Catelyn Stark I, Winterfell Great Hall
Catelyn Stark hugs Bran with all her might, hearing Bran has been kidnapped, checking him for injuries.
"Oh my son, are you alright? What hurts? How can this happen?" Catelyn speaks outrageously, hugging her son looking at everyone.
Her husband Ned frowns in concern, looking at Bran while everyone gathers around, the guard holding a tied up Spear wife Astrid.
"Forgive us mother, but they manage to slip through" Robb said, sad at letting his brother get kidnapped and letting this whole mess start in the first place.
He's still covered in blood from the fight with the Warlord, Catelyn went to him with a concerned look.
"What happened to you? Are you hurt?" Catelyn concern for her first born son, covered in blood, is her worst nightmare, checking for injuries.
"Not my blood mum" Robb said, rubbing his face to wipe the blood off his face, Catelyn looked relieved then turned to the woman that captured her son.
"Why is she still here?! Throw her in the dungeon or execute her!" Catelyn screams in rage at his wilding, outrage seeing this wilding still alive after what she did.
"Don't Mum" Bran said, stepping forward to stop Cat.
"Bran this wildling nearly had you killed" Catelyn spoke to him, Bran shakes his head.
"She is a freefolk and she saved me from one of the Warlords" Bran said, Ned looks at Bran and then too the others.
"Explain to me again what happened" Ned asked, looking at his sons and their guards to the tied up Spear wife.
"After training we found out the armoury was attacked, one told us Bran was kidnapped, we all gather to find Bran straight away, we ran into Jon and his pack, then we attack the Therns while they were holding Bran and all there loot, we killed a few but the rest escape with these fire explosions, the last one, a Warlord hold Bran hostage, he nearly got away but this Spearwife stab him and free Bran before I killed him" Robb explains to his father and mother, making Ned and Cateyln look at the Spearwife.
"Why do this?" Ned asked, unsure about what this Spearwife is doing.
"Because your son is the next greenseer, all your children have powerful magic in their veins" Astrid spoke to him, looking at Bran, Robb and Jon.
"None of this now, get out with you" Catelyn spoke outrageously.
"Cat" Ned spoke, but Catelyn turned to him.
"You know how I feel about this, magic and sorcery, I'll have none of my children involved in it" Catelyn spoke in rage at her husband, she didn't like the Wildings joining the Winter Legion, no matter what they did or if they earned their place.
No matter what they are they will always be Wildings to her, savages practising black magic, bad enough her daughter takes them in her legion but everyone agrees with her.
Catelyn's only grace was that none of these Wildings came into her home, which Ned was fine with.
Until now.
"Mother" Robb tries to calm her down.
"I don't want to hear this black magic, it's an affront" Catelyn calls out, not wanting to hear any of it. She was about to go on, but one voice stopped her.
"Lady Stark" Jon calls out, making everyone turn to him, Catelyn herself looks at her husband's bastard, surprised he talks back to her.
"You views and your grieves with the Freefolk is well known, but right now we need to understand how they keep getting though our land without us knowing, no matter what we do the Therns keep getting though, whatever black magic or affront they use we need to know now, this Spear wife is willing to tell us, let the freefolk speak so we get defend our home and our land" Jon spoke to her with such conviction Catelyn is too stung to speak.
Never had she seen the bastard speak to her that way, never to her face.
Robb steps forward as well.
"Jon is right mother, we understand your grief but we need to know how they attack us mother, more attacks will come if we don't know, next time they could attack when none of us are here" Robb spoke to her, Catelyn was still shock,
Bran runs to her, giving her a hug, snaking her out of the shock.
"Mum, Astrid came to help me, we need this" Bran said, trying to get through to her, Ned walked to her.
"Cat" Ned calls out, Cat shakes her head, turning to the Spearwife.
"Speak your words wisely Spear wife, for they may be your last" Cat threatens the Spear-wife, as much as she hates to admit it, the bastard is right, North needs to know how the Therns keep getting though.
But that doesn't mean she is letting this woman get off easy.
"It seems you are Lord Stark's woman" Astrid turns to Lord Stark.
"The Therns have gotten through your walls and legion cause they already know your paths, the patrols and all" Astrid speaks to Lord Stark making him frown.
"How?" Ned asked her.
"A rare talent in the far North," Astrid explains.
"The War-Born should know this already, she mastered her warg" Astrid spoke to them, they were surprised.
"Lyarra a warg?" Bran asked in shock, making her look at her, Catelyn grits her teeth, how this woman dared to call her daughter a witch.
"We need to speak to Lyarra about this" Robb said, making Ned nods,
"Take her to the dungeon, will speak more on this after the King's arrival and my daughter's return" Ned said, making the guard take her away.
"Don't hurt her" Bran calls out, making them look at him, Robb and Jon look at them as well.
"We need her unharmed for the Winter Legion to interrogate her" Robb calls out, making the guard nod, the Spear-wife went without much hassle.
Cat signs as she hugs her son Bran.
"Never do anything like that again" Catelyn spoke to him, Bran nods to her before turning to Ned.
"We do nothing to her?" Catelyn asked him, Ned rubs his head.
"It couldn't happen on the best of time Cat, Robert is coming and now this is happening, one calamity at the time at least" Ned signs turning to his boys.
"Head off now" Ned dismissed his sons, they all nod as they leave, leaving Cateyln and her husband.
"Are you alright?" Ned asked her, making Cat signs.
"The king is coming and my son was kidnapped, now my daughter is accused of using some black magic, I don't know what to feel. '' Catelyn said with sorrow, tears coming through her eyes, Ned hugs her.
"We can do this, we already face the worst of the north, what's one little party compared to another invasion" Ned tries to joke about their problems, Cat at least smiled at that.
"Once our daughter comes we will speak about all of this" Ned said, giving her a loving kiss which Cat gives in, needing some love right now.
"I miss the time when it was all so simple" Cat speaks in remembrance, remembering when times were more simple then all of this.
"As do I, we need to be there for our children and the north" Ned said, making Cat nod to him.
"Tonight be there for me" Cat asked, making Ned smile.
At least she can forget her troubles for one night.
LINE
Next Sunrise in Winterfell
Catelyn walks through the halls of Winterfell as everyone sets up for the King's arrival, which Winter Legion scouts said is less than a day away, something Cat apprentices give them enough time to prepare.
Walking with Maester Luwin and one of Robb's guards, talking about the king's arrival and preparation.
"We need candles for Lord Tyrion in his chambers, I'm told he read all night" Catelyn said to the Maester.
"I heard he drinks all night," Robb's guard said, helping out Lady Stark.
"How much can he possibly drink?" Catelyn asked, Tyrion being a dwarf and the amount of alcohol he can drink.
"We have plenty of Wine and Beer from the cellar, even some new imported drinks from some of the..free folks have created" Luwin mentions, seeing Freefolk that served their time in the Winter Legion now made their own place in the north. Something the Maester is still trying to get over Wildlings learning something new.
"Wait till he drinks Northern beer, those Freefolks make strong stuff" Robb's guard mentions, Catelyn has a tight smile mentioning the Freefolks.
"Anyway candles" Catelyn mentions, making sure everything's perfect for the King's arrival.
LINE
Robert Baratheon II, Wintertown
Robert Baratheon, King of the Seven kingdoms looks amazed at Winter Town, riding on his horse in front of the Royal carriage with both his King guard and Winter Legion as an escort.
Robert vaguely remembers travelling to Winterfell to visit his friend Ned and meet his beloved Lyanna, he remembers how small Winter Town was with a few houses and a couple of farms, and he definitely remembers the Taverns and a few northern wretches.
Always a good time
Robert rode up to the Gates of Winter town, beside him Ser Barristan and the Warden Remiel rode their horses.
"How can this be? This was a small town, now it is almost a city" Robert said, seeing the size of Winter Town now, Warden Remiel chuckled.
"Welcome to Winter Town, my king. Lyarra helps rebuild this, many follow its example, Lord Stark will all greet us at the keep. Until then, enjoy the ride." Warden Remiel smiled at him, as the gates opened Robert was treated to a sight to behold.
All around him people waved and threw roses and other pedals. He guesses Lord Stark and Winter Town have thrown a parade in his honor.
Robert always loved the attention, loved every minute of it. He hadn't been at a parade of this size since the victory over the Greyjoy's and even that didn't compare to this.
"We love you King Robert." He heard from many ladies and Robert couldn't help but smile.
Here in the North they loved him and unlike the south, here they cheered him on and didn't badmouth him all in the same breath, the people seemed to genuinely love him. Robert raised his hand and waived to the adoring masses. He knew days like these were few and far in-between so he was going to enjoy it will it last.
As the King was revelling in the adulation of the masses, Barristan looked at the buildings and roads in line the streets of Winter Town, Ser Barristan noticed the streets were lined with stone and everywhere he looked, modern brick buildings abound. It was nearly a city, like the north, was on the rise. It was prosperous beyond imagination, Barristan wonders what Winterfell is like if the town side of it was like this, what of the other parts of the north.
"There are quite a large number of foreigners around here" Barristan spoke to Remiel, he noticed the small folk that lined the streets.
The smallfolk that made up Winter Town were very diverse. In the crowd he saw Bravossi,Pentoshi, Dornish, and even a Dothraki. In fact four out of every ten small folk he saw had skin darker than anything the North ever possessed.
"Ever since the Northern lords made a deal with Essos, many come here for new opportunities, adding their culture and contributing to the North '' Remiel nods to him, waving to a few small folks looking at him in awe.
"Even their clothing" Ser Jamie noted riding up to the two, hearing them talking, noticing the clothing on the smallfolk, vast and rich. While King's landing had plenty of small folk around none of them had clothes as extravagant as these.
In Barristan's opinion, these masses were not small folk at all, they were more middle folk.
Traders and merchants who had accumulated enough wealth to buy themselves out of poverty.
"It seems the North is not as impoverished as many in the south thought." Jamie smiled, waving at a few women looking at him, Jamie loves the attention as much as Robert.
Barristan nodded at him, while Jamie might be a fool at times, he should notice this isn't a good sign for the lords of the south.
Robert's party ride passes Winter Town, now headed for Winterfell straight ahead.
Robert Baratheon had arrived first on horseback with his escort right behind him. Robert is amazed at Winterfell, seeing all the buildings are now fixed, the castle's stone looks new and everyone blows to him while he walks by.
Roberts enters the courtyard, see the of Winterfell court surrounding him, Robert smiled as he see Ned and his family there, seeing one red hair young man with armor on holding a helmet, another pretty redhead, two young children wearing little armor to fit their size and a very young boy at the end of Catelyn.
Must be Ned's children, yet he doesn't see an armour woman in black armour, Sarge told him Lyarra wears black armour reforge from Victarion Greyjoy's own, incredible.
Robert gets off his horse with the help of another lad, giving him a step to walk down off, he really lets himself go.
As Ned and his entire House kneel to him, walking forward Robert stands in front of Lord Stark, looking annoyed at his only friend kneeling to him.
"Your Grace," Ned said while bowing in front of Robert, who was appraising the man with a frown.
"You've gotten fat," Robert remarked while Ned looked up at the King from his position with a "look who is talking?" look on his face after glancing at Robert's girth.
Before the two erupted in laughter and hugged in brotherly friendship.
"It's good to see you Robert," Ned said while Robert smiled.
"It's good to see you too, Ned. Nine years, why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?" Robert smirks him, loving the banter.
"I've been taking care of Winterfell for you. The North is yours after all," replied Ned, Robert smiled looking around.
"And a fine North it is, look at this place, what did you do to tear the old one down and rebuild it with new stone?" Roberts asked, seeing the new Winterfell, very different since the last time he was here.
"Only half of it, if it is not broken why fix it" Ned jokes, making Robert laugh, turning to Catelyn.
"Cat, lovely to see you" Robert gives her a hug, Catelyn who greets back.
"Your grace" Catelyn greets back, Robert gives the younger lad a rub in greeting.
Robert turns to the first young man.
"Who have we here? You must be Robb" Robert greets, shaking the armor young man's hand.
"Your grace" Robb greets Robert, notices his armour.
"Fine armor lad, you one of them Warden I hear so much about" Robert asked, looking at the armour and helmet, having its own style compared to the knights in the south.
"That's right your grace, I've earned my mark and will wear it with pride" Robb states straight, Robert is impressed.
"Very good lad, hear you learn under Sarge, feel sorry for you lad" Robert chuckles at him, seeing Robb face pale at the mention of the Veteran.
"Sarge…knows how to train soldiers" Was all Robb could say, Sarge didn't give two shits about noble blood, if you're a dumbass he call you out for it, it what Robert loves about him, an honest man, he can't find any more of those in Kings Landing or his own court.
"That he does, it seems your son already took your title Ned, giving him your lordship soon" Robert turns to Ned, making Ned smile while giving his son a pat.
"Robb makes both the North and me proud, I can't wait for Robb to become the next Lord of Winterfell" Ned smiles at him, Robb chuckles at his father.
"Not too soon, I hope Father" Robb mentions, getting a chuckle from both Lord and King.
"Enjoy it while you can, I'll however need your father soon" Robert said, turning to the rest of Ned's children.
"My…you're a pretty one" Robert compliments Sansa, who preened at the attention, seeing her turn to Joffrey, who smiles at her, Robert turns to the young girl.
"Your name is?" Robert asked, looking complex at her, wondering if this was the War-wolf Lyarra,
"Arya" Arya said, wondering at the look, Robert turns to the next lad Bran.
"Oh show us your muscles' ' Robert said, Bran flexes with a smile, making Robert chuckle.
"You'll be a soldier, joining the Winter Legion soon?" Robert asked, Bran eagerly nodded to him.
"Yeah, I'm going to be a Lawbringer" Bran states in excitement,
"A Lawbringer? Sarge's title, good luck lad, you need it" Robert said, seeing Bran's going to have a hard time under Sarge, almost pities the boy.
Queen Cersei approached them, and her face clearly showed her dislike at being in the North. She held her hand out to Eddard, who proceeded to kiss it.
"My Queen," he said.
"My Queen," Catelyn said as well, with a curtsey. Robert turns back to Ned.
"So where is your first born daughter, this War-Wolf I've heard so much about?" Robert asked, looking around for her, even Cersei had a curious look too.
"Lyarra just sent a raven early, she explains she finished her campaign against Skagos, she will arrive here the morrow" Ned explains to him, again Robert is impressed the more he hears about her.
"Skagos? That island far away, why didn't you call me? We could have handled that together, like the Greyjoys again" Robert asked, wishing he could go to war over territory, better then seating in the council seats counting copper.
"It wouldn't be worth it Robert, those of Skagos hardly have a standard army, would be too easy for you" Ned said, making Robert groan like a child told he can't do anything fun.
"Oh but it still would be fun, something to do and fight by your side again, still get that sword arm ready" Robert complains, wishing he got the message and joined whatever Ned's daughter was doing.
"Have a young lady lead men into battle, seem rather….. unorthodox" Cersei said, looking at Catelyn and Ned, you could see a little envy in her eyes if looked closely.
"My daughter prove herself to the north, we are very proud of her" Ned speak in defences of his first-born,
"Well I can't wait to meet her, Ned, your daughter is already making a name for herself" Robert said, happy for Ned to have a daughter like that, something he wished any of his own children would do.
"Now take me to your crypts, I want to pay my respects," Robert said, wanting to do something since he wanted to arrive.
"We have been travelling for a month, my love," Cersei protested. "Surely, the dead can wait but a few..."
"Ned," Robert ordered, completely ignoring Cersei. Ned gave an apologetic look before leading the way.
LINE
Robert walks down the crypts with Ned following behind him.
"Tell me about Jon Arryn" Ned asked, wanting to know about his foster father's death.
"One minute he was fine then whatever it was burned right through him" Robert said, saddened by his foster father's death.
"I love that man," Robert said, Ned nodding.
"We both did," Ned said, moaning for Jon Arryn as well.
"He didn't need to teach you much, me, 16, all I wanted to do was crack skulls and fuck girls, he showed me what was what" Robert spoke of the past with Jon Arryn, remembering his time when he and Ned foster under him.
"Aye" Ned looks at his friend, Robert notices.
"Don't look at me like that, not his fault I didn't listen" Robert grins at him, both laugh.
"Mostly your" Ned banders, both smiled until Robert stops in front of him.
"I need you Ned, in King's landing, not here where your children do all your work for you" Robert said, a little envy in his voice as Ned smiled.
"Lord Eddard Stark, I name you Hand of the King" Robert spoke formally, giving Ned Stark the position of his hand, the most powerful position in the Seven Kingdoms right under the king.
Ned looks unsure, his lords told him to expect this but he didn't believe it, now hearing it from Robert, kneeling before the king.
"I'm unworthy for the honor" Ned spoke humble, not believing he was worth the Hand of the King.
"I'm not honouring you, I'm trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink and whore my way to an early grave, damn it Ned stands up now" Robert said, sick of seeing his friend always kneeling to him.
"You help me win the iron Throne now help me keep the thing, we were meant to rule together" Robert said to him.
"We could have been bound by blood, if your sister was still with us today" Robert said, remembering his lost love and being Ned's brother by blood.
"But it is not too late, my son Joffrey and your daughter Lyarra, join our houses" Robert said, making Ned spit take.
"Robert, my daughter has…" Ned tries to say, remembering Lyarra's condition if she were to get married.
"Your daughter's what? Ned, speak what, she into woman or something?" Robert asked curiously about the War wolf, having heard some women prefer other women which leads to trouble in marriages, Robert aware his brother Renly is a pillow biter but he is still his brother, however marriage is an issue.
"No your grace, Lyarra had certain conditions that she wished to have if she were to wed" Ned explains to him, Catelyn didn't like it, but Lyarra convinced them to get the best support.
"Condition you say" Robert said, looking curious at these conditions, interested in them.
"First the betroth must join the Winter Legion, spend at least 5 years under the Legion, then must take that training to improve his land or holdings, only then would Lyarra consider the betroth" Ned explains to him, rather demanding for Lyarra betrotheds, spending 5 years normally has the boys stay in the Winter Legion or completely forget about the betroth in the first place.
"Do others follow this?" Robert asked, now more interested then he should be.
"Yes, so far Domeric Bolton is getting her attention, after finding his father treason, toke over and turned over the land around him, Torrhen Kastark have increase the size of his house castle and build new buildings for the smallfolk, given his family more gold and even Theon Greyjoy created a new ship that is serving well into the Arctic Navy" Ned explains, he had figure Theon own betroths, thought of marry him to the family have crossed his mind.
"Even your hostage is trying, and Joffrey would have to join the Winter Legion?" Robert asked, wanting to know more.
"Yes, the Winter Legion will accept all who wish to join, however he will not be treated like a Prince, since Sarge trains the recruits" Ned said, remembering Sarge training the small forks and other soldiers during the Rebellion and Ironborn rebellion.
"And Sarge gets to train him, where do I sign him up?" Robert said, eager to send his heir to join the Winter Legion.
"Robert, Sarge doesn't hold back, you know this, as soon as he enters he will be under both his and Lyarra mercy, and complainants would be met with hash discipline" Ned explains to him, the Winter Legion are professionals, no special treatment to anyone.
"Even better, Joffrey can finally grow some balls and learn how to be a man away from his mother's skirt" Robert grins at his idea, his son learn in the hard North, gets training from a man that doesn't give a shit about blood and come back to him a men ready to take over him, then marry Lyarra Stark.
Robert saw Ned's son Robb almost replace Ned, Robert could soon give Joffrey the Crown and he can fuck off to do what he wants to do.
"Robert, I believe you should talk to your son and wife about this, it is a big decision to make" Ned said, knowing Joffrey needs to consider this and the Queen is aware of it.
That brought Robert joy down.
"Oh gods, his mother would never let him leave, honestly that boy needs to grow some balls, can't do that holding on to your mother skirt" Robert moans at sending Joffrey away from his mother and learning how to be a man.
"I'm sure we can discuss this with my daughter when she returns," Ned said, rather than speak to Lyarra about whom she wants to marry.
"Yes, you girl sounds like quite a woman Ned, I doubt Joffrey would handle her" Robert said, willing to speak more of this later.
"Now where were we?" Robert said, remembering why he came to the crypts in the first place.
"Right this way" Ned said, leading Robert to his sister's grave, both moaning her lost together as both think about the future of their houses.
LINE
Jamie Lannister I, Brothel in Winter Town.
Jamie Lannister looks for his younger brother in Winter Town new Brothel, Jamie asks around to find a blonde dwarf, lucky Tyrion is a well-known individual.
Jamie walks into the Brothel, passing by many exotic women he hasn't seen before, Jamie seeing whores from Bravossi and Pentoshi, many girls from Esso are here.
Jamie smiles at a few women asked for him to join, while he isn't interested in whores thanks to his vows and his sister, doesn't mean he can't have a little look as they beg for his attention, nothing makes a man more confident then woman begging for you.
Jamie walks to a counter with an older woman, not that old but more older than everyone else here.
"Welcome King's guard, are you here for the Imp" The elder woman said, Jamie smiled, of course these women would be aware of his younger brother, spending a fortune in brothels would make anyone infamous to brothels.
"Yes my Lady, could you point the way to my brother" Jamie asked, making the lady nod.
"Follow me, however your brother just started, it would be some time before he would come out" the old woman smiled at Jamie, making him nod.
"True, could I actually get a few more girls with him, we are in a hurry you see" Jamie asked, his sister needs him and he doesn't want to be alone with the Starks, at least not until he meets his Lyarra Stark, the Iron Maiden.
"That would cost extra my lord" The elder woman said, Jamie pulled out a bag of gold to give her.
"Gather them up would you" Jaime asked, the woman nods as he leads him to the door.
"Right here and it will take a minute" The elder woman said, Jamie thanked her before opening the door.
Finding a Red hair whore on top of his brother, getting their attention.
"Don't get up," Jamie said, looking around.
"Brother, did you forget the meaning of a closed door?" Tyrion complains, Jamie smirks.
"You'll have to teach me, but my sister craves your attention" Jamie said, closing the door and walking to the table with the wine.
"She has her cravings" Tyrion notes, laying on the bed with the whore on him.
"Now we must have a feast with the Starks" Jamie mentions taking a drink from the cups.
But coughs.
"COUGHS WHAT IS THIS COUGHS" Jamie coughs, making Tyrion and the whore laugh at him.
"Northern Beer, brother, a man's drink" Tyrion giggles at his brother coughing the beer.
"Vile, don't leave me along with these people" Jamie begs,
"I thought you were looking forward to Winterfell, getting to meet the War-wolf" Tyrion said, all hearing rumors about the first-born daughter of Ned Stark.
"She is away fighting a battle somewhere, Cersei was fuming when she heard about it" Jamie mentions, her sister was mad hearing the Iron maiden is out leading a battle.
"Why is that?" Tyrion asked, curious at Cersei's misfortune.
"Don't know, she always likes that whenever someone mentions the War-wolf" Jamie said, finding his sister always frowning or walking away when the Stark girl is mentioned.
"You have an idea my dear" Tyrion asked the Whore, who smiled at him.
"It is not my place, my lord, but it sounds like the queen is jealous," the Red head said, making both brothers think for a moment.
"She did want to learn swords when she was younger" Jamie mentions her childhood, him and Cersei used to which lessons when they were identical.
"Which father forbids, seeing another girl doing it must be the height of envy of our beloved sister" Tyrion smirks at her sister, jealous over the young Stark girl.
"That makes sense now, can you hurry up, and we have a feast to get too" Jamie said, drinking the beer, getting used to the taste.
"I began the feast early, I've ordered many courses from different parts of Essos'" Tyrion said, ready to see the new Northern woman here.
"We don't have time for that," Jamie said, knocking on the door. Many exotic women show up, jumping on Tyrion's bed to his joy as Jamie leaves.
"Close the door" Tyrion calls out, Jaime smiles as he heads back to Winterfell to deal with his sister.
"Guess it would be unfair the Stark girl got your dream my dear sister" Jamie said to himself, recalling how Cersei always envied his position in fighting and all, Jamie wished he could help her but it was not the way a queen should do.
But he guesses he is wrong with Lyarra Stark is now leading an army now, whatever the case is will be an experience to meet this young lady.