind and the steps are cracked and broken from the constant freezing. Sky is a high, crescent-shaped wall of unmortared stone raised against the side of the Giant's Lance. Inside the walls are a series of ramps and a great tumble of boulders and stones of all sizes, ready to throw down or even cause a minor avalanche. There is a cavern containing a long natural hall, barracks, stables for mules, and supplies. Handholds carved into the rock lead to the Eyrie, while earthen ramps give access to the walls.
Gyles heaved with his hands on his knees, Mya laughed at the younger man, "Deep breaths, Lord Gyles, still a ways to go." Anders patted his friend on the shoulder as he too was a little breathless whilst looking down the path thinking any army would be insane to try marching all the way up here as they had done in the old days.
The Eyrie, located six hundred feet above, can be reached by Sky's handholds in the rocky chimney which leads to the castle's undercellar, or by taking wicker baskets and oaken supply buckets pulled by chain winches.
It was here he turned and knelt his head, "Thank you, Mya. You wish to come up and rest?" He offered and the older girl shook her head.
"I have a visitor coming to see me, so I really must head back down. Thank you for the offer, my Lord and you have my condolences for Lord Jon Arryn." He smiled and watched her leave, leading her mule back down the path.
He, his family, and Ser Vardis were the first to go up via the wicker baskets. Along the way, his brother pointed, and together they saw Steelfeather flying with a few wild falcons near Alyssa's Tears, the great waterfall drowning out his brother's laughter as they got higher and higher.
The Eyrie has no stables or smithys, and kennels, but its granary is as large as those found in much larger castles. The castle is made of fine white stone. Its seven slim, white towers are bunched tightly together. Five hundred men at arms defend it and in the Winter, they would all head down to the Gates of the Moon.
"We are home, my sons, safe finally," His mother held him and Robin close as they entered the Crescent Chamber. "I want a hot meal fixed together, ham or chicken." The servant Mela went to see it done.
The three of them sat down to eat, and Benjicot the Fool entertained his brother.
Anders wondered how long he would have with Robin, with his sickly disposition, and his shaking fits always worrying him and their mother and father back at King's Landing. Hugh, a former friend, and a squire of his father once told him he would die soon which Anders took offense to and burned the friendship they had.
"Brother, look at him dance!" Robin said excitedly, Benjicot rolled and posed in a queer way.
The chamber door to the solar opened and Colemon entered, the Maester's chain rattling as he approached.
Colemon was a man in his late thirties, who had served the family for almost ten years. The man was thin, balding, and had a skinny neck.
For a moment, the Maester seemed confused, he had a message in his hands but was unsure of who to hand it to. His mother held her hand out, "I am the Regent for another year or so, son." He knows that but it still made him feel a little, emasculated if he had to describe his expression.
His mother quickly read the letter and handed it back to Colemon, "Leave us, we are eating." Colemon nodded and exited quickly back to his chambers.
"What did it say?" His mother didn't answer him, "Mother?" He called a little louder this time and yet his mother pretended not to hear which caused him to huff and look away in frustration.
After dinner, he knocked on the Maester's room. "Ah, my Lord, what brings you?" Colemon asked and he cleared his throat.
"I wish to read the letter,"
Colemon seemed nervous but allowed him inside, he waited for a moment looking at the shelves of tomes and scrolls. A moment later, the Maester came forward and handed him the scroll from before.
The seal held a crowned stag. Reading it, his blue eyes widened.
It was sent by the King, he had inquired why they left without his leave and said they had cremated Jon and is sending his ashes as they pass through the Riverlands. "It is my offer for Anders to ride with... " He gave it back and Colemon waited on his command. "They would be on the road already?" He asked and Colemon nodded.
"Yes, but the raven would no doubt find its way back, my Lord... Do you have a reply? Lady Arryn gave no notions... "
The precession wouldn't come through for another week, "I will speak on it with my mother in the morning, but I would like to take the offer." He bid Colemon a good night before leaving the chamber and heading back to his own at the Moon Tower.
The next morning, he was with his mother and brother in the garden. Thousands of years ago, one of the Kings of the Vale wanted to plant a weirwood tree here but the rocky soil wouldn't let it grow so the place was made alive with blue, red, and yellow flowers and winter roses the color of his own eyes.
At the center of the grassy square stood a statue of Alyssa Arryn, crying.
Anders watched his brother play sticks with Benjicot and Gyles. "Mother." He called and the Lady Arryn turned to face him, smiling and knitting a falcon cloak for Robin. "I read the scroll sent from King Robert."
His mother's features didn't betray her, "Oh, and, my sweet?" She asked and he shook his head thinking she would be this stubborn.
"I want to accompany them North, maybe Robin and I- "
"No!" His mother snapped angrily, Robin and Gyles looked over with some concern. Lysa recomposed herself before laughing slightly, "I mean that won't do, the road is dangerous and you will be vulnerable- And your brother has to be near Colemon for his medicine. No, I don't think so."
"But I'm Lord Arryn now, I should be able to go if I so wish." He said heatedly getting up to his feet, his mother paying him little to his protest so he left the garden and Gyles followed behind.
The next day he was training with Gyles and another friend, Mychel who was the visitor Mya spoke of.
They were three boys who are of relatively the same age, Vardis stood to the side as both Captain of the Guard and Master-at-arms until the position was filled.
There are other positions as well, the castle steward and a few new Septas too.
"Anders, keep that shield up." Vardis chided him, he scoffed and Gyles went to strike but he parried the attack and then went on the offense, aiming a little lower to Grafton's unguarded leg making the fourth-born son wince.
"Oh, you fucker." Gyles cursed and Anders grinned from ear to ear.
It was a point to be brilliant in combat as well as in court, his father said. Gyles thrust and he turned side-face and rose his blade and brought it down on his friend's unprotected wrist making him drop his sword then brought his own to Gyles neck. "Yield?" He asked with confidence, Gyles smirked and threw his shield down.
Mychel Redfort was pouring them three some water, Vardis forbade any wine which was understandable, you don't want someone getting injured and it was much too early in the day for it.
The fourth-born son of Horton Redfort, Lord of the Redfort was three years their senior and almost close to being a knight, the fourth one in his family.
"Are you sure you don't want to take up my offer, Mychel?" He asked his second friend, Mychel shook his head no.
"I came here to offer my families condolences for Lord Arryn, but I also came here for other things."
"Or someone?" Gyles questioned, and Mychel glared at the son of Gulltown. "Come, tell us boys who have never felt the touch of a woman, I'd love to know."
"And you'll continue to never know if you don't keep your mouth shut, Grafton." Mychel snapped and Gyles barked in laughter, so did he as they took a rest, Ser Vardis gathering all the equipment to put away.
One might wonder if the two squires were going to fight, but it wouldn't be accurate as Anders knew these men for years, two with Gyles and four with Mychel. "Alright, enough." He said and embraced Mychel, "Safe travels, friend, see you soon... Oh, and say hello to Mya for me when going down the Giant's Lance." Gyles and he burst into laughter and Mychel scoffed walking away.
Now alone, Gyles expression became serious, "Will you be doing it, then?" Anders sighed, thinking about it all.
He's always thought of himself as a dutiful and filial son, never disobeying a command, and his mother as Regent all but ordered the Vale to isolate themselves from the other Kingdoms, but what Anders couldn't fathom is why she is being so suspicious and overprotective.
"I'll be sixteen next year, same as my cousin Robb. I will have become a full-fledged man then and I'll hold the authority of the Warden of the East and Lord of the Vale."
Gyles hummed, "A patient Lord waits, a great Lord acts." He looked at Gyles with some confusion as to where he heard such a quote. "My father said this once, said it to all his sons when they were old enough to carry steel."
A patient Lord waits, a great Lord acts. "Hmm, A fine set of words. They should be your family words." He complimented.
That night, he and his mother shared a meal together, Mela had upset Robin earlier so he is resting due to one of his episodes.
Setting down his fork, "Mother, I want to go North with the King and see my aunt and cousins." He said putting forth his wishes and his mother stopped short of sipping her sweet wine.
"... Fine."
Anders was shocked, he made up excuses and everything in preparation of his mother telling him no. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, is that so strange?" It is, she was adamant about staying in the Eyrie and Vale. "I thought about it and it would do you well, you are almost a man. Your place will be here at all times soon, so going to see your aunt and cousins will do you well... But you will not be joining the King."
"So I will sail?" He asked and she nodded.
"Of course, you'll need an armed guard, Ser Vardis will get some of our best to go with you. You will leave in a fortnight."
Anders smiled, "I will be safe, mother, I promise." He swore and yet failed to see the saddened look on his mother's face.
A week later he left early, Ser Vardis got together ten good men to join him as they made the arduous journey back to Gulltown and were on the sea by nightfall.
Gyles stood at his side, "We'll be at White Harbor within a week or so, then a day or two's ride to Winterfell." He heard Gyles say, "I hear your cousin is a pretty one," Which one? Anders turned back and leaned on the side.
"I wouldn't know, I haven't seen them since I was ten." He said honestly, "I had heard that Winterfell is larger than the Eyrie." Hells, the Red Keep is larger than the Eyrie but he counts the Gates of the Moon, the three waycastles, and the Bloody Gate as part of the Eyrie as a whole.
Gyles laughed, patting him on the back. "I speak of girls and all you care about is the size of a man's castle, haha!"
Taking below deck he spotted Garth and Allon, a pair of his guards playing a game. Sleeping was Harren and Jorik and Torin. Malcolm, Vardin, and Arron were up above and Baelon and Drew were stationed as lookouts for Ironborn or other would-be pirates.
He made a point to know his men's names, should any of them fall protecting him so that he would remember their sacrifice.
A good Lord must be chivalrous and gallant, his father drilled into him as he took special care in his lessons teaching many of them himself apart from his duties as Hand of the King.
Smiling, he entered his personal cabin and laid down, Steelfeather making a sound at him. "Rest easy, boy, it'll be a long journey." He whispered and closed his eyes.
A week and a half it was, sailing at sea due to far better winds than those upon their departure from King's Landing.
It was a delight to see the Three Sisters, Gyles mentioned that he should perform a progress across the Vale of Arryn and see his various Vassals and their lands, even if he had already seen them before.
"Land, my Lord Arryn!" His captain, Lyonel Melcolm brother to Lord Arthur Melcolm of Old Anchor said.
It was land indeed.
White Harbor looked like a white city covered in snow, a massive stone dominating the approaches to the Outer Harbor. Men arm it and he spotted siege weapons such as Scorpions and Spitfires.
They pulled the swan ship into the harbor and docked, Anders and Gyles brought their horses and he patted Shayde's coat before riding it through the fish market.
The city itself was large, not larger than King's Landing but more defensive than Gulltown.
"My Lord, company," Gyles said and he eyed the men, A white merman with dark green hair, beard, and tail, carrying a black trident, over a blue-green field.
"House Manderly, the rulers of White Harbor." He said and approached, Torin held up the Arryn banner for bluster. "Hello there, Seven blessings to your Lord." He greeted trying to sound more mature than any boy of four and ten could.
"Blessing to you as well, Lord Arryn. Marlon Manderly, Commander of the garrison of White Harbor." Marlon said and pushed his horse forward, handing Anders a scroll bearing the sigil of the grey direwolf. "Lord and Lady Stark are expecting you, and would have come themselves but the King's arrival prevented this."
"That is fine, I wish to take it easy for now. It's been a journey, may we ask Lord Wyman a hearth to warm ourselves before continuing." Marlon nodded and escorted them up to New Castle, the seat of House Manderly.
New Castle is built atop a hill rising above the city's thick white walls. The merman sigil of House Manderly flies from its towers. The broad, stepped Castle Stair is a white stone street near the prisons known as the Wolf's Den.
Upon entering the Merman's Court, Anders was greeted by the Lord and his children and grandchildren.
Wyman is nearly sixty years old, with a massive belly and fingers the size of sausages. Lord Manderly has pale blue eyes and a beard. He appears to have four chins. Anders thought he looked larger than the King but blonde.
"My Lord Arryn, welcome to my humble city and castle, please, meet my sons Wylis, his wife Leona, and Wendel." He greeted the older men with a nod. "And these are my granddaughters, Wynafryd," The first girl has brown hair bound in a long braid, "And Wylla." The second had longer hair than her sister, blonde but that faded into a greenish color like how the Tyroshi dyed their hair.
"Thank you, for letting us share your bread and salt, Lord Manderly. It is very warm, and the city is beautiful." He complimented, "I won't trouble you too long, me and my people are heading to visit my cousins in Winterfell."
"Lord Stark said as much in his raven, please, freshen up and I will have your horses fed and watered."
Three hours would pass before they were back on the road, passing the gatehouse and following the White Knife, a forked river and they rode Northwest till they found the Kingsroad.
Anders took in the vast hills and beautiful scenery of the North, he was a little angry with himself for not bringing with him some furs as he furiously said that the Vale was cold so the North shouldn't be any worse.
He was wrong. Too wrong and he shivered as they neared Winterfell, passing Castle Cerwyn not too long ago.
Anders thought Winterfell was so massive, with two high walls protecting those inside and the interior looked taller than the other. A small town lay outside of the draw gate which led to a bridge, Anders smiled looking below and seeing a moat as they passed the second high wall.
Inside the walls, the complex is composed of dozens of courtyards and small open spaces. The great hall stood not far and a training yard too where a weapon shed is placed.
Men walked about the castle, some wearing Stark armor and others wearing Lannister and Baratheon armor.
"Nephew!" His blue pools looked toward the great hall, "You've made it, thank the Seven, and that you arrived safely." His aunt Catelyn embraced him, Anders felt warm and she noticed this, "Dear boy, why aren't wearing any furs?"
"I wanted to be braver than the cold, aunt Cat." He laughed and turned to his companions, "This is Gyles Grafton of Gulltown and my ten guards."
"You all must be tired from the ride, please, join us in the great hall. The feast has only begun." He followed his aunt into the hall, Gyles by his side.
His aunt was beautiful despite her age, far compared to his mother who has become comely and slightly gaunt due to her unhappy marriage to his father coupled with the stillbirths and miscarriages after he had been born.
Entering the hall, he and his party were enveloped in warmth and a happy mood.
The hall is made of grey stone and has wide doors made of oak and iron, which open to the castle yard, and a rear exit leads to a dimly lit gallery.
There were eight rows of trestle tables, full of people of noble birth and partying servants and guardsmen. Anders undid his sword belt and placed it at the entrance, his friend and men followed suit setting their weapons down to dine with allies and friends.
At the end of the hall by the hearth was a raised platform, above it flew the crowned stag and grey direwolf.
He approached it holding the arm of his aunt and saw his uncle Eddard and King Robert joking amongst one another, "Uncle Ned, my King." He bowed his head getting their attention.
Robert Baratheon was still-faced for a moment then got up from his seat with Ned Stark, "Anders Arryn, good to see you, lad." He smiled as the King patted his back. "Come join us for a drink, boy. The heads of Stark, Arryn, and Baratheon are all under the same roof once again!" The hall cheered as he downed his cup of Northern ale.
It had a bitter taste, not as eloquent compared to the brew made in the Eyrie.
"Cousin!" Robb found him and he embraced the heir to Winterfell like brothers separated for far too long, "Were the winds rough?" He wished he could've said no but that'd make him a liar.
Robb grew up better than him, tall and stocky compared to his height and leaner build. They had the same auburn hair, and the same blue eyes, the difference was that his cousin had a paler complexion than his own which was slightly darker due to his years being raised in King's Landing.
"They could have been better but I didn't mind, coz." He told Robb and proceeded to reacquaint himself with the family he hasn't seen for ten years.
Anders sat with Robb and Gyles plus his uncle's ward, Theon Greyjoy, and shared some cups with one another.
His other cousin, Arya walked over and sat beside them. "How big is the Eyrie?" He felt like he was being interrogated, and Anders laughed nervously.
"It certainly isn't no Winterfell, Lady Arya, I'd say that the Eyrie is no bigger than half of Winterfell only atop a mountain and no moats but hard roads and the sky to defend it." He said answering the best he could, Arya beamed and then asked him if he has seen a griffin or giant falcons in the Vale, he laughed at his cousin's imagination. "You'll need to come there to see for yourself, little one."
"I'm not so little, and I am no Lady!" Arya said vehemently but a smile cracked through her frown as they chatted.
Laughing, he spotted his fourteen-year-old cousin Sansa dancing with Joffrey Baratheon, Anders scowled and poked Robb. "What's Sansa doing with the Cat Killer Prince?" He questioned, cursing the alcohol taking effect in his body and making him bolder.
Robb's shared the same look, "My father has been asked to be the new Hand of the King, so my mother says. The King also wished to propose his son to her which is why they are getting to know one another... Why did you call him Cat Killer Prince?"
"Just watch him, he's a strange one and not entirely gallant as he pretends to be." He patted Robb on the shoulder and rose from his chair, "I am going to the privy, wherever that is." His cousin laughed at his drunkenness.
Along the way, he was stopped by someone taking his hand and he turned, gasping as he was both surprised and embarrassed to be seen or spotted by her.
Princess Myrcella Baratheon was the second eldest child of King Robert and Queen Cersei, she carried her mother's eyes, and her mother's hair, and was three and ten name days into her life.
Robert had talked to his father about betrothing him to Myrcella as a reward to House Arryn, his father then told him and asked what he thought and he said he cared for the Princess greatly and would welcome her as his wife but before his father could tell the King this, he fell ill and died.
"Princess, it is good to see you." He greeted her and took the girl's hand in his own and placed a kiss upon it, she blushed beet red.
"As it is good to see you, Lord Arryn." He frowned and shook his head, she rose a brow at him in confusion.
"It's Anders to you, always Anders, Princess." He cleared his throat, "I heard from my cousin that your brother will be getting his future Queen already."
"It's true, and I already gained a sister." Even knowing the type of boy Joffrey is? Anders held his tongue lest he spoke out of turn. "I want to warn her, and I mean to but she is so smitten, look at your cousin?" He did, her smile could brighten the room.
Fourteen and already so beautiful, Anders remembered Sansa was three and Arya was two when they last met. She holds a womanly figure, and is tall as well.
"Have you thought about us, Anders?"
"What?!" Myrcella giggled charmingly at his surprise.
"I am brighter than my mother in some respects, and I am my father's cupbearer so he tends to tell me things... Like betrothals and weddings." She said and continued holding his hand, their intimacy attracted the looks of the Queen who eyed them with some confusion.
The dragon was out of the egg, "Yes, my father and yours talked about marriage between us." They moved a little way out of the earshot of the minstrel playing his lute and the noise from the men and women within the hall. "I told my father I would be honored to be your husband."
"And I would be honored to be yours as well... I always cared for you, Anders." She smiled, stepping on her toes and kissing him on the cheek. "Will you talk to my father, or do you want me to?" She demanded to know in an adorable way and he sighed.
The next morning, he was invited to join in on a session of training but he passed on it to speak with the King.
Robert was speaking with Lord Stark so he climbed the steps toward his uncle's solar, "Ser Meryn Trant." He greeted the stone-faced Kingsguard knight, "I come to see the King." Meryn grunted and opened the door and he went inside.
The King smiled and got to his feet, and so did his uncle Eddard. "What do you need, my boy?" He was asked and he took a deep breath.
"I came to speak about my father, my King." The door shut and it was then he knelt before the King, "As the Lord of the Vale and the Eyrie, I Anders of the House Arryn do hereby swear my oath of fealty to your grace and your heirs from this day to my last day." He figured he would get the swearing over with.
Robert helped him up, "You needn't do that, you are my fosters son and one of my most loyal Lords."
"What did you need to speak about to the King, nephew?" His uncle asked and Anders took notice that he was nervous, and he wondered why it was.
Here goes nothing, "It involves my father's answer to your proposal, my King... " Robert's eyes widened and he smiled, "I guess it would be my decision now, but, he agreed and so would I... I would be honored to become your good son."
"I am happy to hear that, Anders, with my son marrying Ned's daughter and you taking Cella's hand in marriage... It would further tie the Kingdoms that brought the dragon to its knees closer together." Robert said while holding his and Eddard's hand, a symbolic way of showing their shared interests.
The King was so happy about the agreement that he beckoned Ned to prepare for a great hunt in the Wolfswood, he had decided to tag along with Gyles, and shockingly, one of his men, Torin was missing from his retinue and he was told that the man left before dawn for whatever reason his aunt couldn't say so he let it be thinking his mother will deal with him.
He rode alongside Robb and Theon, Gyles nudged him and he pointed towards the smith.
There was a man, maybe his age with black curly hair going just a bit passed his nape. What caught his eyes was the small dog at his side, pure white like the snow that covers the Mountains of the Moon.
"Coz, who is that?" He asked Robb who smiled, taking no time to hesitate on informing him.
"That's my brother, Jon Snow... My father's bastard son." Jon Snow.
The hunting party left, heading into the Wolfswood with horse, men, and dogs. Anders held Steelfeather and let the bird finally fly in a new world, new skies, and find new prey.
The Wolfswood, according to the answer that Maester Luwin told him, stretches across the western part of the north. It extends as far west as Sea Dragon Point and nearly as far south as Torrhen's Square.
"So you and your siblings actually have wolves?" He inquired, shocked to hear Robb say what he had.
The heir to Winterfell nodded, "Dire wolves, actually. We found them not far from here in a small creek, the mother had died killing a stag and either whelped before or after she died." Incredible, truly it was.
"I saw one pawing at Jon's feet, no? The pure white one?"
"Aye, Jon calls him Ghost. I call mine Grey Wind, Arya, and Sansa call theirs Nymeria and Lady. Little Rickon named his Shaggydog." Shaggydog? He chuckled and then realized his cousin forgot one.
"What of Brandon?" He asked and Robb shook his head, saying that he hasn't named his wolf yet. "Ah, I see, well I better give them a look when we return, then."
Steelfeather screeched and dove between two trees and tackled down a hare, its talon digging right into the hare's eye and striking its brain. Allon went and retrieved it for him, tying it on the saddle of his palfrey.
"That's a beautiful bird, cousin."
"Thank you, it was a gift given to me on my twelfth name-day. He's a good hunter, and had plenty of experience in just three years." Just then, his bird landed on his hand and he smirked with Robb as they rode on ahead.
The hunt was doing well so far, they had killed three deer and two boars, Steelfeather caught another two hares, and might have gotten a forth if not for Joffrey getting it with his damned crossbow.
But it ended upon the arrival of a rider from Winterfell, his cousin Bran had fallen from a tower and was in bad shape.
Anders peaked his head into the room, his aunt ushered him in as family to watch as Luwin did what he could for little Brandon. Anders felt terrible, he had arrived late last night and slept in by the next morning so he hadn't been able to meet Rickon or Bran as they must have been in bed.
His aunt was distraught, Sansa sat at the end of the bed crying, even Arya was upset and was quickly wiping away tear after tear that attempted to break from her eyes and roll down her cheeks.
Looking at Robb and Jon, they seemed to be strong and their eyes showed their concern through their black and blue eyes the same as his uncle Eddard.
Luwin sighed, shaking his head and rising to his feet. "I am sorry, my Lord. Though he is out of danger, for now, I fear he might never wake, and if he does... He won't ever walk again."
It's been fourteen days since the fall, and he like his aunt prayed to the Seven to protect and heal Bran from his injuries.
Robert allowed this time but the last two days have been pressuring Lord Stark to begin preparing for their departure South.
Today was the fifteenth day, he sat inside the small sept that Lord Stark built for his aunt. He folded his hands above to his forehead praying for the Mother to protect his cousin and bring him from the grip of the Stranger.
"Anders." He jerked and stood up from his kneed position, Myrcella stood beside her Lady-in-Waiting, Rosamund Lannister. "My father let me know of my betrothal to you, and asks me to know if you plan to return to the Eyrie."
"I do, my Mother is no doubt worried that I haven't come home already." He walked over and took the Princess's hand with his own, "Might I ask why his Grace wishes to know?" He asked and Myrcella smiled.
"My uncle Stannis had abandoned his position to go back to Dragonstone, he was insulted that he wasn't named Hand in the aftermath of your father's death. He wants to name you the new Master of Ships considering your time sailing that swan ship of yours." He was honored, certainly, but though he knows how to sail a ship albeit as a novice, he isn't so skilled an admiral as Lord Stannis.
"Might there be other reasons, apart from the King's offer?" He had wanted to go home, with his retinue and his betrothed as well. Myrcella gave him an unsure face, like she didn't want to say what he wishes to know.
"... My mother, she is unnerved about the arrangements and wishes me to remain in King's Landing till I am flowered." Of which she wasn't.
Does the Queen think he would take her before she was ready as Walder Frey does with his young wives? He honestly felt insulted if that is the case because why else couldn't he and his betrothed go to his castle so she may see the lands she will one day rule beside him?
Anders sighed, letting go of her hand. "I will go back to the Eyrie and discuss coming back to court to stand by your side... I guess this is goodbye for now, Princess." He whispered and saw Myrcella was little emotional as her eyes were welling up, Anders suspects she hoped he would ride south with her but he has to return home at least for now.
Gyles was readying the horses when he exited the small sept and approached the stables, "The Princess isn't coming?" He was asked by his friend.
Looking back, he watched an upset Myrcella rejoin her family, the Queen sending him a direct scowl of distrust. "No, no she is not." He whispered and was fastening his own saddle when he heard a cry.
"Anders! Cousin!"
Turning, he watched his cousins Robb, Arya, Sansa, and Rickon run up to him.
Robb embraced him, "You weren't planning on leaving without saying goodbye, were you?" He smirked and shook his head.
"No, I was simply preparing, coz." He told Robb then hugged both Arya and Rickon, "I can't promise when I'll be visiting again, but this was good enough for now... I pray for your brother."
"Actually... I am coming with you!" Arya said excitedly and he was honestly surprised, "Father said that we would be going with him to King's Landing, but I said I wanted to see the Eyrie and the Vale." So Ned allowed it then.
Maybe it will be good for Robin, to have someone of his relative age to play with. "Alright then, we better find you a horse." Arya beamed and left with Rickon trailing behind with their wolves too.
"If you wish, we can keep Nymeria here if you are unwilling to have her."
Anders shook his head, "No need, it is fine, cousin." Taking a deep breath of the Northern air, "I should say farewell to Lord Stark and aunt Cat." He mentioned and Robb said that he'd better and they both laughed as they left for the great keep and along the way ran into Ser Jaime shaking Jon's hand.
The bastard of Winterfell will be heading North with his uncle's brother and the Queen's own brother Tyrion.
Jaime saw him and walked over with a smile, "Lord Arryn."
"Ser Jaime."
The Kingslayer then went on his way, "What was that about?" Robb asked Jon.
"He wished me well on my travels, Stark." That didn't seem like the truth by the way Jon said it. "I'll be seeing you in a few minutes, brother."
With that, Robb and he went inside the great keep and started walking up toward Bran's room where Lady Stark was making her son a totem of the Seven Gods, or rather another one as she had made two already.
"Aunt Cat?" She looked up, "I came to say goodbye, for now, I'll be returning to the Eyrie."
"Ah yes, um, It has been good seeing you, nephew. Send my sister and Robin my love." She said, getting up and hugging him, he reciprocated it.
"I will, I promise."
An hour later, the large caravan of people began to depart from Winterfell, he road with his uncle for a few moments after the Lord had said farewell to his other son, Jon.
"You are sure you don't wish to travel with us, Anders?"
"I am sure, Lord Stark... Oh, and I will look after Arya, too, she is my kin after all."
Eddard's face was appreciative, "Thank you, my boy." He nodded, "And please consider the King's offer of position, your father will have taught you much but I can pass wisdom as well, no?" Anders nodded saying he would and soon the party divided up again.
He, Gyles, Arya, and her direwolf Nymeria departed with their retinue down the White Knife heading back to White Harbor, and by the end of the day, they were all safely aboard his ship sailing back to Gulltown and from there to the Eyrie.