Chapter Fifty-Nine
….
Winterfell Main Hall
The usually drab main hall of Winterfell are packed to the brim and as aesthetically designed as the North in its practical attitude can ever be. Laurels and blue roses adorn the walls and doors while animal heads that served as trophies for many a Lord Stark has been pulled out of storage to be displayed. The usual long table of Winterfell has been added a few ones to accommodate the extra guests.
Of course at the middle and the most prominent is Robert laughing raucously, his whoring attitude not the least lessened in the presence of his new Hand and best friend who looks disapprovingly as Robert grabs the arse of any wench he can reach. Beside Robert of course is Ned with Cat and the rest of his children. On his other side is Tywin who looks more akin to a statue eating with how much he ignores the king's insult to his family by grabbing wenches in the presence of his queen. Cersei is next to Tywin talking to Jaimie while Joffrey is catapulting spoon fulls of porridge at his younger brother.
Below the High Table are of course the common ones. Normally it would be filled with Lords and servants of the North who are usually present at Winterfell during mealtimes. Right now however it is filled with Southeners from the king's Royal Entourage with only the basic Winterfell guard present. Not many of the Northeners after all appreciate the presence of so many from the South littering, even if it is jolly old King Robert.
Surprisingly however, Delianah Tully and the rests of her retinue chose to sit down with the rest of the commoners and not with the royals and lords. To the even greater surprise of all, the Princess Myrcella also chose to sit there alongside her laughing and carousing with the rest.
As for Tywin Lannister, the Old Lion simply watches in a critical look the Lady of Rivendell. The words of the Princess Myrcella are bouncing inside his head. Personally Tywin would never risk such a daring stunt as such that his granddaughter wants to attempt. It would after all bring shame to House Lannister and drag it to the much. However the benefits of such a stunt are so great and it after all resolves the direr issues that are currently plaguing his House. This would tie the two Houses together and if done correctly, could be the new financial source and power for generations to come.
However while Delianah Tully could be the solution to the financial crisis that would be hitting House Lannister like a battering ram in the face, Tywin Lannister can't help but worry. The Tully bastard is in every essence a maverick of the highest order and a great catalyst of change. Tywin cannot control her even if he wants to and that puts a bad taste in his mouth. The Old Lion after all excels the most in getting things moving in the background where he can make the greatest impacts without the criticizing eye of the public.
"What to do, what to do indeed?"
…..
Winterfell Outside the Main Hall, the Stables
The cold air of the North kisses Jon's face. It feels almost surreal for him to be standing here once again. He can recall more times than he can count doing fecal duty since "It is the only place for bastards" according to the bitch wife of his father. It is also the only place where he can think and plan for his future. Back then it is the future with the Black Brothers of the Watch, now here he is, a lord and a prince in his own right.
"Jon," a very familiar voice calls his name and Jon turns to see his brother Robb with the rest of his siblings, and Theon coming out also.
"Robb, everyone," Jon breathes out. Prince of Dol Amroth or not, Jon would always consider his siblings family, no money in the world can change that.
It is as if a dam has broken. Immediately Bran, Rickon and Arya bullets towards him hugging his center fiercely. Jon only laughs as he returns their embrace. He would never exchange his time with Ygritte but he can admit that he misses these kind of hugs from his younger siblings, well except Sansa maybe. That girl is a mini Catelyn after all.
"You never visited us, you barely write," pouts Arya making Jon laugh as he ruffles her head.
"I'm quite busy you know. I have a wife now of my own Arya, an aunt for you. You will love her, I promise,"
"Did you bring any gifts for us?" asks a beaming Bran at him.
"Of course I do, can't just visit here without bringing something for you lot," he replies now disengaging from the hugh with Rickon letting go the last.
Now that the reunion beween his younger siblings and him are over, Jon turns to his older brother who smirks with an arm outstretched that Jon takes firmly. "It is good to see you Stark,"
"Aye and same to you Snow," responds Robb. The two of them remains that way staring at each other seriously before the two of them can no longer hold it. With a burst of laughter, all sorts of formality disappears as they embrace one another.
"It is good to see you again Robb!" exclaims Jon happily.
"Yes, yes and so to you too Jon!" replies the oldest stark before stepping back looking at Jon up and down. "Aye and look at you, all rich and pompous. It seems that your lady love is treating you right,"
Jon only mock scowls at his brother. During the early days of his marriage, he has sent letter after letter to Robb asking him for help due to the "breaking in" that Ygritte is doing to him, changing his mentality from that to a bastard to a high lord. Suffice it to say he is regretting now telling his brother about his marital issues.
"Wait till you have a wife then I will have the last laugh," he sniffs in reply. Robb only laughs patting him in the back.
"Yes, I will marry someday but until then Jon, I'll leave the wife issues to you and you alone. Say, how is that white runt that we sent you a few years before?" asks Robb.
"Ghost? He's around," answers Jon remembering fondly the white Direwolf pup that Ser Rodrik has delivered to him a few years before. "He doesn't like to be locked up and I let him roam on his own. Saves me the trouble of cleaning up after him and feeding him. He prefers it that way,"
"You mean you let your Direwolf walk free?" Robb whistles.
"Yes, Ghost is dependable and he doesn't hunt down people. At least those that don't deserve it anyway," he replies with a wolflike grin remembering the rather fair number of bandits and hooligans that Ghost dropped under. Dol Amroth is after all a rich town port and where riches gather, those ill intent always congregate at like flies.
"That's not fair, mum won't allow our Direwolves to wander around, pouts Arya unhappily. "She always insists that we lock them up in the kennels. I want Nymeria to sleep with me on my bed,"
Jon resists the urge to snort loudly. Somehow he can't imagine prim and proper Catelyn the Bitch Tully allowing the Direwolves free rein on Winterfell's courtyards and fields. He can't help but wonder what his father sees in her that he loves. The woman is in every sense a Southern flower, and worse, refuses to accept the traditions and practices of the North wholeheartedly.
"I see the bastard's back!" a very familiar drawl makes Jon mentally scowl as he turns to see….
"Theon," Jon doesn't even hide the acid in his tone. "As slimy as always I see,"
"And look at you Snow, now all cloaked prim and proper like a lordling. Tell me Snow, how does it feel to be a proper lord? Amazing isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. I've also fought tooth and nail to earn myself this position. Unlike someone whom I can mention is born simply on the spot for it," Jon snarks back ignoring the back and fro motion the heads of the other Stark onlookers.
"What can I say Snow, the gods are the ones who put us where we are. Maybe it's because some are born to be proper lords while others are destined to be bastards,"
"Then it's good to see that the gods have seen fit to put you with us then Greyjoy instead at your father's side. There is some justice in the world after all," Jon replies enjoying the sight of the pinched face of the Squid. Theon has been tormenting him a lot before his ascencion to Prince of Dol Amroth after all. To see the tables turning is like drinking finely fermented wine.
Robb must have seen the sudden arrival of tension for he grips Theon's shoulder firmly. "Come Theon, I'm sure Father would be missing us at the feast," his stern gaze is enough for Theon to understand the silent command.
The Squid "tchs" before nodding in silent affirmation glaring heatedly at him. "A bastard will always remain a bastard Snow, no matter how much you dress it up," and with that final word walks off. Robb just raises his shoulders in a "what do you know" gesture before also walking off after his best friend.
As for Jon he just smiles. Before, he might have fumed and been pissed at the words of Theon, but never now. Let's just say spending the first few months with Ygritte has literally reduced his tolerance about insults of his bastardry status in none to null. The fiery woman has a mouth in her after all.
"Do you want to meet my wife? I'm telling you Arya, you'll, love her," Jon ushers his last three siblings forward. Robb might have run off with Theon but the happy three parts of his family are still present at least.
…
Winterfell After Feast, Lord's Private Solar
The private solar of the Kings of Winter is as simple as simple gets. Like everything else in the North it focuses on practicability and usefulness. The stone walls are warm and polished cleanly. The furnitures are all brand new, replaced every few decades by the carpenters and a large single plaque has been set at the back with a mural of a direwolf where the Valyrian Greatsword, Ice rests in its glory.
Right now though, two men are sitting on the Solar, one behind the desk and the other at the side. They bear almost the same similar features though the one behind is broader compared to the lanky but tall size of the other.
Benjen Stark sighs as he scratches his back. Not for the last time he curses the Stewards of the Watch. While he trusts his Brothers at the Wall, he knows more than anyone that many of the Stewards are rather lazy at laundry work and thus…unwanted insect guests at their black cloaks.
The sound of a knock makes the two men immediately perk up with the younger one smoothing his Black Outfit. With a call of "come in" the familiar form of the Lady of Rivendell enters.
Ned Stark can't help but mentally groan as his brother's eyebrows perk up at the backless crimson red outfit of the Lady of Rivendell . Benjen after all is the most unstarklike in attitude out of his entire family.
"Lady Delianah, might I say it is a pleasure to meet you. Songs of your beauty and your charm seems to be under-exaggerated up far North on the Wall," croons Benjen in a tone that makes Ned want to whack him with a belt.
"Lord Benjen Stark, I thank you for your voluntary service on the Wall. That place always needs honorable people to keep the rest in line. As a citizen of the realm you have my utmost thanks for protecting us against Wildlings and many other things that live across the wall,"
"Ohh you know who I am?" asks Benjen excitedly making the Lady smile only pleasantly in turn.
"Yes I do Lord Benjen. I make it a habit to know much about the people I am doing business with and the North is a trading partner of Rivendell. For that I know a lot about your family. Now I am here because of your summons Lord Stark?" this time Delianah addresses him directly making Ned sigh in appreciation at the unsaid gesture that she wants to go directly into business.
"Yes, have a seat my lady and pull yourself together brother and act like your age," reprimands Ned curtly making Benjen pout as he acquiesces but not before muttering "spoilsport" softly.
Now that the two are seated, Ned takes a breathe wordlessly pouring wine to a wooden cup which he hands at the Lady of Rivendell and another to his brother. "MY lady I apologize for summoning you this late hour but the things I need to talk with you in this room is important and quite confidential. I believe that it is better that we conduct such affairs in closed doors with fewer ears to hear,"
"A wise decision Lord Stark, am I right to assume that this is about the king's decision on making you his Hand?"
"How did you-,"
"Please Lord Stark, don't insult my intelligence. Everyone from Dorne to the Riverlands know that the king would only travel this far North after the death of Jon Arryn to make you his Hand. To fill that position after all, it would mean someone that the king truly trusts, especially if it is Robert we are talking about. While the natural choice would be someone like Tywin Lannister, he would never go for it since he doesn't like the man. Robert would rather choose the emotional choice rather than the wise one unfortunately,"
Ned only winces at that. He can still remember the bloodied forms of the Targaryen child of Rhaegar displayed on the throne room with Rhaenys' corpse thrown on the ocean. "Yes, I know Robert can be impulsive and vengeful which is why I have asked you to come here personally. To ask you a favor specifically,"
"What favor exactly are you talking about Lord Stark?" asks the Lady of Rivendell.
Ned takes a deep breathe knowing very well that what he is about to do is something that no Lord of the North has ever done to a Southener before since Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon Targaryen…..admit his weakness.
"I am asking for your help when I head down South with Robert my lady. I am not well-versed of all the politics down South and personally I don't think I am the man for the job. I have no one to trust down South at King's Landing except maybe Robert and well, Robert is not that much of a help actually due to his vices. You on the other hand my lady I know are knowledgeable about the capital. You could help me as Hand of the King,"
Ned just gulps as the Lady of Rivendell seems to view him in a critical eye. He doesn't meet Benjen's surprised gaze at his admission of needing help knowing very well the disapproving stare that he would see there.
Finally after almost an eternity, Delianah Tully finally replies. "If I say to this, then what does that benefit me?"
Ned gulps expecting this very question. There is after all nothing such as free here in Westeros. "The personal access and privileges as Hand of the King. I might be acting as Hand but I would be listening to your advice and instruction. You can request from me personal favors as long as it doesn't impact the kingdom or the Royal Family in a wrong way,"
"Fair enough, very well I agree Lord Stark. I would be coming with you down in King's Landing," says Delianah making Ned breathe a sigh of relief at hearing it. If this fails he doesn't know actually what to do.
"First advice however Lord Stark before you start getting relaxed is this: "Other than me never ever trust someone fully in King's Landing"," says the Dame seriously. "The Capital is not like the North, everyone has an agenda there of their own. Always be mindful of your surroundings and your words. Very few keeps their word there unless they can benefit themselves. Lying and deception is as easy as breathing down there for the court,"
Ned sniffs already not liking where this is starting. As a Northman, he prides himself for honor and honesty. Putting himself where everything has been turned one-eighty is already making him not want to go there.
"Second Advice, the realm is in shambles Lord Stark with the kingdom heavily in debt by the millions at which you will be informed later eve more. As Hand of the King it is your duty to maintain the King's peace. Understand this Lord Stark , this is not the time of the Targaryens where a show of force is necessary. Jon Arryn maintained the peace by pacts and promises. It would be your duty to do the same. Northern justice and show of strength will gain you nothing down South but enemies. It does not help that the current heir of our Robert is not exactly shaping up to reason. You will need to be shrewd and practical, honor has no place down South so leave it here in the North. Choose survival over there instead of honesty always,"
Ned can't help but gulp, the weight of responsibility heaping on his shoulders at every word the young woman is saying. It worsens as he remembers the chaos that is about to ensue due to Robert's secret agenda about the future of the kingdom.
"Third Advice, don't expect help from your friend Robert. He barely attends the meetings for the Small Council and don't trust the Queen for she has agendas of her own. Dark secrets hover over the capital Lord Stark and the death of Jon Arryn is not a coincidence. I know you would want to do an investigation of your own but I ask you that you let me and my people do it," she smirks wryly. "No offense but you Northmen simply lacks the subtlety required for the job,"
"Lastly Lord Stark, not many would like you down South due to the fact that you are a Northener. At all times keep your patience. They would hate you even more by associating to me since I am a former bastard and an enemy of the Faith. Never go anywhere unarmed and unguarded, keep your wits about you always and trust only people that you are absolutely sure you can trust," Ned just nods knowing very well that his first test of patience would be explaining to his wife that he's taking the former Tully bastard as an advisor to his position.
Somehow he feels as if this job that Robert is handing over to him has all the work with none of the benefits.
…
Author's Note: Hope ya like this chapter. Again sorry for the late updates. Been busy with real life a lot and sorry if this chapter is a bit boring. Next one is more fun I promise. Sorry if some parts feel a bit rushed. Its 3am almost when I am writing this and extremely sleepy.