He had thought about Jon as of late. What would he want, what would he need. Ser Rodrik had commented on his prowess; a true natural with a sword and a fine horseman. He had decided to see it himself and he was right.
Jon was an absolute natural with a blade in hand. It was almost like watching Brandon fight. It was like his sword and arm had become one. Uncannily quick and uncommonly strong for a boy of his age. Especially how lean he is. He made quick work of Theon and could easily meet both Jory and Robb; though not at the same time, as he had tried to do and nearly fell hard because of it.
Though he could feel that Catelyn did not like the idea of Jon besting Robb, which had happened on occasion. But it was a good thing to be honest. Make sure that neither one of their heads become as big as the North itself. Brandon was like that too.
The thought of his brother had gotten him thinking again. Brandon had good relations with both of the Dustins and the Ryswells. He and Jon already had good relations with the Reeds. And it would be nice to see Willam again.
He and Jon had been called up to his father's solar. It made him feel uneasy. Jon made him feel uneasy too. He had accepted his apology far too easily. It was quite unnerving really. He didn't feel forgiven, not truly.
It was then he paid attention to the fact that Jojen and Meera Reed were by the door.
"Jojen, Meera. Did my father invite you as well?"
"Yes. Lord Stark had asked us to come to his solar. He mentioned something about matters of the North," Jojen said.
They then knocked and had been urged to come in. He stood tall and proud with a faint smile on his lips.
"Jojen. Your father told you and I that you ought to be a true proper lord of the North; for you to learn and become. And for that, you would have to know the North within itself. Jon and Meera, the both of you can learn much as well. Robb, you are my first-born son and heir. One day, I will not be here and you will be Lord of Wintefell and Warden of the North. And in order to rule the North, you need to know not only the land but the people in it."
He had heard of this. The lord's progress often marked a coming of age. Does this mean that Father considers me to be a man grown? But he has also invited Jojen to come along as well. And Meera and Jon. This could be good for them all.
"Where would we go first, Father?"
Lord Eddard Stark had smiled brightly then. "I'd thought that we'd go see an old friend first."
They had all left at first light. Though he had half-suspected that Arya and Rickon had tried to sneak in with them. Theon seemed to want to go with them but stayed in the end. He's probably more interested in the whores of Winter Town anyways.
Everyone had mostly kept to themselves. They did stop by Torrhen's Square if only briefly. He didn't know what to make of Benfred Tallhart's remarks about Meera. It made him a bit uneasy. If only because his attempts in flattering her were so terrible. Little Beren and Eddara had quickly found company with Jojen, enjoying his tales of the crannogs.
He found himself rather taken with the sparse flat and windswept land, the wind howling over them. The barrowlands are wide, hilly plains covered with barrows. Supposedly, they held ancient graves of the First Men. Supposedly, the largest hill, the Great Barrow in Barrowton, is said to contain the grave of the First King of the First Men or a King of the found himself getting impatient, but Lord Eddard had told him that it takes roughly eight days to get to Barrowton from Winterfell and vice versa. Meera seemed to share his excitement and enthusiasm. He hoped to meet and fight one of the barrow knights he heard about from Maester Luwin. Barrow knights were different from the knights of the south. The more southern knights were restricted to follow the Faith of the Seven; the barrow knights were no different though despite not following the Seven Who Are One.
They eventually found themselves closer to Barrowton. The town itself largely wooden and has broad straight streets. Within a short distance, he could see the castle of Barrow Hall. He saw the Great Barrow itself which was more a grassy hill compared to the flat and windswept barrowlands around it. And on top of it; the seat of House Dustin, Barrow Hall. Barrow Hall has wooden walls and square towers. There is an old windmill and a grassy courtyard located near the gatehouse. Wide and wooden stairs lead up the hill to Barrow Hall's keep.
As they got off their horses and made their way up to the gatehouse, he saw that there was already a man waiting for them. He seemed to be a genial sort with small bits of grey lining his chestnut brown hair and beard. Right by his side was a handsome woman with laugh lines on her face and small bits of grey on her hair as well. By their side was presumably their children. The eldest boy and heir, looked to be nearly as tall as his father, if a bit short by a head. Eyes bright yet intense like pools made of amber. He looked close to his age if a bit young. The girl had her brother's eyes but instead of the proud almost cocky smile that her brother bore, she seemed more the shier sort; her fingers seemingly twitching from nervousness. The youngest boy looked rather shy as well.
They then bowed to their liege lord, but Father did not look serious. Instead, he pulled the man into a large hug and they had a laugh.
"It's good to see you, Willam!"
"It's been far too long, Ned. Far too long!"
Suddenly, the man looked more composed and serious rather than jolly and genial.
"My lord. I proudly and gracefully welcome you to my home of Barrow Hall!"
Sorry for not updating, but work has taken its delightful toll on me, my laptop broke, I lost the documents containing my planned chapters and I haven't had much time to write. But hopefully, I will be able to make updates, even if on a rather sporadic level.