Chapter 5: An unexpected proposal

294 AC

Robb

He had been at Karhold for over six months now, he thought when he woke up. Cain and Alyn had long gone back to Winterfell, so he was truly 'alone' in Karhold now. Well alone, he had Harrion, Eddard, Torrhen, Alys, Alaric and Osric to keep him company all the time.

He missed his family, mostly his parents and Jon, but he was having a good time here. Just like his father had promised, he mused with a slight smile.

As he got out of bed and dressed himself, he immediately ran to Torrhen's room. There he knocked on the door, like he did every morning. "Get up, sleepyhead! Otherwise we won't be able to spar before breakfast." He called loudly.

At his words it was Eddard, not Torrhen, who entered the hallway from his adjoining room to Torrhen. "Ey, can you keep it down man? Some people here don't wake up with sunshine coming out of their ass every day!" He snapped half-hearthily to Robb.

Robb smiled and gave him a little wink, at which Eddard burst out in laughing. "Come little brother, we do need to go now!" He said while bargaining into Torrhen's room.

As Robb peeped around the corner, he saw Torrhen putting on his boots. He quickly pulled his head back, knowing what was to come. However, he was too late, Torrhen had still seen him. "Don't you go peeping into my room Redstark, it's bad enough you wake me every morning!"

Robb smiled at the nickname, Torrhen had started calling him that after their first meeting. While most of his family had either been shocked or outright angry with Torrhen at first, he never minded. It always made him think on how he had put Torrhen in his place that day, he smirked.

Besides, he quite liked the nickname. If he had been a second son, he might have taken it as the name for a cadet branch. However now, it would just remain a nickname altogether. "If you don't want me looking then get your ass out of there in time, Karstark! I don't have all morning to beat you in the training yard." He retorted finally.

At the last words, Torrhen finally barged outside of his room. With Eddard joining in with them, they kept up their banter all the time until the training yard. The castle servants, used to being woken up by the loud youths' theatrics by now, smiled on as they past.

After their morning routine of an hour and a half was done, they joined the rest of the Karstark family in breaking their fasts. As he talked joyfully with Alys, Torrhen and Eddard, it was quite a pleasant morning. At some Lord Rickard addressed him and asked him after his training and lessons.

Content with his replies, he continued by asking him if he had written his weekly letter yet. Looking sheepishly at Lord Rickard, he tried finding an excuse to justify his forgetfulness. The stern Lord would have none of it however, "Keep your excuses to yourself boy, after your lessons this morning you will write that letter and I will ask the Maester myself tonight if it was sent or not, do you hear me? I never broke any promise that I made to my liege lord in my life and I'm not starting now because of your laziness." He added threateningly.

Robb gulped and nodded, silently cursing his father's insistence on the letters. Apparently being satisfied with that response, Lord Rickard turned to Harrion and the meal continued on its merry way.

He went with to his lessons with Maester Robin, together with Torrhen, Eddard and Osric. They were in a series of handling the history of the North's most powerful Houses, after already speaking about Houses Stark, Karstark and Umber they would talk about the Bolton history today.

He enjoyed the hours talking about the 'Red Kings', however his mood slightly darkened at the stories of a few of his kinsman being flayed and some of their skin being worn around as coats. He was also surprised to hear they had managed to burn down Winterfell, twice.

His mood seriously darkened at the mention of rumors of a secret flaying dungeon, hidden somewhere in the Dreadfort. It was there the rumors mentioned that the Boltons have continued their practice of flaying all these centuries.

He promised that when he became lord, he would keep an eye out on House Bolton. They had sworn to House Stark to stop the practice of flaying over a thousand years ago. If they still did it now, that would mean they had betrayed his house for countless generations on end. If they did so, he would crush them he thought heroically, just like his forefathers had always done.

After his lessons he went to his room. He took out his quill and some paper to write the letter he needed to send to his father. Staring at the blank page thinking about what to write he finally put his quill to the paper.

Dear father,

Eddard

It was late in the morning and he was sitting at his desk. Luwin had already brought him all the raven scrolls and messages who had arrived, and he started looking through them.

As he looked at the pile of paper, he saw another foster offer for Sansa. He had already received offers from Houses Manderly, Blackwood, Mormont and Umber and even some bold betrothal proposals from Houses Hornwood and Flint. This time however, it was from a much more surprising source.

He looked at the letter from Lady Dustin with a frown. She "invited" Sansa to go to Barrowtown to become her cupbearer and ward. She promised to teach her all the womanly arts, as well as teach her what it really meant to be a Northern woman "as she doubted the trout could teach her such things."

Not knowing what to do with the message, he took several moments to ponder about it before putting it on the pile. He would think about it later and talk with Luwin and Cat about it.

He looked at the other letters, some rapports he had asked for, about his personal lands around Winterfell.

Others were messages to keep him up to date on how the general agriculture and livestock were doing in the North. He looked at the figures and was pleased, they would be ready for winter when it came.

He had another message from Lord Cerwyn on the small repairs on the Kingsroad, as his men would finally start next week. They would go from Castle Cerwyn right up to the gates of Winterfell, having already mapped out all places that needed some work.

He thought about the repairs, it would have been a lot better if they could do the whole Kingsroad from Castle Black all the way down through the Neck. Especially its Northern parts, as they weren't in the best condition. He didn't have all the coin needed to make those repairs though.

The repairs together with House Cerwyn were small ones in comparison, but he still took on about two thirds of the financial burden. Nothing Winterfell's finances couldn't handle and the small economic boost it would create was worth it, but no way he could pay like that for the thousand miles of Kingsroad.

He suddenly got an idea however, increasing the Kingsroad would improve the infrastructure of the Kingdom. That would make it easier for Southern merchants to trade North, as well as make it easier for him to go south with an army if Robert needed him.

He took a quil and paper and started writing a message to Kings Landing to ask for financial aid to the betterment of the kingdom. He also made it clear that it would make the Seven Kingdoms as a whole more united. Happy with the result, he put it to the side to give to Luwin later on.

The last letter on the pile was a letter from Robb. Eager to learn how his son was doing, he opened the parchment.

Dear father,

I am very good here. The food is good, and I remain staunch friends with Torrhen, Eddard, Alys, Harrion and Alaric.

I am progressing well with a sword, Cregan tells me. I train around three to four hours a day with it now, but it is really fun with all the Karstark boys.

I am learning about the histories of the North's great houses this week and have already gotten lessons about Houses Stark, Karstark, Umber and Bolton.

Do we know for certain House Bolton doesn't still flay people? Roose Bolton to me seems capable of it at least, and I heard rumors persist to this day.

Tell Arya and Bran that I love and miss them and that I will soon be home for the Harvest Feast. Tell Jon the same, but add that I don't want him to be so grumpy all the time. Maybe you could foster him too, so he won't be so alone?

I added another small letter for mother, as promised.

Your loyal son and heir,

Robb Stark

He smiled, happy at the fact that his son was happy and had made friends, who would besides be very great allies in his future.

His remarks on the Bolton family he dismissed easily as childish rumors. Yes, Roose Bolton could easily be capable of doing it, but he would never risk his house's position like that.

What made him think more however, was his remark on Jon. He was very touched with Robb's dedication to Jon, but maybe he also had a point. Jon had not been entirely happy even when Robb was here, now sometimes when he looked at the boy, he seemed beyond miserable.

As Robb was having a great time in his fostering, Jon could too. This fostering was maybe even more difficult though. No way he would ever let him go South, if only for their notion of bastards. He would need to send him to some lord from the North that could better his position and teach him things that would help him in his future, while ensuring that it could not be seen as a slight for sending them a bastard.

There was also the thing of Jon getting more influence than his brother, but he dismissed that immediately. Jon would never do anything against Robb, only Catelyn would ever think that. Who could it be? Umber or Mormont would do it he assumed, they would give him a good education and make a man out of him … He would decide later, first he needed to deliver Robb's message to Cat.

After he delivered Cat the news and the message of their firstborn, he asked her about Sansa and Arya. She said their lessons with Septa Mordane were about the same, Sansa excelled at them and little Arya didn't like them at all. However, when it came to the new Northern parts of their education, Catelyn hesitated.

"The Maester is giving them basic history lessons and I try to teach them about some of the customs of Northern Houses, but I don't know if it's doing any good." She said, the doubt clearly in her voice.

"Cat I know you're trying your best, but maybe we should hire someone to teach them about those things, as we have Septa Mordane to teach them about the South." He said calmly, not wanting to start another argument about the topic.

"Who? I won't let my daughters be educated by some old hag from the Wolfswood!" She responded decisively.

"What about a noblewoman?" He said, thinking about a conversation he had, almost a year ago.

"What about it?" She reacted surprised.

"Would you object to us hiring a Northern noblewoman to teach them about the North, as well as keep them in line with the womanly ways? I know the Maester wasn't able to help with that and you have your hands full with the household anyway." He asked.

"Well a refined Northern lady could be an option, but …" She hesitated if she would continue, biting her lip.

"I'm not talking about the Mormonts, Cat. I'm talking about Jonelle Cerwyn. Her father suggested it to me almost a year ago. She's a refined lady, and still a maid. She's a plump and homely woman and could easily teach both of them about running a household, as well as sewing and needlework and the like. Medger even hinted that she could help with Arya's more unrefined edge and bring her in line."

"I don't think anyone can bring Arya in line, ever." His wife sighed. "She's only five and already she behaves more like a stable boy than a lady."

"Well it couldn't hurt could it? I mean this would free some of your time, as Septa Mordane and Jonelle could each take half of their education in hand. We would just need to check if everything is in order from time to time. Besides, if she isn't what I'm expecting we can always send her away." He said, finding it more and more a good idea.

His wife looked at him pensively, before asking. "You really won't let this Northern education thing go, won't you?

"No Cat, this must happen, we've talked about it. I want them to be easily able to marry in both the North and the South." He answered.

"Well then I guess we should invite Jonelle Cerwyn here, as I can't do this. I barely know what I'm doing whilst trying to organize the household at the same time. The Maester is just drilling lessons of the North in them, while they could be handy in conversation, they teach them nothing on how to behave as a Northern lady." She sighed in defeat.

Before going on, with a lot of venom in her voice. "But before I let her anywhere alone with my daughters, I will hear her out and watch her with them! If she is uncouth or incapable, I will send her straight back to her father!"

"Of course, Cat." He smiled. "Maybe we could sit in on their first lessons together, to see how she does with our daughters?"

Cat looked appreciatively at him and nodded. Gods, he hoped Jonelle Cerwyn was capable, so they could leave this topic of months of arguing behind them.

He kissed her goodbye after some more small talk and headed to his solar. There he was met with Ser Wendel Manderly. The fat knight of White Harbour had arrived two days prior to give a rapport to him about trade in White Harbor and was now enjoying his house's hospitality.

"Ser Wendel, what brings you here?" He asked, trying to figure out what he wanted.

"I would like to discuss something in private with you, my lord. If that would be possible?" The younger son of Lord Wyman asked.

"Of course, Ser Wendel, come." He said as he entered his solar. He pointed the large man to a seat and sat down, waiting for him to explain why he was here.

"May I speak openly, my lord?" He asked bluntly.

"Of course, Ser Wendel? What is this about?" He asked, surprised at the bluntness in the man's voice.

"My father tasked me to keep an eye out on your daughter Sansa's situation and if possible, to ask for a fostering to accompany my nieces Wynafryd and Wylla. However, it has become clear over the last two days that you and Lady Catelyn do not want to make such a decision yet, am I right?" The Manderly knight asked questioningly.

Not surprised that this was about Sansa, he nodded wearily.

"As such I don't see any reason in continuing down that road for now. I have a personal favor of you to ask, coming only from me and not my father." Ser Wendel continued.

Now he was surprised, not thinking the Manderlys would give up on Sansa so easily. He leaned forward and said, "What would that favor entail, Ser Wendel?"

"It's about your son Jon, my Lord." The knight said, while rubbing his moustache.

"Jon? What do you want with Jon?" he said suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at the knight.

"Well, for the last two days I have been here, I noticed that the boy is completely miserable. He clearly misses your other boy Robb and is quite lost because of it. He is also clearly wary of you lady wife and he tries to make himself as invisible as he can, to not draw her ire." The man continued.

"While that is mostly true, I have been looking for a solution for Jon. I however, fail to understand what this has to do with you, Ser?" He said, annoyed that the knight had pointed out his failures in Jon's education.

"Well my lord, I am here because I have a possible solution. When I leave here, I want to take young Jon with me as my personal page and in time as my squire." The bald Manderly stated.

"Jon? As your page and squire? Why?" he asked perplexed.

"He is my liege lord's son, my lord. I am in need of a page with all the travelling I do for my father and would like to have a squire in time for future tourneys. I also think that I could help Jon to enjoy life a little, maybe even make him a knight to better his future." The man explained.

He stared at the Manderly knight for a long time before asking. "The fact he isn't trueborn doesn't bother you?"

"Well my lord, there is no point denying in what he is, but he is also the son of the Stark of Winterfell. That means a lot, trueborn or not. I myself, am only the second son of a lord and it wouldn't be that much of a scandal to have the bastard of my liege squire for me because of it. My honor commands me to ask this of you my lord, as I would see no child of Winterfell this unhappy and aimless in my lifetime. We Manderlys, owe House Stark a life debt for what you did for us when we came North. I want to do my part of it now." The bald man responded.

Touched by the man's loyalty, he started to think it over. Finally, he asked. "What would you expect his duties to be, and where would you go with him?"

"Most journeys would be routine trade missions for my father my lord, going to either Braavos, Pentos, Myr or Gulltown. He might also need to accompany me on trips to my father's bannermen and the southeastern lords of the North. His duties would be the normal duties of a page; serve me wine, clean my clothes and run my messages that sort of things. Later on, as a squire, he would also need to help with my horse and armor." The knight explained the duties.

"In turn, I will teach him how to fight, ride and hunt, how to deal with trade, negotiations, ships and how to balance the books. I humbly think it would be a better future than most for the boy, he would be thought a lot of skills, see some of the world and maybe even earn a knighthood in time." The man continued.

Instinctively he wanted to reject the Manderly knight and keep Jon close, however the proposal intrigued him. Being a knight, bastard or not, would give Jon the possibility to make a name for himself. In time he could earn a small keep for himself from him or even stay as master-at-arms or captain of the guard of Winterfell. He thought about it, didn't the Cassels descend from some long forgotten Stark bastard?

It would be a much better future than the Wall for him, and if he was a knight Cat couldn't hold as much against him as she did now. Even if she did, he could still give him a small holdfast somewhere close to Winterfell in the Wolfswood. There would also be no knight he could trust more with Jon than this Manderly. The loyalty of the man sitting across him was overwhelming.

He looked at Ser Wendel, who was patiently waiting for an answer. "I would have to talk to Jon about it, see if he is interested, but I have conditions. He will need to be able to write home and to Robb whenever he wants. He is also forced to send me a letter about his wellbeing and education every week. He'll also be allowed to go home for the Harvest Feast every year, to be with his family."

"That would of course be acceptable, my lord. However, I will not be able to make it each Harvest Feast. In such occasions he will be escorted home by men sworn to my house. He will also miss those trips I will partake in at the time of the Harvest Feast." The knight said happily.

"That won't be a problem, Ser Wendel. He can spare to miss those trips, if it is to see his family." He answered honestly.

"Splendid, then I will wait to see what young Jon thinks about it and hope to take him with me to White Harbor in a week or two."

The man stood up, thanked him and left. Sitting there, he thought long and hard about Jon and what his mother would have wanted for him, also thinking about what he wanted for the boy. After what seemed like hours he finally stood up and went looking for Jon.

After a while, he found the young boy sitting alone below the Hearth Tree.

"Hello Jon" he said calmly.

"Father?" The boy asked surprised.

"Yes Jon, we need to talk." He said as warmly and reassuringly as he could. It wasn't enough however, as the boy shrunk about an inch and looked fearfully at him.

"Did I do something wrong, my lord? I won't do it again I promise!" The boy exclaimed.

Surprised and hurt at the boy's reaction he immediately responded. "No, no Jon. You did nothing wrong. I'm not here for that, I'm here to talk about your future."

The boy's dark grey eye looked up at him with surprise. "My future, father?"

"Aye, my boy, I got a proposal for you today. I wanted to know what you thought about it." He said and he continued by explaining Ser Wendel's proposal.

As he was done the boy's eyes looked shocked, but there was also something else there … excitement maybe? "He wants to take me as his page and squire, me a bastard?" The boy whispered.

"No Jon, he wants to take you as his page and squire as a son of Winterfell." He corrected softly, while smiling gently down towards the boy.

The boy looked at him in disbelief, looking at him if this was some terrible joke or not.

"So, what do you think about it? Would you want to go? He wants to take you with him when he leaves in a week or two." He asked the boy patiently.

The boy, finally coming to grips with the fact that this was very serious, suddenly looked to him with hope in his eyes. "Yes father, I would love to go! Can I?" The boy almost yelled in excitement.

"You would not miss us, me and your siblings?" He asked pensively.

The boy looked positively ashamed, "Of course, I would! I will miss you all and I will write a lot. However, I feel lonely without Robb here father. I think it would be a really good thing for me if I go away and learn things, just like him. If I were a knight, I could serve Robb when I'm older and I would know what to do in my life. I could also advise Robb in trade and other things Ser Wendel teaches me." The boy told him.

He looked down at the boy. Jon looked very serious and he didn't doubt a second he would be as loyal to his brother as he exclaimed. He also didn't doubt that this was what the boy had needed for months now, a purpose.

At that point he made the decision. "Yes, you can. I want you to talk it over with Ser Wendel first, but except for that I have no objections and I will let you go if you want. I will miss you, while you are away though." He said, looking at the boy with a sad smile as he put a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, father!" The boy cried out while grabbing him in fierce hug. It had been a long time since he had embraced Jon. He should have done it sooner, he realized as he enjoyed the moment a little longer.

That is it, for this chapter!

A bigger chapter than usual, but I wanted to get it all out here before the next time jump and it worked out in this setting.

Robb is having fun, Ned is thinking hard about both Sansa's and the North's future, Jon will go to White Harbor and some heartfelt moment at the end. What did you think about it?

I have also slid in a backstory for House Cassel. There is a theory based on their sigil that they are the descendant of a tenth born Stark/Stark bastard (propably either Cregan's bastard or his grandson or the like). It won't change anything, besides giving Jon some perspective in life (It would make him see a future where he and his descendants could live in or around Winterfell with a purpose.)

Thank you so much for all your support.

Fannic

Reviews:

- Dffrxas: Thank you! It will be very likely, but in the hectic world of Asoiaf a lot of things can still happen.

- 1740: I think this chapter answers your question?

- MajorChaos13: Well you got it mostly right on the fostering (he is Ser Wendel's page, not an official House Manderly ward). I don't know about the marriage part though for now. You'll have to wait and see.

-Maelor Vhaegon: Thank you so much! I also want to thank you for your continued support!

- Ajjr12: The North would definitely consider and accept a Blackwood bride for a Stark. Catelyn might indeed like such a connection, but is for the moment relatively satisfied as Bran (aka her unoffical favorite) will be going to foster with her family.