Chapter 74: The Spring Lady

304 AC

Jon

He woke up due to a ray of sunlight that glimpsed through the curtains. It fell right on his face and he couldn't possibly close his eyes again. Besides, if it was morning already, he should get up now. He softly turned to look at Wylla, who was laying beside him. He tried his best not to wake her as he moved out of the bed and closed the curtains better.

He walked past Ghost's corner of the room filled with cushions and blankets. His trusty companion had always slept there, close enough to the door to catch any intruders before he or Wylla even had a chance to wake.

Now the corner was empty, and it made him smile. Ghost had found someone more important to protect than him and he loved his direwolf to bits for doing so.

He looked back on the figure of his exhausted wife in bed, before leaving his rooms and slowly closing the door behind him. It had only been a week since she had given birth and she had been exhausted ever since. Robb had provided nursemaids so she could sleep through the night, but the birth had been hard on her and she needed her rest.

Maester Luwin had assured them both that she would fully recover after a few weeks of extra rest and the midwives had insisted that she should sleep alone during this period, but Wylla would have none of it. Every night, she had come to his chambers and fallen asleep in his arms. Lovemaking was out of the question, but that is not why she wanted to be with him, nor he with her. Feelings had been slowly developing between them since their marriage and for him they had grown exponentially since seeing her pregnant with his first child.

It was to that child that he was going now. He strode over to the nursery in quick and long strides, occasionally nodding to guards and servants that he passed in the halls. They all smiled knowingly at him, as this had become his new routine for the past few days. Every morning he got up and went to see his daughter. Whether the realm was in trouble or Robb needed him didn't matter, she came first.

He himself had never met his father, and his uncle had had to restrain himself somewhat in taking up the mantle of father figure for him, due to Lady Catelyn's objections. His daughter would never experience that. She would be loved and adored by him, as if she was the greatest treasure in the world. Well, to him she was just that.

He walked inside the nursery and saw a nursemaid sitting in a comfortable chair close to his daughter's crib. Even closer to it, Ghost was lazily dozing off until he heard him. He immediately got up and stalked over to him. His companion licked his face and he laughed loudly at the obvious show of affection from his companion. He hugged the huge direwolf that had well outgrown him by now. Together they walked over to the crib and looked inside.

His daughter had awoken from his laughter and she looked up silently with curious grey eyes. His mother's eyes, Rodrik Cassel had told him. It was not the only thing she shared with her grandmother. She also shared his later mother's name. Lyanna they had called her, to the joy of many of the elder people in Winterfell and Wintertown.

Ghost carefully nudged his snout against her cheek and the little girl tried desperately to grab towards it with her tiny hands, but the effort was in vain. He smiled at the sight. From the moment that she had been born, she had been comfortable around Ghost and he had been protective over her. Although never afraid or about to cry, she had been somewhat skittish if Grey, Summer or Shaggy got too close. This never happened with Ghost and the direwolf had unilaterally decided he was her protector now. He slept next to her crib every night and would only let her go out of his sight when she was in his, Wylla or Robb's arms.

He picked his little girl up and carefully positioned her against his chest, with his hand supporting her under her bottom. She nestled her little head into his tunic around his clavicle and seemed to be content. Luwin had told him that babies' sense of smell was more developed than their other senses. Keeping them close and giving them the ability to smell you made it easier for them to recognize you and helped calm the baby down. It worked better when Wylla did it, but it seemed to work for him most of the time as well.

The smallfolk had started calling her the 'Spring Lady', as she was born on the same day that the white raven from the citadel had arrived. A good omen everyone had agreed, but all he cared for was the fact that she had been born healthy. She had a pale and fair complexion, which Wylla insisted was because of her Targaryen heritage. Her eyes were Stark grey, even more than his own, and her hair was light brown. Lighter than Starks normally had and a perfect mixture between his own brown hair and Wylla's blonde locks. To him, she was the most beautiful thing that he had ever seen.

He talked with the maid about how the night had been and asked if she had recently been fed. Satisfied with the answers, he walked out of the nursery with his daughter pushed against him. Ghost walked next to him through the halls, his tail happily twisting from side to side.

It was an important day today, as Lya would be entertaining her first guests. He had wanted to keep her hidden a little longer, but Robb had waved his demands away. A small feast would be held for the birth of "the Hand's daughter". His brother had insisted upon it in a tone that marked the finality of the issue only hours after she had been born.

During the day, Arya would arrive with her husband Cley. Their wish to wed had been a big surprise to him, until Robb had told him the real reason for it. He hadn't known whether to scold Arya or hit Cley after that, maybe he had wanted to do both. They had married within five months of the incident and seemed fairly happy together. Jonelle had been overjoyed and had already forced the little Cassels to start calling Arya "auntie".

She would be coming for the feast and would likely stay for a time to get to know his daughter. Sansa was still here with her daughter, as a snowstorm had prevented them from going back to the Dreadfort after Arya's wedding. Domeric had gone back alone without his wife or daughter to keep little Bethany Bolton safe and after that Sansa had insisted on staying until his child was born. He had greatly appreciated that, and her aid had been a huge help to Wylla. Bethany and Lyanna had been placed together in the crib for the first time two days ago and they also seemed to like each other's company.

The Manderlys would also be arriving. Lord Wyman had stayed to rule his lands, but Ser Wylis, Lady Wynafryd and her husband Harmond would all be arriving with Arya today with some of their vassals. They also brought their son 'Little Wyman' with them and it would be the first time the future Manderly heir would be presented to the realm. Yesterday evening, they had received word of their arrival at Castle Cerwyn together with a few members of House Locke.

Many minor nobles sworn to Winterfell would attend too, as well as some of his own. All houses within a week's ride from Winterfell had been invited, as such multiple of the close by Wolfswood clans would attend. They had slowly trickled in over the last few days. To his surprise, Beren Tallhart, Master Leoabald's young second son, would also be making the journey. Torrhen's Square was one hundred and thirty-five miles away from Winterfell. Making that journey in five or so days was no small feat, spare horses or not.

However, the most unexpected visitors would be Harrion Karstark with his one-year-old son Edrick, who had already been on their way towards the capital for a random visit. His wife would remain at Karhold to administer the keep, but Harry had insisted on coming to Winterfell with his son. Serena had recently gotten pregnant again and he didn't want to risk her health or that of their baby and would go back before her time to give birth came.

Torr couldn't wait to finally meet his little nephew and Osric Karstark was looking forward to having Edrick play with his own son, the eight-months-old Vayon Poole.

Harrion and Edrick would not be travelling alone though, as Harry's brother-in-law, and their mutual friend, Smalljon Umber and his young son Osric had been visiting Karhold at the time. Both accompanied the Karstarks to Winterfell and many minor nobles along the way had joined them. As such, Robb would once again get his wish of hosting a large part of the North's nobility under the pretext of Lyanna's birth.

Of course, the weather helped with travel these days. All snows south of the Neck had melted and new snowfall north of it had become sparse. Most lords had started to make work of shoveling the snow from their most important roads and the effects could immediately be seen on travel and trade. Today their guests would spend preparing for the festivities, but the days after that they would want to talk with Robb or him about trade and infrastructure improvements.

Roderick Dustin had been very helpful whilst planning the latter. The man knew every keep or holdfast from Flint's Finger to Deepwood Motte and from the Stony Shore to Moat Cailin personally. He had also accompanied the army to the Riverlands and seen much of the lands there as well. He had given invaluable information and together with Luwin they had created many plans to better the kingdom before next winter.

He walked over to his solar, which Robb had provided for him. It wasn't far from the King's solar, a handy feat for if he had to discuss things with him. He pulled the key from out of his pocket and opened the door. No guards were stationed there yet, as he was earlier than usual. It didn't matter, no one would bother him with Ghost present.

He walked into the room, where he spent most of his days. The last two years of his life had been spent here, with Wylla or at Sea Dragon's Point, not forgetting travelling to and from it.

He walked behind his desk and looked at the papers he had left scattered there yesterday. Mostly things considering his own lands. He put Lya down in the crib he had had built for her next to his desk. Robb had jokingly pestered him with the fact he had made "a nunnery from his solar", but he didn't care. He wanted his daughter close and Wylla needed her rest.

Ghost started softly licking the little baby's face and the expressions she made told him that she didn't mind this at all. He sat down and looked upon his work and sighed. He got a map from Sea Dragon Point and another from the detailed area where the keep would be built from under the stacks of papers. He looked at them and made notes on the map by what the letters coming from his overseers told him. The cutting of the forests had begun to make the building of the keep and the expansion of the existing village possible.

A few tons of logs were being cut down and they would be used to help building the keep, as well as a small harbor, an extended barricade and houses for the future village. The latest news told him that the barricade was close to finishing and they had started building a small dock as well.

That was great news, as the village was progressing nicely. It had already partly been extended to house the workers and some of their families who had moved in, as well as a few dozen of the Wildlings and Ironborn survivors. Most of the latter had also started helping the construction efforts. The males had joined the workforce and the women provided soup and food for the workers, braided necessary ropes or stoked fires to keep the men warm. In turn these families received houses and food for free and already three hundred local people from all over the Point had flocked towards it for the prospect of food and shelter.

Sea Dragon Point had housed some forty thousand people, of which some five hundred were now living at his village together with an extra one hundred and sixty people that he had brought in. His people were spread very thinly over a large area, however the population would soon be expanded.

Once most of the guests of the feast had returned home, he would revisit his lands. He would bring with him a large amount of people that he and Robb had prepared to march. A force of six hundred regular smallfolk, twenty stonemasons and one hundred and fifty lumberjacks and builders would be accompanying him to the west. His workers were now clearing the area for the keep and levelling the ground. Hopefully, the work on the actual keep could start as soon as he arrived with the masons.

In addition to that, Robb was still convincing many people that had been rescued from the Iron Isles to join me. Lady Dustin had also promised that some three hundred people of those, who had taken refuge in Barrowton, would be marched towards his lands on his command.

Fifteen hundred Wildlings had been living on the area already, spread thinly across the lands. Many of those were women and children and one hundred and fifteen marriages between them and locals had already occurred. One of the first things he would do upon arrival was organize another mass wedding between the different groups once he arrived, especially the Wildlings. The group needed to be stamped out as a different entity or problems would arise sooner or later. The more they mingled together, the brighter their future.

Another group that had moved into his lands were the Clansmen, both of the mountains and the Wolfswood. Although they had mostly settled in remote areas in the hills and woodlands, they were quickly intermingling with the locals and few complaints arose of them.

On top of all that, Robb had promised him that many of the orphan craftsmen and farmers would be send towards his lands in small groups in the following years. However, the most important things he could do to raise the population was raise the natality of the locals and limit the loss of people due to sickness and hunger. He had been sending large amounts of food, leather and fur towards the area during the last year of winter on top of what Robb send to limit any casualties. He had also allowed the locals to cut down trees to warm themselves. Next to limiting the casualties, it also had the added benefit of endearing him to most of the locals and the majority of the lower nobility.

He looked everything over and put it in a neat stack at the top right of his desk. For now, he had to occupy himself with looking into the tax agreements of the houses that would be attending. No doubt, multiple of them would ask to renegotiate parts of it to make better investments. He hated the fact that there was no kingdom wide tax policy. Every house had different rates depending on their produce, historical agreements, or temporary punishments and tax cuts.

Still, most of the Northern lords had been very happy with the new regime. They had all made a lot of money during the wars and afterwards Robb had had to decide what to do with the taxes. The old system had been easy: peasants paid tax to masters and knights, who paid taxes to lords, who paid taxes to high lords, who paid it to House Stark and House Stark paid to the Iron Throne.

However, there was no Iron Throne anymore. So, Winterfell got to keep all of their incomes and got huge amounts of new incomes that the Tullys paid them in taxes. Tariffs set on trade with outside kingdoms would also be paid to Winterfell directly from White Harbor, Duskendale, Maidenpool, Saltpans, Seaguard and others.

This effectively meant that House Stark's balance had more than tripled on paper. Of course, this was not yet the case. The areas of the Southern and Western Riverlands had gotten tax breaks for at least a decade to recover from the devastation of war. Some of the former Crownland houses partially compensated this by paying extra taxes for their involvement in the war. Winter had greatly limited income from trade tariffs, but it was quickly picking up again.

House Stark hadn't gotten as much money as during this winter for centuries and from now on the income would continue to rise all through summer. Robb had decided to offer a tax cut to all Northern lords to help increase prosperity. He had debated with many vassals and advisors and had lowered taxes on the profit coming from agriculture, produce and internal trade by five percent. Taxes from mining and outside tariffs would remain the same, as otherwise the Manderlys would benefit unequally from the measure.

All lords had sent grateful letters in response to the measure, but Robb had instilled his expectations in them in return. He wanted them to invest in their lands. He expected that they improved and maintained infrastructure, actively aided population growth and the construction of small new settlements in their lands and that they increased production of local goods and their trade.

Not everyone had been as keen in doing everything from that list, but most seemed busy making improvements to their lands in ways they saw fit. The Umbers and Karstarks were planning further settlement on their lands, whilst encouraging local trade with the Skagosi. The Mountain clans and Master Roose Ryswell would promote trade and infrastructure with each other and the Night's Watch. The Ryswells and Dustins were promoting trade to the Flints and Mallisters and so on.

All of it were small gains, but if you added everything up across the whole North a significant impact started to be visible. However, more work laid ahead of them now that spring had come and winter had passed.

Once in a while, he looked to his daughter. She slept for most of the morning, under the scrutinizing gazes of Ghost who nudged her with his muzzle when she started to move or make noises.

An hour before lunch, Wylla and one of her ladies walked in to get Lya. She kissed him in greeting and thanked him for the rest he had given her, before quickly leaving him to his work. Ghost seemed sad when they left, but he loyally staid put beside his desk.

"Are you hungry boy?" He asked the large direwolf. He hadn't hunted ever since Lyanna had been born. He had only eaten things given to him from the kitchens. Ghost perked up and nodded slightly, but he seemed more than a little hesitant to act upon his desires.

"Lya is all right, Ghost. She is with Wylla now and she is safe. Wylla has guards with her at all times." He replied, knowing him far too well to not understand where he was coming from.

Ghost made a face, as if saying "guards? You call that being guarded? I could swat those two-leggers with their pointy sticks away in my sleep."

He laughed at his companion and scratched him behind his ears. "Aye, you could. There is no better guard than you are, but for now she is safe enough. She will need you to protect her at the feast tonight. You better be well fed and strong for that." He lectured the direwolf.

This seemed to persuade him and after licking him on his face a few times, the direwolf slowly paced towards the door. He put his large paw in the ring of the handle and with some difficulty pulled the door open. It always amazed him when he did that, but it had been a skill all the adult direwolves had picked up. It had been especially annoying in the case of Shaggy, as the direwolf could now get Rickon in through almost every small gate or doorway.

The direwolf stalked out and completely shocked the guard standing watch. The man excused himself moments later and closed the door behind him.

Afterwards, he had lunch with his Wylla, her ladies and those of his vassals that were present before continuing his work.

A few hours after lunch, he had to host their guests, but he didn't mind it as much as he normally did. He was glad to see Arya and immediately took her and Cley to meet his daughter. His sister had sported a huge smile on her face for hours, after Cley had told her he that he thought Lya looked a little like her.

The day had gone by quickly and it was already time to dress for the feast. His young squire, Hallis Slate helped him to pick out his clothes and dress in them. He had been so pleased with the boy during his campaigns in the Westerlands and Iron Islands that he had asked Lord Slate for permission for the boy to continue serving him. The old Northern lord had been overjoyed, especially when he was made Hand and given his own keep later on.

House Slate was neither a very wealthy nor a very strong Northern house, even though they were a high lord. Having connections with Winterfell and the Hand of the King, as well as a new house in the peerage was a Gods' sent for them.

The boy had served him for more than three years now and he was very happy with him. He was dutiful, honorable and smart, albeit a little quiet. He did well in his lessons with Maester Luwin and his martial skills progressed as expected. The boy insisted on accompanying him on all his trips to Sea Dragon Point and had always found a way to make himself useful.

After he was ready, he walked over to Wylla's room. Lya was laying on her bed. One of Wylla's ladies, the daughter of a knight sworn to White Harbor, was keeping her busy. He walked over to his wife and kissed her softly below her left ear. She smiled and turned around, awarding him with a small peck of her own. "I'm almost ready. Will you take Lya?" She asked him and he nodded.

He picked up his little girl from the bed, who has dressed in the clothes of their new house, and slowly paced around the room with her, as Wylla put on her jewelry. Not much later, they left the room together. Two of Wylla's ladies trailed behind them, as Hallis walked in front of them opening the doors and announcing their arrival in the Great Hall.

At the start, he or Wylla had Lyanna with them at the table, but after a while she was put in a designed area in the corner of the room. Six children were playing there now, two girls and four boys, under the watch of two men of the Kingsguard. The mood when looking towards the area was clear: this was the future of the North.

Lya was in the corner with Bethany Bolton playing next to her. A bit more to the side were Rickard Stark, Edrick Karstark, Osric Umber and Vayon Poole. The four boys seemed to be loosely playing together, smacking wooden toys on the ground in turn whilst babbling away.

The menacing appearances of Harmond Turrel and Ser Dickon Brune towered above them. Their keen eyes scanning the room and everyone that even came remotely close to the children. He had to admit that their grey cloaks gave reassurance to him as a parent. However, their presence was completely pointless. In between the guests and the children lay three massive direwolves, lazily looking around the room whilst nibbling on large porkchops. Grey Wind, Lady and Ghost were all the protection the children would ever need and everyone in the room knew that.

He looked down from the dais from his place of honor at Robb's right and looked over his countrymen and felt at ease. He looked over Umbers, Karstarks, Cerwyns, Clansmen and others. This was home. They were his friends and his family. He once again thanked himself for having the courage to reject most of his father's inheritance and to settle for peace and a family.

He looked over to his wife to his side and saw that she was tiring. "How are you doing, my love?" He asked her. She smiled knowingly at him. "Well enough, Jon. I will last another hour, after that I think I will retire." He nodded in agreement to the sentiment.

"I will take care of Lya. Ghost and I will put her to bed and make sure nothing happens to her." He smiled softly at her. He wanted to take as much worry and responsibility away from her as possible. She was still weak, and he wouldn't have anything happen to her. His daughter would have both parents when growing up, he had sworn to that.

She smiled at him and there was a small twinkle in her eyes. He didn't think anyone else had noticed but him, but he was certain that it had been there. She grabbed his hand under the table and squeezed it. "Thank you, Jon. Thank you for all you're doing." She whispered.

He simply laughed it off, although that smile made him feel warm inside. "She's as much my responsibility as she is yours. It is nothing." Afterwards he added laughingly. "Besides, it takes me more effort to drag Ghost away from her than actually letting her stay with me."

This got her to laugh openly as well and she squeezed his hand again. Sansa looked questioningly in their direction, but after seeing him smile she smiled back. They looked at their daughters lying next to each other and smiled back at each other.

"Beautiful sight isn't it?" She smiled. "The best one I have ever seen." He whispered, just loud enough for her to hear. He saw how Bethany rolled over clumsily towards Lady. The direwolf seemed to understand the girl and she put her paw closer to her. This was all Sansa's girl needed to grab and turn until her head rested upon the direwolf's front leg. There she seemed to stop and rest, a content smile upon her face.

Lyanna was laying on her back. She was way too small to turn over or do anything except making small movements with her mouth or her tiny hands. Even so, Ghost had found a way to play with her. He softly moved his tail over her head, which got her to smile or look stupefied every time.

Suddenly, he saw Arya looking at them. She seemed … jealous? "You want one too?" He joked loudly towards her, whilst nudging his face towards the children. Arya seemed taken aback, but to his surprise she blushed heavily. He and Sansa raised his eyebrows in surprise and Robb, Alys and Lady Catelyn joined in with questions.

Arya seemed to get overwhelmed in no time, but Cley saved her. "Arya and I would be happy to welcome any children we would get, now or later. I would love to be a father and have a duty to my house, but it is not the priority right now. Arya knows this and is just looking out for me."

It was clever. He put all the blame on himself and got her out of the wind with her family. Lady Catelyn sighed jokingly. "Rickon is barely out of his linen cloths and now I am getting overwhelmed by grandchildren." This got a laugh out of all his siblings and their spouses, except for Rickon. "Hey! I am no baby, I am almost ten years old!" He exclaimed, accompanied by a loud bark from Shaggy.

Robb rolled his eyes and a stern look settled on his face. "Rickon keep Shaggy in check. It is no sight having them bark that loudly for things as little as a joke at your expense. Look around and see how they are all looking at you."

Rickon's eyes scanned around the room and he followed his gaze. Most of those seated at the tables closest to them were all looking at his little brother. Rickon looked a little ashamed and patted Shaggy to calm down. "Excuse me, Robb. I will try to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Don't be so hard on your brother Robb, he is trying his best." Lady Catelyn tried to soften the mood, as she soothingly waved through Rickon's curly hair. "It's not like he can completely control the direwolf. Shaggy has always been wilder than the rest."

"I am hard on him because he needs it from time to time mother. Except for you, I am the only one who can do it. Besides, what you say about the direwolves isn't entirely true mother. They bond with you … emotionally." He replied, looking for the right word without giving the warging away, but half the table already knew about that. He definitely knew that none of the Council knew about didn't know whether Robb, Sansa or Arya had told their spouses.. He hadn't told Wylla, but he had considered it many times. It might not be long before he did.

Cley seemed oblivious to the hidden meaning, but Alys looked knowingly upon Robb. This might be the answer to his questions. "What do you mean emotionally?" Lady Catelyn looked at her eldest son. The whole table had now shifted their attention towards the King.

"When they were pups, they bonded with each of us. They looked at us as their role models and adapted their personalities to ours. That's why Lady is the most well-behaved, why Grey Winds acts so protective over his siblings and why Nymeria and Shaggydog are so wild. They adapted to us. So yes, it's partly Rickon's fault. If he adapted his own behavior, maybe Shaggy would mimic that."

RIckon looked at his shoes under the table, whilst his mother looked at him with his mouth open. "You mean you can control their behavior that much?"

"Not necessarily," Robb lied, "but they will adapt to you. Why do you think there are three direwolves with the children right now? We never told them to do that. They know how important they are to us. They look after them themselves because they notice our priorities. These animals are smarter than anything else out there, mother. I know it's hard to understand when you don't have them, but it is true."

"So what you are saying is that, when Arya has children, Nymeria will behave the same way?" Cley asked.

"Even earlier," he spoke up. "Ghost knew Wylla was pregnant before any of us ever did. She never left her side from that moment, unless I ordered him to do so. "Ever since she gave birth, she doesn't spend a fraction of that time with her anymore. Ghost still loves Wylla and likes her around, but he noticed that my priorities have changed to Lyanna and has shifted his behavior because of it."

Everybody at the table looked at him, then at Ghost and Lyanna, then at Wylla and back at him. Cley looked at him with interest. "You are telling me that the added benefit of marrying into the Stark family is that my heir will be the best protected child in Westeros?" He smirked.

"Aye," Robb replied, "except for my children of course." He smirked back. "Or mine," he added. "Or mine", Sansa finished the question. They all looked to each other and laughed. Lady Catelyn looked baffled, but not unhappy. She looked back at Rickon and then at Robb. "Well, I am glad Rickon has you all to help him with this because I don't think I'll ever fully understand the bond that you all share with those animals. However, I still think you could be nicer to your little brother whilst doing it."

Robb simply smiled at her knowingly. "I will try." He responded, before looking at Rickon and calling him over. The boy slowly walked over, Shaggy trotting behind him with his tail flat to his body. "I am so stern because I care for you, little brother. Father was sometimes stern to us as well and it made us better people. Father isn't here, but he would wish for you to get the same guidance I did. You are as true a Stark as I am, and you deserve no less. Do you understand that?"

Rickon nodded slowly in reply. Robb ruffled his hair. "Good. Now, it is time for some fun. You have been sitting still here for way too long. You are probably bored out of your mind, aren't you?" Rickon's face could have had the word 'bored' written upon his face, it wouldn't have made the sentiment more obvious than his facial expression.

"Haha, that's what I thought! You have my permission to leave the table and go play with the Cassels and the other children your age that are present." Robb laughed. Rickon smiled a huge smile, but before he could run off Robb caught his collar. "On one condition" Rickon's face fell in anticipation. "Aye?" Their little brother asked.

"You take Edda and Shaggy with you and you make sure Shaggy is kind to her and not so kind to anyone that is mean to her. You are a man of House Stark. It is your job to protect her." Robb said meaningfully. Rickon looked over to his little niece sitting next to Alys, as she perked up at the mention of her name.

He shrugged and agreed, before marching over to Eddara and pulling her chair back. "Come we're going to play." He told her kindly, but uncaring about her reply. Eddara smiled and jumped after him. "Come Shaggy." He called after him without looking, knowing that the direwolf would follow. They walked around the table and his nine-year-old brother took his four-year-old niece's hand and together they walked down the stairs to the hall. On Rickon's other side, Shaggy stalked slowly, whilst scanning the room intensely.

He saw Robb nod towards Cedric Cerwyn and the Kingsguard immediately knew what to do and followed them down. Eddara seemed quite fond of the newest member of the Kingsguard and Robb seemed to be thinking of assigning him as her personal shield. The fact that Cedric was kin with the Cassels through their mother Jonelle would also help in this situation.

The whole family looked fondly upon the scene and he saw that many of the guests did too. They continued talking about the direwolves in hushed tones amongst themselves, until Robb told him he needed to tell him something in private. He pulled his ear closer to his brother and motioned that he was listening.

"Word has come in this morning. The last of the dragons has finally been slain on the Dragonmont by Lord Hammersmith's men. It seemed that the dragon had laid a clutch of eggs of which two had hatched. Lord Hammersmith decided that the risk was too great and attacked their layer with over a hundred men armed to the teeth, accompanied by moveable scorpions and dozens of archers. All three dragons were killed and the dragon eggs confiscated and brought to Dragonstone."

He let that news sink in. Now the time of the dragons was finally over. He thought back to Rhaegal and the deep bond they had shared, albeit for such a short time. The white dragon that had flown away had been his brother. Viserion, Rhaegal's memories had named him.

He knew it was good news that the dragons were gone. There would always be men trying to control them and sooner or later a dragonseed would succeed. His descendants or the Baratheons would be the obvious candidates, but on the island of Dragonstone every peasant had more than a few drops of Valyrian blood in their veins.

He sighed and wordlessly said a small prayer to the Old Gods. Wherever Rhaegal's soul may be, let him have his well-deserved rest and let him reunite with his brothers in peace.

He turned to his brother. "Thank you for telling me first, Robb. I appreciate it and I know you need to tell the court. Just … just try to leave me out of it, if at all possible. The bond I shared with that dragon's brother. It was too deep."

Robb nodded. "Do you know what you'll do with its bones?"

"I will have a large secret room build that will only be available to my family somewhere in a cellar. I will have Rhaegal's carcass restored and set there, with his brother Drogon's skull close by."

"Is there room for another skull?"

"What do you mean?" He perked up.

"Lord Hammersmith has sent word. The skull will be arriving by ship in White Harbor in a few weeks. He once swore to you to do this before the eyes of much of the united nobility of Westeros. He wishes to honor his vow." Robb explained.

A weight fell from his shoulders that he hadn't known was there. He nodded with a small smile. "There will be room enough."

Robb smiled back. He looked around the room and saw that people were starting to mingle. Young Beren Tallhart could be seen talking to Harmond Umber, whilst many lower vassals were moving from table to table.

He thought back on many of his war compatriots and how some of them would never get to see his daughter, especially Ser Wendel. The Manderly knight would have loved her. He would have loved his marriage to Wylla and the joining of their houses. Many others, like Daryn Hornwood, Eddard Karstark, Osric Umber and Rickard Ryswell, were being missed by their friends and loved ones. It gave the feast a melancholy hue for him. Wylla had once remarked that he might have inherited this from his father, as he had been known for his melancholy and solemn moods.

Still, the war remained stuck in his head. He turned back to his brother because of this. "How is your book coming along?" He asked him.

Robb looked at him in surprise and answered in a hushed tone. "Shht, I don't anyone to know about that yet." He looked around if anyone had heard, but no one seemed to be paying attention.

"However, now that you ask … It was going well. I have penned down everything I remember up until Atranta now. The battle itself and the loss of Lord Rickard … I have difficulty writing about it, but I will have to soon enough if I ever want to finish the damned thing." He whispered.

"I get that." He responded in a hushed tone, the melancholy dripping from every word he spoke. Robb looked at him with understanding. "Thinking about Ser Wendel again?"

"Aye", he nodded. His brother put a hand on his shoulder. "He would be proud of you, Jon. Father would as well. You have rejected the South and the madness, made a name for yourself, married a highborn lady that is good for you and you have become a father. On top of that, you have become a true Northern lord in your own right and kept true to your mother's memory. Everyone who has ever tutored or helped you is very proud of what you have achieved."

He smiled sadly back at him. "Aye, but at what cost?"

Robb sighed. "A great one, but one everyone that has fallen would have been willing to pay for this result. I believe father would have gladly given his life to see the Stark family as big, healthy and strong as it is now. The same goes for the North. Ser Wendel would be happy that White Harbor and his house are safe. He would be overjoyed knowing what good and happy marriages his nieces have made and the fact that his brother, his father and his ward are safe."

"Aye, you're right. Still, I miss him and the others." He sighed sadly. Robb pinched his shoulder softly. "I know, so do I and everyone in this hall and many others outside of it. However, this is life. You have to continue now. You have to continue in their name and honor, just like father did for us after the Rebellion and the loss of most of our family. "It is our job now to bring new members into our family and keep them safe." He voiced, as he looked upon the children playing in the corner.

He looked upon the sight of his little girl hunched against Ghost's flank and took a deep breath. "You're right. I have to be there for her now." He voiced.

"Aye, and for all her siblings that are soon to follow, if you and Wylla keep this thing up that you are both doing." His brother winked at him.

"This thing we are doing?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Aye, holding hands under the table. Sleeping together every night against Maester's orders. You going above and beyond to take Lyanna out of her hands so she can rest. You know, that thing." Robb laughed.

He shook his head but couldn't help but smile. He looked him into his blue eyes and smirked. "Stark, you can put yourself on the high horse all you want, but never think that I forgot how you acted the last weeks of Alys pregnancy after we came back from the Wall. Let alone the first weeks of Rickard's life. I think even the washerwomen got bored of you presenting them with your 'heir and the future of House Stark' every three days."

Robb looked at him with played annoyance and just patted him hard on the back, as they laughed loudly together. The whole family table looked at them in question, but many of them smiled fondly upon the spectacle. All of them had told him that he had changed, most thought for the better. He simply felt home and loved, a thing he had struggled with for all of his life. Now, with Robb, Wylla and Lya, all seemed to fall into place. Even his bond with Sansa was stronger than it had ever been.

He looked around the hall again, at his sisters, his nieces and nephew, his daughter and his little brother. This is home, he thought. This is what father always wanted for me and I finally got it.

This is it for this chapter.

Thank you so much for your continued support.

We see the Stark family grow and Jon come into his own with fatherhood. We see him deal with melancholy and the old hurt of lost loved ones.

Glimpses of the North's future are shown, both in terms of personal bonds and development, for example Jon's lands.

Viserion finally dies, don't think I had forgotten about him.

The Stark family is happy and stronger and more united than ever before, and you see how many of their interpersonal relations work.

Robb is mentioned writing a book about his exploits and experiences during the wars.

Fannic

Reviews:

- Wolfstark: Thank you! I have considered that actually. It is already planned in one of the following chapters. ;)

- Rebfan90: Thanks!

- Galwidanatitud: Yes, exactly. Politically it is a good, albeit redundant match. The Cerwyns were already completely loyal and he doesn't gain too much from it. However, it is the best option for her personally and still a good prestigious marriage.

- Cliff West: Thank you! Exactly, the way I was thinking about it. Getting some distance from Catelyn might also help pacify her behavior, as she might see less of a need to rebel against institutions and superiors when she controls it together with her husband.

- Force Smuggler: I thought so too!

- Scifiromance: Thank you so much for all the kind words, it means a lot that you like those details so much. I spent a lot of time coming up with those. Glad you agree with the way it went for Arya. I had thought about having her marrying someone much later, but it just didn't feel right to me. She doesn't feel like the girl that would refrain from entertaining boys and Robb and especially Catelyn would never allow her that much freedom.

Brynden's POV is a fun one, which I might use more of in the future. It is a good way to show what Robb does without always having to use his POV.

- Poly19hum: Yes, I wanted to show that not everything will go Robb's way even if he has won the war. I also tried to dive into deeper emotional topics and will continue to explore certain parts of that.

- Iacopo Passerini: Thank you for your continued support! Now is a time for (external) peace for the Stark family.

- William: Thank you! For the banner and name I had help from another reader. Lot of kudos to him too! Catelyn and Jon's relation is different now.

1. She has no actual authority in Winterfell left except over her children (who are all growing up and are starting to leave Winterfell). Jon in contrast is the Hand of the King and can do whatever he wants as long as Robb lets him.

2. With the news of his parentage she was confronted with her own behavior. Instead of treating the dirty spot on Ned's honor despicably, she mistreated the son of his beloved sister Lyanna.

3. Jon is very loved by the Northern nobility and has won over most of the Riverlanders as well. He is married to a Manderly, has the future Slate heir as his squire and has personally given land to the younger brother of the new Lord Flint, as well as nobles of multiple clans. His best friends include Umbers, Karstarks, Mormonts, Boltons, Clansmen, … Jon could count on a decent coalition to protect him if she tries anything. She would be a fool to openly mistreat him.

4. Robb loves him and would never allow it.

- Wolflord456: I hope this chapter was what you wished for Jon.

- Marty: Thank you for the kind words!

He did it for a multitude of reasons:

The Tullys are very weak in the Riverlands and need to be strengthened. They are weaker than multiple of their vassals. This makes them the strongest until Edmure's future son comes of age.

He actively avoided giving Northerners lands in the old traditional Riverlands. He gave them all lands in the former Crownlands. This to not anger the Riverlanders and give them the feeling that they are being colonized/converted.

Edmure is the senior male claimant of Whent ancestry. His mother was one of the last Whents and the claim of a son goes before that of the elder daughter. If Edmure were to die without issue, it would go to Robb and he could give it to his brother.

Harrenhall is an expensive ruin. It needs serious investments of both time and money. If he were to give it to Bran or Rickon, he would need to supervise all the works himself and pay for the reparations. Now Edmure needs to pay for everything and he is much better placed to follow and control progress there.

- Guest2341: She's barely fifteen years old. She remains rebellious and wants to experiment and see things. Also, except for the Ironborn incursion she has seen nothing of the war. She hasn't had to grow up in those matters as much as in canon and is a lot more sheltered. It has always been Arya's response to lash out when she is in trouble. It's how she is and she tried it here too, but Robb wasn't having any of it. She'll mature in time. Cley will rain her in somewhat and she will grow out of the worst of it.

You also have to take the wolves into account. At the back of her mind, Nymeria was growling and biting as she was angry and worried about being separated from Arya. It is hinted in past chapters that the warging can have small bidirectional consequences.

- Guest: Exactly. Even thinking that she could fight the consequences. Robb knows Arya and has no time for her antics. She went over the line and he made damn sure that she realizes that. Thank you for the compliments!