Ned
The morning that he and his sons departed was dark and cold and a heavy snow had moved in which was fitting his mood. He had burned candles low the night before into the morning hours reading the letters and getting an idea of what was being done behind his back. It had started off simply enough and subtlety even but by the last few years It was more like Cat was running the North and not him. She had talked marriage proposals and the ways that the north could become more of a power and so on. The biggest was that she knew her sister and Baelish was having an affair and there was a possibility that the child that Jon believed was his was not and this would prove problematic if that was true because it would leave the Vail without heirs and under the control of Peter Baelish if his plans progressed but his lady wife either didn't see what was happening or choose to ignore it and not tell him.
It took almost two whole weeks to reach their first stop and that was traveling hard. Jon and Rob had impressed him with their ability to keep up and not complain about the aches and pains they were feeling. Both were learning the land and was quick to help set and break camp. To find wood and food that was available to help their stores be replenished. Both would help brush the horses and take feed to them or walk them down to the water. That was all signs of maturity and them understanding that even though they are the heir and eventually lessor lord it was the respect of their men that will hold their holds and keep them safe and that started now as boys. It was also nice to note that once Theon was away from Rob, he was much less apt to jump into bad ideas and flake off responsibility. He would need to speak to the King about the boy and what to do with him.
As they came to the Dreadfort it seemed so dark and a level of moroseness came over them from the surrounding small people who seem that while healthy enough there was no happiness or laughter among the people. Few tried to sell their wears to them, and many closed their doors as if in fear of an invading army and not their overlord. It left him worried that he had missed to much in the last ten and five years since he became the Warden of the North and the Lord of Winterfell.
"Joren, send some men who we trust to not tell tales and have them visit the tavern tonight and give leave for less desired visits if they are of the persuasion and find out what is going on here and why we are being greeted as an invading army than kinsmen." Ned told one of his commanders knowing that it would have to be some of the small people in their group to make this group open to them about the matters at heart.
Riding through the gates Ned wasn't shocked to see the whole hold standing and waiting for him and so he quickly dismounted and so did his sons who handed off their reigns to a stable boy that looked half starved and sickly but who moved quickly.
"My Lord Stark; Dreadfort is yours." Roose Bolton bowed to him.
"Thank you, Lord Bolton, I am sure your hospitality will be greatly appreciated, and we will take leave soon. Thank you for the quarters. These are my sons Robert and Jon." Ned introduces his boys and waited for Bolton to do the same.
"My family my Lord, my wife Bethany of house Ryswell and our son and heir Domeric, and sons Braeden, and Grayson." Roose introduced and Ned had not known of the two youngest nor his marriage. Now he wondered if it was something else that his Lady wife kept from him and if so, what her motives were.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all and I look forward to getting to know you all. He said to the Lady of the house and the young boys. The two youngest could not be any older than two and three years old and his older son who was about Jon and Rob's age.
Following the family into the castle and to the banquet room was not less dismal as the weather outside. Everything was dark and minimal in color and decoration but also in torches. He wondered if this was because of low coffers or if it was just this family's way. He would be spending time here because the future could never happen again and he as a father wanted to murder this man on the spot but had to realize that he had done nothing wrong yet that he could prove.
"My Lord, would you like to retire to my solar so that we may talk business. Domeric show our Lord's sons where to sleep for the night then attend me in my solar." Roose said standing as did Ned and the three boys.
"Yes, we have many things to deal with." Ned joined him. "Boys sleep well and meet me in the morn in the gods' woods before we break our fast. We must not abandon our faith and lessons in our travels." Ned said and followed the servant who was carrying wine, bread, cheese, and salt.
"It is curious my Lord as to the travels, in all the years since the rebellion you have never visited other holds." Roose asked pouring them both drinks and passing it to the man he did not know well.
"True, I have not traveled and that is a mistake on my own not taking better control of things from the start. I plan on making some changes in how I oversee the North and correct my failings thus far. My only excuse Lord Bolton is that I was never taught the things it took to lead politically and have found that I have holes in my education. These have since been filled and you and the others will see a much different leadership." Eddard explained and let that sink in. He wanted to make it very well known that he was not going anywhere.
"How old is your Heir now, three and six or just about?" Ned asked and Roose nodded that he was following the conversation and what was not being said and by the twitch in his left hand was uncomfortable with the changes.
"Just turned two and ten. Barbary Dustin is taking him for a squire this month and then he will foster for Lord Redfort." Roose said.
"Good man and has great horses. We have a breeding agreement with him and have seen some quality steeds. He is also strong on morals and history so very good choice. As you will learn I will be taking a bigger role in the heirs of the north and will be looking at some of the houses that might need remodeling and we will be rebuilding many of the fallen keeps for second and on sons within the North. You have two more boys. Have you thought of where they might take up holds?" Eddard asked.
"No, my Lord, I have not yet had the though to their futures as they are nothing but babes still." Roose said and Ned nodded because until a few weeks ago he was the same so could not fault others having done the same.
"I will be looking at all holds and assessing the greatest need for protection and growth over the coming months. We also need to sure up trade with the free cities and other realms. How are your stocks for the winter?" Ned asked and Roose was feeling annoyed; for a long time none had asked his family this kind of information and he found it was rubbing him wrong to be so now. Rickon was never interested in the day-to-day issues of his lessor lords nor in the futures of the heirs of any of the great holds of the north just the gambit of the game of thrones.
"I have moons turn in short term stores and in long term enough for a long winter." Roose responded handing over his account books to his over lord and biting his tongue as he did.
"How many glass houses?" Ned asked having took the books and would look over them later in the evening.
"Ten, we also just added two new wheat fields for use and we are talking to Skagos about adding a new sheep heard but they are holding out for more coin." Bolton explained to him, and he thought over things.
"What is your plan in case of war or a siege here on the hold? How long can you hold and what of the small people?" Ned asked and Bolton rose his eyebrows at the question wondering what was going on because his spies had said nothing of war or conflict in the seven kingdoms.
For the next hour the two went over plans and Ned made note of areas that needed improvements and areas that needed to be expanded. His plan for the small people for one had to change and it was something that he would follow up on once he was back in the North. Taking his leave, he met with his sons and got their impressions of the day and of the heir to Dreadfort and then set them going through the books with him and making note of what was had and areas lacking. He had just sent his sons to bed when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come" he said and nodded to Joren.
"My Lord, I have a few updates that you asked for and some noted claims that have been put forth against the bastard of Lord Bolton and Lord Bolton himself." Joren said as he made sure the room was closed tight and that the guard was stood just past hearing distance.
"What have you found?" Ned asked sitting his quill aside and the ink pot he had been using to make notes on the financial aspects of Dreadfort on the surface. He was a smarter man and knew that most things would be hidden away and that was okay he had a few ideas of the route he would take with Dreadfort.
"The bastard Ramsey is a demented shit; he is known to kidnap and torture peasant maidens and then hunt them in the woods south of here with dogs before strangling them. A few have made claims, but they have been ignored or someone else accused even though they know it was Ramsey and a servant named Reek. Lord Bolton has been paying off accusations made by lessor lords and seems to ignore the whole thing as long as it is small people affected. There is rumor of Lord Bolton enjoying many of the prettier small maids before sending them off with nothing to help raise the bastards he puts in them. He is also still practicing first night privileges. In all I was told of at least 10 bastard children born a year. He is going to rival Lord Frey at the rate he is producing children." Joren explained what he had been told and with a sigh knew that this was not good news for anyone involved.
"What of the happiness of the small people? The businesses here?" Ned asked.
"None to be had, they work hard for little left. Lord Bolton is taking a huge amount and what is left is barely enough to survive on. There has been fever burning through for almost a year and many have succumbed to that. When help is asked for, he demands payment for it, and none can afford it. If they could leave, I feel many would." Joren reported.
"Thank you, Joren, let the men spend some coin and find foods for our travels from the small people and pay them for it." Ned said and now had what he needed to deal with Bolton and his son. He would make sure neither hurt his family again in any life.
The next day seen Ned meeting with his sons in the gods' woods and then breaking their fast before they took a tour of the villages close by and spent the day seeing the fortifications that were lacking or not provided for them. Then that evening another long meal in the hall visiting with the smaller lords and their families. It was interesting to see that most were the same coldness as the Boltons had about them and that all looked confused by the visit of Ned and his sons.
The day after Ned held court and sit in listening to the complaints of the small people and the issues of the lessor lords and watched as Bolton handed out verdicts and edits and wondered if the cases had been pre-chosen just for show as many seemed needless. After yet another lavish evening meal and meetings Ned was feeling restless. There was a pull to the north and a tingle as if time was running out and he wanted to get moving. Deciding to make his way out of the castle and to the heart woods to pray he took a walk around the longer way to check on his sons and make sure they were ready to travel the next day. He was just about to their rooms when he spotted a dark shadow trying very hard not to be seen.
Ned having not been used to all the hiding places in the castle ducked into a bend in the wall that was very dark and watched as the shadow moved slowly and then crossed the corridor to a door looking around before opening the door at which time it showed the face of Ramsey the bastard son of Lord Bolton. Ned followed quickly and peeked into the room and saw the boy pulled a bottle from his pocket and put some drops into the drinking cups on the table before pocketing the bottle again. Ned pulled his sword and waited for the boy to walk back out taking him by surprise.
"I would not move, or you will lose your head" Ned said coldly as that was all he really wanted to do and was glad for the excuse to take this bastard out of the world. He would never forget the memory of this thing raping his sweet girl and abusing her like he had and for killing his youngest son.
"I was just checking on them, I heard them crying" the boy said, and Ned smirked.
"Funny I heard nothing and have been standing here for a while watching you stalk about in the shadows. If you were concerned, then why hide?" Ned said and was not surprised when his sons appeared and so did the heir of Dreadfort as their rooms were just across from the nursery.
"Go get your father Domeric, Rob go and get one of our guards and ask them to come at once. Jon, carefully retrieve the drinking classes on the table in the nursery and hold on to them until the Maester can check them.
It was a matter of minutes that everyone came running to find out the issue. "Joren, search this boy and look for a bottle of something in his pockets." Ned said and the guard did as told quickly going through the pockets and finding a few different bottles of stuff and some coin, two daggers, and what looked like a flaying knife.
"Lord Bolton, I watched this boy move around the hall in the shadows and enter your nursery room where I went to see what was going on because it seemed so out of place. I watched as he poured something in those cups that my son has retrieved for me. I then apprehended him once he exited the room where he tried to tell me he was merely checking the boys as they were crying. I myself was on my way to see my sons and did not hear them at all. You might check to make sure he has not done anything else to your sons." Ned said and watched the pale man pale even further as he went into the room and rouse his small sons checking them over and then demanding that the maester also check them and someone to retrieve his wife and the woman who was supposed to be in here with them.
Once the children were checked and the maester was looking over the vials he frowned, "Mi' Lord each of these are a deadly poison. This one is tears of Lys, this one Kiss of death from the summer Isles, and this last one is venom of some kinds. All would cause death in those who ingest them." The old man said pocketing each vial and then taking the cups and smelling them as well and spoke. "Each is laced with the tears of Lys Mi' lord."
"Why would you do this? Why are you even within this castle?" Roose asked the pale boy who was glaring at them all and had no fear of the man who head a sword to his neck or the anger that was held for him from the same man.
"I come often to see how they live and see what it is I should have. I only meant to get to know my blood brothers as you refused to let me meet them." He said and Roose glared at him.
"My Lord Stark, as he is my son, I can not sentence and carry it out with out being known as a kin killer but for the attempt on my true born sons, I do believe that is what the punishment is correct." Roose asked and Ned knew he would have to pass judgement and carry it out and that didn't set well with him because it was something he wanted to do badly and found he was happy for the excuse to do it in the open and not in the dark of the night like he had planned. It had been one reason they had spent so much time here so that he could find and murder this creature and stop any chance of him ever hurting his family like in his dream.
"Yes, that is the sentence and I, Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North sentence Ramsey Snow with attempted kin slaying and usurping, sentence him to death by beheading at dawn." Ned said and turned to leave motioning his sons to follow him.
"We leave in the morn after this execution. Stay alert and drink only from our stores. I will have Jansen follow you back and wait outside your door." Ned said and both nodded and then they talked a bit longer about everything they had learned over the last few days and what they would add or change and how they would approach the news that Ned had gotten about what was happening and how they would have dealt with this evening events. He knew this event changed at least a few things in the future if it went as his green dream said it would and his daughter would be safe from that monster as would be his youngest son.
With stops similar as Dreadfort, Ned went to the Last Hearth, and some smaller places along the way. He had a good feel where his people were sitting come winter and it was destressing and he was going to have to really take control if his people would survive a long cold winter especially if it lasted for a generation like the last one did. He also knew just where many stood on the conditions throughout the seven kingdom and the north, and he had no idea how he was going to get many ready for what they were facing. He had also taken on those heads and heirs of the passing holds as he made his way to the wall where he would be meeting all those others who he had sent ravens to, to meet there.
One of the things that he spoke with the heads about was the old customs that had fallen out of favor but he by way of the green dream and the gods felt was important. Trade and the future of the north and fostering and how it used to create bonds between the houses and a working friendship and loyalty between the heirs. By the time he was Rob and Jon's age he was already at the Vale being fostered. But in his father's generation his grandfather had fostered his sons throughout the north and his father had taken on the Heirs of those of the north. It had been his fathers want to play the game of thrones and defeat the Targaryen's that had cost them all.
The fostering system is a way to build alliances and friendships between the heirs and something that was not lacking per say with Ned but he was defiantly not as close to those as his brother and even sister had been. However, he planned to change that because his children would need those connections in the future wars to come and afterwards as they rebuilt their lands and holds. Ned prayed he would survive this coming battle, but he was smart enough to know that war was no fairytale of heroes winning and all surviving. It was always a flip of the stranger's coin. His only hope was that his children were ready to step in and do what was needed when it was needed.
Once everyone who was to join them arrive at the Last Hearth there was a great feast and then a council where Ned talked about the things he had seen while visiting the Northern holds and learned on his travels. Then he addresses some of the changes he wanted to take place. He knew some would push back but others would accept it quickly.
"Thank you for all who has been able to join me on such short notice. I know it has been many years since we have been able to join together and talk about matters face to face, but I would like this to change along with some other things that I find are important." Ned tells his lords as they had finished their evening meal. Most of his kingdom except Barrowtown had arrived and Lady Dustin had neither returned his raven nor shown, and he was not surprised. As much as he hated what was to be done he would need to go there and deal with her and her father and announce an heir to take her place if she did not start coming into order. He understood her anger but ten and five years should have tapered that, and she had to move on.
"What seems to have been such the rush to meet?" GreatJon spoke up and he saw others nod in response as well.
"I do not like the way things have been handled the last few years, most on my part and only I can change this. I beg your pardons on the only excuse I have was just not thinking about the future the way that I should have done and gaining stagnation in the comfort of peace and prosperity. However, we all know peace is never a sure thing in our world nor is prosperity without hard work which I feel I have not given enough attention to. The north is a harsh hard place, and we are only as strong as our weakest hold as of which I do not know currently. Those faults could cause us to see our defeat and I refuse for that to happen shall it come to war. I will be having the same meeting with the lords of the eastern parts of the north as soon as I return from the wall, but all details of this meeting will be sent to them as well." Ned explained and could see many looks to the other and shift in worry.
"Are there rumblings of war, Lord Stark?" Roose Bolton asked having his own spies well placed and having not heard even a whisper of one yet and he had discreetly checked after Lord Stark had arrived.
"War is always on the horizon, and we do well to always be prepared. But no there is no rumblings of conflict and King Robert is holding the kingdoms well. I speak in more of an abstract manner and one of our histories of the north. War always comes and it is our strength and alliances that weathers us through and wins wars. It is these things we have let slip over the last couple generations and never more so than now. We rely on trade with the other realms instead of being self-sufficient. We get many of our needs from over the seas and while it is what is easy, we are losing valuable trades, knowledge, and self reliance. We must remember our roots and strive to revive being able to last long cold winters without waiting for food and goods from the south or the free cities when they have no way of getting to us. Our holds need to stock more in food stores for not just the hold but the small people who are bound to us. We forget their survival is our responsibilities and that we need them also. So far none of the holds I have visited along with Winterfell is ready and we have failed. We must each make plans and I want a copy of those in a fort night." Ned said and seen many looking around and taking in what he was saying, and he could see some wanted to argue but he left no room for that as he moved on to the next issue.
"Another thing that has happened because of my father and his run at the game of thrones is that in the past marriage alliances and wards were what connected us were lost. I can a test that it has been much harder not having those and having to come into a war and make those connections. I feel that I was not trained in all that needs to be done and here years later have failed in some areas that should never have happened. Before in the time of our grandfathers and back all heirs trained together building strong friendships and a working knowledge of the other. Our spare sons would foster with other holds and was trained to step up and in if needed. Our daughters married our sons and extended families were created. Four generations have passed with only a few heirs at Winterfell and many of the northern wards going south and marring southern brides. Second sons and more leaving for the wall or the south to find fame and fortune and leaving the North without new blood and holds to work our vast lands. The wall has fallen to despair and the gift and new gift sits vacant and unfarmed because the gates have been closed to those north of the wall. For generations they would travel between with their herds during the summer and back for winter. We are losing those blood lines and access to those herds, and that bond with groups who are of the north and who know the old ways. How many of us still teach our children the old tongue of the first men? I wasn't and so we can't even read our histories that many of us have let sit on shelves for generation after the next being forgotten."
"Aye but that is the way of it Ned. Our grandfathers and fathers and even their fathers before them didn't keep to the old ways" Lord Karstark replied to many nods all wondering why this was being brought up. Most had no idea what was even really being talked about and why they were summoned for talk of old days.
"Wilding raids have gotten worse than ever and those caught all say winter is coming and it is going to be harsh and long. My lord father seldom dealt with the numbers we do now." GreatJon said thinking over what his friend was saying.
"So, what is it you are wanting here Ned?" the lady of bear islands asked.
"I did some research before coming. All daughters once of age spend two years on Bear Island learning the ways of the north as a woman and how to fight when needed, our medicines, histories, and the ways of the old gods after which they marry and hopefully bless us with new lines of children. Would you be willing to restart that practice, Marge?" Ned asked causing many to start mumbling to those around them. Most saw daughters as nothing more than political pawns and alliance tools.
"Ay, we could easily enough depending on the amount of girls to come." She replied sitting straighter and squaring her shoulders as this was not a small question being asked here.
"Good before we leave, we shall make a list of those who are ready now and will be in the next few years." Ned addressed her and then turned to the others.
"We need our histories being taught once again and the old languages. I am going north of the wall to see what can be worked out with the free folk and that is final. I want all second sons and heirs that are of ward age sent to Winterfell where they will be taught and educated in those histories and ways of leading the north. I will send my third son to the last hearth and my fourth to white harbor when time comes. All others if had we will go from there. I want a list of where all wards will be sent and when before we leave here." Ned said causing an uproar as most had not minded the practice to have fallen out of favor as they could keep their son's home and trained to their alliances. Some like Roose who had but one heir feared letting them go and even after having the spares still fearful as all the others had died before reaching five winters.
"And what of the daughters that are heirs." Marge asked thinking of her own four daughters who were still at home.
"An heir is an heir no matter male or female. They will come as well to learn beside each other. Those not heirs will only spend the two years at bear island." Ned explained having thought a lot about this and knowing that his lady wife was in for a huge change when he arrived with the heirs to those of the north.
"Are you arranging the marriages also?" a lord from a small hold close to the islands asked.
"No, however, I would prefer that they were kept in the north, but I will not make that law." He answered and saw many relax at his words.
"You intend to let the wildlings come south after all the trouble they have caused us? Lord Glover asked in his blunt bellowing way.
"Aye, they will have the areas of the New Gift to farm and run their animals on and in return they will send aid when needed, food, and pay their share of tax to the North. We also will get new older blood lines of the north to refresh ours and to start new. Family is family in the north, and we need to continue to grow and embrace that. We are the largest of the seven realms but the least populated because half our people are behind a wall. I understand that it will take some work to get back to the ol' ways but for the best of the north it must be." Ned explained before taking a deep drink of his wine as he listened to the noise rise again as those dinning with him starts voicing their opinion and dissent. He just hoped that he could get them to listen once across the wall.
They continued to discuss many things from new trade between the north and the free cities, the need for all to build more glass houses and then back to the renewal of the old ways and traditions that many didn't remember but was open to if it meant that their sons and daughters would have a chance at gaining favor with the Lord Paramount and his family. The heirs and his sons seem to be hitting it off and becoming fast friends which is something he wanted to happen.
Ned sit back watching as Rob and a pretty young lady from a lesser house chatted and she blushed at something he said to her. Ned made a mental note to talk to both his boys about how to rightfully treat ladies and what was expected out of them. While they had wolfs blood running through them the blood did not seem to run as strongly in them like it had his brother and sister. Arya was the one he feared for the most and the one who he wanted to take control of her education and training so that she could be everything she wanted but also do her duty. He just hoped that it would not kill her like it had his sister.
"Ned, Lets go to my solar and talk" Great Jon said rising as many had already left for the evening to return to their rooms or their camps to prepare for the last part of the trip to Castle Black.
"We have known each other for many years more than we like to admit, what is really going on? What has you preparing as if the war of all wars is coming?"
"Aye we have, and I want to tell you Jon, but I fear you will think me mad. That is why I go north to the wall to get proof of what is happening and to try and stop it." Ned said taking the stronger drink from the one person in the north that he saw as his best friend and knew he never needed to doubt.
"Talk to me Ned, I have not seen you so worried since the war. Even if you think I will find you mad." Great Jon said and sat across from his friend. Both had lost their fathers and brothers in the war and had grown close over the years fighting and since regularly exchanged letters. He knew the man well and knew something was very wrong.
"I promise to all the old gods that what I say is true and I don't know Jon. I lived a whole life in a flash or maybe I truly did. We think it was more likely that it was a green dream and I know that those are rare but it is all that I can think of to explain because the alternative is that I truly died and came back at the behest of the old gods. I am not sure which scares me more." Ned finally said and watched his friend look at him closely before taking an extra deep drink before sitting straighter up and nodding. He knew his friend he was not one for stories nor was he ever dishonest and so while he did not understand what had happened, he would believe him at face value.
"What did you see Ned, what is coming?" Jon asked.
Ned proceeded to explain all he had seen and that he knew that had happened, what the histories said and then all that had happened with his family since he woke up and his plans. It was late into the night when he was finished, and Jon had finished his questions and in a way, Ned felt much lighter knowing that his friend believed him and shared in his fears and worry.
"We will figure this out and get as many as we can ready. I will start here with getting more grazing land cleared because we will need a bigger herd. What are you going to do about Robert and his heirs?" Jon asked. That whole task is very dangerous, and it would need to be handled in a quick but quiet manner.
"After we are done in the north, I am traveling to meet Lord Arryn and the King at Storms End and I just hope that I leave with my head this time around. If not, I trust you to help my sons protect the north from what is beyond the wall. They will need the protection; I am working with them in ways I should have started long before now but never thought it was needed." Ned assured his friend. They spoke more of plans that Ned had and what the old gods had taught him and wanted him to remind the north of. The old ways that they had grown so far away from.
