An Uninvited Guest
Winterfell 289- AC
The great hall of Winterfell was an incredibly cheerful place this evening. Filled with the sounds of laughter, cheering, drunken boasts and revelry from the Northern Lords. Everywhere Ned Stark looked, he saw smiles on the faces of all the lords and ladies of the North in attendance of this feast.
This was Neds first day back in Winterfell. Himself and the rest of the Northern Lords had only just arrived around midday to loud fanfare and cheerful greetings from the towns folk. After greeting his family in the courtyard Ned immediately went to his chambers to spend a bit of quiet time with Catelyn and enjoy relaxing for a while now that he was home.
He even had a nap that wasn't invaded with dreams of war and death. Unfortunately his peace didn't last for long after he woke.
First he was summoned to his nephews solar, Hadrian was understandably upset about his arranged marriage. Ned himself wasn't very happy with the betrothal either, but when Robert came to him and practically demanded that Ned agree to marry Hadrian to his daughter, Ned had no choice but to agree.
He tried to turn Robert down, he really did. Unfortunately there was only so many ways he could do so without Robert taking offence. Arguments that he was only Hadrians regent did nothing, Robert waved them off and said his nephew would learn to love his daughter. Robert said he was King, Hadrian owed him his fealty and Myrcella would marry whoever he said she would.
Those weren't easy arguments to dismiss. Not without causing a huge scandal and questions about The Norths loyalties.
The arguments that Myrcella was only a baby were similarly ignored. Robert just said the wedding would take place once she had flowered. In the end he had no choice but to relent and agree. He also promised Robert that he would make sure Hadrian agreed. To do otherwise would no doubt upset Robert a great deal and he was always unpredictable when upset. It would also risk upsetting Tywin Lannister a great deal, meaning the Lannisters would look for other ways to get their claws into the North now that they were growing in power.
Hadrian still wasn't very happy with him in the end. Nevertheless he agreed to uphold the betrothal, which brought a great deal of weight off of Neds shoulders.
His nephew then started informing him of some of the things he had done since returning to Winterfell a moon ago. First he found out about Hadrians plans for an institution to rival the Citadel and his ultimatum to Maester Luwin. Ned wasn't very happy to hear about that but he understood Hadrians reasons and in the end it worked out, with Luwin choosing Winterfell.
His biggest concern at the moment was their financial situation but he decided to raise the point another day. He was far more drained than he realised and their gold should last another two years minimum. That conversation could wait for another day.
Unfortunately the tenseness in the castle didn't end there. His nephew and his wife got into an argument. To be honest with himself, Ned wasn't really surprised by that. Hadrian and Catelyn had always had a frosty relationship. He knew it was only a matter of time before something set them both off.
The topic of their argument was equally unsurprising and something that had the potential to sour things between Ned and his Catelyn as well. He knew Hadrian would have a problem with his children being taught to worship The Faith by their mother, just as he knew Catelyn would insist on doing it anyways. He saw this issue coming but was lucky enough to put it off until now.
So he was forced to console his enraged wife on his first day back home from war.
Luckily he was able to delay speaking on the matter any further with Catelyn that day, due to having to go to the feast that was thrown in honour of himself and the rest of the Northern Lords who fought in the war. It was a relief that he was able to escape that conversation because as much as Catelyn may not like it, he agreed with his nephew. Ned would feel better if his children married in The North and he also acknowledged his nephew had a point about how the rest of the North would see it if his children were raised worshipping The Seven.
So here he sat. At the head table with his wife sitting on one side, in an easily recognisable bad mood, and his nephew sitting on the other, smiling and laughing with the lords like everything in the world is right. Something that only seemed to piss off Catelyn even more.
Ned shifted uncomfortably as he listened to Lord Umber boast about some of the Northerners participation in the Tourney of Lannisport. "-flew right onto his arse he did! Tywin Lannister looked like he was about to shit a bucket of gold at the sight of his golden heir rolling around in the dirt! Ha! Ha! To Ser Jorah Mormont! The man who showed those lions and the prissy Southron cunts what the North is made of!"
The sound of dozens of cups banging on the table echoed around the hall along with the cheers. "Ser Jorah!" As Ned watched, dozens of men and woman did their absolute best to drain their tankards.
This wasn't anything new. Men and woman in the North knew life was short and so whenever the opportunity came up, they celebrated vigorously. Especially after a war. Lord Umber was guiltier of this than most. The man had already raised a dozen toasts this evening and didn't seem to be slowing down at all.
The next few hours went on in the same way. Lords would boast about The Norths accomplishments in the war to cheers and congratulations from the others. After an hour or so his nephew gave another short speech about unity and the strength of The North and its people as he did before the war. Afterwards he dismissed everyone back to celebrating, stating a proper meeting will take place in three weeks to discuss the future of The North once Lord Manderly and the rest of the Northern Lords who didn't go to war, such as the Skagosi and Mountain Clans Lords arrive. Until then he would be discussing individually with each Lord about their Lands and how they could maximise their potential.
His nephew invited every Lord in the North to the meeting. If they arrived it would be the first time the Skagosi actually answered Winterfell without being beaten into submission. Hadrian promised them in the letters he sent with the messengers that he would help their people prosper if they actually bowed to Winterfell in truth and not just in word. Neither of them had high hopes the Skagosi actually would show up, but either way Hadrian plans to use this as an opportunity to actually bring Skagos under House Starks control for real. If none of the Skagosi Lords showed up, Ned knew it would be war. Again.
He sighed and tried to cast his mind away from such depressing thoughts.
Ned found his mood improving as the night went on. It was hard not to get sucked in to the cheer and good mood, even with Catelyn looking even more displeased than at the start of the night. By the third hour of the feast, about an hour after the sun had set, Ned found himself forgetting about his troubles and just living in the moment. He was making his way around the hall, sitting by each Lord for a while to share some conversation. Catelyn was still sitting at the main table, not really interacting much with anyone besides Robb and Sansa. Hadrian was also still in his seat, seemingly content just to watch over the festivities with a small smile on his face, completely ignoring Catelyns existence. Of course, that's when things went wrong.
Ned was in the middle of a conversation with Wylis Manderly, who was representing his father at this feast as Wyman was yet to arrive with Benjen, about an amusing story Wylis had in Braavos when a guard entered the hall and rushed up to Hadrians personal guards.
Only fifteen guards were allowed in close proximity of his nephew now, each of them was carefully vetted by Hadrian over the past moon to make sure that they had at least some skill and that they were young but they were loyal. Most of them had been born and raised in Wintertown before becoming guards or soldiers. None of them were elite swordsman but they were all good and were still young with time to learn.
Hadrian said that he would keep increasing their numbers until he was satisfied and he would make sure only the most skilled and loyal would get in. They were raised a rank above the other guards or soldiers, given more pay and more benefits and respect. They also had much more intense training. Ned almost blanched when he saw the training regimen Hadrian made for them.
Miles of running and marching every day. Weight training for different muscles each day, with particular focus on arm, shoulder and back strength. Weapons training for four hours a day where they learn to fight with swords, daggers, spears, maces and hammers. Then another hour spent on archery practice after a long break. Each of them would get one day off from training a week to relax and another two days off from training to complete their duties in rotations. This would change once there were more of them and they were trained up to a good enough level but it was the best that could be done for now. Strict discipline will be constantly drilled into them as well as teamwork and loyalty. All to be overseen by Ser Rodrick, while another senior guard takes on the training of the regular guards. His nephew called them the Winter Guard. He wanted them to eventually be the best soldiers in The North, whose sole priority was the protection of House Stark and all its members.
Unfortunately the training regimen proved to be too much for most people selected. Hadrian had originally picked one hundred young men to be given the opportunity to be trained for this role when he came back to Winterfell over a moon ago. Eighty five of them quit already after the training became too much. Ned tried to tell Hadrian to make the training easier but his nephew seemed to see it as a good thing. He said that the intense training made sure that only those who were dedicated would be able to complete it and those are the people he wants. Ned found it hard disagree, as he usually did with Hadrian.
Ned had already had many conversations with Hadrian about his paranoia. Unfortunately his nephew was nothing if not stubborn and seemed to double down on his protections as a result. The rest of the family wasn't spared either, he was told each of his children would be followed by at least three Winter Guards at all times once their numbers were high enough. Including Jon.
Ned wasn't the only Lord in the hall to stop their conversations to stare as the guard whispered something to the Winter Guard, who then moved forth to whisper into Hadrians ear. Even with the great hall suddenly going very quiet, he was too far away to hear what was said but judging by the displeased expression on Hadrians face, he guessed it wasn't anything good.
His nephew said a few words to the guard who then proceeded to swiftly exit the hall. After that Hadrian turned to the rest of the Lords and stood up from his seat to address them. "Apologies for interrupting your feast but I have just received word that a…. suprise guest has just arrived to Winterfell. Please continue the feast." With that Hadrian sat back down and threw an irritated glance at Catelyn who seemed pleased with herself for some reason.
The Lords immediately started muttering among themselves about who might be foolish enough to travel at this time of night in The North. Especially in the small snowstorm that was happening.
Ned was more focused on the pit he felt form in his stomach. He hastily excused himself from his table and the Lords who were trying to ask him who arrived before he walked quickly over to the high table and his nephew.
Hadrian noticed him coming and gestured for him to take his seat with his head, so Ned walked around the table as swiftly and calmly as possible. When he sat, he saw Catelyn try to get his attention but he ignored her for now and turned to his nephew and spoke quietly. "What happened?"
Hadrian just closed his eyes and sighed before speaking. "You're about to find out."
Ned turned a wary gaze on to the door. He didn't have to wait very long before he got the answer to his question.
The door to the great hall opened and a group of five men entered. Ned immediately recognised the man in the front. Wearing fancy black breeches and a bear skin cloak, Edmure Tully walked into the great hall of Winterfell shivering like a leaf and covered in a light layer of snow.
Neds eyes darted towards Catelyn, where he saw a large smile on her face.
The sinking feeling in his stomach increased further.
Neds attention was directed back to Edmure Tully when he saw the young man start walking over to the head table.
The heir of the Riverlands didn't even glance at Hadrian as he gave Ned a greeting. "Lord Stark, it's good to see you! Winterfell is a splendid castle and it is a great relief to get out of the cold. I don't know how you Northerners handle it." He laughed.
Ned didn't even have a chance to react to Edmures words before he turned to Neds wife. "Cat!" He called and opened his arms wide as if receiving a hug.
"Edmure!" She replied, jumping to her feet and walking swiftly around the table where she met her brother in an embrace.
Some of the Lords started muttering angrily to themselves about Edmures actions, both in showing up to Winterfells victory feast without an invitation or notice and in greeting Ned and Catelyn first instead of the Lord of the castle as is expected. Nobody liked the disrespect and even Ned himself was having to supress his anger, lest he do something foolish. As it is, he found his eyes narrowing at the heir to the Riverlands. This statement said that Riverrun and consequently the Riverlands don't respect his nephews authority, at least not yet, and that they see Eddard as the one in charge.
He didn't know if Edmure and Catelyn believed that this would weaken his nephews hold on the North and increase his own and indirectly Catelyns power as a result. Maybe they thought the Northern Lords would look to Catelyn and him more if she reminded them that she has a strong influence in the Riverlands and the Vale through her sister? Maybe they thought some lords would see opportunity in pressuring his nephew in certain decisions in exchange for benefits from the Riverlands? Or through subtle threats that they have the power to influence much of Northern trade?
Honestly it was like they knew nothing about The North.
The North didn't care for subtle power plays and the Game of Thrones. If this was the Reach or another Kingdom and Hadrian was anyone else, this wouldn't be seen as such a slight, or at least the other Lords wouldn't care about such a slight very much due to Hadrians age. Not truly. Not to the extent The Northern Lords will.
This was the North though.
"You are looking as beautiful as ever sister!" Edmure exclaimed while holding Catelyn.
Ned saw his wife smile at her brother with a light blush. "Thank you Edmure. You always were a charmer. You have grown much since I last saw you. Much more handsome as well."
"Thank you sister I –" Ned stopped listening to their words as he watched the spectacle in front from of him in slight disbelief. Both of them were completely ignoring the Lord of the castle. It was extremely disrespectful and the angered muttering was only growing louder, the only reason none of the lords had jumped from their chairs to confront Edmure yet was that his nephew held up a hand to stop them. Somehow, Catelyn and Edmure seemed to be completely ignorant of the growing anger of those around them. Either that or they just didn't care.
As Ned watched Lord Tully turned to his children, Robb and Sansa, whom he gave a smile and a joyous greeting. As the Fish Lords gaze travelled over Jon, his face scrunched up but at least he decided not to comment and simply moved on back to his conversation with Catelyn. Completely ignoring Hadrians existence.
Ned had no idea why they were doing what they were. Both of them should know how this would be perceived. There were some ways in which Lord Tully could apply some political pressure on his nephew in politics and this was not one of them. If this was supposed to be a display of power and dominance, in order to show the Riverlands recognize Neds power as regent and not Harrys power as a lord yet, then it was the most ill-conceived one Ned had ever heard of.
He glanced towards his nephew to see Hadrian sitting with a face carved from ice and a gaze that seemed completely devoid of emotions. He supressed a shiver. Sometimes it was terrifying how much discipline and control Hadrian had over his own emotions. He realised the sinking feeling he was having was dread. Hadrian had never been one to act well against purposeful slights. He would never tolerate one in his own hall from a foreign Lord Paramount.
Ned quickly turned back towards the fools in order to stop them from digging themselves any deeper. He knew that Hadrian was probably thinking of ways to punish House Tully for this already. He needed to stop this before it got any worse. "Lord Tully." He called.
When the heir of the Riverlands turned to him, Ned wasted no time on pleasantries. "Why are you here?"
Edmure frowned slightly. "I am here to represent my father and the Riverlands in a few matters of diplomatic importance between our two kingdoms. With me are my companions Ser Patrick Mallister, Ser Marq Piper and Ser Lymond Goodbrook. "
Ned frowned severely. "Why did you not write to ask for this meeting? Or inform us you were coming?"
Edmure smiled. "But I did. My Maester sent a raven to my sister a fortnight after the Northern army crossed The Twins."
Catelyn gasped and covered her mouth. "I forgot all about it in my excitement and relief once I heard you were safely back in the North. I'm sorry my love. "
He sighed. Whether or not that was true didn't matter right now. What did matter right now was the blatant disrespect that they were showing to Hadrian. Ned knew this had the potential to become very bad if it continued. All Lords are proud people. The Northern Lords more than most. The Northern Lords were also very loyal. By disrespecting Hadrian in such a manner, in front of his lords, Edmure was deeply offending the Northern Lords. They had a great love for his nephew. As can be seen by the growl that seems to be escaping Lord Umbers throat. Edmure didn't fail to notice it either if the way he tried to subtly move further away from Lord Umber was any indication. Hadrians reaction would also only get worse the longer this went on.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to put Eddard Tully in his place, Hadrian spoke. "What does House Tully have to discuss with House Stark?" Instantly all the Lords quietened.
Lord Tully turned and finally acknowledged his nephew for the first time. "That's a manner best spoken of in private between the adults lad."
Ned spoke quickly before things escalated dramatically. "My nephew is old enough to have a say in these decisions. If he wants to speak of this now, then we will."
Edmure frowned slightly. "Very well. My father sent to me to speak to you about a few different topics Lord Stark. There were a few issues regarding trade that need to be gone over, but that is not the main reason I am here. "
Edmure took a breath and puffed his chest out slightly in pride. "Us Tullys care about family above all else. Making sure that close ties remain between members of our family is incredibly important to both my father and I. That is why we would like to take Sansa as a ward. The main reason for my presence was to discuss such a possibility with you. "
The murmuring broke out among the lords in the hall again. Ned could tell that none of the lords were particularly pleased about the idea of another Stark being fostered in the South.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to give Edmure a platitude that Sansa was too young, his nephews voice rang out across the hall. It wasn't especially loud, but it quieted the hall immediately. "No."
Edmure seemed to be confused. "I'm sorry?"
Hadrian seemed to have stopped paying Edmure Tully any attention. As he watched, Hadrian was focusing on cutting a piece of steak rather than the heir to the Riverlands. Hadrian left Edmure standing there in silence for an insulting amount of time as he chewed and swallowed his bite very slowly and calmly. Ned could physically see Edmures face starting to redden.
Just as Ned thought Edmure might explode, Hadrian spoke again. "I said no." With that he plopped another piece of steak into his mouth.
Ned could see Edmures face go even redder before Catelyn stomped on his foot. Edmure then managed to take a few calming breaths before he spoke again. "I'm sorry lad but I'm afraid that isn't really up to you."
There was an immediate uproar.
"Fucking fish thinks he can-
"I'll shove my sword –"
"Telling the Stark of Winterfell what he can and can't do in his own cas-"
It seemed the fish lord finally started to understand he may have made a mistake as he hastily rushed to correct himself. "What I mean to say is that such a decision should be left to her parents. "
Hadrian put his knife and fork down with a clatter before he looked up to the Lord Tully. "She is a Stark, where she is raised will affect my reign as the Lord of Winterfell. Therefore when I say she won't be fostered in Riverrun, it means she won't be fostered in Riverrun."
Catelyn ignored Hadrian completely. "Ned, it will mean the world to me if Sansa could grow up where I did. There will be so many opportunities for her in the South and my father would teach her much."
Edmure spoke straight after her. "She will love it! She will make so many frien-"
Ned felt like things were only getting worse the longer this conversation went on. If it was up to Ned then this conversation would have taken place in private. Not in front of every Lord in the North. Ned didn't know why Hadrian wanted to have it take place like this, but based on the malicious gleam in his nephews eye, it was not for anything good. Perhaps it was because he wanted an audience to whatever he was about to do?
Hadrian interrupted Edmures sentence with a warning. "Do not continue to push me or you will not like the results Tully. "
Ned thought he saw the slightest of smirks come across Edmures face. "I did not mean to upset you. But you are not in charge of Winterfell as of yet. At least not officially. Your uncle is. He and your aunt are older and wiser than you and it is their daughter, so this choice should rest with them."
Hadrian sat back into his seat and folded his arms together. "Very well."
Edmure smiled brightly. "I knew you would see- "
"Winterfell is cutting all trade with Riverrun from this moment on. " Hadrian interrupted.
For a few seconds the hall was quiet. Honestly when Ned saw the look on the fools face when he heard what Hadrian said, Ned almost burst out laughing. The only reason he didn't was because he almost burst into tears when he thought about the implications of this. The good news was that most Northern Lords would probably support his nephews decisions regarding Riverrun after these insults.
Before Edmure could speak Hadrian continued. "I don't know who came up with this …childish scheme Lord Tully. Just looking at this degree of idiocy and incompetence makes me more sure than ever, that I would never send a member of my family to be fostered by you. They might turn out to be half as much of a moron as you are. I truly fear that prospect."
Laughter broke out across the halls.
Edmure started spitting. "How dare you! You can't speak to me like that! You can't cut trad-"
Harry smiled. "I believe I just did. Now get the fuck out of my Kingdom." With that he gestured to the guards.
Edmure Tully was swearing the entire time he was dragged out.
I am so so so sorry for such a late chapter. I went on a trip a few weeks ago in South Africa and caught swine flu. I was seriously sick and had absolutely no motivation to write. Last week I thought I was better but then ended up having relapse and got sick again, luckily not as badly this time. I am fine now and am determined to make up for all the time that I have missed. I want to apologise to everyone again, I feel terrible about messing up my schedule so badly. I will be writing a lot this week to make up for all the time I've missed and will be releasing two chapters a week for the next few weeks to make up for lost time.
Criticism is welcome as long as it's constructive.
Next chapter Friday 30 June 2023
To read ahead of the update schedule: Pat_ (slash) TheLifeandTimes19.