Chapter 7: A Trout comes North

296 AC

Jon

Jon felt the cool breeze of the summer winds on his face, as he watched White Harbor coming closer on the horizon. He smiled as a small burst of saltwater hit his cheek.

He had accompanied Ser Wendel on a small trading mission to Sisterton. The Sunderlands were a noisy bunch. The lord has seven sons, but only five had been present as the others are being squired in the Vale. Thank the gods, five annoying brats who looked down on him for being a bastard were more than enough. He was happy to soon be back at White Harbor.

"Jon, don't just stand around there, help the first mate with the sails." Ser Wendel suddenly shouted. He looked onto the fat knight and nodded, before doing as he was told.

Ser Wendel had insisted for him to help out the crew when he had time. He said it would help him to learn more about how ships worked than books ever could. It was hard work as the captains they had sailed with had eagerly made use of the free help he had to offer, but it was something to pass the time.

Soon they docked in the Harbor and were greeted by Ser Wylis and Ser Marlon Manderly. As the large Manderly brothers embraced, Ser Marlon walked up to him. "Lord Wyman wishes to speak to you Jon. I'm afraid my cousin is very busy so it can't wait until you have cleaned yourself up."

"Am I to go to court looking like this?" He asked surprised. He couldn't believe it … His clothes were stained from the seawater, a part of his tunic had been ripped while helping to dock the boat and his hair could fit a bird nest in it.

"No, that wouldn't do," The older knight chuckled, "I am to escort you to the Lord's solar."

"Oh well, better not let His Lordship wait. Lead the way, Ser." He gestured to the knight, before calling to Ser Wendel. "Ser Wendel, your Lord father has a need of me, so I will accompany Ser Marlon to his solar, if that's all right with you?"

The large knight nodded at him and smiled. He really liked Ser Wendel. The knight looked after him dutifully, but it was more than that. He went out of his way to teach Jon things. Actively got him involved in conversation if the possibility arose and if not, he always explained his actions and what had happened after. At times, he acted more like a very helpful and supportive uncle than even his uncle Benjen had done for him when he visited Winterfell.

When he was at White Harbor, he sometimes got him the possibility to learn from the maester or steward in private lessons. They also sparred everyday together, sometimes his brother Ser Wylis even joined in. Ser Wendel had secretly told him that he needed the sparring sessions as much as Jon. The knight's skill with the sword was far above his own, but he feared that he would otherwise become as fat as his father.

More than anything, they actually liked each other. When they were alone, or at least without any nobility in the vicinity, they had long started to drop decorum. Jon even went so far as to call him "Wen" although he knew that, due to his status he could never do so in public.

As they entered the Merman's Court, he passed countless statues of sea creature before they reached the Lord's solar. The two guards standing before it nodded to Ser Marlon and they let them enter without a word.

He saw Lord Wyman sitting at his desk going over some papers as he looked up and saw them. "Ah Jon my boy, how was the trip to the Sisters?" Lord Manderly asked jovially.

"Tedious, my Lord, but we got what we came for in the end." He stated dutifully.

"Good, good, come take a seat. We have some things to discuss." Lord Wyman said, before turning to Ser Marlon, "Thank you cousin, you're free the rest of the day as promised."

Ser Marlon nodded happily before he left the solar.

Lord Wyman turned to Jon "So Jon, are you still enjoying your time with my son?"

"Very much so, my Lord, Ser Wendel is a great teacher in many things and, if I may be so bold, great company besides." He said dutifully, but with a faint smile on his face.

"Haha, that he is lad! Taking you from Winterfell was one of my boy's greater ideas, as I may say so. I have heard from Wendel that you have been a great help these past two years and your mind would otherwise have gone to waste there." The large man laughed, before his face suddenly turned serious.

"It's about Winterfell I want to talk to you about lad, we had news about next month's Harvest Feast."

"Has something happened? Is my Father alright?" He asked immediately.

"No, no lad, your family is all fine. However, there will be another guest joining the feast this year." Lord Wyman said, as he studied his face.

"Who?" he asked, relieved his family is fine.

"Lord Edmure Tully, to look at your brother Brandon who will foster with his kin in Riverrun."

"Oh" He responded with big eyes.

"Yes, I'm afraid so lad." The Lord of White Harbor said, sympathy clearly visible across his face.

"I wanted to talk to you so you could prepare and might know what to expect. It's possible the man will see you as even more of an insult on his family than Lady Catelyn does. Try to keep a low profile while he is there. Spend more time with your other siblings, not Bran, as that might help to keep the attention away from you. You'll also be welcome at the table of most Northern lords, if you wish to escape things for a while. I'm sure of it! You'll always have a seat at mine and my sons that's for sure!"

Jon looked shocked. "My lord, Bran is my brother! I can't ignore the boy, nor will I!" He exclaimed.

"Shh that's not what I meant Jon, at feasts and in the open spend less time with him, you can make up for it to the boy in private." The large Lord said calmingly.

He thought it over, it might have some merit. Bran loves stories, so he could make up for it by telling him all of his adventures and the exotic tales he heard in Braavos and Pentos. If he could do it before bedtime or the like, no one would notice. His brother wouldn't mind, he knew that.

"I'll think it over my Lord" He said evenly.

Looking pleased Lord Wyman replied, "That's all I'm asking for Jon, thank you. Now, do you still have some time left? I would like to take a personal look at your education, if it's possible. It's been a few months since I was personally involved with your lessons. My son does a great job I'm sure, but I'm sure I might be able to teach you another trick or two when it comes to politics and diplomacy."

He nodded and they spend the next hours studying a lot of subjects.

(Over a month later at the Harvest Feast)

Eddard

He looked over the Great Hall as the Feast was in full swing, pleased with how everything was going. More than a few of his bannermen had chosen to go to Winterfell this year and as such almost all of the large space was filled up with men drinking.

House Glover was represented by Robett and his wife, they sat together with two of Maege's daughters. On the table next to them, Medger and Cley Cerwyn sat together with House Cassel. The heavily pregnant Jonelle Cassel, seemed very happy to have all her family together like that. More to the front sat the Karstarks, as all three of Rickard's sons had accompanied Robb together and they were sitting with Smalljon Umber and Brandon Norrey.

Besides that, Houses Tallhart, Flint and Locke all had representatives present at the lower tables. The most curious Northern attendants were without a doubt Lady Barbrey Dustin and one of her brothers Rickard Ryswell. They had even gotten some cousins to accompany them. Although it shouldn't surprise him really, as he and Sansa will accompany them to Barrowtown right after the feast.

If you counted all of these Houses' retainers, he estimated over four-hundred people were residing in his hall right now.

His own table wasn't any less curious with Lords Wyman Manderly, Lord Jon Umber, Lady Maege Mormont and their respective (grand)daughters here to accompany Arya, sitting among his family. However, it was the presence of Edmure Tully that made the combination of these Northern lords and lady with their little girls seem even more strange.

Edmure was talking to Cat about things in the South, but not without giving Jon and the Mormont and Umber ladies sidelong glances every once in a while. Bran and Arya were enjoying themselves with Maege and Lyanna Mormont, as well as Allara Umber and surprisingly Wylla Manderly. He found it quite funny that the only hope left for Cat to influence Arya in a Southern way, was behaving almost as rowdy as Arya herself.

That made him grudgingly think of how House Royce had rebuked his offer. Apparently Yohn's wife hadn't seen a Northern fostering as a good idea for their daughter and he couldn't possibly accept their offer to send Arya to Runestone. As such, no deal with the Royce's had been made and only the three Northern ladies would have to do for Arya as companions.

He knew his wife had had a hard time accepting this, but similar rebukes on the same Southron grounds by Houses Bracken and Vance had made her give in eventually.

Besides Arya and Bran, Sansa was having a polite conversation with Wyman Manderly. As he looked beside her, he looked on intrigued as he saw Robb and Jon in deep conversation with Jon Umber. He would have to ask them tomorrow what it was they talked about.

All in all, it seemed things were going reasonably well, he thought. In the past weeks the thing he had feared most hadn't come to pass, a confrontation between Edmure and Jon. It might have been Jon's doing though, as he noted how the boy had managed to disappear from almost all formal events. He had also spent almost no time with Bran, as Edmure accompanied the boy a lot, to be able get to know him.

He had been quite worried about this, but when he had talked to Bran about it, he couldn't help but laugh. Bran had whispered to him how Jon sneaked into his room almost every night to tell him stories of his travels and the world across the Narrow Sea. Jon had apparently told the boy they had to spend less time in public together, as he didn't want to fight with his mother's family. As a compensation, Bran had told him with a huge smile, Jon had promised him thirty stories.

It seemed Lord Wyman's cunning ways were already rubbing of on Jon, he mused. What man could have anything against it, he thought, when it was used by someone to keep his younger brother happy? As such he did nothing but look in fascination, as Jon managed to give an excuse almost every night to leave early so he could go read his brother a story.

A few hours later he saw that, even tonight, was no exception. Jon left the room and his talks at the lower tables with Robb and the Karstarks and Umbers shortly after Bran was put to bed. He only resurfaced half an hour later. The knowing look on Robb's face when Jon came back made him think that his eldest son was in on the whole thing and kept those people with questions about Jon's disappearance at bay.

That made him really happy, as he had feared that fosterage would have weakened the ties between both boys. Looking upon them now, he had no doubt they would always be close, no matter the circumstances.

When he and Catelyn finally left to go to sleep, he was feeling happy. His decisions over the last years had been good for his family. Besides, seeing Arya connect with his bannermen's daughters made every ounce of doubt disappear that now would be any different. Sure, the whole household was in for a hard time as Arya and her little gang would no doubt trouble everyone, but maybe they would also make Arya more susceptible to some of her duties.

Beside him, Cat also looked pleased. Before the last three weeks, she hadn't seen Edmure in years and talking to him about the South and clearing up the things with Houses Vance and Bracken made his wife feel better.

This combination of good feelings made them embrace lightly when they entered the bedroom. After a while, Cat broke off the kiss. "I'm not too old yet, even maester Luwin says so, I can still give you another son." She said as she looked timidly at him with her bright blue eyes.

He could see the desire behind those words and cupped his wife's head in his hand. "Cat, you have given me everything I ever wanted, and more. You don't need to give me another son or daughter. I love you and you are here with me and that's all that matters." He said as he pierced into the bright blue of his wife's eyes.

She didn't let him say more, as she kissed him fiercely and before long, her dress fell to the floor as he carried her to the bed.

He woke up still a little sore of last night's love making. As he looked beside him, he could see his wife's auburn hair sprawled all over the matrass and he chuckled. He would never tire of the sight, he thought.

He apparently woke her up with this as she looked up at him with a smile "Good morning". He kissed her lightly as a response and they cuddled up to each other. "What do you have planned today?" She asked him, her head upon his chest.

"This morning I have a few conversations with the Tallharts and one of the Flints. After that, I will have to make the last preparations of tomorrow's hunt and take a look at the stores to know how much we will have to refill after this year's feast. All in all, I hope that I have time enough to go take a look at Robb's sword training today. I haven't seen him in action yet this year and want to see his progress, besides a lot of other young Northern nobles will be there and it wouldn't hurt to assess their strength as well." He said pensively.

She looked up towards him. "Can't the stores wait until they have left my love? We only see Robb a few weeks a year anymore, that's more important I think."

He looked to her for a few seconds before saying "You might be right. I will ask Vayon if there is anything that is urgent and if not, I will go see Robb."

She nodded happily and drew him closer. After ten more minutes enjoying each other's company, they got up, made ready and left to their respective tasks.

The talks were pretty basic, they were about roads, harvests and taxes. The hunt still asked for a lot of work, but they had it done by the early afternoon. After Vayon had had to ensure him three times there was nothing urgent to look at with the stores, he sighed and went on his way.

He made his way to the bridge between the keep and the armory. There was a window there, from which he could look at the yard. He decided that, as he was earlier than he had thought, he would look upon the boys training without them knowing first. He knew firsthand how the pressure of one's father looking on your training could mess things up. Especially if that father was Lord of Winterfell, he thought with memories long past flooding his mind.

After a few minutes pondering the past, he finally cleared his head as he reached the window. He looked down and saw the training yard was full, as a lot of the Northern nobles had also come out to train. He saw Robb and Jon training under the watchful eye of Ser Rodrik. They were accompanied by the three Karstark brothers, as well as Smalljon Umber and Brandon Norrey. As he looked on, he saw that although all those boys were older than Robb and Jon, some were really already men, both held their ground admiringly.

Especially Jon seemed to have a talent for sword fighting, he noted when he saw the two boys facing off against each other. Robb however seemed to have learned a lot at Karhold as he almost managed to disarm his brother with a trick he had once seen Cregan Karstark perform at the Battle of the Bells.

As the fight kept on going, he saw Arya and her friends cheer on both boys to their limits and he smiled at the sight of his wild daughter. As he looked around, he saw that most of the other fights had stopped, as the whole of the Northern nobility present looked on with interest at the future of House Stark.

The battle finally drew to a close after more than ten minutes when Jon managed to trip Robb to the ground. "Yield?" He heard Jon call clearly with his sword against Robb's neck. He saw much of the yard looked on warily as Jon won. "Aye I yield," Robb laughed, "that was a good showing Snow, you deserve it. Although I almost had you there in the beginning." He heard the boy say, the laugh never leaving his face.

"Aye Stark, you nearly did. You'll have to teach me that move sometime! I'll show you what Ser Marlon taught me about footwork in return." Jon replied happily as the brothers clapped each other on the back to the joy of many in the yard.

Many of his noblemen looked to be very happy at the bond between the brothers. Nothing that was all too suprising, he thought. The North and House Stark had seen more than enough rebellions and civil wars in their existence, none would be happy to see strive between brothers. The men satisfied, quickly went on their way or back to their own spars.

There was one who did not seem pleased he noted, as Edmure Tully walked in on the training yard with some of his retainers at his side. The auburn-haired young man seemed wroth as he looked upon the situation. He walked up to Jon and he heard him shout "How dare you lay a hand on the rightful heir at Winterfell? In front of all his future vassals? If only my sister new, you would be thrown out of this castle onto the streets in an instant." He heard the Riverlander say.

Curses, he thought, and he ran towards the keep and down the stairs to the training yard. When he finally arrived, he saw the situation had quickly spiraled out of control.

Edmure and a few of his knights and retainers stood with bared steel across from Jon. Behind Jon stood the Karstark, Umber and Norrey boys with their tourney swords, however they were backed by their own retainers, as well as the Manderly guards who had taken out their steel. Robb stood in front of Jon and he heard him shout in a heated discussion with Edmure, as Rodrik desperately tried to diffuse the situation

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" He bellowed as he walked across the yard. At his words many of the Winterfell guards, as well as bannermen, flocked to his side. The discussion also stopped as both sides looked at him. He saw how the Manderly guards lowered their swords, as all men behind Jon acknowledged his presence.

"Lord Edmure can you explain to me why you and your men dare to bare live steel against my family in my own home?" He said, his voice suddenly icily calm, when he reached them.

"Lord Eddard, your bastard here dared to embarrass Robb in front of all of your vassals. He even went as far as to say the heir of Winterfell needed his tutoring. After I commented on this both he and some of your vassals' sons dared to openly disagree with this and even insulted me." The Tully heir stated with pretention.

Behind him many of the Northmen who had witnessed everything started mumbling at this. Not agreeing at all with this version of the facts.

"That's not true father, Jon and I were having a spar and when …"

He held up his hand to cut off his son's attempt to defend his brother. "No need for that Robb, I was looking at you both spar through the bridge at the armory when it all started." He said as he looked at both boys. Robb seemed pleased and Jon seemed surprised, but both didn't say anything.

"Now Lord Edmure, before you arrived the boys had been sparring over ten minutes, as they used to do almost every day before they went out to foster. Jon surely didn't embarrass Robb as it was a very close fight and the comments after that were good natured banter between boys. Banter I have been hearing quite a lot and not only preserved for them, as some of my bannermen also joined in, sometimes to Robb's expense." As he nodded to the boys behind Jon.

"Some of that banter was a lot worse than what Jon said and I see no problem with it, although I don't think I like the name Redstark." He said as he looked at the Karstarks, Torrhen quickly avoiding his gaze as he shuffled on his feet.

"Anyway, there was nothing wrong here and I would appreciate it if you and your men put up your swords." He finished saying to the Tully heir.

The man looked red in the face with anger. "You can't be serious Eddard, this boy insults the ground my sister stands on and is a constant danger to your legitimate children's birthright. You not only let him live here, you seat him with your vassals and let him insult Robb's name and prowess in the yard for all to see. The boy should be thrown out this instant!" He said with his sword still in his hand.

"As I already said Lord Edmure, Jon did not insult Robb in any way and I seated him with his brother, not my vassals. As you failed to have noticed, Robb and Jon are not only brothers they are also best friends. I seat them with each other for their own pleasure, especially for Robb after Theon Greyjoy left, nothing more." He rebuked his brother-in-was's ridiculous suggestions. He tried to sound as diplomatic as possible, but he knew the stare he gave with his grey eyes would hammer the point home.

"As for now, you and you men will put up your swords in MY HOME or my men will take it from you." He added icily.

He Tully man stared at him but put up his sword. "You cannot stand for this Eddard! The boy and your men afterwards insulted me, the son of a Lord Paramount! They also laughed at my men, some also sons lords of respected Riverland Houses like Vance and Piper."

"I did not see this, as I rushed down." He said pensively as he looked at the situation. It was clear the Riverlanders were looking at him in anger and he couldn't afford to affront those houses, least of all House Tully if he was to send Bran there. He finally added "Jon, excuse yourself for your words to Lord Edmure and his men."

The boy looked at him in thought and seemed to understand his reasoning. Jon sighed and turned to Edmure Tully.

"Father, you can't be seri…" Robb interrupted, but he cut of his retort with a stern gaze. He shook his head at Robb before looking again at Jon. "Go on, Jon."

The boy nodded and said. "I excuse myself for the words I have said my lords, especially to you Lord Edmure. I forgot my place and it will not happen again."

The Tully heir looked smugly at Jon before again turning to him "and your vassals?"

"I will have words with my vassals in private, be certain of that." He stated calmly to the Tully.

Thinking it over, Edmure saw the situation as they were outnumbered at least fifty to one by Northmen. Coming to the obvious conclusion, the man nodded to him and left.

He looked around the yard. "Robb, Jon join me in my solar with your companions." He looked around and saw Robett Glover standing behind him in training leathers with Lady Maege. "Lady Maege, Robett join me. The rest of you go along with your day." He said and he left the yard.

Inside his solar he asked Robb and Jon to retell their tales. Maege and Robett filled in the more heated parts with comments of their own. In the middle of it, Jon Umber stormed in. He made the large men shut up but allowed him to stay as they continued on with their tale. At the end of it, he sighed. "It is as I feared then."

He turned to the boys accompanying his sons. "Your reactions were hasty and not well taught out, but I thank you for defending my family anyway. I know that if House Stark are ever in need that you will be there for them and the North and it does me great pleasure." He stated honestly.

They looked at him surprised, probably expecting a reprimand. After a while he saw all five of them nod to him, respect obvious in their eyes and that of the Greatjon. "Thank you my lord, you can always count on us." Harrion Karstark replied strongly. A chorus of "Aye" was heard.

"I and the North cannot afford to offend House Tully, as it is our primary import of food in case of winter. I would like for all of us here to keep that relationship. However, Lord Edmure was far out of line and Lord Hoster will know about this, be sure of that!" He said as he looked around the room.

He then settled on Robb. "Robb, I know you want to protect Jon and I commend you for it but alienating your mother's family is not the way to do it. Through your mother you may one day have the opportunity to elevate the North's position in the South as well, don't ruin that possibility now. If something else happens with Lord Edmure, don't do anything and let me know, I will deal with it." His son nodded to him.

At last he looked at Jon." Jon, I know that what I made you do out there was hard and not right, but it needed to be done. Otherwise the North could have been in trouble. I thank you for the sacrifice you made and be sure that I will make it up to you. I will also make sure Edmure's father hears of it so Edmure's behavior will not go unpunished, I promise you that."

He saw how the boy looked shocked at him for his reaction as if he was surprised that he would do such effort for a bastard. He sighed, "I care for you Jon. It is true you don't have my name, but no one, not my vassals, nor Lord Edmure, nor my wife will ever be able to evict you out of Winterfell. You have Stark blood and Winterfell is your home for as long as you wish it, I promise you that."

He saw that the boy was almost in tears, but Robb stepped up to help his brother. "When I'm lord, I won't evict your long face either Snow, whatever my mother or uncle says. It wouldn't be the same for me if I had to try and hit a less pretty face than yours in the training yard." He said as he clapped Jon on the shoulder.

Jon looked smilingly up to Robb and he sighed. Crisis averted, he thought, but I still need to speak to Cat.

This is it for this chapter!

How do you think I handled the clash between Edmure and Jon? They never meet in canon, but I think a clash would've been unavoidable if they had.

Ned really cares about Jon, but at this point he has been thinking about the North diplomatically for three years now and so he tries to handle it with more care. He is still obsessed with justice so he will send a harsh letter to Hoster.

Thank you so much for reading this!

Fannic

Reviews:

- Angeluszuko-z: Thank you! I hate fics that just decide something without justifying anything, so I try to do it here. Catelyn tried for a Bracken daughter, but as they had the same upbringing as Catelyn in the Riverlands, they don't like sending their daughters North "with the Blackwoods gods". Theon is send away from Winterfell as he was alone and unhappy and Theon couldn't do much more in Winterfell. If you think well, there is only one place he could have been sent to, more about this in later chapters.

- The Dark Lord Potter: Well she was raised dense. She employed Septa Mordane who was dense about the people to Sansa and in canon often reacted emotionally. However I think Ned's follies are more than just Cat, also a combination with his upbringing in the Vale, the fact he was never raised as heir and the trauma of losing his family so early and being put in the Lord spot he was never raised for and thus new next to nothing about.

- Ajjr12: Well no, Brandon will be raised by House Tully, an Andal house. It could be however, that the Blackwood boy and Bran bond over their shared heritage, you'll have to wait on next chapters for that.

- Toile grant: Thank you!

- Osterreicher97: Their obligations will change things yes, but Robert is still a self-entitled king so things can happen still. As for the finances, that might indeed change Eddard's viewpoint a little. Thank you!

- Anime Princess: As Jon has no real Manderly blood to speak of, he will never take the name except with a marriage. A marriage that at this stage of the story is unthinkable.

- Guest: Thank you!

Quick note: I only react to reviews on the latest chapter, as most other questions will explain themselves in later parts of the stories or reviews.