Chapter 10: Forging bonds
298 AC
Robb
He woke up in his room in Winterfell and saw that the earliest sunlight was already streaming through his window. He sat up in his bed and happily thought back on the last three weeks.
He had come with the Karstarks to Winterfell for the Harvest Feast and to see his family. Everyone who he cared about had been here in his home. His family, his foster-family, his friends Smalljon Umber, Brandon Norrey and the newest addition to their group, Cley Cerwyn.
Cley was the son and heir of Lord Medger, a trusted advisor of his fathers. Cley was also distant kin from the Smalljon, through a grandmother or something. As such he had been in Last Hearth for a visit, just as Harry, Edd, Torr and he had visited it a few months ago. They had quickly become friends and seeing him again here with his other friends and family was fun.
He wasn't the only one to enjoy himself with his friends though. Both his sisters had assembled their own group of companions it seemed.
Arya and her friends Alarra Umber, Wylla Manderly and Lyanna Mormont were a constant menace on the household. Although it must be said, Winterfell's people looked largely used to it by now. He had even seen Arya and Lyanna running through the kitchen once and none of the kooks even looked up.
It also helped that his little sister 'Arya Underfoot' held quite good relationships with most of the smallfolk since she had been a child. Sansa was something else entirely, but she had also made her little group. They couldn't be more different though, where Arya and her little friends were always running around and getting into problems, Sansa and her friends enjoyed singing, dancing and spent time together doing needlework.
Sansa's most trusted friend and constant companion was Bethany Ryswell. The daughter of some distant Ryswell cousin, who had been named after Lady Dustin's sister to get into the good graces of the main branch. Well that obviously worked, he laughed to himself as she and Sansa were clear favorites of her aunt.
Next up there was Wynafryd Manderly, the older sister of Wylla. As the youngest sister was always running around with Arya, Wynafryd had seemed lost and alone. His mother had apparently told Sansa this at the beginning of the festivities and as such Sansa had adopted her in the group and they seemed to get along just fine.
The next one, Serena Umber, was a complete surprise to everyone. She was the Greatjon's eldest daughter and a year older than Sansa. The girl had arrived in Winterfell in a dress which had been modified to keep a dagger in it. Because of that, no one had expected her to become quick friends with Sansa, no one except the Smalljon. Apparently, he hadn't been too surprised, as his sister loved music, poetry and also made her own dresses, which at least explained the modification.
The last one, Alys, was not much of a surprise to him. Both his sisters had been very eager to meet her, as he apparently talked a lot about her in his letters. He still didn't know what to do with that information as he didn't think he talked about her that much, did he? It had been Sansa who had befriended Alys easily, as they were closer in age. They spend a lot of time together during the days leading up to the feast. Although, when thinking about it, he spent almost as much time with her as Sansa did.
Things with Alys had been interesting lately to say the least, he thought to himself as he started thinking back on the last year with her. After he had returned from the border early last year, it had been very awkward between them. Both remembering their kiss in the Godswood, but none of them having the courage to say anything about it. This had gone on for weeks, maybe even months, until Harry had pulled him aside and asked with what the problem between the two of them was.
He said that he was concerned about his little sister and about him too, as they both acted weirdly and looked sad at times. He didn't know what had taken ahold of him at the time, but he told Harry everything. He still could barely believe it, not even Torr knew, and he decided to tell overprotective big brother Harry?
In the end it might not even have been that stupid of a decision however, as Harry had laughed good-naturedly and given him some advice. He told him that he needed to man up and talk to her and that he shouldn't be afraid, as he knew his younger sister liked him too. He wasn't weird about it either, which surprised him. He actually liked the idea of him being with Alys, which he found strange, as he would never want one of his friends to go near to Sansa or Arya in that way.
He laughed a little in himself thinking about one of his friends with Arya, she would probably just kick them anyway.
Anyway, after talking to Alys things had been … different. It had been a lot less awkward and from then on, they had spent a lot of time together each day. However, it did seem like something was weird and he got the strange urge to kiss her again in the weeks before leaving for Winterfell. He finally did so, on the day they had to leave. He still couldn't believe he said something so corny as "now it's my turn to do so as we leave". What he could believe even less, is that it had actually worked.
He felt a grin coming to his face, as he thought about the last three weeks. He and Alys had snuck away to the Godswood together more than once. One time, a few days ago, Bran had almost caught them, but they had managed to compose themselves on time.
He also strongly suspected that Torr, Edd, Os and even Harry were covering for him and their sister. There was no way he could have ever spent so much time with Alys in Winterfell without them doing so. He was really surprised that no one had noticed so far, no one except Jon that is.
Jon had noticed it immediately on his face, after he came back the first time. So, he told his brother everything. The only thing Jon was concerned with, was that he didn't do something really on towards to Alys. Of course, he wouldn't do that, he actually liked Alys, he would never betray her honor like that. Except for that and if he actually liked her, which was apparently clear to see, his brother didn't seem to mind and so he started covering with their father and siblings too.
It all worked out better than he could have expected it too and he really enjoyed his time here. The last week it had become more difficult to sneak away with her though, as most guests had left after the Harvest Feast. He himself had managed to convince his father and Lord Rickard to stay longer, so he and the Karstarks would stay two more weeks here. Jon also stayed longer, the Manderlys had left already, but he would go alone with an escort to White Harbor later.
Sansa had also managed to convince Lady Dustin, to stay longer. The Lady had agreed, on the condition she would go to Barrowton with the escort sent with her nephew from the Dreadfort. He was apparently going to visit her, so he could pick up Sansa. That resulted in the last week being spent with both his family and foster-family being here together.
He honestly thought it had been one of the best weeks of his life. He loved spending time with the Karstarks, but he sometimes missed his family in Karhold. Now they were all together and he loved it.
Deciding he was going to stop thinking about it and actually enjoy it, he jumped out of bed. He put some water on his face, combed his hair back with his hand and put on his training clothes and padding, before tying his shoes.
When he was ready, he left his room and awoke Jon, Edd, Os and Torr in turn. Jon had already been awake and reading a book about trade that he had gotten from Lord Manderly. Edd and Os joined him quickly, but Torr of course had to be grumpy and difficult as he was every morning when he was awoken.
After Edd threw a glass of water over his little brother's head and the following outburst was calmed, they were finally on their way to the training yard.
As they did in Karhold, they trained in the yard for an hour before breaking their fast. It was his duty yes, but it was actually really fun with his friends and brother. The hour of training under the watchful eye of Rodrik Cassel flew by and after he went back to his room in the keep. He cleaned up most of the sweat that was the result of his training session. After he was clean again, he put on fresh black trousers and a new white tunic emblazoned with the grey direwolf of his House.
He then joined his family in breaking their fast in the Great Hall. He joked around with Arya and Bran and talked with his father about his training and the running of Winterfell. At the end, baby Rickon sat in his lap and played with the remnants of his food, as he talked to his mother. She asked him about his visit to Last Hearth and his father also listened in. His story was interrupted twice by Rickon almost stabbing himself with a knife he managed to grab from the table, but aside from that it was really nice.
As they finished their meal, they all went on with their duties and he and Jon walked with their father to his solar. Before they could reach it however, they were stopped by a guard who told his father that a deserter from the Night's Watch had been caught.
Eddard
He sat down in the Godswood, sadly looking at weirwood tree's face in front of him. Cat had left him a while back so he could grieve, after bearing the news of Jon Arryn's dead. He remembered his foster-father fondly, he had been a great mentor and a good man. He would never forget how he rather raised his banners in rebellion than give him and Robert up.
He spent the next hour sitting there, cleaning Ice and thinking about his boyhood years and the battles of the Rebellion he had fought and planned alongside Jon. After that he finally got up, as he had work to do.
Robert would be coming to Winterfell, he might have already left by now. He was glad that he would see his friend again, though the bastard had apparently taking his family and the whole court with him. Not for the first time he felt lucky King's Landing was so far away from here, so they would at least have time to prepare.
He talked both to Luwin and to Cat. Luwin told him he might be asked to be the new Hand of the King, which got him worried for multiple reasons.
First of all, he didn't want to leave the North and his family, this was home and Starks didn't fare well below the Neck.
Secondly, after he had spent years working on the North, he would hate to have all his work be undone if his bannermen thought he was abandoning them for their Southern king.
Thirdly, the Kingdoms were not being well managed, for what he could find these last years. It appeared the Iron Throne was in debt with both Tywin Lannister and the Iron Bank of Braavos for large sums, but there could be even more. He had no interest in having to reprimand Robert and try to fix his household, although somebody really needed to do that.
Another important thing had been decided with Cat and Luwin, he would send a letter to Hoster Tully to ask him if Bran could join him on the way back with the king. This way it would be a lot safer for Bran and he could maybe befriend one of the princes on the way back.
With that all sorted, all he could do now was speak to Rickard. It was a blessing he was still here, as he had been one of the bannermen that had spoken out to him all those years ago. It gave him the possibility to find out how his bannermen would feel, before making a decision.
As he thought everything over once more, he heard a knock on his door. "Lord Rickard is here to see you, m'lord." Desmond called from behind the door. "Let him in, Desmond." He replied calmly. Moments later the stern Lord of Karhold entered his solar.
"Ned, there was something you wanted to talk to me about? Is it about those wolves we found?" He asked.
"Yes Rickard, a lot has happened and I have need of your counsel. It's not about the wolves though, we have had word … Jon Arryn is dead and the king is coming to Winterfell." He sighed.
The older man looked at him perplexed, before he got hold of himself. "I'm sorry to hear that my Lord, I know the man meant a lot to you. I only knew him from the Rebellion, but he always seemed like a good, honest and a capable lord."
"Yes, that he was, Rickard. Thank you." He replied, while looking at his papers, feeling sad about the loss of his mentor.
"You also said the king is coming here, my lord? When will he arrive?" his bannermen asked.
"In about a month's time, maybe a little more. We are about to start preparations, as he is taking his queen and the royal family with him."
"I assume you want Robb to stay here? For when the king arrives?" Rickard followed up with another question.
Gods, Robb … He hadn't thought about the children's fosterages and what this would mean for them. Well it could be worse, Jon wouldn't be a problem, if he wrote to Lord Wyman and he could work things out here with Rickard, but Lady Barbrey would be a problem. He knew how she had orchestrated everything perfectly so Sansa would be spending a lot of time with her nephew Domeric. That was a problem for later, he decided.
"Yes, Robb will need to stay here to meet the King. I hope that is no problem for you?" He replied.
"No, of course not. In our original agreement we stipulated that he could be recalled under special circumstances and the King coming North is definitely one of them. Although I will have to go back, I have already left my lands for longer than I had anticipated. I cannot leave them for another two or three months more." The lord replied sternly.
"Of course, I understand Rickard. I must say I did not call you here to talk about Robb, there is a bigger issue here. With Jon dead, Robert seeks another Hand of the King and my maester believes the most likely candidate to be me." He stated, looking intently in his bannerman's eyes.
"Hmmn, that does create a few problems. I assume you will accept?" The lord asked pensively.
"I don't know yet, to be honest. I don't want to, but it is no easy feat to say no to a king. Saying no to Robert, when he has his mind sat on something, however, is at least twice as hard. What would you think about it, if I were to accept? I don't want to leave the North to its fate." He responded honestly.
"I would understand Ned, as would the other families I believe. A lot has changed these past years and it is not as if you are asking to go to that snake pit, they call the capital, anyway. Hell, you could even do some good over there. Maybe you could ask them to lower the taxes on our lumber trade, that would benefit at least half the North! I myself am more concerned about Robb than the North, in this instance." Rickard Karstark replied, to his surprise.
"Robb? What has Robb to do with all this?"
"Well my lord, I assumed that your heir would govern Winterfell in your absence. My family knows the saying 'there must always be a Stark in Winterfell'. Robb is young, but with the right counsel, I believe him up to the task." Lord Rickard said sincerely, although sounding not too happy about it.
Thinking about it, the man was right of course. Robb although only fourteen, was the obvious choice for this. It would give him a lot of experience for when it was his time to take up the mantle. The Gods knew how horrible it was for him when he first returned to take up the mantle of his father with no experience whatsoever. It would also go a lot better with his bannermen, because otherwise with Bran in Riverrun the rule would nominally fall to Rickon, which de facto meant Cat would rule alone.
Although he trusted Cat and thought her more than capable, it would be better if she and Robb shared the responsibilities with guidance from Vayon, Luwin and Rodrik. Both for the image and Robb's later rule it could do wonders.
"Ned?" The man in front of him brought him out of his thoughts.
"Yes, sorry Rickard. I was lost in thought. It would of course be better if Robb took part in governance, at least partly if I were to go to King's Landing. It flatters me you think so highly of my son, to find him capable for such a task. This would however have big implications for his stay with you and yours." He replied seriously.
"Indeed, it would. The boy would normally stay with me for another year and a half until he reaches maturity. I do not like to see the boy go, as I have grown to care for him, and my own sons will be distraught with the news. They all see him as a brother."
"I understand and I don't like it either, believe me. I would rather have him enjoy his childhood for two more years before taking up the responsibility, but he is my heir." He answered, in an understanding but firm way.
"I will leave without him then, in a week's time. I would ask, if you might allow one of my boys to stay here with Robb. Eddard, Torrhen and my cousin's son Osric and Robb are inseparable, having one of them here might be good for the both of them." The lord replied, clearly not happy about the news, although more understanding than he had hoped him to be. It was also clear he wanted to keep the ties with House Stark as close as he could, trying to leverage everything out of the situation he still could.
"Of course, Rickard, who are you thinking about?" He asked, his voice as diplomatic as he could muster.
"Well Torrhen and Robb are closest of them all, I think, but I would ask if you would also take in Osric. I know my uncle and cousin want the boy to be close to Robb, serving House Stark is the highest he will be able to climb in life. He is a second son of minor branch of our House and the succession is very secure. The boy doesn't seem to care about that though, in contrast to his brother and cousins, as he actually likes Robb and my boys. That's probably the reason why my sons like him and not the other ones, scheming lot that they are. What do you say? Would Torrhen and Osric be alright for you?"
"Isn't Osric of age yet?"
"Yes, he is, but I doubt he would mind. I actually think some time away from my uncle's family will do him good. My son Torrhen is of age in a few months too, but I know for a fact he would love to stay here with Robb."
Thinking it over, that good a connection with the son of a bannermen could be an enormous boon for Robb later on. Also having a well-educated son from a minor branch serve his house could give another signal to his bannermen, as well as be a boon to Robb for all of his life if he was loyal. Enough time to test the latter when he stayed here, he thought.
"Then that's settled, Rickard. I will be honored to accept Torrhen and Osric here for a time."
The Lord of Karhold looked at least somewhat pleased with that, so that could have gone a whole lot worse. Although it looked to him like the man was troubled about something he didn't say, but if he had to guess it was about his daughter Alys. The girl, although no extreme beauty was kind and intelligent and loved to spent time with both Robb and Sansa. To his knowledge there was nothing going on with his son, but the old lord had probably hoped for something to develop as Robb got older and more interested in girls. A change now taken away from him.
He didn't really mind. It will give him the flexibility to look over the best possible brides with Robb when the time comes. If it were his choice though, he would wait at least another two years before betrothing his son. Thinking back on what horrors his siblings' betrothals had brought with them.
The old lord nodded respectfully and left his solar and he went back to work.
It was early afternoon, the day after he had gotten the letter that Jon Arryn had died. It was a calm and cloudy day and he was working on the early preparations for the King's visit in his solar.
He stood up and walked to the open window. He looked outside over the field and hills beyond Winterfell. The grey sky and the sounds of birds in the air, helped calm his mind from everything that was going on.
He looked over the large grey walls of his family's castle and felt small and insignificant because of it. Those walls had been standing for over thousands of years and every one of those years one of his ancestors must have been looking at the same, almost unchanging view. He thought about the crypts and the hundreds of statues of the Lords of Winterfell and Kings of Winter and imagined them all standing in this solar or in the one in the First Keep, looking over these lands.
He asked himself if they had also felt the burden of ruling as much as he did. Knowing his history and all that had befallen the North and his family, he thought most of his ancestors would have felt the same.
In an ironic twist of his mind, he thought to himself. All my job is, is making sure my son stands in this same window once, thinking the same thing, hopefully with slightly less worries on his mind.
He didn't know how long he stood there, deep in thought, but suddenly he was interrupted by an unexpected knock on the door. "Yes, what is it?"
Alyn's head peaked through the door. "Lord Robb is here to speak to you, m'lord. Do I let him in?"
"Robb? Yes, yes, let him in!" He responded hastily, while walking back to his desk.
His son entered as he sat down in his chair. "Please, my son, sit." He said as he made a gesture at one of the two seats in front of him. "What can I help you with, Robb?"
His son sat down and pulled the grey direwolf pup, that he had adopted yesterday, on his lap. "Mother told me that I am not to go to Karhold anymore. Why father? I really like it there. Why can't I just go back after the King leaves? Have I done something wrong?" His son asked, clearly upset.
"Robb, you have done nothing wrong, on the contrary! Lord Rickard tells me you are excelling at your studies, especially when it comes to logistics and battle tactics. I am very proud of you and that's why you will stay here." He replied, trying to calm down his young son.
"But father, I don't understand! I do my best every day and you say I am doing good and you still don't allow me to go back?" Robb replied, all worked up. Neither he, nor the pup in his arms liked that.
"Robb, calm down and listen to me. King Robert will most likely ask me to be the next Hand of the King. As such I want you here to rule in my stead, together with your mother. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell, Robb, and it looks like you will have to be that Stark soon."
His son looked at him completely perplexed. He saw his mouth open and close twice and saw him blink at least a dozen times. "You, you want me to rule?" He asked finally, his mouth opening wide for a third time.
"Yes, I do. Not alone of course, as you are still young. I will give a lot of responsibilities exclusively to your mother, running the keep and so on. However, for other things, for example seeing to the developments on the road network or the relations with certain bannermen and speaking law and dealing out justice, I would let you rule yes. It takes at least ten days as the raven flies from here to King's Landing. That means it would take at least three weeks for me to help if certain problems arise, that is too long. I need someone here to rule and it can only be a Stark. You will have a counsel consisting of maester Luwin, Vayon Pool and Rodrik Cassel, but you and your mother will decide in the end."
"But, but father I … I am only fourteen …" His son managed to get out, his mouth having never closed the whole time that he had spoken to him.
"I know you are young, and I will make sure you have more than enough help and guidance. Besides, by the time the King leaves here you will be almost fifteen. For the next weeks I want you to join me in helping to rule, so you learn what you will be up against. However, I was only going to start those lessons after the Karstarks left, I thought you would appreciate a last week with all your friends."
"Yes, yes, of course, but I can't leave them father. I can't leave my friends, I can't just leave them and, and …"
"I have also taken care of that son. I have arranged with Lord Rickard that Torrhen and Osric will remain here for the unforeseeable future. As such you will have companions and friends here to help you and to make sure you don't forget your training." He interrupted his son, smiling at him at the end.
To his complete surprise, this didn't console his son at all. On the contrary he seemed even more upset.
"No father, no! I can't just … I can't just leave them all! Edd, Harry, Lord Rickard and, and … and Alys." At the last name, his sons looked down and he saw what looked like the glimpse of a blush shining on his son's cheeks.
He looked seriously at his son. "What about Alys?" He asked.
"Well, uhm, I am going to, uh, miss her too, … we are, uh, good friends and we … talk a lot." His son managed to get out, never looking him in the eye. However, that didn't hide the fact that the small blush on his cheeks had become the color of a raging fire. He looked perplexed and amused at the fact that for once, his sons cheecks were redder than his hair.
After waiting for a few seconds and organizing his thoughts, he slowly asked his son. "Robb, look at me, do you like Alys?"
Robb's eyes looked up a little bit, before immediately going to his shoes again. "Of, of course, I uh, like … Alys … I like all of the Karstarks uh so also, uh Alys." After sputtering out these words his whole face looked as red as the leaves on the weirwood tree and he couldn't hold his laugh in anymore.
As his laugh filled the room, Robb looked at him wide-eyed and the sight of both the boy and the overgrown pup on his lap looking curiously at him with an almost identical flabbergasted facial expression, made him crack up again. "What, what are you laughing about, father?"
"I am laughing, my son, at the fact you are possibly one of the worst liars in the history of mankind, if you tried to make me believe there isn't something going on between you two with that performance."
His son looked ashamed, after hearing his words, so he forced his laughter down and asked assuringly.
"Look son, I am not mad at you in any way. However, as your father, it is my job to know if something is going on between you too. I promise you, I will not hold any of this against you, as long as you haven't taken the young Alys to bed." After this he looked sternly at his boy. "You haven't, have you?"
"Nnn-no, of course not father! I would never do that! Why do all of you immediately think of that?" The boy replied, it was clear to see he wasn't lying.
He let out a sigh, before thinking on his son's words. "Who also thought that, who have you told?"
Robb looked to the ground again and remained silent. "Robb, who have you told?" He asked sterner this time.
"Promise you won't get mad at him?" His son asked him softly.
"Of course, I won't be mad, whatever you have done, it is nothing that can not be solved. Now out with it!" He demanded.
"Jon said almost the exact same thing two weeks ago." His son admitted, his eyes pleading him not to get mad at his brother.
The fact both boys were still that close, filled his heart with joy. "I won't be mad at Jon, it's his job to keep your secrets, now tell me the whole story." Robb looked at him for a while and started to tell.
So, the next ten minutes he heard a story about young love and how clearly the Karstark brothers were in on this, which made him think Lord Rickard was too although Robb didn't think so. It made him think about a tourney long past were his siblings had helped him win over a certain Dornish lady.
"Thank you for telling me, now what do we do with it?" He asked his son.
His son looked at him with his eyebrows furrowed. "Do about it? What can I do about it? I'm never going to see her again after next week!" He answered, the sadness and frustration so clear that his voice skipped.
He looked at his son for a very long time, before finally deciding he was going to say it. "Well, there is one thing we could do." His son's head almost sprung up to look at him. "What father?"
"Well, we could arrange for a betrothal between you and young Alys, if you would want it."
His son looked wide-eyed at him again, he really needed to teach that boy to keep his facial expressions more neutral. Suddenly the boy's whole face split into a grin. "Yes father, I would!"
"You do realize that you can't back out of this once we do this?" He asked, looking intensely into his son's bright blue eyes.
"I do father, this is not just some fancy. I have liked Alys for over a year now. Besides in a year and a half I will be of an age and you would have to look for a wife for me anyway. This way I marry a Northern girl and not some Southron lady." His said with all the severity a boy his age could muster.
"May I remind you, boy, before you speak like that, that your own mother was such a Southern lady?" He reprimanded his son.
He saw his son swallow and knew his message had hit his mark, so he decided to leave it there. "Speaking of your mother, if you are serious about this, I will send a guard so she can be brought here. If you tell her the exact same thing I did, we will consider it. If you want to back out, now is your last change." He tested his son, knowing full well that the idea of talking about girls with your mother was hell for a fourteen your old boy.
When his son just swallowed and responded. "I will, father." He knew that the boy had been thinking about this before he brought it up and it was not some impulsive decision. Good, he's at least serious when he needs to. Truth be told, he had thought about it too over the years and it wasn't a bad choice at all. It would cement one of the most powerful houses of the North as their ally for two to three generations. It would also drown out all the talks of his Tully appearance, with his future wife being from what was basically a very powerful Stark cadet branch.
After Catelyn arrived and Robb told his story again, or tried to between the dozens of interruptions his mother kept making. The room was silent for a long time, with both Stark men looking at the only women in the room. Finally, she asked him. "You would agree to this?"
"Yes, I would. You know my strategic reasons why, besides that our boy has clearly fallen in love." He said and she nodded, while Robb looked suspiciously between the both of them at the mention of a for him unknown strategy involved in this.
She then turned to their son. "You really like this girl?"
"Yes mother, I do."
She looked long and hard into those bright blue eyes, that so matched her own, before finally nodding and turning to him in agreement. "Alright, then we'll do it your way." She said, not unhappy, as she threw a smirky glance at their lovesick son.
He nodded and put a hand on her shoulder, before both turned to their son. "In the coming days, I will talk to Lord Rickard about this. Until you have word from me that I did so, you will not talk to anyone about this, am I clear? The marriage of a Stark heir is still an important negotiation and I will not have the Karstarks hear about this, before I talk to them, understood?"
His son nodded dramatically up and down before timidly, after throwing a look at his mother, asking him. "Can I tell Jon?"
He felt his wife's shoulder tense under his hand, but before she could say anything he answered his son. "Yes you can, but only in one of your rooms when you are alone. Am I understood?"
"Yes father" The boy said dutifully.
"Now go, your mother and I have much to talk about." He said to his son with a wink.
Robb smiled up at him and left the room, a grey pup happily waggling his tail behind him.
This is it for this chapter. So much has happened here, what do you think?
We have also finally caught up with the canon timeline, resulting in six cute direwolf puppies.
I will not try to rewrite the scenes of canon, GRRM writes them better than me. Just imagine Eddard and Torrhen taking Theon's place and a few more people watching it all unfold.
Thank you so much for you support. Untill next time.
Fannic
Reviews:
- Alfil94: It will definitely not be a full grown town. At most a very small village of a few dozen people at the north side of the castle (the defense is mostly pointed towards the south side). I completely agree with your tactical vision!
I also agree with the military post idea, however it doesn't matter here for a long time. As I said it would take a decade to restore and they haven't really even started. So by the earliest even if Ned had the funds it would be finished by 308 AC and he doesn't have the funds by a long shot. So by the time they have the coin and it is finished, if it ever will be, it could even be given to a second son of Robb or something in Ned's mind. So don't worry about it to much!
- Supremus85: Theon is sent away from Winterfell as there was no reason for him to be there alone. That could only have been a bad influence on him. Where he was send will soon be revealed.
- Williams1996: I completely agree, thank you for your support!
- 0sef: Thank you! You'll have to read on to find out.
- Osterreicher97: Ramsay is alive still, although if he is on the run, hidden away or being slowly tortured in the dungeons of the Dreadfort will need to be revealed at a (much) later that. Thank you so much for the kind feedback on Roose, I struggled a bit with how to portray him, especially after certain critics of how I portrayed Edmure, so I really appreciate it!
- Force Smuggler: I agree, but that's hardly Ned's fault. Ned just tries to make something of the current situation.
- Pavook: With the girls I meant Arya and her friends, the three Winterfell wards. Thank you for your support.
As for the Author's note comment: Marcialhd explained it better than I could.
- Marcialhd: Thank you for the help! I just want to state that the rulers of the nine kingdoms, title or not, have the same political power in their region (on paper). We know that the reality on the ground is a lot different. With the Tyrells and Tully's grasp on their territory a lot less secure than for example the Stark's or Arryn's one at the start of AGOT.
- Sageofchaos: Well here you are, hope you like it? Thank you for your support.
- Guest1: Keep wowing, my man!
- Guest2: Thank you!