Getting Started

I know it's been a while but some things in life have been getting in the way lately. I just finished moving a few months ago and had to get used to a completely new routine that didn't leave much time for writing. I actually had this chapter finished a little while ago but decided to wait until I could write a few chapters ahead so I could more easily keep to a set schedule from now on. I have written a few chapters ahead now and will be releasing the next chapter on this website on twelve January 2023. I have a bonus chapter that can be found on if you want to read ahead of schedule. The next few chapters after that are being reviewed and edited as we speak and the next one will probably be up on by Saturday. I want to thank everyone for the reviews, likes and follows. I really appreciate it. As always criticism is welcome as long as it's constructive.

287 AC- Winterfell

Eddard Stark was a simple man, with simple values and simple desires.

He never had a desire for power, at least not since he was old enough to know what the cost of that power would be. No, he was a second son and the North would go to his older brother Brandon. Eddard Stark had accepted that truth a long time ago.

He never had a desire for coin. Being from a Great House, he never went without. He always had the best. The best education, the most well-made clothes, the best food and the best steel in his swords and armour. He rode the best horses, had the best training and slept in some of the best castles in Westeros. No, Eddard Stark had no desire or need for coin. While House Stark was not as rich as some southern houses, they were better off than most.

All Eddard Stark ever wanted in his life was to live with honour. All he ever desired was to serve his family to the best of his ability in whatever way was needed and perhaps he'd be given a small keep somewhere in the North where he could raise a family of his own. Even then, he never put much thought into marriage. At least not until the tourney of Harrenhall.

This is why it was so easy for him to turn down Robert Baratheon when he tried to make him the Lord of Winterfell.

Oh, he knows that he upset quite a few people in the South with his decision. Robert sought to reward him for his part in the Rebellion. Jon Arryn claimed that in this treacherous time the North needed a strong leader and not a child as its Warden. Hoster Tully was furious he refused to usurp his nephews rightful position, claiming his blood deserves to rule the North. Don't even get him started on Catelyn….

But Eddard Stark was a family man first and foremost. He never even contemplated the idea.

Now as Eddard stark sits and watches his seven year old nephew and Benjen argue about the merits of the Wall, he can't help but think he made the correct decision. His nephew was brilliant.

Sometimes so brilliant it scared him. It can be eerie to see a seven year old correct a Maester.

Maester Lewin said it only took him two moons to learn how to read. With that outstanding progress, Eddard had the Maester move him to more complicated work.

He blew through them like they were child's play. The Maester was astounded and asked Hadrian how he does it. When asked, Hadrian just said that he 'remembers everything'. A few days later he proved that boast to be true when Eddard picked out a random book out of the group his nephew had read and opened it onto a random page to start reading. He was astounded when his nephew managed to take over from him in a few moments and recite the entire page through pure memory.

At the age of five his nephew went on to learn numbers. After the first three months he came to Ned and asked to have a look at the accounts of House Stark. Ned, knowing how smart his nephew was, let him. But not without a stern warning that any final purchases would go through him until his nephew was older. It only took his nephew a few days to decide that he hated the way the accounts are kept. A month later he created a new method of keeping the accounts. He called it double entry bookkeeping. So far it has proven to be a major improvement over the current method used.

The only problem was when Maester Luwin wanted to send his current method to the citadel. His nephew argued that the North should benefit from it first and therefore it would be released to the South only when he deems it. His nephew argued to wait a few more years before sending it to the northern lords so he can capitalize on it with something else to make it as beneficial as possible.

At first Ned was against the idea of not sharing it. But he realised that his nephew was the Lord of the North and he was the one who invented it and should therefore be the one who decides how it is used. While Ned could use his power as regent to ignore his nephews' wishes, he realised very early on that it would be counterproductive to undermine him like that, especially for something so trivial. No, he decided that his nephew needs to learn how to rule properly and as such he wouldn't go against his wishes unless he felt like he was making a major mistake. The minor ones could be smoothed over and used to teach Hadrian lessons about where he went wrong.

To his pleasant surprise, Hadrian hardly ever made mistakes. Hells, in some ways Ned was convinced that he was a better ruler than most lords already. The only thing his nephew needed to work on was his politics. Not to say that Hadrian was bad at it. He just never failed to hide his disdain for it.

Ned mostly handles the bigger matters in the North these days. Such as dealing with the lords and dealing out justice as well as looking over the taxes. When it comes to holding court for the smallfolk he decided to give his nephew a say in the decisions that would be made, in order to teach him more about responsibility.

He nephew took to it just like with everything else, like a fish to water.

The only thing about his nephew that occasionally irritates him is his strange ideas and habits. Well, that and his stubbornness.

When he turned six his Hadrian decided that he would apprentice under the blacksmith. No amount of arguing would change his mind on the matter. All he would say in response to Ned's arguments is that if he is to rule over the people then he should know how their craft works in order to allow them to get the most out of it. He gave the same arguments for why he decided to follow around the farmers for two moons when he turned seven. Of course, just like with everything else his nephew was declared a prodigy by Mikken, Winterfells blacksmith.

The silver lining with that is at least most of the lords of the north respect his nephews dedication.

It is his brothers irritated voice that bring him out of his musings.

"Hadrian I understand you don't want me to go and that's why I haven't left, even though I wanted to three years ago. But now you're older. Hells, you're smarter than me, you don't need me anymore. You have Ned to look out for you. I want to something for myself. To bring honour to the Stark name. I can do that at the wall. There's honour in joining the watch."

Hadrian's expression softened for a moment before hardening again. "I can understand that uncle. I know you want to do more in your life than just stay in Winterfell. That doesn't mean I'm going to allow you to waste away your life though."

Benjen sighed. "Hadrian –"

Hadrian stood. "No! Perhaps once upon a time, the Nights Watch was an honourable order, but it's not now. It's a prison. For rapists and murderers who were too cowardly to face the block for their crimes. Rapists and murderers who are probably still raping and murdering people. So what if it's targeted at the wildlings. Rape is still rape and murder is still murder no matter who you do it too. Maybe there are some honourable men among the brothers of the watch, but they are few these days."

Benjen looked like he had been slapped.

Ned sighed. Perhaps he should intervene now before words that can't be taken back are said. He doesn't want Benjen to join the Watch either. Not because he shares his nephews view of them. No, Ned believes that there is still honour in the Watch. Sure there are many criminals who chose the black to avoid the headsman's axe for their crimes. But there are also many second sons who took the black to bring honour to their families. Most of those men might be from the North as the south has a poor view of the Watch but that doesn't change the fact that in the North the Watch is still seen as an honourable institution.

"Hadrian, that's enough. The watch is still an honourable choice to make. There may be men who aren't honourable there and some men who don't take their oaths as seriously as others. All that means is that they need more men like Benjen there."

His brother looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, Ned."

His nephew however was starting to look frustrated. After a few seconds of silence a gleam entered into Hadrian's eyes that made Ned worried. He recognised that look. It's the same look he got whenever he had one of his ideas. He got that look when he decided to remake the way the accounts are kept, it's the same look he got before he decided to apprentice for the blacksmith or when he decided to follow the farmers around for two moons. Ned had learned to both dread and appreciate that gleam in his nephew's eyes.

Just as he was about to speak Hadrian opened his mouth. "Sea-Dragon Point."

Benjens brows furrowed together. "What?"

Hadrian was now sporting a smug grin. "You said that you feel like you aren't contributing here. Well that's my solution. The North needs a Western fleet not just to keep the Ironborn at bay but also to increase trade on our Western coasts. I would name you the Lord of Sea-Dragon Point."

Benjens mouth was hanging open. I knew I wasn't much better. It is true that a fleet on the Western coast would be a boon. A few Starks have tried to create such a fleet after Brandon the Burner destroyed the last one after his father went missing at sea. The problem is that the Ironborn have always destroyed what little progress we have made there and the North doesn't have the coin to waste on something that the Ironborn would destroy as soon as they got the chance. Based on the stubborn set of his nephew's shoulders none of this would deter him. If anything the challenge might just encourage him more. Ned felt a headache coming along.

After opening and closing his mouth a few times Benjen decided to reply." I don't know what to say."

Hadrians smug smile got a bit bigger. "Say you accept."

His brother wasn't so easily convinced however. "If you're going to be raising a new castle then Ned should get it."

Hadrian just waved him off. "Uncle Ned is going to get Moat Cailin."

Yes he definitely felt a headache coming along.

Benjen had an answer for that though. "Nephew, Moat Cailin is an important seat and no doubt it is a great honour to guard the north from the south but the moat is a ruin. I'm sure Ned wouldn't mind living there but Catelyn would throw a fit."

His nephew was seemingly unconcerned however. "Then we will repair it."

Ned felt like he had to interject before his headache got any worse. " Hadrian, Winterfell may be better off than many other houses in Westeros except for the other Great Houses, due to our ancestors frugal spending habits, but we cannot afford to build two new castles at the same time. Much of the gold we have in our coffers are for buying food for the North and the rest of it is to be saved because-"

"Winter is Coming. Yes, I know uncle." His nephew interrupted. "However, I believe I might have a solution to some of our problems."

Annoyed at the interruption but curious of what Hadrian may mean, he motioned him to continue.

Hadrian grinned like a cat that just caught its prey. "While looking over how the farmers operate these last few moons I have learned much about our farming practices and I believe I may have devised a way for our farmers to greatly increase their yields."

I could only look at him sceptically. After all, men have been farming since the begging of time. It's one thing for Hadrian to make a way to keep track of gold easier, but to increase the yield of farms? Surely if such a thing were possible the maesters would have discovered it a long time ago. I could tell by Benjens face that he seemed sceptical as well.

Hadrian sighed." Give me six moons uncle Benjen. If I can't increase the yields of the farms around Winterfell by then, I will stop protesting your decision to join the watch."

Benjen released a weary chuckle." If you manage such a thing nephew, I will gladly give in to your wisdom." I could tell Benjen didn't really believe Hadrian would succeed. He was just going along with this in hopes Hadrian would support his decision. Hadrians support might not be necessary to join the watch but I could tell that it was something that Benjen greatly desired. After all, we both lost a lot of family, he doesn't want the family that's left behind to resent him for leaving.

Hadrian sighed releasing a breath of relief. "Good." He quickly perked up however. "However there are certain issues to sort out before you can move to Sea-Dragon Point when I win our wager."

Benejn let out a small chuckle. "Confident are we?"

Hadrian huffed in what I could only call amusement." One day, you two will properly appreciate my genius,"

Now both Benjen and I laughed before my brother decided to ask. "What issues are these exactly?"

The smile on Hadrian's face was immediately wiped away, replaced by a look of complete seriousness that looked quite off-putting on a seven nameday old boy. "First the castle has to actually be built, or at least the most important parts need to be built, such as the keep, the docks and barracks. While that is taking place however, you will be spending some time in White Harbour learning how to sail and how to manage a port city from the Manderlys, as well as overseeing the ships that they will be building for the new Western fleet. You will also need to get married uncle."

Now Benjen was looking more nervous than before. I knew I failed to hide my amusement at the look on his face. After a few moments he managed to collect himself well enough to ask a question that was also on my mind. "Why would you have the Manderlys build the fleet? Would it not be better if the fleet was built at Sea-Dragon Point so that the shipbuilders could get experience doing so? After all, I can't always have the ships built at White Harbour. "

Hadrian conceded the point with a nod of his head. "True, it would be better to build a dedicated shipyard and have the ships built at Sea-Dragon Point itself but not right now, not until the Ironborn have finished their rebellion.'

"Ironborn rebellion?! " Both Stark brothers shouted at once.

Hadrian shrugged looking completely unconcerned. "Of course. We've had multiple reports from the Mormonts that the Ironborn have been chopping down trees all over our Western coasts. "

Ned slouched in his chair while rubbing the bridge of his nose. "The Ironborn have always done that nephew, there is little wood to be found on the islands themselves so they take from our coasts. That doesn't mean there is going to be an Ironborn rebellion."

Hadrian just smiled slyly. "You're correct uncle, they have always done it. What isn't usual however, is how much they have been doing it lately. I went through some of the records from grandfather's time as the Lord of Winterfell and from what I've seen, the Mormonts noticed more ships in these past two years leaving our Western coasts than they had reported in the dozen years before that. When taking into account the fact that they probably only notice a very small portion of the ships that actually go to our Western coasts, due to them only patrolling around Bear Island and occasionally travelling south to trade their furs, it starts to paint a more worrying picture. On top of that, the number of raids we are experiencing has slowed down noticeably in the last two years. This tells me that the Ironborn are probably building a fleet and aren't raiding in order to save their manpower. Then there is also the fact that from what I gather, Balon Greyjoy never actually bent the knee to the Baratheon Dynasty. They bent to the dragons, but the dragons are gone. A people who follow a culture which praises the virtue of taking what they want at the end of a sword, might find this to be a good time to try their hand at breaking away from the Iron Throne."

Ned rubbed his temples and closed his eyes thinking. He didn't want to believe it. He hoped he would never be in another war, but the more he thought about his nephews words, the more they seemed plausible. It's true the Mormonts had mentioned that they had seen more Ironborn ships than normal, it's also true that the raiding has slowed down in the last two years. He didn't know much about Balon Greyjoy, but he never did hear of him bending the knee.

Its Benjens grim voice, that brings him back to reality. "So what do we do about this?"

Hadrian snorts. "There's nothing much we can do. It's very possible that I'm wrong and we have no spies on the islands to confirm my theory. If the Ironborn do rebel it is unlikely to affect the North much anyway. The first thing they would want to do is assert their dominance in the seas, which means targeting the fleets of the Reach and Westerlands and perhaps whatever fleet the crown has managed to gather these past few years. I doubt they will sail that far South, atleast in the beginning of their rebellion, but it is a possibility. For now we should give the Mormonts a small tax break in order to train more men at arms and a notice to be prepared and to fortify if they can."

Ned looks up his eyes grim. "I will write to the king about this. Hopefully he can get the Greyjoys in line before there is a need for war."

The look in his nephews eyes turned slightly pitying." You are welcome to do so uncle but I doubt it will mean much. A rebellion from the Greyjoys is an opportunity for the Baratheon Dynasty. While King Robert might not be able to see that, Jon Arryn certainly will."

The next words came out in a growl from the normally restrained Stark." I fail to see how the Greyjoys rebelling can be seen as an opportunity!"

Raising his hands slightly in a gesture of peace his nephew explained." The Baratheon Dynasty is still new uncle. Many rightfully see Robert Baratheon as a usurper-"

Ned stood." Rightfully!? He is the king! "

Hadrian's eyes became as cold as ice. Ned had never seen that look on his nephews face before. It sent shivers down his spine. That look does not belong on such a young boy. For a moment, his nephews eyes reminded him of his father's when he dressed down an arrogant bannerman or when Brandon or one of his siblings made him extremely angry.

Hadrian spoke quietly. "Sit. Down."

His body betrayed him by sitting almost immediately. He couldn't help but do so, due to those eyes so similar to his fathers.

After nodding in acknowledgement Hadrian spoke. "Robert Baratheon was declared king due to his Targaryen blood. He was declared king over the Targaryen children despite the fact they had a much better claim. Now that may have been done due to the fact that Aegon Targaryen was in Kings Landing with the Mad King and Rhaegar absconded with aunt Lyanna. But what it doesn't do, is change the fact that he stepped over the bodies of innocent children, his own kin no less, in order to sit on that throne. I don't care what justification you give. I was the one the Targaryens hurt the most with their actions. Aerys killed my father, Aerys killed my grandfather, Rhaegar took my aunt, who was like a mother to me. Even with all of these actions, I find the actions of killing the Targaryen children and their mother despicable. What is Roberts excuse for rewarding Tywin Lannister for these actions? That Rhaegar took Lyanna from him? He never knew her and she despised him."

Seeing the shocked look on his face his nephew chuckled bitterly while Benjen shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Don't be so shocked uncle. Aunt Lyanna spent a lot of time with me. When I told you I remember everything, I meant it. From around my first nameday, I can remember every detail of every day, I have ever had. Many of those days were in her company. Many of those days she would rant about her betrothal to Robert Baratheon. About her plans of escaping beyond the wall, or to Essos, so she wouldn't have to marry him. So no, I don't care about his supposed love for my aunt. If he had really loved her, he wouldn't have fucked so many camp followers during the rebellion. He wouldn't have been trying to get with every girl he saw during the tourney at Harrenhall."

Ned was conflicted. He knows that Hadrian spoke the truth. It still hurts to hear those things said about his friend however. For even if he himself agrees with the fact that the murder of the Targaryen children was despicable, he still can't help but think of Robert as his friend. Still despite his nephews words, there is still one truth that his nephew must remember.

"He is still the king. "

Perhaps sensing his conflicting emotions his nephews eyes softened. "Aye, he is still the king, uncle. Have no fear. I have no plans of rebelling against him. Despite the fact I find the murder of children to be terrible. I cannot deny that we still owe him for aiding our house in the Rebellion. He may not have had a choice as the Mad King wanted his head as well. But it doesn't change the fact that he still aided our house. For that and that alone, he will have my support."

Ned released a breath of relief.

Hadrian then continued. " He may have my support and as such the support of the North, but he does not have my trust. Robert Baratheon will probably never make a move against the North but I don't trust the Lannisters not to once he is dead. So I will do whatever is in my power to make the North strong uncle."

He exhaled. "I understand."

Hadrian nodded and smiled slightly. "Good. Now what was it we were discussing again?"

Benjen released a weary laugh and despite himself Ned found himself joining in. "I thought you said you remembered everything nephew?"

He smiled slightly. "I do, uncle. I was just trying to break the tension."

After taking a breath Hadrian continued. "As I was saying earlier, the Greyjoy Rebellion would be an opportunity for the Baratheon Dynasty because they are still new and don't have the support of many of the lords in Westeros. However, if there is one thing everyone in Westeros hates, it is the Ironborn. The rebellion would not be that dangerous to the Baratheon Dynasty and would most likely be crushed quickly, even if they managed to destroy all the fleets in Westeros, which is unlikely, the simple fact is that the Iron Islands have a low population. If the Greyjoys did manage to achieve supremacy on the seas, all that would happen, is that most houses on the coasts would be a lot more motivated to build more ships that they could keep sending after them. Even if the Greyjoys took down three or four ships for every one that they lost, they would eventually lose purely due to the fact that they can't compete with the numbers the rest of Westeros can muster. The Iron Islands have 20 000 warriors maximum. The real number is probably closer to 15 000. The rest of Westeros can bring easily over 200 000 men. This hatred of the Ironborn means that most houses will be willing to fight against them under the Baratheon banner. Bringing a lot more legitimisation to Roberts reign."

Ned had to admit when his nephew put it like that, it put the rebellion in a new perspective. The Ironborn could cause extreme amounts of damage and chaos, but it's true that they are hated by everyone in Westeros. Most houses would be willing to put aside their grudges to deal with them, with the exception maybe being Dorne. They would probably sit the war out completely.

Ned has never been the smartest man but even he can see that the Ironborn would be overwhelmed by numbers eventually, even if they do get supremacy of the seas. It's as his nephew said, most houses both inland and on the coast would be motivated to build ships as quickly as possible in order to put them down, and the longer they raid for, the more harsh the consequences would be for the Iron Islands. Why then would they even rebel? Was his nephew even correct in his theory?

He decided to ask. The answer was both satisfying in its plausibility and worrying in the fact it could mean another war in the near future.

"Nobody ever accused the Ironborn of being smart uncle." Hadrian said with a roll of his eyes. "In fact I would say most of them are deluded idiots. Their entire culture is about taking what you want with the iron price. It's the reason why they have tried to conquer land on the continent so many times before. They wanted it. So they took it. It's also the reason that they would never be able to hold any of the land they conquered for long. In their religion, everybody is lower than the Ironborn. How can you hold a land without the support of the people that live there? The answer is, you can't. Not unless the people are cowardly Riverlanders who are too busy feuding with themselves to properly respond to the threat the way they should."

Ned couldn't even bring himself to sigh at his nephews comment about Riverlanders. Try as he might, the one thing he couldn't seem to do is change his nephew's views on Southerners. It's not like he can completely blame the boy either. The South had taken much of his family from him. Still, his nephew had a particular dislike of the Riverlands and the Reach. He once referred to the Reachmen as 'Cowards who opened their legs for the seven instead of protecting their gods' and the Riverlanders as 'Deluded Fools who are so busy fighting each other over imagined slights, that they willingly let the Ironborn into their kingdom.'. Unfortunately Catelyn doesn't seem to have helped increase his nephews' opinion of the Riverlands. Sometimes he feared she had the opposite effect.

Still that's not something he wants to dwell on at the moment. Not with all of the information his nephew has dumped on him during this conversation. First his plan to build up Sea-Dragon Point for Benjen, then his plan for Moat Cailin, increasing the yield of the farms and the possible Ironborn rebellion. After taking a few moments to sort his thought he decides that he should just focus on what he could do.

"I'm going to send Robert a letter detailing that the Ironborn might be looking to build a fleet. We don't know for sure if they are, so Roberts Master of Whispers can look into that for him. I understand that to some an Ironborn rebellion can be seen as an opportunity to secure Roberts rule, but I'm hoping he will end this before a full scale war can break out. I will also send a letter to the Mormonts granting them a tax break like you suggested, so that they can prepare in case of the worst. Hopefully they can train more guardsman and fortify a bit before anything happens."

With a small smile his nephew stood up from his chair. "Very well uncle. I'll leave that to you. Now I have to go meet some of the farmers in order to tell them how to do their jobs properly. Uncle Benjen, don't forget your promise. If I increase the yield in six months you must take up lordship of Sea-Dragon Point."

Benjen could only give a tired nod. It seems like I'm not the only one this conversation took a toll on. With that acknowledgement Hadrian turned and walked out the door with a small bounce in his step.

Once the door closed behind his nephew, Benjen slumped in his chair. "Ned, I love him. I really do. But damn if he isn't terrifying."

Ned could only groan in agreement.

Benjen continued. "He's going to make one hell of a lord though."

Ned released a weary chuckle. "Aye, that he is."

Next chapter Thursday 12 January 2023.

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