Hello All. Here's another chapter. Hope you all enjoy and thanks for following me! Keep those reviews coming please!

In answer to a Guest's review: Petyr Baelish is NOT a Champion. He is a minion and a disposable one at that. If you're looking for a champion for the other side, then it would be the Night King.

Chapter 20 – Putting wheels into motion

"Yes. Ser Davos Seaworth. Otherwise known as The Onion Knight. He is the only one who has mapped Old Valyria and lived to tell the tale."

"We'll camp here for the night. Pass the word to halt and start making camp." Ned informed the captain of his guard. The captain nodded and rode off, shouting orders as he went. Slowly, the convoy of men, wagons and horses stopped and the men started moving around, stretching out sore muscles as they started setting up the camp.

Ned, Jon and Tyrion along with Robb, Theon and Greatjon Umber, dismounted from their horses and stretched their sore bodies in relief. It was now the fourth evening of their week long trek to the Wall and Castle Black. They, along with Maester Aemon and the new "recruits" for the Nights Watch had been making their slow way further and further north to where Westeros ended and the True North began.

As the men started setting up the tents for Lord Stark and his party, Jory Cassel escorted Maester Aemon from the wagon he rode on to where Ned and the others were waiting, another man carrying a comfortable camp chair for the old Maester. Once he was seated, Jon instantly went to the old man and continued the conversation that they had started on the road to Castle Black while the others refreshed themselves. Ned though, just looked at the mass of men currently busy setting up camp for the night.

It was a rather impressive size group. The guards that Tyrion had ordered to pick the Riverlands dungeons clean for the Watch had amassed a surprising amount of prisoner "recruits". The captain of the escort explained to them that due to the bountiful and long summer, the thieves were getting bolder and more careless with their thieving while the bandits were making a rich living of travellers. The River Lords had apparently been pleased and eager to get rid of them all and it was widely known that the Night's Watch was fearfully low on manpower and so it had taken a while for all the prisoners to be gathered at various castles in the Riverlands for the escort to pick up as they headed north.

The weather had been perfect but getting progressively colder as they travelled further north. They were now at the point where cloaks were worn all day and night in order to ward off the chill in the air. When Maester Aemon had heard some of the new recruits complain about the cold this far south of the Wall, Maester Aemon had smiled and told them that the cold they were feeling was the Wall itself. That much ice in once place produces its own cold and it never gets hot enough to melt the ice no matter how hot the day may be.

Jon had smiled and thought back on the time he spent with his other uncle at Winterfell while waiting for the new recruits. Jon and Aemon had spoken about Jon's father and the rest of their family while Jon told Aemon about his time with Daenerys.

Aemon had been pleased that Targaryen madness hadn't been passed down to her and when he heard about Viserys, he had shook his head in sadness and told Jon that it sounded like the madness had started even earlier in Viserys then it had in Aerys but had agreed with Dany's assessment of her brother. He was no true dragon.

They had also discussed Jon's time as a Black Brother and Lord Commander in the Time Before. Maester Aemon was of the opinion that some of the problems Jon had the first time would either not happen or Jon would be able to mitigate the worst of the circumstances somewhat but also warned Jon that it was entirely possible that there would be new problems cropping up.

After all, are they not already changing the future by adding a massive amount of men to the Night's Watch and also by starting talks with the Wildlings, which hadn't happened until Stannis had defeated their forces before the Wall and even then, the talks were forced and due to the fact that Stannis had planned to burn their leader alive had pretty much killed any chance for a true and proper peace to be established.

Jon had agreed and then joked that it was why he was going to bring Sam with him. Between Sam and Aemon, they should be able to see any plots or problems before they happened. Aemon commented that he was looking forward to meeting Sam and Jon told him that he and Sam would get on very well indeed. Ned and Tyrion had sometimes sat in of the discussions but admitted that they didn't really have all that much to contribute.

The Wall, Nights Watch and eventually, the Wildlings were Jon's responsibility and they knew little to nothing of the internal workings of the Free Folk or the Nights Watch. It would be up to Jon to tutor them in the basic rules not to be broken while in the Free Folk's camp and if insulted to make sure that they made the appropriate response and be prepared to back it up with steel and blood if needs be. Jon had explained that the Free Folk, while they would not kneel to anyone, respected strong leaders and those who were prepared to stand up for their convictions and beliefs.

Robb hadn't yet been let in on the secret of the Time Before but Ned, Jon and Tyrion believed that they were going to have to tell him something for Robb was starting to ask questions about how Jon knows what he knows about the Nights Watch and the Wildlings.

It was unanimously agreed by all those currently in the know about the Time Before that Theon Greyjoy would never be told. It was too dangerous because he was too unpredictable and arrogant to be trusted. The only one they were undecided about was Greatjon. Ned felt it would help the situation if he knew if only so he can keep control of his son who may or may not be a traitor this time around but the others weren't quite convinced but Jon felt sure that it was only a matter of time before he figured out something close to the truth. He was already interrogating Jon about things in his own not so subtle way.

Jon sighed and decided that they had to let Robb and Greatjon in on the secret. He was starting to get worried about the amount of people who knew about him Tyrion, but as Tyrion pointed out, they weren't going to be able to do this alone and they needed help.

Ned knowing what was to come was essential, having Catelyn know was helpful and Aemon was useful due to the fact he would be at the Wall with Jon, but Tyrion also pointed out that they were going to need people like Robb and Greatjon Umber in the know because they would be the ones to lead the North in war against the Night King if anything happened to either Jon or Ned.

Jon decided that they could be told once they reached Castle Black where they could have a discussion in private without Theon or others nearby who could possibly overhear them. Until then, Robb and Greatjon could be put off with promises of full disclosure when they reached Castle Black and for now, just trust that Jon knew what he was speaking about. Maester Aemon would be able to back him up on some of what Jon would tell them.

After everyone had eaten and was settled around campfires drinking and talking, Jon and Maester Aemon gave "Lessons" on the Nights Watch and the Wildlings and this evening's lesson was on the internal politics of the Nights Watch and the Free Folk's customs when negotiating.

And for Theon's sake, the Idiot's guide to Spearwives.

As amusing as it would be for everyone to watch Theon's so called charm result in a fist to the face at the least, it wouldn't do for Theon to get himself gutted by a Free Folk woman. Jon didn't think Theon would be able to separate spearwives from salt wife's in his mind and a mistake such as that could cost him his cock long before Ramsey has a chance to take it.

In three days, Jon would arrive at the one place he didn't really want to be. While his first time at Castle Black has its good moments, the bad far outweighed the good. It was the place where he was betrayed in the worst way by men he trusted. It was the place where he was murdered in cold blood just because Jon had tried to do what was right instead of what was easy.

It was the place where he had killed the boy and became the man.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

While they had waited for the Night's Watch recruits to arrive in Winterfell, a surprising amount had been accomplished. Ned had managed to find a quiet moment to speak to Lady Mormont about a pact for Sanctuary for the Stark children if ever needed and about Arya's fostering to Bear Island for a year and a half.

Arya needed to come south with him and Sansa but she could be fostered for a short while and hopefully, Lady Madge and her people could instil some semblance of being a Lady into Arya in that time, If anyone could manage this impossible task, it was Madge Mormont.

Cat had decided that Sansa would stay with her in Winterfell. It was too risky, Cat had decided to send Sansa to be fostered anywhere else while she was too naive to realise if she was being used or "programed" to do anything. Littlefinger, she pointed out, had already managed to get a hold into Sansa by playing to her girlish dreams and naive ideas about the world.

Cat herself would take over Sansa's education and teach Sansa everything she would need to know in order to survive Kings Landing and what may happen if things go very wrong again. Apparently, Cat had several "educational" outings planned for Sansa and Ned knew for a fact, Sansa wasn't going to enjoy herself at all.

But she WOULD learn about the real world.

Ned chuckled. Cat's punishment for the girls had been brilliant. After speaking with Ned about what their punishment should be, Ned had the girls summoned to his solar and Cat told them their fates.

"Sansa, I am very disappointed in you. You have kept secrets from your father and I that could have very serious repercussions for your family and what you said to your sister was most cruel and very much uncalled for. Arya, while I can excuse your anger over what Sansa said, I cannot forgive the fact that you stole and knife from the armoury and threatened your sister with it. It wasn't an even a training knife Arya, it was live steel and you could have seriously hurt or even killed your sister! Both your behaviours have shamed your family and yourselves. You are sisters! You WILL learn to work together as family if nothing else! Have I made myself clear?"

Cat's tone left no room for argument and the girls could only nod their heads and mumble "yes mother".

"Good. Sansa, Arya, from this day until the day your father leaves for the Wall, you're punishments will be this. Sansa, as of tomorrow morning, you will rise early and dress in the clothes I will leave in your room. You will then eat breakfast. After you have eaten, you will report to Ser Rodrick in the training yard where he will begin to instruct you in the art of knives. You will do this until lunchtime. After lunch, you will report to Vayon Poole, where he will assign you and Arya tasks where you must work together to complete them. You will do this until dinner. After dinner, you will attend me in my solar for lessons in politics and House and Court intrigues."

"Arya, starting tomorrow morning, you will rise early and dress in the clothes I leave in your room. You will attend breakfast. After you have eaten, you will attend lessons with Septa Lanna where you will learn the manners and courtesies of a Lady. I do not expect you to learn how to sew perfectly but I do expect you to try your best with everything being taught to you. You will do this until lunch. After lunch, you will report to Vayon Poole, where he will assign you and Sansa tasks where you must work together to complete them. You will do this until dinner. After dinner, you will attend me in my solar for lessons in politics and House and Court intrigues."

When Ned saw the angry, horrified looks on his daughter's faces, he was hard pressed not to burst out laughing. Even Cat admitted later that she also had a hard time maintaining a straight face.

Cat and Ned had decided that this was the best way to quickly sort out some problems while punishing them in the way that the girls would hate the most. The part of the punishment where they would be forced to co-operate in order to complete the tasks set to them was suggested by Tyrion. He told them of a time when his Aunt Genna had done the same sort of thing in order sort out and punish her warring sons. It had worked both had gained a new appreciation for each other. Ned and Cat were hoping the same thing would happen here.

It did, for the most part.

It had killed Arya to dress as a little Lady and attend lessons with Septa Lanna. The new septa was a younger woman who was able to relate to Arya better then Septa Mordane ever could. While Arya hated the lessons, with Lanna's help, she was starting to master the necessary basics every young Lady must know.

Sansa as well, absolutely hated her lessons. She abhorred any activity that got one all sweaty and dirty and learning how wield knives in the training yard would guarantee she would be both by the time she had finished, but she took the lessons seriously, especially after her first one.

Cat had spoken to Ser Rodrick about who would be the best man at Winterfell to train Sansa under his supervision. To Cat's surprise, Rodrick had recommended Bronn. The man knew how to wield a knife to lethal effect. Cat had thought it over and decided to speak to the man himself.

She had called Bronn and Tyrion, as Tyrion was his current employer, to her solar. Once they were seated, she told them what she wanted Bronn to do and asked if it would be a problem. Tyrion had just shrugged and told Cat that Bronn was paid as his bodyguard but what he did in his time off was Bronn's business as long as it didn't involve anything illegal. Bronn for his part had just sat there with a thoughtful look on his face.

"M'lady, just so I understand what you're asking me to do, you want me to train your eldest girl how to defend herself from disreputable men such as myself yeah?" While Cat despaired at his manners, she knew that this man was a valuable asset that she needed to make the most of while he was still here in Winterfell. Cat nodded.

"Yes I am. If it's about being compensated, don't worry…." Bronn waved her off.

"It ain't about being paid M'lady, believe it or not, I'm willing to do this for free. She's a sweet girl who don't deserve what men would do to her. Look, what I'm tryin' to say here is that if I'm gonna teach her, she's gonna need to take it seriously and the only way I can make her do that is if I scare her good and proper so she knows what it feels like to he helpless and at someone else's mercy. I promise you after that, she'll learn what I have to teach very fast and if it makes you feel better M'lady, I'll tell you where and when I'm gonna ambush her so you can be nearby and you can reassure yourself that I didn't hurt her and that way, you can also be there to comfort her when she starts cryin' from the shock. She'll need her mother bout then." Bronn, blunt as always, explained.

Cat didn't like what Bronn had proposed but had to agree that Sansa needed such a shocking wake up call.

"Now, I might have to get a little "handsy" just to get the point through to her but I promise you m'lady, I won't do nothing that would comprise the little ladies honour." Cat had to push down protective urges at that comment.

They spoke for a while longer, planning Sansa's "lesson" and agreed that they would do it the same night as her first lesson. After Bronn left the solar, Cat turned to Tyrion,

"Can we trust him not to hurt Sansa?" she asked him.

Tyrion gave her a gentle smile. "Oddly enough, yes. Man's got a strange sense of honour for a sell-sword but its honour all the same. He doesn't hold with hurting little girls. After the incident with Joffrey in the throne room when he had Meryn Trant beat her, Bronn was begging me to let him kill Trant. He was fairly disgusted with what had happened." Tyrion reassured her.

The night after the first lesson which Sansa didn't take seriously, Cat was hidden in an alcove along the hall close to Sansa's room while Bronn lurked in another alcove waiting for Sansa.

Sansa was tired and just wanted to get to her room. Her day had started early and with the horrible lessons in the yard and then the afternoon fighting with Arya while they tried to complete all the tasks that had been set for them, Sansa was worn out and failed to pay attention to her surroundings.

She was getting close to her room when suddenly, someone had grabbed her from behind and before she could get the breath to scream, had her pinned against the wall with a hand over her mouth.

"Well now, little lady, this is a fine mess you gotten yourself into." Bronn's smooth tone penetrated the panic in Sansa's brain. She was still scared out of her mind but could now think somewhat. That was until she felt Bronn's hand on her upper thigh, grabbing the material of her dress and pulling it upwards. He stopped when the material was halfway up her calf.

"Well now, little lady, this is not a situation you want to be in now is it?" He asked. Sansa frantically shook her head. He opened his hand and Sansa felt the skirt of her dress falls downwards, but Bronn's had travelled up toward her chest, and then just before he reached her breasts sliding it around to just under her armpit.

"See now, little lady, most men ain't as nice as me and right now, they'd be groping at your goodies instead or," he said as he slid his hand up to her throat and lightly squeezed. "Or they'd be strangling the life out of your pretty little body, most likely while raping ya and they wouldn't be a thing you could do about it."

Sansa was now terrified. Nothing in her life had prepared her for something like this and while she was sure that Bronn wouldn't kill her, she wasn't so sure that he wouldn't take advantage of her vulnerable position and move his hands to places they should not be. Just as she thought she would pass out in fear, Bronn released her and stepped back. As Sansa slumped against the wall, Bronn pulled out a small training knife and handed it to her hilt first.

"Right, put that up your left sleeve and get back into position. I'm gonna show you a few trick that will make a man release you if he values his manhood." Bronn's normal rough tones snapped Sansa out of her shock better than a bucket of cold water. What happened next was an impromptu lesson on what Sansa could do to get herself out of this type of situation.

Cat, who had watched the whole thing in silence, decided while she really didn't like the man's methods, they were certainly effective. She thought back on what Tyrion had told her about the riot it Kings Landing the day Myrcella Baratheon left for Dorne and decided if nothing else, should it happen again, this time, Sansa would be more prepared for it and know how to handle herself.

When Bronn was done, Cat stepped in and took control of Sansa, starting to move her towards her room. Bronn's voice stopped them when apologised to Sansa for what he just did and explained why he did it then told her that he'll see her the next morning for her lessons.

After that, things got better for both Sansa and Arya. Especially when one afternoon, Cat went to check on the girls progress in their tasks for the afternoon, not only to find the tasks complete but Sansa teaching Arya some of the moves that Bronn was teaching her while in return, Arya was helping Sansa perfect her stances and the moves.

The days before the men left for the Wall had been peaceful between the girls and Cat thanked the Gods. Arya and Bran would be leaving for Bear Island and Greywater Watch respectively at the same time as Ned would leave and Cat valued being able to spend time with Arya and Bran in peace before she had to let them go. Cat had agreed that it would be good for both of them but they were her children, her babies and she didn't like that they would leave the nest so soon.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Cat didn't have much time to grieve over the absence of her children however as she was busy overseeing Winterfell as well as arranging rooms for a new addition to the household. Lord Selwyn of Tarth had answered Ned initial raven message in regards to Brianne coming to Winterfell as Sansa's sworn sword.

Ned had a bit of an unfair advantage thanks to Tyrion's information about the Lord of Tarth and Brianne herself and so was able to word his message in such a way that Lord Selwyn and Brianne would see this an a great honour and it helped that Lord Selwyn loved his daughter so much that he'd rather see her happy in armour and wielding a sword then in an unhappy marriage to a man who wouldn't appreciate the wonderful woman his daughter was.

In an unexpected twist, Lord Selwyn would accompany Brianne to Winterfell in order to see what sort of people the Northers really were. As a Southern Lord, he had of course heard stories but most seemed outlandish to him and he wanted to make sure that the Northern men would accept a woman who could fight, usually better than they could.

Tyrion had spoken to Cat about how Lady Brienne had problems with clothes. She looked ridiculous in a dress but wearing men's clothes, which suited her tall statuesque frame better, got her nothing but mocking and insults and while Lady Brianne was the very soul of cool courtesy and was able to ignore it for the most part, it still hurt her to be mocked because she was different.

This was something that Tyrion understood all too well and he wished to help the woman he admired so much. He suggested to Cat that maybe she could get Sansa and Arya help design clothing for her that was comfortable, functional when wielding a blade, yet still able to be presented at court in. Both he and Cat had agreed that it would be a challenge that both girls would enjoy.

Sansa just because she was a talented seamstress and designer herself and would see it as an interesting challenge to her skills and Arya due to the fact that these would be clothes she would like wearing and also please her mother at the same time. By the time Arya left for Bear Island, she had half a dozen of the various designs that Sansa and she had worked on made up for her. She loved them.

Siro Forel had also replied but he had to decline as he was under contract for another year but after his contract was finished, he would like to revisit the job offer again.

Randyll Tarly hadn't relied to Ned first message before he left but Tyrion said that didn't surprise him. Ned had written to Tarly saying that he needed a tutor for his bastard and had heard that while a bit of a coward, Sam was an intelligent young man who might be able to actually make his stupid bastard learn something. Ned tried to make it sound like he was doing Tarly a favour by taking Sam of his hands.

In Tyrion's opinion, Randyll Tarly was more likely to not bother replying but just send Sam north to Winterfell. He would be eager to get rid of his cowardly son sooner and Tyrion bet anyone who cared to take him up on it, that Randyll Tarly would most likely disown Sam before he left. It would be a matter of "You wanted him, here you can have him."

After hearing what Sam had gone through in the Time Before, Cat had decided that Randyll Tarly was a bastard of the first order and didn't deserve such a good, kind, brave son such as Samwell. She was determined to make sure that Sam had contact with his mother and sister whom he loved and was loved in return so much and if Gilly and little Sam should appear on the scene, Cat would make her welcome and do everything she could to help and protect the Wildling girl and her baby.

Cat was hoping that Ned would return to Winterfell before Lord Selwyn and Lady Brianne arrived.

It would all depend on what was happening north of the Wall.

Next Chapter, we've come home to Castle Black. Now the fun starts