Chapter 9: Dealing with letters

297 AC

Eddard

When he reached his solar early in the morning, he hoped the business with the Tully's would finally be done. He had sent many letters to his father-in-law and things were finally dying down.

He looked down on the letters that Luwin had already stacked on his desk. Just as he had thought, the top one bore the Tully sigil. He opened it, read through it and sighed from relief. Finally, Lord Hoster accepted his words and put the whole thing to bed.

It had been idiotic from the start, confronting Jon in the middle of the yard with all his vassals there. He loved Cat, but her brother was, although good natured, an idiot sometimes.

To fix things with the Riverlands, he had written to Hoster immediately after Edmure left. Hoster had been shocked and had promised to punish Edmure. As a way to make up for it, a small discount was promised on the import of grain from the Riverlands for the next winter, nothing major but everything helped. It also was a good show of faith, which placated his vassals.

Hoster had apparently been scared he didn't wish Bran to foster there anymore, due to Edmure's influence, but that had never been the case. He had made a promise to Cat and the connections Bran could make for the North there were too valuable. After assuring Hoster that Bran would still be coming to Riverrun when he was eight years old, the old man suddenly started inquiring about Jon.

They had never spoken about him and he had wanted to keep it that way but alas, it seemed that although Hoster strongly disapproved of his son's actions, he did share at least some of his concerns. So, in his last letter he had made it clear that Jon would always remain welcome in Winterfell, that he was expected to serve under Robb later on, there would not be a legitimization and that many a bastard of Winterfell had done so before without any problem.

He also told him about the things he had done to secure Robb's future with the fostering and the promise he would marry a bannermen's daughter. As to show Robb would be very secure when it was his time to take the Lord's duties on himself. He had also reassured his father-in-law that Robb was well liked with his vassals and no problems would ever arise.

To him this was all a waste of time, Jon would never do anything to him or Robb. He could trust the boy with their lives if needed. However, he could understand the aging man's concerns about his grandchildren and legacy. As such, he had wanted to put them to rest, without allowing anyone to question his treatment of Jon. It seemed the man's health was starting to deteriorate slightly and that he wanted to make sure his legacy would remain intact.

Reading through Hoster's response now, the man at least seemed somewhat assured and would put the whole issue to rest finally. They set a date for Bran's fostering at two months after his eight birthday and that was that.

Finally letting go of the issue he continued reading his letters. The first two letters were from Lords Umber and Manderly inquiring about their girls' education in Winterfell. He put them on the side, as they could wait on more pressing matters. The following letters were updates on the road network. Everything was going according to plan, so he quickly skipped over them.

He studied the last of those more closely however, as It was accompanied by a detailed analysis on what should be done if he ever wanted to restore Moat Cailin. As he had feared it would cost a fortune to restore it to its former glory, so that would be impossible. Nevertheless, the letter was still very interesting. The master mason, he had sent there, had made a detailed prediction in how much time and at what cost the different stages of repair could be done.

Looking over it, it seemed that the craftsman thought it feasible and recommendable if they were to stabilize the three remaining towers and clear the former castle grounds. It would ensure that those three towers would remain and be strengthened.

The clearing of the grounds would give them a possibility to take inventory of which stones and materials they still had laying around there and what could be used in a possible future reconstruction. The craftsman also said that the space, once cleared, was large enough to build an inn, stables and even more buildings to the side. All of this could be done without compromising a possible reconstruction in the future.

That was a really interesting idea, as it could boost trade if Moat Cailin was made a valuable resting and supplying point for merchants. The merchants going from Barrowton to White Harbor and vice versa or from either one of those or even Wintertown to the Riverlands would massively benefit from it.

He pondered the ideas for a few moments before putting the letter to the side. He would have to discuss this with Luwin, but he was of a mind to make the repairs and clear the grounds anyway. It would help the defense of the North greatly for the small cost it would take. Maybe even more importantly was the fact that it would make a total reconstruction of the fortress a lot more feasible for his successors in the future.

The possible investment in the area, to convert it to a resupply center, would have to be decided on with Luwin and Vayon. The idea had merit but would come at a cost of both coin and people and they needed to be sure that it would be worth it before doing anything.

All in all, he was very pleased with this development and decided he would reward the craftsman for his excellent work when he returned. For now, he had other matters to attend to.

The next letter was from Lady Barbery, as he recognized her personal sigil. Sansa had finally left for Barrowton three months ago. Both Catelyn and he had accompanied her there while Brandon was the Stark in Winterfell under the watchful guidance of Luwin, Rodrik and Vayon. Medger even visited once or twice to help out, under the premise of visiting his daughter and his newborn grandson, he had heard upon his return.

They had stayed at Barrow Hall for just over two weeks as they had looked closely how Sansa was settling in. In that time, it was made clear that the dislike Barbrey had for him hadn't lessened. He couldn't say he had been surprised sadly. What did have him in utter shock, was the almost immediate liking Barbrey took to Sansa. Yes, she criticized her too harshly for believing in the Southern stories, but besides that she seemed to really like his daughter.

Sansa seemed to like her just as much it seemed, as she almost started to follow her around by the time they left. He left with a dubious feeling in his stomach. He knew she would be treated well, and she could learn a lot from Barbrey. Any women capable of taking over the lordship after her husband's dead with less than a year of marriage under her belt would be a formidable teacher in how to govern.

He had his doubts about her other opinions however, how she felt about him, the South and the Maester order bothered him in no small way and he hoped Sansa would not take a liking to it. He had prepared Sansa as best as he could for it and now it was out of his hands.

Another thing that was bothering him was the not so subtle fact that she was already looking for a betrothal between Sansa and her nephew. The boy, Domeric he thought he was called, was the son of Roose Bolton and Barbrey's sister. Although it would be a very strong match for the North's future, he was loath to send his soft charming daughter to the Dreadfort with Roose. The boy himself had apparently just come back from the Vale, after serving under Lord Redfort for three years. Lady Barbrey probably saw the betrothal as some rectification of the past, as she was denied her Stark betrothal by his father. Whatever the case, Sansa was now with her and no betrothal would be talked about any time soon.

Since they left, he had gotten weekly letters from Sansa and monthly ones from Barbrey on her development. As he read through Barbrey's letter, everything seemed in order. After reading it again, he put it away in his pocket to show it to Cat later today.

As he looked to his desk, he saw two letters remain. One from Robb and another one from Lord Rickard. That is curious, he thought, he didn't expect another letter from Lord Rickard for another few weeks. Deciding to open his son's letter first, he broke the Stark seal with a smile and started reading.

Dear father

I write to you with awful news. A few days ago, a lot of common people were seen crossing the Last River from the Bolton Lands and Lord Rickard sent Harry to investigate the issue. Edd, Torr, Osric and I were allowed to accompany him with his guard.

Close to the border we found a farmer called Rodrik with his family fleeing the lands around the Weeping Water. He told us a story about how his granddaughters went missing at the same time as a lot of other girls in the region. After a few weeks one of the granddaughters made it back home, wounded, beaten and raped. That isn't the worst however, she tells a story about other girls, among them her sister, being ripped to pieces by dogs or even flayed alive … I heard the girl and her grandfather myself father, it was horrible!

It seems the story doesn't stand alone, as hundreds of people have started fleeing the region. Many of them disappear before ever reaching the Karstark border and bodies are seen washing up on the shore almost every day. The family in question was attacked as well before crossing the border and lost two more people because of it.

The monsters that seem to have done this are a large group of ruffians and criminals being led by the bastard of Roose Bolton. As such Harrion doesn't dare take action in his own hand in fear of causing a war with House Bolton.

The people asked me as your son and the representative of our House for justice. It is our duty to make sure this stops, and these monsters are made to pay for what they did to these people.

I implore and ask you to do what is right.

Your loyal son

Robb Stark

He stared in utter shock at the parchment in his hands. The writing was unmistakably his son's, but the words seemed foreign. They were too mature and almost distant for a boy of that age. Only the use of his friends beloved nicknames had some resemblance with the boy's former letters. It looked like his son had seen and heard too much for a boy his age and it had clearly shocked him.

After pondering how he could help his son and what he could respond to him, his eyes were drawn to the letters on the paper again. Only now he started to realize what it actually said. If true, Roose Bolton's bastard was a monster and his son implored him to take action.

He immediately shot into action "Tom" he called out sharply. The door opened and the guard walked in. "Yes, m'lord?"

"Bring maester Luwin, Rodrik and Jory Cassel and my wife here. If any of them have lessons with any of the children those lessons are to be dismissed and the children are to be send to Jonelle Cassel. They immediately need to come here with you, do you understand?"

The man looked at him in complete surprise. "Yes, m'lord. Can I ask, has something happened?"

"Yes, something has happened Tom, that's why I need you to do this with uttermost haste. Can you do that? Ask some of the other guards to help you, so it happens quicker." He responded hastily.

"Of course, m'lord. Right away, m'lord." The man said and he almost ran out the door.

Despite the situation he had to smile, he could always count on the loyal men of Winterfell to help him in his endeavors.

He sat down again at his desk and looked once more over Robb's letter. Gods how was this possible? And why now? He had just managed to start bridging the rift between Houses Dustin and Ryswell and his own. This could ruin all of this and even worse get Sansa stuck there.

Just as he looked up, he saw that he had never even opened Lord Rickard's letter before calling for counsel. He immediately tore open the sun bearing seal and started reading. Lord Rickard confirmed much of what Robb had said through words of his own heir. He stated that he would send more men to the border to join their sons and was thinking of going himself. He also implored him to take swift action before either his or the Hornwoods lands would come under threat, as he could not win a war against the Bolton's on his own.

The Karstark Lord asked him two things as well. First, he asked him what to do with Robb. According to Harrion, Robb was behaving admirably for someone his age, but he might still be too young. The old lord would pull him back with one of his younger sons, if that was what he wanted. Second, he asked what was to be done with the refugees, as he estimated there would be over a hundred, maybe even many more, flowing in.

While pondering those questions Jory and Rodrik entered, swiftly followed by Cat and lastly Luwin all within the span of seconds.

"Ned, what is this about? What happened?" His wife immediately asked.

"I've received letters from Robb and Lord Rickard with grave news." He sighed.

"Has something happened to Robb? Is he alright?" Cat responded, concern evident in her voice.

"No Robb is fine, although he has heard things that I wouldn't wish him to hear at his age. Here, read this." he said as he handed over Robb's letter to Cat. After which it was passed down to the rest of the group.

"These are serious allegations, my lord. Is there any possibility Robb could be wrong?" Rodrik asked pensively.

"No, Rodrik. Lord Rickard sent me another letter with the same information coming from his heir Harrion. The Karstarks are manning their borders and even fear war, if Roose doesn't hand over his bastard son."

"War, surely that can be avoided, Ned? There hasn't been a civil war in the North in centuries!" His wife exclaimed with a gasp.

"I hope it does not come to that, but his son and his companions need to be brought to justice. I don't think Roose will like that."

"My lord, we can't be too hasty. House Bolton, although formidably strong has no way to win against all of the North. I don't think Lord Bolton will be that rash. We should send him an ultimatum first to at least give him the change to be loyal." Maester Luwin said.

"Hmmn of course, however what ultimatum will that be?" He asked to his group of confidants.

"Hand over his son and his group or allow us to enter his lands to do it ourselves. If he refuses, we do it without his permission with an army." Ser Rodrik Cassel said gruffly.

Jory nodded, while Luwin added. "That could work, my lord. If you allow him to hand his son over, instead of asking him to dispense justice as his duty as lord, you give him the change to avoid becoming a kinslayer. A thing no Northern lord would ever want to become, even on your orders."

"Nor would I ask it of them, I will send the letter." He said as he nodded to everyone in the group and they all agreed. "Jory, I want you to enlarge the guard by sixty men. Enlist them only from Wintertown or the surrounding villages. Rodrik, I want you to train all the men harder for the next coming weeks. It is always better to be prepared for the worst. That would be all." He said with the most confidence he could muster.

It seemed to work as all three men nodded and left. Only his wife remained. She put her hands around him and her head on his shoulders. "Will Robb be alright? Is he in any danger?" She whispered.

He put his arms around her and softly stroked her back with his right hand. "No, Robb is not in any danger. He has a large band of Karstark soldiers around him and Lord Rickard will send even more. I do not fear for him, however I do not know if he is alright. He has heard a lot for a boy his age, although he is strong. He has his friends around him to help and if we can get those monsters to justice, I think he will be fine. If he is anything like me, the thought of them not getting what they deserve could haunt him a long time otherwise."

She nodded in his shoulder and he felt the fabric of his tunic become slightly wet from her tears. They stood there for a while, worrying about their firstborn. After what must have been at least fifteen minutes they broke away and looked at each other. He kissed her softly and she answered the kiss. She looked at him for a few seconds before nodding, wiping away her tears and smoothing out her dress. "I have to take a look at Rickon and the girls. I will see you at the midday meal." He nodded compassionately and she left.

He went to his desk, and with a heavy heart, started writing a letter to Roose Bolton.

(Ten days later)

Eddard

It was late in the afternoon, as he sat tired at his desk. He had worked hard these past days to get the situation with the Boltons under control. He had received a letter coming from the Hornwoods. It confirmed rumors of young women and families fleeing from the Bolton border, although in far lesser number than across the Last River.

His guard was expanded and was being well trained. They were training for a confrontation he hoped would never come to pass. Friendly lords like the Manderlys, Cerwyns and Umbers were notified, so mustering could commence sooner if needed and crude campaign plans were made with Rodrik and Jory. He wanted nothing to be left to fate, if he could help it.

In the meantime, a small workforce of twelve laborers and two masons was send to Moat Cailin to begin the works there. As he didn't want this to slow down his plans.

He had received another letter from Lord Rickard that they had managed to save one hundred and eighty-six refugees. They had also managed to capture five of the culprits, who had become overly arrogant and had entered Karstark lands. After torture, those men had confirmed that the Bolton bastard, apparently named Ramsay, was leading them. They also gave away their general position and their strength which was around seventy men strong. On top of that, they had dozens of trained attack hounds, so that could pose a slight problem.

Lord Rickard's sons had taken their heads after the interrogation and pointed them in Bolton colors on spikes on the border. Although a bit gruesome and provocative for his style, he could hardly fault them for it.

Suddenly he was interrupted as Luwin barged into his room, without knocking. He looked up surprised as the man never did that before. "A raven has come, my lord. The letter bears the Bolton seal."

He immediately stood up and took the letter from Luwin, breaking the pink seal.

To Lord Eddard Stark,

I thank you for bringing this to my attention. I had heard rumors, but no one had been able to confirm my suspicions about my bastard and his bunch of 'friends'. I will personally handle the matter and bring them all to justice. In three weeks time, I will arrive at Winterfell to prove you of my loyalty.

I have sent my son Domeric to his aunt in Barrowton with a small escort so nothing can happen to him.

Your loyal vassal

Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort

He looked confused at the letter. He let out a sigh, he didn't know he was holding in. He handed the letter over to Luwin, who reacted much the same.

"This is good, my lord. I think we should prepare for Lord Bolton's arrival, be it good or bad and see from there."

He nodded and went to tell the others about the news.

(Three weeks later)

Eddard

He was standing in the courtyard with his family behind him. Although further than he normally would have them, as guests arrived. He had sent out scouts and they had confirmed that the group Roose Bolton was travelling with, could be no more than sixty men.

Even so, he had tripled the guard and was awaiting stoically in the courtyard prepared for anything, as the pink banner of the flayed man slowly marched through the gate.

He immediately saw Roose, riding at the front of the men. He halted some thirty feet away from him and jumped of his horse. "Lord Eddard, it is good to see you again. I am very sorry about this business these last few weeks and I come here to show my loyalty to House Stark." The man said in his soft voice, although he would bet a fortune everyone in the yard could understand him.

"Lord Bolton, it is my pleasure. Excuse me for the precautions these past weeks, although I thought it necessary considering it affected your family. If you allow me, I will present you to my family." He answered pointing to his household, lined up at the back

"No offense taken, my lord. I would love to meet your family however I would like this business to be taken care of first. As to eliminate any doubts about mine, or my house's loyalty." The Bolton lord said with a smile that never reached his pale eyes.

"I doubt you would appreciate me showing this in front of your wife and children. So as not to anger you, I would ask if I could meet them somewhere else later on." The Leech lord continued.

Looking long and hard at the man in front of him, he finally called out without turning around. "Catelyn, take the children and the household inside."

Roose nodded his head at that and a few minutes later after they had left, he went to his saddle bag, as did all his men. In response, his guards put their hands on their swords and bows.

"This should prove my loyalty, Lord Stark." The pale-eyed men said, as he threw what was clearly a head on the grounds of Winterfell. His men followed suit and soon dozens of heads were laying between his men and the Boltons.

"What is this Roose?" he demanded to know.

"These, were most of my bastard's 'friends' and their ragtag bunch of criminals." He said, while pointing to all the heads in front of them. He suddenly pointed to the head closest to him, the one the Lord had thrown himself. "That, was Reek. The man I had sent to educate and help my bastard when he was young. It turned out the man became his first most lieutenant and companion amidst my bastard's crimes. We caught them all in the woods near the Hornwood border two weeks ago. We took out most of his gang and all his hounds. That one," again pointing to the head that belonged to this 'Reek' fellow, "gave his life so my bastard could escape. He managed to flee across the Hornwood border with five or six companions. As such I could not follow him anymore."

"After scouring our part of the woods for three days we left for Winterfell. Hoping you will accept this as a token of my house's loyalty." Roose Bolton finished, his pale eyes betraying nothing.

"So, if I understand this correctly, you have taken out the group that was terrorizing part of your people. You have eliminated their second-in-command, as well as destroyed their manpower and their hounds. You however, failed to capture their commander, who is your bastard son, as he fled beyond your lands."

"That is indeed correct, my lord. I didn't think it wise, under the circumstances to walk into Hornwood lands with an army. I have also freed twenty-three civilians from the claws of those criminals, as well as recovering dozens of bodies of people, mostly young women, that went missing. The civilians are being cared for, as we speak. I have always followed the principal of a peaceful land, a quiet people. If the people are happy and at peace, I won't need to bother myself with complaints and life is easiest for all of us. My bastard and his group made that impossible and had to be dealt with firmly."

He looked sternly at the Bolton lord. He didn't trust the man and he didn't believe for one bit that it was by accident the man's son had escaped. He didn't have any proof however, and the problem considering the people and the refugees was ended. Besides that, most of the criminals had gotten some cruel form of justice as the severed heads, displayed before his own eyes, proved.

He knew there was nothing he could do about Roose Bolton and that he would need to accept his loyalty. What he could do, was make a statement first, to keep the lord in line in the future.

"Jory, assemble a hunting party. I want you to leave within two hours and scour the area along the western bank of the White Knife from here to White Harbor. Stop on the way at the Cerwyns and ask their men to join you. Send word everywhere you go that everyone seen helping Ramsay Snow will be facing the wrath of House Stark." His loyal friend nodded and left in a hurry, probably hoping to have enough time to say goodbye to his wife and infant son before leaving.

"Alyn, get Luwin to write letters to Houses Hornwood, Flint of Widow's Watch, Manderly and Locke to send out hunting parties of their own. Tell him to write he was last spotted two weeks ago at the border between Bolton and Hornwood. They also need to control every ship that leaves their harbors, if they have any."

"Yes m'lord." His guardsmen said and he left in the direction of the keep.

He didn't truly believe that they would find him, although you never knew. More important was that he showed Roose Bolton that he was prepared to be decisive and quick to take action when necessary.

He finally turned again towards the man in front of him. "Lord Bolton, I thank you for your loyalty and I will have it known that any accusation towards your family concerning aid to your bastard son are false. If you would like to join me in the Great Hall with my family, I would be honored. Your men are free to go to the barracks, after they have cleaned this up." He said gesturing towards the heads in front of them.

"Desmond, can you make sure beds are prepared for these men?" He asked to his nearest guardsmen.

"Certainly, my lord." The man said and he left for the barracks.

"Lord Bolton, follow me if you please." The man nodded and they walked towards the inner castle, followed by two of his guardsmen.

That is all for this chapter.

What did you think? Ramsay is still on the loose and will play a part, but his little reign of terror is broken two years early. The biggest differences however, are that Domeric Bolton didn't have the time to visit his brother (so he wasn't poisoned) and Robb is realizing what the Boltons could represent.

What did you think about Roose, as well as the Moat Cailin and Tully decisions?

Thank you all for the support of this story! I chose to post a second one shortly after chapter 8, because that one took me so long to post.

At the end of next chapter we will finally be caught up with the books (which start somewhere in the beginning of 298 AC). I'm really looking forward to it as from now on, the butterfly effect will slowly start to take up speed.

Fannic

Reviews:

- 1962strat: I looked up my information on the nine Lords Paramount. If this is wrong, I'm sorry for the mistake, however it doesn't matter much as they have the same actual power and influence. Still thank you for rectifying it!

- Osterreicher97: His boys are dealt with, what did you think?

- Sparky She-Demon: Ramsay still has his part to play, but hopefully you will take his boys being put down, for now?

- Freakdogsflare: Betrothals will become clear throughout the story and will play a big part. Moat Cailin is nowhere near inhabitable enough to give to anyone without at least a decade of work, unless a wooden keep is constructed in its place. Thank you for the kind words, it means a lot!

- Rahul2832: They will get them around the same time in the books, as none of what I changed would influence the speed of a direwolf coming south of the Wall. The good thing is that it will be very soon in this story, as we will catch up with the books next chapter.