Eleventh Month of 233 A.L. Winterfell

Lady Jeyne Stark

Winterfell was a big and imposing castle, much bigger than the castle that Jeyne had lived in with her husband before the civil war and before Brandon had become Lord of Winterfell. There were times when Jeyne was not sure if she preferred Winterfell or Barrowmount the castle where she and her husband had lived before the war, both had their good points and bad points, all in all though Jeyne did think she preferred Winterfell, there was a certain feeling of safety she got from the old castle that she had not gotten from Barrowmount. Winterfell was also a good place to raise their children, Jeyne thought, the people of Winterfell were much more enthused towards her and her husband and their children than they had been towards Donnor Stark and his family according to nan, the nursemaid who had been brought in when Willam Stark was still lord. Her and Brandon's children were growing bigger by the day, Arthur their eldest had just turned five and was a curious child always running around and playing with things, whilst Sansa their eldest daughter was a very sweet two year old, and then there was Benjen who had just turned one, he was a quiet child. Jeyne loved them all something fierce and hoped to see them protected from war for some time to come.

Of course it did seem that the conflicts within the Stark family were now also finally sorting themselves out, Rodrik Stark, Brandon's younger brother had finally returned north from his exile in Stone Hedge bringing with him, Willam's two children Edwyle and Branda, but not their mother Melantha, who it seemed had died during the taking of Raventree Hall. Rodrik had been pardoned by King Baelon, but had not come north following the end of the war, that he had come north now was a sign that perhaps he wished to patch things up with Brandon. Something Jeyne's husband had been all too happy to do, after all she knew her husband missed his brothers and was haunted by Donnor's ghost. As for Edwyle and Branda, the boy had been told he would join the Night's Watch when he turned sixteen, and Branda was to join the Order of the Green Men soon enough. The threats to their children were dealt with and so Jeyne wondered what it was her husband wished to speak with her about.

She found Maester Lomys and Rodrik in her husband's solar when she entered, her husband seemed rather tired and sad when she sat beside him, taking his hand under the table. "You asked for me my lord?" she asked.

Brandon sighed and said. "I did indeed my lady. There has been a raven from Last Hearth. It would appear that the wildlings have been growing bolder once again. The Night's Watch is growing weaker by the year, and do not have the strength to deal with all the wildlings who make it over the wall. Hoarfrost wants to know what I plan on doing about it."

Rodrik spoke then. "There is only one thing that can be done brother. You must send out a party to find and deal with these wildlings and end their threat before it becomes apparent that they can be one."

Jeyne spoke up then. "But surely it is Hoarfrost's job as Lord of Last Hearth to see to the wildlings that make it into his lands? After all why is he asking you to do something, when it is clear what his own job should be?"

Maester Lomys voiced his agreement. "Lady Jeyne has a very valid point my lord. Why should you have to deal with the wildlings when they are still on Lord Umber's territory? Should they move past his territory, then perhaps sending out men to fight the wildlings would make sense. Otherwise there is no sense in doing so."

Her husband sighed and said. "Aye, that is true. But with Edwyle still in Winterfell and not moving from here until he is of age, there is a risk that Hoarfrost might very well declare for him and try riding out a war. I need that man to feel he needs us, more than we need him, and so we must ride out and deal with these wildlings."

Jeyne spoke up again then. "Well if that is the case do not go yourself." Her husband was about to protest and so she ploughed on. "If you lead this party there is every chance that Hoarfrost could arrange an accident for you, or that the mountain clans could come forth and act for Donnor Stark. Send someone else, someone they will respect but will fear enough that they won't try and make a move on them."

Brandon was silent for a long moment and then said. "Rodrik you shall go. Head north, take 100 men with you and deal with these wildlings. And on your way back, stop off with the first flints and speak with Lady Arya. It is time you were wed."

Jeyne had to suppress a chuckle as her goodbrother began spluttering. "But, why now? Why so soon after one war and another? Why not give it sometime before relations between Winterfell and the mountain clans are more improved?"

Jeyne saw her husband's eyebrows go up. "Why are you so hesitant to be wed brother? I saw you making moon eyes at Lady Arya when she was here two weeks ago for my son's nameday feast. Surely you would not object to wedding such a beauty? And besides, what better way to soothe things over with the mountain clans than by wedding one of their own to a son of Winterfell?" Her husband looked at Rodrik and then said. "Unless there is someone else?"

Her goodbrother blushed then and said solemnly. "No my lord there is no one else. I shall do as you asked."

Her husband nodded and said. "Good."

2nd Month of 234 A.L. King's Landing

Queen Rhaelle Blackfyre

There would be times at night where she would wake up sweating, with her heart racing thinking she was still on Dragonstone, waiting for her father to come to her room and tell her it was time to go. Life on Dragonstone had made her feel like a fugitive, constantly worrying over whether or not the black dragon and his men would come knocking, her mother and brother Jaehaerys had been on high alert until father and Duncan had come from King's Landing. And then Father and mother had spent most of their time preparing for the inevitable, Rhaelle herself was left to look after Aelix who was only a babe and did not truly understand what was going on, Jaehaerys and Duncan spoke about various other things, and that had been the way of their life for some four months. And then, one night the night they had all dreaded had finally come, they were to leave Dragonstone for Pentos, and yet Rhaelle had been dragged from the corridor by men who bore the black dragon, spies working for him and her guards had been killed. Her family had left not knowing where she was, and Rhaelle had been heartbroken and had despaired. And then anger had engulfed her as she saw the black dragon and his men loot Dragonstone, and she swore she would have vengeance.

Her wedding had been a hastily arranged affair, not something she had thought would happen during all those long nights she had dreamed of such a thing happening. All the traitors were there to see her wed to the usurper. The wedding passed by in a blur, the feast afterwards much the same, her husband spoke barely two words to her, and Rhaelle contented herself to looking after her cousin baby Maegor. But then the bedding was called for and she was brought to their chambers, her husband was clearly no virgin, and yet he did not take her like an animal, instead he was careful and gentle with her and then once they were done he left. It had been the same for some five months now, always they would do the deed and then he would leave. Some part of her was glad for that, and some other part of her wanted him to stay so she could learn more of him.

They very rarely spoke and so, she was quite surprised when he entered her solar and began speaking to her of affairs of the realm. "My lady, I hope I am not disturbing you." Rhaelle shook her head and her husband continued. "It is just that I was hoping I could ask your opinion on something?"

"You are my husband Your Grace. You do not need to ask me for anything." Rhaelle said noncommittally.

Her husband was silent for a long moment, and then he asked. "What do you know of the Martells and the Baratheons my lady? By that I mean, what do you know of how they think and act?"

The question took her back for a moment and then she replied. "Well I know that Lord Robar Baratheon has always been someone who was quick to anger and quick to act on that anger. The man does not always think, but he will always do what he thinks is best. As for the Martells, well Princess Arianne is strong minded and stubborn and as such she will always follow her gut. Why are they not submitting to you?" She secretly hoped so.

Her husband did not answer her question directly. "And how do you think they would be best placated and brought back down to see sense?"

Rhaelle was silent for a moment, realising that she could probably weaken her husband's position even more, but for some reason she felt the need to be somewhat truthful with him. "Well have you actually asked them what they want? Or have you kept putting pressure on them? For I know that Lord Robar, will do nothing but continue to resist you if you keep doing that. As for Arianne, I know not what can make her bend."

Her husband silently contemplated what she had said for a long moment and then he laughed and said. "How do I know what you are telling me is the truth? After all you could be doing this to simply weaken my position and make it easier for your father to return and claim what your family took from mine many years ago."

Rhaelle was silent and then she said. "You asked for my opinion Your Grace, and I gave it to you. Whether or not you choose to listen to what I have said is up to you. I am merely doing my duty as your wife."

Her husband laughed again. "Aye, that much you are. Dutiful aye, my wife is very dutiful. So tell me wife of mine, if you were me what would you do?"

Rhaelle thought about her husband's question for a moment and then said. "If I were you, Your Grace. I would call back Lord Tyrell and tell him to end his hostilities with the Martells, and I would tell him to put men on the border with the Stormlands. Make Lord Robar wonder what you will be doing next, and he might just slow down enough to consider bending the knee to you properly."

Her husband considered her a moment and then smiled. "I knew you were smart my lady, but I never thought you were that smart. But saying that, what are the chances of Martell and Baratheon allying together?"

Rhaelle was stunned by the question, it was obvious her husband knew not of the rivalry or intense hatred as her father liked to call it between Baratheon and Martell. Whether or not she should say that though was another thing entirely, and as the minute began ticking by her husband looked at her intently. Eventually she swallowed and spoke. "You must give them an incentive not to." At that her husband smiled and Rhaelle prayed she had not just ruined her father's chances of reclaiming the throne.