Chapter 73: Managing a growing family

304 AC

(A time jump of around 16 months occurs between this and last chapter)

Jon

He sat at the dais on the place of honor to Robb's right. His wife Wylla sat next to him. His wife … They had married eight months ago in Winterfell. He had wanted it to be a small affair, but that sadly hadn't worked out. Robb had planned it so that the wedding could be held after his return from the Wall. The Manderlys had joined his brother on his way south after the marriages of Harrion and Smalljon in Last Hearth. Many others had joined them, notably many members of the Clans that had fought under him two years ago and even a few sons of the Skagosi.

The singers and poets were already calling it the year of the weddings. The cream of the Northern nobility had attended weddings in Winterfell, White Harbor, Last Hearth and Winterfell again. The problem with weddings was that it was an excellent way to socialize and find yourself a bride. This had led to the paradoxical phenomenon his friends had come to start calling 'the wedding effect'. Weddings always led to more weddings.

For eight months it had been quiet, and no weddings of great lords or heirs were planned in the North for the next year. Yet, they had once again gotten a new reason to come together and celebrate. It was an even more joyous occasion now and much of the realm had come together for it.

He leaned back on his chair and looked behind Robb's back to see little Rickard sleeping in Alys' arms. Robb had had a son and the kingdom had received their much-awaited heir. By now, the babe was already six months old and he knew him well, but for most of the nobles it was the first time seeing their future king.

He was a healthy boy with very healthy lungs. At the beginning of the feast, Robb had ceremoniously raised him in front of everyone to see. Many had whistled and screamed in support, which had let to the baby boy crying loudly. Lord Brandon Norrey had immediately shouted "if the boy screams as well on the battlefield as he does in his father's arms, then he will be a great commander of men indeed". This had led many to bang their mugs of ale on the table. It had been a horrendously loud noice, but Robb had simply smiled and agreed with Norrey, whilst protectively holding his son close to his chest.

Everyone of his siblings doted upon him and his sister and who could blame them? He looked a lot like Lord Eddard, with a longer face and grey eyes, but the hair upon his head was not the same color brown. It had a reddish tint to it that was unmistakably Robb's. It was less outspoken with little Rickard, but it was still there.

Robb had named his son after his late father-in-law, as well as their own late grandfather. A true Stark name all the nobles had agreed. Lord Wyman and Lord Ryswell, who had known his grandfather quite well, had even mentioned how proud the man would have been. Little Rickard was the first Crown Prince of an independent North in three hundred years, he would have been honored to have him named after him, or so they said.

As always, the occasion was more than just a simple celebration. Lords used it to mingle and talk about the political situation in the realm. As hand of the King, he was in the middle of all of these discussions. In contrast to the Northern weddings, many Riverlanders had made it North this time.

Lord Brynden Blackwood had made it to Winterfell once again, after having recently had the joy of celebrating the birth of his own heir. His brother, his good friend Lucas, had had to stay home due to problems with some old Goodbrook loyalists.

Lord Jason Mallister was here, and Robb had seen it fit make him his master of laws. He had been a great addition to their council these last three weeks. Lord Jason would be staying with them for a while, as Patrek had gotten the responsibility to rule over Seaguard from his father.

Lord Edmure couldn't be there as the Riverlands were still recovering from the war, but House Tully was always represented by Ser Brynden. Lord Edmure's new brother-in-law, Hendry Bracken, had made the trip as representative for his uncle and father-in-law Lord Jonos Bracken.

Ser Halmon Paege, the knight of Fairmarket, had made the trip with his new son-in-law Rodrik 'Sumber', the Greatjon's younger brother and lord of the former area of King's Landing. During the last few years, he had built his own wooden keep on Rhaenyra's Hill, calling it the Last Castle. A clear nod to his former home, as well as it being the southern border of the kingdom. The city itself had been renamed Riverport, another nod to its border status, as it was located by the Blackwater Rush and the new gateway to the Riverlands.

Other notable attendees from the Riverlands were Lords Robert Deddings, Lothar Mallery, Edwyn Terrick, Hugo Greenswamp, the new name Hugo Vance had taken on after being given his lordship, and Ser Rupert Brune. They were accompanied by many friends, cousins and other companions and many of the absent houses had also sent minor relatives with escorts. The Great Hall was packed to the brim with people from all over the new kingdom.

"How are you finding your new lands Jon?" Domeric asked him. "Is the progress going well?"

He looked upon the Lord of the Dreadfort and smiled. "Aye, it is. I have scouted out the position on which I will build my future keep. It is on the western side of the peninsula, at the end of a small bay that serves as a natural harbor. There is an old, but small, village located near the harbor that will soon be expanded into a sturdy town focused on trading and fishing. I am in the process of locating and gathering the resources to start construction on both the keep and the town. The actual construction will begin in spring, which the Maesters believe will only be a few months from now."

"Let's pray to the Gods that they are right. The end of winter is always a joyous occasion." Harrion interjected. As uncle to little Rickard, he had also been given a place at the high table this time.

Domeric nodded in agreement. "What about the Wildlings? How is that going? How did they react to your rule when you were on your lands?"

It wasn't the first time that he had had to answer that question this past week. "It's going well, considering the circumstances. Most are following their oaths and are integrating well. The mixed marriages have been a resounding success and a new great event is planned for spring which will include the women saved from the Ironborn, who are currently staying in Wintertown or Barrowton, and more Wildlings with men from all over the North."

"You said most are following their oaths?" Harrion cocked his eyebrow.

"Aye, a handful of men and former spearwives have made some trouble. Most of them were strung up from the trees in the areas where they had made their offenses. Their valuables have been distributed amongst those of their families that remained loyal as well as those they had grieved." He replied, for which both men gave him praise.

"How have the locals reacted to your appointment? Your arrival means parting with centuries old autonomy for most of them." Domeric inquired.

"There weren't too many problems. I had to win some of them over, whilst most just wanted to be reaffirmed in the territories they held. Most were overjoyed when they heard the ideas about enriching the area. A dozen requests have come in to send immigrants their way and all local houses have started looking into increasing their production in timber, hides and fur for trade by the time summer arrives. There was even one intelligent vassal that laid out his plans to invest into the pottery businesses, as future trade will need it for transport. In the end, they all paid homage to me."

"Sounds good." Both men responded, they both knew what it was to have to win over the local populations. "Didn't they feel threatened by all the new arrivals? You mentioned before that you will raise new bannermen."

"Aye, that's true. I have already raised seven new ones. Most them will only rule over small amounts of lands and people, a village or even just two or three hamlets and some farmsteads. They are spread out over the territory and six more will be raised in the next year. Lands for that have already been identified." He explained to the approval of the lords sitting around him.

"Two exceptions have been made. These two have gotten bigger and more important lands. Firstly, there is Torrghen Flint, who got lands on the top of the Peninsula. A small village already exists there, and I have arranged a marriage between him and the heiress of the lands, which I have then expanded for him. The village will be greatly enlarged, and efforts are being made to stimulate a lot of fishing in the bay. Secondly, there is an officer of the Winterfell guard whom I have known for over a decade now. He has been given lands on the border with the Glovers. A lot of migration will be steered towards the area to promote the lumber industry and some small farming. His two small children are already promised to neighboring local houses. All in all, integration is going smoothly."

"How goes the development of your house?" Harrion asked. Wylla smiled next to him and nudged him to tell them. "I have chosen the name Whitefyre, both as a nudge to the Targaryen history and a break from it. My house words will be "An oath given", to symbolize the break even more. We have given our oaths to the Starks of Winterfell and we will keep those no matter what." He explained.

"A noble thing to do. It will ease those lords that might still doubt your loyalty in the South." Domeric agreed. "Have you chosen a sigil?"

"Aye, I have. A white dragon and white direwolf on a black field. Both trying to catch each other's tail without succeeding to again showcase my ancestry. I am both a dragon and a wolf and I have to see a way to combine the two without one destroying the other entirely. My keep will be called 'Dragon's Lair'. It seemed fitting, seeing that it is located on Sea Dragon Point."

Both men seemed to accept all of this, which was a good sign. Besides Robb and Wylla, they were the first ones to hear about it.

"Jon Whitefyre", Dom mused. "I like it." He grinned and he felt a weight falling of his shoulders, which he hadn't even known was there.

"As do I." Wylla mentioned from next to him. He looked over to her and she smiled at him. He looked into her pale blue eyes and wondered how things had come to be this way. Never in all his time fostering for her uncle had he expected anything to be possible between them. Now here they were, man and wife. The last few months had been good to them. They both respected and appreciated each other. He wouldn't say it was love on his part just yet, but he thought it entirely possible that it could grow to such heights in time.

His friends saw their looks and laughed. "When I see you two looking, I expect that there will soon be some more Whitefyres to appreciate." Harrion quipped and Dom laughed loudly.

Both he and Wylla blushed, as his wife suddenly looked away from him, which only encouraged his friends' laughter. It was true that things in the bedroom had been a lot more pleasurable than he had expected. Wylla was beautiful. She had stopped dying her long blond hair green and her curves had grown considerably in the years that he had spent in the South. She looked almost regal when she put some effort in her appearance, but most of the time she didn't. She could be found in the kitchens, stables or the courtyard much more often than doing embroidery, but that was fine by him.

"We hope to be expecting soon." He answered diplomatically, before turning towards them again. "However, it is I who should ask you two of these things, isn't it?" He grinned back.

His friends laughed. "Aye, it is. Being a father, it is a weird feeling. I can't describe it. Serena is with Edric in Karhold now. He is much too young to travel. However, I hope he and young Rickard can be great friends. They are only a few months apart and Edrick will be fostering in Winterfell when he is older." Harrion spoke, a fulfilled smile on his face.

"Aye, for me it is much the same." Dom replied, as he looked to the seat next to him. Sansa felt their gaze upon her and smiled. She protectively put a hand over the small, but visible, bulge on her belly. He smiled back at his sister. He knew that she had always wanted a family. The news of her being pregnant only a few months after Alys had overjoyed the whole family.

"If it is a boy, he will also be fostering here with yours." Dom mentioned to Harry. "If it is a girl, I will keep him as far away from your ilk as I possibly could." He quipped amicably.

"Haha, I understand. A woman with your delicate complexion wouldn't be able to handle any son of mine." He boomed and they all shared in the laughter. Wylla and Sansa continued on with their own conversation, while they talked of lighter things.


Ser Brynden Tully

He was standing guard behind Robb's table, as was his job as the head of his Kingsguard. The job suited him better than he had initially thought. He got to spend lots of time with Cat and all her children and even her two grandchildren. Both were adorable and his guard duties with Edda often consisted of playing with her. She called him "uncie Bynden".

Little Rickard was a lovely sweet baby boy. He was healthy and laughed a lot, just like his father when he was little, Cat had entrusted upon him. He had a healthy pair of lungs, especially when he was hungry. Both him and his sister looked mostly Stark and Karstark, but the little boy's hair was unmistakably red. Hoster's first great-grandson had his hair. If his brother had been alive, he would have smiled. However, he might even be happier knowing that down in Riverrun another Hoster Tully had been born, a little red-haired boy named after his late grandfather.

He couldn't wait to meet that other boy too and Robb had entrusted to him that he planned on fostering him in the future with little Rickard. So even if he missed much of the boy's early childhood, he would see him grow up after that. Robb would also visit the Riverlands again in spring and he would make sure to accompany him on the journey.

The formal part of the feast had long finished. Some Northmen were running around, others were shouting loudly and the first drinking contests were on the way. Alys asked Robb, if she could put Rickard to bed so she could mingle among some of the ladies as well, but Robb refused. "He needs to be seen by the lords a little longer. I need to talk with some of the nobles tonight and I want him near me. He symbolizes the North's future and they need to remember that."

Although his queen agreed to all of this, she still wanted to go and mingle with some of her old friends and acquaintances. Robb looked around and smiled a mischievous smile at him. "Uncle, could you take care of Rickard for a while?"

"I need to have my hands free to guard you, Your Grace." He replied matter-of-factly.

"I am only the present of the kingdom, uncle. Rickard here is the future. He is much more important. What better way to guard him than to be able to carry him away in the face of danger?" Robb winked at him and he sighed. He knew Hoster's grandson well enough to know there would be no changing his mind if he showed him that cocksure grin.

Alys handed him her son with a knowing smile on her face, before darting of towards the table where Wynafryd Manderly, Lyra Umber and a few clanswomen were sitting with many of their vassals' daughters.

He looked at the little boy sleeping in his arm. He had turned a little at being changed from his mother's warm arms into his but had already found his place snuggled in his grey tabard. Another one of Robb's inventions, The Kingsguard were now dressed in light grey instead of white. It didn't matter too much to him, they both stained as easily when having dinner.

Robb didn't have to wait long before one of his vassals came over. Alysane walked up together with her husband. They had taken a new house name together, he remembered. They were now the leading couple of House Shield and officially ruled over Stony Shore. Their words seemed accurate 'We guard the shore'. It was practical and had a nice ring to it.

He looked over the hall for any possible threats whilst rocking little Rickard back and forth slowly. He used the rhythm of the first song that popped into his head, 'the miller's wench'. It was an old soldier's tune from the Riverlands that he had learnt whilst fighting in the War of the Ninepenny Kings. From time to time, he focused back on Robb's conversation with the Shields.

"Aye, Your Grace" He heard Maege's second daughter say. "We brought four hundred and thirty-four people with us from Bear Island. A few more might cross in the future, but they will form the core of the population of our keep and the neighboring village we will create. They mostly consist of workers, maids, fishermen and guards and their families with a few craftsmen looking for business opportunities mixed in. Most of Artos' family has also joined us, some of which will be granted land upon our arrival there."

"Very well," their young king replied. "I have successfully made a deal with five Northern Mountain Clans in your name. If you wish it, they will send some of their own towards your land as well. Each clan wants one of their own to be granted some minor lands and they will populate it with some sixty to a hundred of their people depending on the size of the clan."

The couple looked happy with it, he saw from the corner of his eye, as baby Rickard managed to take ahold of his tabard whilst sleeping. He twisted and wrinkled it until he held parts of it like a blanket around his little chest.

"A few hundred of the former Ironborn women and children will join you from Wintertown and Barrowton too. If you wish it, I can have those that are here accompany you when you leave Winterfell. I will make sure they are provisioned for the trip." Robb continued.

"We would very much appreciate it, Your Grace." Artos Shield replied. Robb nodded and started talking about their plans to build their wooden keep. Both the location and design were discussed, but he couldn't hear all of it as he was watching the room for possible threats whilst slowly rocking the baby in his arms.

A few minutes later, the Shields left, but not before throwing loving glances towards the baby he was carrying in his arms. Robb awarded him with another one of his cocky smiles, but he paid it no mind. Once they were alone, he would get his grandnephew back. Whilst they were in public it was his job to protect him and strengthen his reign and his image, which he would do now. Once it was just the two of them, he would put the royal brat in his place.

The next guest that came up to Robb was a representative from the Night's Watch. Their choice of representative had been a clever one, he thought, as Duncan 'Big' Little walked up towards the dais from the table where he had been sitting with his brother. Little was the new First Ranger, and as such a very high member of the Watch. On top of that, he was also Northern to the core which endeared him and the Watch to the Northmen here, with Robb maybe amongst them.

"I first wish to thank you again for reviving our order, King Robb." The former Clansman started off. "The Night's Watch once again numbers over twenty-five hundred strong and three castles have been resettled with a fourth planned at the start of spring." He could see sincere gratitude in the man's eyes and deemed him to be no threat quickly.

He looked across the room and locked eyes with his new brother, who smirked at the sight of him holding the Crown Prince of the kingdom. Harmond Turrel had been the former captain of the guards of Karhold. He had protected Robb during much of his fosterage there and the man had agreed to leave his home and join his Kingsguard after the death of his second wife. He got along with him well. They were two older men in a world made by and for the young ones.

He thought about the order they were creating, as he scanned the room. Many had started calling it the Wolfsguard now. It was much like the Targaryen's Kingsguard had been, but still notably different. Apart from their grey tabard, they would number ten people. No emphasis was placed on its members being knights, as long as they were great fighters. Robb had entrusted upon him that they shouldn't discard baseborn or common men with exceptional skills either.

Another change had been the decree that most senior members of the Stark family would receive their own personal shields, as threats against them weren't unthinkable with all the enemies they had made in the South. They would always be accompanied by them on outings or during feasts and festive times with lots of strangers staying at the castle.

For now, their numbers had grown to include six members. Aside from him and Turrel, there was the King's brother-in-law Torrhen Karstark. Although young and a bit crude, he was loyal to the core and quite handy with his sword. He had gotten better each year and was his unofficial second-in-command, as well as being the Queen's personal shield.

Then there was Morgan Barclay. He too hailed from the Northern Mountains. He was the nephew of the chief of the Barclay clan and had shown both his wits and martial skills in the campaign against the Wildlings under Jon. The latter had been the one to recommend him to his brother. Due to his rowdy nature, Rickon had taken an almost immediate liking to the man. Not much later, he had been appointed as his sworn sword. Cat had been shocked, but he had been able to calm her down by ensuring her of the man's worth.

Their fifth member was Denys Northguard. Before his anointment, he had simply been known as 'Big Denys'. Most still called him that, but he had had to pick a noble surname to make him distinguishable and he had picked 'Northguard'. When asked why, he had shrugged. "I figured I will still be guarding the North and it rolled of the tongue nicely." He was a quiet man, but a lot smarter than most gave him credit for. He had been a Winterfell guardsman and sergeant for twenty years and had fought valiantly during most of the wars in the South. His height stood around 6'5 and this, combined with his love for his battle axe, made him an imposing figure in the room. A thing Robb frequently used when making a dramatic entrance.

Their newest member was Ser Dickon Brune. He was the youngest of Lord Eustace Brune's six grandsons. He had joined Robb's force with his kin at the battle of the God's Eye River and fought with him until he had joined Jon Snow's conquest of Lannisport and Casterly Rock. He himself had noticed him during the campaign in the Stormlands but had forgotten about him afterwards. After he had seen him training again around the time of Jon's wedding, he had presented him to the King himself.

The latter two were sleeping, as they had been protecting the royal couple during much of the day. Barclay had escorted much of the King's siblings to bed and was standing guard in their hallway right now. Their order would soon again be expanded. They had four places left in the guard and their size limited their ability to protect the large royal family during events like these.

Complaints had also been raised in the Riverlands by their lack of representation. He was the only one originating from there, with Brune hailing from Cracklaw Point. Robb had entrusted him with the task of finding some of his countrymen to join his ranks. His eyes had fallen upon a young knight named Benedict Blackwood. He was a second cousin of Lord Brynden Blackwood. He and his brothers had served their lordly cousin ever since the death of their father in the battle against the fake Aegon Targaryen.

The young man was of an age with the King and had served Lord Brynden as his squire since before the war. He had been present at the Rape of the Twins on the side of the Riverlanders and had fought under Robb from the beginning of the campaign that led to the Battle of the God's Eye. He looked upon him as he was laughing with one of his kin at the Blackwood table. He had asked his sworn brothers what they taught about him and all had agreed upon his judgement.

He had proposed nominating him at the beginning of the feast, but Robb had vetoed that. He still had to talk to the Blackwoods. If they agreed, the nomination would be proclaimed the day after tomorrow, before the big hunt.

Two more had caught his eye. Cedric Cerwyn, the oldest son of one of the late Lord Medger's cousins, and Ser Jeremy Bigglestone, third son of Lord Duncan Bigglestone whom he had known personally since his youth.

Both men had seen fighting during the war, albeit limited in nature. Cedric had only joined the fray when Cley Cerwyn marched south and aside from its capture, he had stayed to guard the Twins. Afterwards, he had only fought again during the Iron Islands campaign.

Ser Jeremy had seen a lot of fighting during the beginning of the war and had been with Edmure during his defeat at Riverrun. However, he had been severely wounded at Atranta and had spent the rest of the war recovering at his father's seat. Nothing had been decided yet, but both showed promise.

After checking if baby Rickard was still sleeping soundly, he focused back on the conversation that the King was having with Liddle. "I hear your pleas about your lack of builders and stewards, Duncan. I will investigate signing a decree that any farmer, servant or craftsman who commits a big crime is to be send to the Wall. I will also write to my allies in the Vale, the Stormlands, the Westerlands and the Iron Islands to ask them to do the same."

"I thank you, King Stark." The man responded with a small bow. However, Robb simply raised his hand to signal that he wasn't ready. "This might solve your issues in the relatively short term. In the medium term, I will make sure that some of the orphans from King's Landing are sent to the Wall. They are being trained in all sorts of crafts at the moment and can use these abilities to help your order. In the long term, the orphanages at Mole's Town can do the same."

"I thank you once more, King Robb." Big Little replied with a smile. After a bit of small talk, he stood up and walked back to his fellow Clansmen.

The rest of the night went the same as most Northern feasts did. Many of the Northern nobles drunk themselves to a stupor, whilst some of the younger and braver, or should he say stupider, Rivermen tried to compete them. Most of the latter paid the price for their mistake. It was the way it had always gone ever since the war.

The only surprising thing about the evening had been how soundly Little Rickard had slept through all the noise. He had kept the boy in his arms for what had likely been well over an hour, before his mother had come to pick him up. Together, they had said their goodbyes to the King and her family before retiring.

Robb had joined some of his friends at the tables for some time, before he too had retired. Turrel had accompanied the King to his chambers. He would stand guard there for most of the night. He thought about Hoster's great-grandchildren as he stripped of his armor. If his brother had seen him tonight, he probably would've made a comment among the lines of "this could have been your great-grandson, if you had just married the Redwyne girl as I had asked you." He smiled at the thought.

Wherever his brother was, he knew he would at least appreciate his stubborn younger brother protecting his blood and legacy. He hadn't been able to save Lysa and her son from her stupidity and mistakes, he would make sure nothing happened to Edmure or Cat's families. He had sworn to protect them, and he would so until his dying day.


(Two days later)

Robb

These past few days had not gone to plan. The feast had gone great and he had had fruitful conversations with some of his vassals and the First Ranger of the Watch. Nevertheless, verything had changed the day after that. It was as if the Gods were trying to give him a headache. It had started when he had sat together with Lord Brynden Blackwood to discuss the ascension of his cousin Ser Benedict to the Kingsguard.

Both the young knight and his lordly cousin had been pleased, but the latter had immediately made him another offer that he had apparently been preparing for some time. He had offered him the hand of his sister Bethany for Bran. It was an enticing offer. She was from the Riverlands, a must with Sansa and him marrying in the North. She was the only sister to not one, but two great lords there. Both whom he regarded as his friends.

She was also the younger sister of Bran's best friend for years now. He and Alyn Blackwood were still inseparable after all this time. She was one of the few Old Gods believers in the Riverlands, which was fantastic. After years at Karhold, it was unmistakable how big mother's influence had been on Winterfell. If he wanted to guide House Stark back to their roots, as he had planned together with Alys, his brother couldn't bring a pious Southern girl to his court now. His children would of course have to marry in the South, but one generation could be enough to make House Stark the heart of the North again.

However, the timing of it all was awful. Already, some houses like the Pipers were jealous of the boons the Blackwoods had gotten. By awarding them with not only someone in the Kingsguard, but a marriage too, complaints would once again start arising. The Riverlords would once again be split on the issue with one side happy with the representation and the other angry and jealous about who got it.

In the end, he had decided to go forth with the plan anyway. Beforehand, he had consulted Alys, his mother and uncle Brynden and all had agreed about the bad timing, but also about the opportunity that needed to be seized. He had asked his brother about it as well and to his surprise his fourteen-year-old brother had been enthusiastic about the idea. "Alyn has often spoken fondly of his sister throughout the years. I am sure we will get along. Besides, it will make Alyn my brother in name. I wouldn't want it any other way."

He had negotiated strictly with Brynden, but they had come to a compromise in the end. The large dowry would ensure Bran's future. He would of course lack for nothing in his life, but this money would be his own to do with what he pleased aside from him and the Crown.

Bethany would make a good wife for him. Everyone described her as gentle and easy to laugh, which should endear her to Bran quickly as he was very similar. The actual marriage would have to wait two more years, as the girl was only thirteen years of age at present.

He had announced both developments to his lords at the hunt, although he had made two more decisions to take some of the attention of off House Blackwood and win over the sympathy of the Riverlords. Firstly, he had announced that Bran would accompany them south when they left Winterfell to resume his fostering in Riverrun together with Alyn Blackwood and the young Lords Mooton and Darry.

The news had been well-received by most of them, as they liked the idea of having a Stark in their lands forming bonds with their own. The second had been to name another to the Kingsguard as well. Ser Jeremy had only been vetted for a short while, but he liked him and he showed a lot of promise. His great-uncle had also agreed with the decision in the end. Awarding two knights from the Riverlands a position did much to lower the importance that was placed on the other one being a Blackwood.

Bran had accompanied him on the hunt and had managed to impress a lot of the nobles. All had agreed with his plans for his younger brother when he had laid them out. Brandon would be made the Master of Moat Cailin. He would be given the lands for life, but when he passed away or retired they would return to the Crown.

The overlordship of these lands would be fashioned according to that of the Gates of the Moon and the Bloody Gate in the Vale. A Master of the Moat would be named by the Stark in Winterfell, but it would always revert back to them upon his death. Most of the times the Master would be one of the King's kinsmen, to symbolize the importance the gate to the North held.

Construction on the keep would immediately start in spring. It would be rebuilt, but not to the splendor it once had. It wasn't necessary to have a curtain wall as high as that of Winterfell with twenty towers. Maester Luwin and his father had done some research on it and he had expanded upon that the past year.

The original layout of the castle would be kept, but less extreme. The walls might have once been well over eighty feet, in this time and age fifty feet would more than suffice. A sturdy stone keep would be built where once its wooden predecessor had stood. It would be built in the style of the First Men, adapted somewhat to make use of the new techniques in architecture.

Twelve towers would strengthen the outer wall, instead of the former twenty towers. The three remaining ones will be repaired and reinforced to incorporate them among those twelve. The construction would take decades and overseeing it would most likely be Bran's lifework. He had already ordered that he should be given extra classes in architecture, land clearing and town building.

Once spring was upon them, works would start on the keep. At the same time, the beginnings of a village would be built along the northside of the construction site. This should in time grow to a small market town, preferably around five to ten thousand people and linked by continuous traffic to Winterfell, Barrowton, White Harbor, the Twins and Seaguard.

His father had made great progress by clearing the grounds and establishing the first farming hamlet a few miles from the ruins. However, most of it had been destroyed by the Ironborn. Now, the place would be rebuilt, and half a dozen other ones constructed. For a market town the size he envisioned to flourish, over two hundred more would need to be established. Alas, that would take decades or centuries and a big population growth around Winterfell first.

It had cost him two full days to organize all of that, even with most of the plans for Moat Cailin already worked out in extreme detail by his father, Maester Luwin and himself. Just when he had thought that the worst was over and that he could go back to his wife and children, Harmond Turrel had demanded to speak with him immediately upon their return. The conversation had turned his world upside down once again.

Now he found himself in his solar waiting for his mother to arrive whilst thinking how to manage this situation. He had no experience with all of this and desperately wanted to speak to Alys, but he had to consult his mother first on this.

Not much later, she hurried into his solar. "Robb, what happened? They told me you needed me to come here urgently. Are you hurt? Is Bran hurt? Where is your brother?" She fired off in quick succession.

"No, mother I am unhurt. Bran is also well. He did great. He managed to impress many of the noble, and they have welcomed both the betrothal and his rule of Moat Cailin. They were enthusiastic about the building plans as well." He calmed her.

She took a deep breath and took a seat in front of him. "Then why did you need me this urgently?"

"We have to talk about Arya, and we have to talk about her now." He sighed with his head in his hands. How did he even need to address this to his mother?

"Arya?" His mother asked in confusion, but the confusion quickly made way for fear as she saw his facial expression. "What has she done? Where is she?"

"She has been confined to her rooms for now. Turrel is standing guard in front of her room and Nymeria has been forced into the kennels by Grey Wind and Summer. No one is allowed in or out, not even the maids." He responded tiredly.

"Robb? You have never punished her like this before. What has she done?"

"She was found by Turrel in a secluded storage room close to the stables. However, she had not been alone. To quote Turrel, she was found "in an intimate, albeit clothed, embrace with a man".

His mother's eyes almost popped out of her head. "Arya … was found with a man?" He nodded slowly.

"Who was it? I'll have the boy flogged and sent to the Wall! And Arya, how irresponsible can she be? She doomed that poor boy to a life of servitude in the Night's Watch! Was it one of the stable boys? Or some young retainer of one of the houses present?" Lady Catelyn Stark exclaimed, anger clearly rising.

He opened his mouth to answer, but she kept raving on. "Does anyone know? If people found out about this no one respectable will want to marry her anymore."

"Mother", he interrupted her, but she kept going. "I have to talk to her. Order Turrel to bring her here! She must be told to never speak of this!"

"Mother!" He practically screamed and she finally stopped talking. She looked up to him. "Yes, Robb?"

"She was not found in the presence of one of the smallfolk. The man that was holding her in his arms was Cley Cerwyn, Lord Cley Cerwyn." He replied, emphasizing the importance of his title and family name.

"Oh", was all she managed to reply.

"Aye, 'oh' is about right. She was found in the presence of a great lord of the North. The one closest to Winterfell from a family that has gone above and beyond for us these past years. On top of that, I counted him as my friend. If I sent him to the Wall, as I should, I would be seen by many as betraying their loyalty. Let alone that I could ever keep this a secret. Arya's dalliance would be the topic of every conversation from the Wall to the Blackwater."

His mother leaned back in her chair and put her hands in her hair. "Has he … you know?" She finally asked him.

He looked into his mother's blue eyes. "Honestly, I don't know."

She nodded at that in thought. "We have to talk to her. We have to know this and how it has come to be before we act." Now it was his time to nod in response.

He called out for his guard. Dickon Brune was standing outside his door, having accompanied his mother to his solar. "Brune, go to my sister's Arya's rooms. Turrel is standing on duty there. Tell him to guard the other prisoner instead, he'll know what to do." The knight nodded and bowed his head in silence before storming off.

"Other prisoner? Oh gods Robb, have you taken Cley prisoner? He is one of the high nobles of the realm!" His mother exclaimed once the door had shut again.

"Aye, but I don't want this to get out before we know how we'll deal with this. It was Turrel that locked him up for questioning in one of the empty rooms in the guest wing whilst awaiting my command. He is comfortable there, but he is not allowed to escape."

"A member of your Kingsguard took a princess and a great lord in custody before you ever arrived? Robb that is insane!" His mother scolded him. "This is dangerous. This could turn the entire nobility against you. Especially if they don't know why you did it."

"He handled the situation like he knew I would ask of him. I am very appreciative of his actions. I will not have his integrity questioned! We are here to discuss Arya's fate. My Kingsguard is my own." He retorted strongly. His mother looked at him skeptically, but let it go.

Not much later, his youngest sister arrived. The fifteen-year-old looked angry and annoyed and the first thing she did after entering was demanding to see Nymeria. He ignored her and told her to take a seat.

She threw a tantrum instead. "No, I will not take a seat! I want to see Nym now! She feels horrible in the kennels and she is worried about me and can't bite through that stupid metal cage you put her in."

"Wait, how do you think you know what Nymeria is feeling?" His mother asked suspiciously.

He looked dangerously at his little sister. Their mother was the only one that didn't know about their warging. In the months after his return, he had talked with all his siblings about it and all had agreed it would complicate things if they told her, even Sansa had agreed. They had gotten Rickon on board by threatening that otherwise mother would have tried to take Shaggy away. Now Arya was threatening the agreement they had had for two and a halve years.

Arya looked conflicted at that, but she would not relent on the issue. "I want her here for support. Now!" She screamed at him.

"Young lady you do not talk to me or your brother like that! I am your mother and aside from your lord and brother, he is also your king! You will …" Mother screamed at her in turn.

"I will do nothing until Nymeria is here!" She shouted once more, squaring off against their mother in a defiant stance.

Mother wanted to yell back at her, but he shut her up with a signal from his hand. She saw the stormclouds behind his eyes and almost took a step back from him. She apparently knew better than to keep talking. "Arya, you will sit down. Now." He simply voiced, his voice hard as iron.

She turned to him and started yelling, but she stopped when she saw him getting up from his chair. Grey Wind got up from next to his desk and got up to his full height as well. He stared at her in silence for a few seconds as she quieted down, before speaking again.

"I am the head of this family and the lord of this castle. You will obey me in this Arya, whether you like it or not. I care a lot about you, but I swear to the Gods that, if you don't sit down and shut up now, I will send you to the Silent Sisters and be done with your antics forever." He almost growled.

Both women looked at him in shock. He had never used this voice to any of his family before, but he would not have this. She had betrayed him and his trust with a friend of his. He had been working none stop day in day out to make the North a better place for all of his family and subjects. This could make a crack in everything he had so carefully build up over the years.

Arya looked at their mother with fear in her eyes, but he cut that off. "No, you will not look at her for support. If I decide to send you away there is nothing that she or anyone can do about it. You will obey and you will do it now. Don't test me sister, you will regret it for the rest of your life." He spoke coldly, his eyes daring her to take his challenge.

They squared off against each other for a long time, before she finally sat down with an enormous scowl on her face. "Good, now our mother and I need to ask you some questions. You will not yell at either of us, and you will always speak the truth. What you have done can jeopardize the stability of the kingdom. It is clear that you do not understand the consequences of your actions, so I will make you understand." He spoke, both his sister and mother looking at him like they didn't recognize him.

"Cley's fate will depend on your honesty here today. If you lie or hold anything back, both of you will be send away for good. I will not have one of my friends defile my sister's virtue behind my back, whether he is a great lord or not."

"What Robb? You would hurt Cley for this? He has done nothing wrong. I …" He held up his hand. "I will pass judgement here, Arya, not you."

He looked at his mother and she had become completely pale. As he looked into her eyes, he knew she realized that he was serious about sending her away. "Please Arya, listen to your brother. This is not just a matter of the family. The virtue and relations of a princess are a concern for the whole kingdom. Cley has publicly embarrassed and insulted Robb by doing this. It would be in Robb's power to send him to the Wall or take his head for disrespecting his hospitality with his sister in his own halls."

Arya looked flabbergasted between his mother and him. She looked at him with questions and shock in her eyes. "Aye, it is within my right." He simply agreed.

"But, but we haven't even … I mean we haven't …" Arya started stuttering, her cheeks growing red.

"Arya, please tell us everything. What happened, when it started and how it came to be." Lady Catelyn Stark asked her.

Arya looked between both of them before relenting. She sighed and told him the story of how they had danced at Sansa's wedding feast and how they talked a while after. She found him funny and he had been helpful in showing her moves for her dagger. He didn't care if she wore weapons and didn't force her to do ladylike things, which made her feel comfortable around him.

After that, they had talked more on his many visits to Winterfell and had danced again at Jon's wedding. After the wedding, things had taken a bit off a turn in her head and she had been asking herself if she had started to lik him. On the last day of his visit three months ago, they had kissed somewhere deep in the Godswood. It was a chaste kiss, but she had liked it and was curious how it could feel.

As such, she had initiated the same thing multiple times over the last three weeks. She had spurred him on more and more. Their kisses had become less chaste, although he refused to do anything more. After a few nudges from their mother, she had admitted that she was curious about intercourse and male anatomy and had planned to take it a bit further today before they were caught by Harmond. She had apparently tried to initiate some minor things before, but he had always refused to go along.

He listened to her story in cold silence, taking in every word she said. After she was done, he looked upon her. "You are telling me you haven't slept with him?" He asked first.

She turned completely red. "I haven't, he … he didn't want to. Every time it got … more intense intense, he stopped me saying that he couldn't do that and talked about you."

He nodded at that. Maybe Cley had something of a brain left after all. "You initiated everything?"

"Aye … he liked it, but he tried to stop me the first time I saw him again three weeks ago. Saying that our first kiss had been a mistake, but in the end he caved in. He wanted it as much as I did." She replied, some of the defiance coming back to her eyes.

"Very well, thank you for telling us Arya. You will be escorted back to your rooms by Ser Dickon. We will discuss what you have said and will talk with Lord Cerwyn. After that, and only then, will I allow Nymeria to go to your chambers." He spoke coolly.

She looked at him ready to fight the issue but gave in with a scowl. He called Brune inside and he escorted his sister back to her rooms. Not much later Cley arrived with Harmond.

The moment he got inside he started apologizing. "I'm sorry, Robb. I did not take her virtue, I swear it. I tried to fight it, but I couldn't. I actually like your sister and …" He simply held up his hand in response. "Tell me your side of the story and tell me everything."

A few minutes later, Cley Cerwyn had told him everything. He told him the same story Arya had done, although it became clear that he was trying to protect her and minimalize her part in things. He answered their every question with guilt and acceptance of his mistake on his face. Afterwards, he too was let outside.

"What do you think?" His mother asked him when they were once again alone.

"I believe them. There is no way they could have rehearsed this beforehand. Arya is still a virgin, which means that we have more options. Be that as it may, we need to act. You heard her. She wants to explore and we both know her well enough to know she will not wait until marriage. If we put an end to this without making other arrangements, this will happen again with someone else next month. That time, it might actually be a stable boy."

His mother bit her lip and sighed but agreed with him. "What are our options?"

"Firstly, as I said we simply break this up. We have them swear to the Gods to end it and say nothing about it to anyone. Cley will listen to this, but Arya won't. She will try again and again and if Cley refuses she might find somebody else."

"Secondly, we punish them both severely in the hope that she gets so scared that she doesn't try anything anymore in the future." She looked shocked at that but didn't say anything."

"Thirdly, we don't do a lot and their relationship will continue. The consequence will most likely be either rumors about Arya spreading across the kingdoms before too long, or she will be pregnant with a bastard soon. Both combined is likely too." He summarized.

"That is not an option. I will not have my daughter talked about or behaving like a common whore! And never will a daughter of mine carry a man's bastard!" His mother vehemently protested.

He agreed with that. "There is one more option." He sighed.

"What's that?" She asked intrigued.

"We force them to marry." He muttered.

His mother looked at him in shock. "She will want to keep experimenting. She is of an age to feel … desires. She will need to be married off quickly anyway. Cley is clearly infatuated with her, why and how I do not know. She seems to like him too, at least to some degree. He lets her be herself. Besides, I don't think we'll find a better candidate for her in the North. He is a great lord and he is the closest one to Winterfell. She always told us that she didn't want to leave. Well, she barely has to. Castle Cerwyn is less than a day's ride away from here. This way we too can keep an eye on her." He explained.

"Robb, she is too young … too reckless." She countered.

"She clearly isn't too young, or this wouldn't have happened. Besides, Sansa wasn't that much older. By the time the marriage is arranged, she will be closer still. Aye, she is reckless. Maybe a husband will do her some good. His presence and the running his keep can keep her entertained. She is losing her friends and she is bored. Allara has died, Wylla is married to Jon. She only has Lyanna left and she has been spending a lot of time with her family these past few weeks. Arya is bored and lonely. We could give her something to do and someone to care for."

She thought long and hard. "You are going to do this anyway, won't you?"

"No, I promised you to not decide anything concerning my siblings without your support. I will keep that promise, but I think it is the best option. After all these marriages, few great lords remain without a wife. He is one of the best matches we could offer her in the North. There is precedent as well, Stark ladies and princesses have married into House Cerwyn before."

"Yes, I know that too Robb, and you are right about the distance and her being lonely. Still, it is all happening so quickly. It feels like I have only gotten you back and now Sansa is gone, Bran will once again be leaving in a week or two and now Arya too … It is too much to ask from me. You, … my children are all that I have left." She replied and he could hear her voice breaking.

He walked over towards her at the other side of the desk and took his mother in his arms. "Mother, I will always be here. Eddara and Rickard adore you and will remain here too. However, if you ask it off me, I will always let you travel around. To the Dreadfort to see Sansa, to Castle Cerwyn or even to Riverrun, if you wish it. You are not stuck here."

Her eyes lit up at the name of her ancestral home, before she looked away. "It's been so long. It's not even my home anymore."

"You could spend some time there with Bran and Edmure and his new son. He was named after your father. Don't you want to meet him?"

"Yes, I do, but how could I Robb? You and your children need me. Rickon needs me." She countered.

"Alys and I will make a progression through the Riverlands once spring is here. You could come with us through the Neck and go along straight to Riverrun, whilst we tour the lands. You can spend time with Bran and Edmure's family there and see the Riverlands again."

She smiled sadly. "I would like that, but what about Rickon? Can he come with us?"

"No, there always needs to be a Stark in Winterfell." He voiced decisively. "However, I can ask for him to have help from Sansa, Arya and Jon. On top of that the council will remain here to run most of the things of the kingdom. He won't be alone. I assure you that."

She nodded. "We will talk about this later. What do we do with Arya?"

"What do you think?"

"Marriage might be her only shot. It is that or a Stark bastard, I'm afraid. A real one this time." She said with a conflicted smile.

"Aye, I'm afraid you're right." He sighed.

Not much later, both stood in front of them. They looked uncomfortable lined up in front of them. He presented them with the option. Both seemed shocked, but in a completely different way. Arya seemed appalled by the general idea of marriage, whilst Cley seemed shocked at the idea that he would actually be considered for Arya's hand.

"Marriage? Robb we had a deal!" His sister retorted angrily.

"Aye, we did. However, that deal did not include experimenting with boys, Arya. If you wish to do that, our deal is over. So, you have the choice before you. Either you marry soon, be it to Cley or someone else, or I will send you away." He responded strongly.

"Robb! You can't send your sister away to the Silent Sisters!" His mother exclaimed.

"No, with her virtue intact, I cannot. However, Queen Shireen Baratheon would love to have a companion of her own age. King Harrold Arryn's wife would also accept the offer within a heartbeat. Some time away from the North, under the guidance of pious Septa's could do her some good." He replied calmly and his mother seemed to quickly agree with his assessment.

He saw Cley's face fall at the idea that his sister would be send far away. He quickly regained his neutral expression, but it had unmistakably been there. It was the proof he needed that he actually liked her.

Arya seemed completely shocked. "That is the choice you give me? Marriage or banishment to the Vale or Stormlands?"

"Come now, Arya. They are our valued allies. It would be no banishment. Our own father was a ward to the Arryns. You would be a diplomatic representative to bridge our differences. They would also keep you and your … exploring better in line than I ever could."

She growled. "You are lucky Nym isn't here. She would rip your head off for this." She spat out.

"Would she now?" He said, as he cocked his eyebrow. On cue, Grey Wind rose up to his height next to him and pierced into Arya's eyes. The silent challenge was clear for everyone to see, but his sister was the only one that didn't shy away from it.

"Aarghh I hate you Robb! You can't do this to me!" She screamed.

"I can and I will. I gave you a choice. Besides, do you know how your antics reflect on you and the man next to you?" He asked her calmly.

Only now did she seem to remember Cley stood next her. He seemed hurt that she was so visibly appalled to the idea of marriage. "Oh Cley, I didn't mean it like that. I don't detest the idea of marrying you. I detest the idea of marriage in general. I wanted to be young and free. I wanted to travel the North with Nymeria at my side, maybe visit the Free Cities. Not bear someone's children and watch over one's keep."

Cley Cerwyn looked her in the eye. He spoke more seriously than he had ever heard him talk since they had spoken about the death of his father. "You could do both."

"What?" His sister exclaimed.

"Well, you always told me you loved spending time with me because you could be yourself around me and that you didn't have to play the little Southern lady. You still wouldn't when we were married. Aye, on specific occasions you would have to wear a dress and in time you would have to help me continue the Cerwyn line, but the rest of the time you could still train with your weapons." He voiced carefully.

"I have a lot of responsibilities all over the North. I need to discuss trade and politics and I often get invited to feast and celebrations of other lords. Why not go there together? You and I, and Nymeria? You act the perfect lady at those feasts or when we entertain nobles at Castle Cerwyn, in turn you get your adventures on our way there and back or when we are alone. I am the lord of my own lands, Arya. Everybody can talk all they want, but no one can force me to order my wife to do anything. If you want to travel, we will travel. If you want to learn how to fight, we will train. The only thing you have to decide is if you're willing to do those things together with me."

The whole room looked at him in shock. He had managed to pick up on the fact that Cley liked Arya, but this was something else entirely.

"You would allow me to do that?" Arya asked quietly?

"Aye, I would. Of course, you would need to take care of some things in the household, but I have enough capable people to make the work light enough so you have a few hours every day to do with as you please. My sister raised you, Arya. I know what you are like. Have I ever mocked you for being wild and adventurous? Have I ever tried to change you?"

Arya silently shook her head. "No, you have not." She whispered.

"Neither will I. If you accept, but only if you truly do, I would be delighted to make you my wife."

Arya looked at him in conflict, before looking at him and mother. He kept his face neutral, albeit a bit softer than earlier. Their mother actually seemed to nudge her on.

"I do. I want to, but only if you swear all you just said to the Gods." Arya said self-consciously.

Cley laughed loudly. "I Cley Cerwyn, head of House Cerwyn, swear to love and cherish Arya Stark the way she is. Wild, adventurous, stubborn and obstinate, as she will always be. I swear to accept Nymeria in my halls at all times without putting her in metal cages. I swear to travel the North and the Riverlands with you and some of the Free Cities if the possibility ever arises. I swear to teach you how to fight and hunt. Most of all I swear to protect and care for you until my dying day. This I swear by the Old Gods." He smirked whilst saying most of the message, but at the last two sentences he turned dead serious.

Arya gulped. "Then I accept." Cley smiled at her and she awkwardly smiled back. Next, the two looked at him. He waited for a bit, before outstretching his arm to his friend. "Then so it will be." He decided. "However, I wouldn't count on too large a dowry." He added, only half-jokingly.

Cley grinned apologetically at him in response. "I think House Cerwyn can agree with that, under the circumstances."

"Under the circumstances, he?" He replied whilst cocking his eyebrow. Arya hit him at that, but it wasn't hard. He looked her deep in the eyes. "I truly believe this will be good for you, sister. However, always remember that whatever your name is, Stark or Cerwyn, you'll always be a one of us at heart. The gates of Winterfell will always be open to you and you will forever be welcomed home here."

She smiled a little at that and gave him a small hug. His mother smiled at him too. Glad to see how they made up. He gave her an exhausted smile back.


This is it for this chapter.

Robb finally has an heir, named Rickard. Jon and Wylla got married and you hear about the progress on his house and lands. You get updates about the results of all the marriages and betrothals, e.g. Sansa is pregnant. You also get updates about Alysane Mormont and the Stony Shore, as well as the Night's Watch.

You see developments on Robb's council and Kingsguard happening. Robb, after consolidating his power in the North the past two years, tries to do the same in the Riverlands by offering positions and arranging for Bran to foster in the Riverlands and marry a Blackwood. Bran is also awarded Moat Cailin and Eddard's plans are finally back in motion after being halted for five years.

Arya is found 'exploring her sexuality' with Cley Cerwyn, although nothing too serious has happened yet. I feel Arya would be the rebellious girl to try and explore during her puberty and to do it behind peoples backs. This comes to bite her in the ass. Robb is livid at first, also by the betrayal of his friend. However, when he comes to find out that they haven't slept together yet because of Cley's behavior he calms down and works out a solution that is both politically and socially sound for all parties. Keep in mind that Arya is fifteen years old here and this is the middle ages, Cley is eighteen to nineteen.

Hope you enjoyed the intrigues this time.

Fannic


Reviews:

- Scifiromance: Thank you so much! What did you think of Jon and Wylla's dynamic? More will be shown next chapter.

- Finkarhu: You're welcome!

- Supremus85: It is unlawful. That's why I mentioned Robb hates it, but that he would be saving thousands of lives in the future. Benjicot Dustin will probably be framed by Barbrey for conspiring against her and her new heirs in the near future. She wouldn't be that far off probably, as he would conspire in some sort of way.

- Invictus Veritas: Thanks! Yes, for me it made sense too. I agree with everything you mention. He also knows those girls and has a very good relationship with both Ser Wylis and Lord Wyman. He even knows her mother well (not shown, but to be expected). Don't underestimate the influence of the simple fishing industry. It will allow him to repopulate the coast with a quasi-self-sustaining population and will allow himself to create a small town under his keep were local fishermen sell their produce. What did you think of Jon's house name and words?

Thanks for the help again!

- Cliff West: Thank you!

- Force Smuggler: Thanks for the support!

- Rebfan90: Thank you!

- Rccampbell1: Thanks!

- Poly19hum: Thank you so much for your continued loyalty to the story!

- Freakdogsflare: Historically that would be impossible. The Braavosi only really became known to the world in the century of blood. The Starks were a kingdom deeply intrenched in isolation back then. The Braavosi bank only gained great prominence after the Conquest. By then the Starks had been diminished to vassals and the sons of Torrhen Stark were angry and annoyed and would never allow outside help. Torrhen Stark would never allow his treasury to be taken from him right after the Conquest, as it could have made him unable to deal with uprisings and even more dependent on the Targaryens. They simply could not have done this.

Control of the Iron Bank is hereditary, and we know the full Stark family tree of the last three hundred years, so that too is impossible.

- Iacopo Passerini: No problem, glad to see you back! Robb does pay attention to the other kingdoms, but there is not much to report. Both his allies and former enemies are licking their wounds and not much is happening in the middle of winter. With the arrival of spring, trade will start picking up again which will result in more contact with other powers. Many regions of Westeros have been completely ravaged by war. It will be years before anyone can wage another big war.

- Flame55: Thank you!

- Hank Jones: No, I'm sorry but you are wrong. I just wrote last chapter about what the nobles think. They would love at him/wouldn't want to marry his siblings/children if he gave less.

- Guest: Yes, here we see them. What do you think? Thank you so much for the suggestions, but it had already been decided beforehand.