Robert was feeling great. The time spent with Lyanna had been productive if not a little frustrating. She was most definitely not the sweet northern flower that he had built her up to be during his years of bitter married life. It wasn't exactly a disappointment, but the exchange they had was not what he had imagined when he had first proposed the ride together. Their ride back to Winterfell was fairly quiet and uneventful given what had happened previously. Even Robert could tell there were things that Lyanna probably wanted to ask but didn't know how to breach tactfully. Robert decided to ask her about her riding skill.
"Who taught you to ride, my lady?"
"You wouldn't mid just calling me Lyanna in private would you?" She asked casually, "I hear m'lady enough in Winterfell"
"I'd be happy to Lyanna, please call me Robert." He replied happily.
"Thank you Robert, It was Brandon actually, he's probably the next best rider after me." She said wistfully, Robert tried not to grimace at the mention of the elder Stark sibling.
"I know he spent some time fostering with House Dustin. Is that where he learned?" Robert asked trying to keep the conversation light.
"Yes, he said he used to ride through the Rills every day. It's where he met Barbrey." She replied. Robert noted a little venom in her voice.
"You seem to have a poor opinion of Lady Ryswell." Robert stated with a grin.
"She's alright when you get her alone, she knows horses better than almost anyone, but anytime she's around Brandon she turns into a simpering little birdie flittering around laughing at his worst jokes. It's obvious she just want's to be Lady of Winterfell. Brandon likes the attention, I'm sure he would prefer Barbrey to Catelyn." She said finishing her rant. Robert just hummed in thoughtful agreement. "Have you met Lady Tully?" She asked curiously.
"A few times," Robert said thinking about all the times he had seen her. He realized that he had only met her perhaps once in passing at a tourney prior to the Rebellion. Well, Lyanna didn't know, and it wasn't technically a lie. "She is the picture of a southern lady, very devout, and would do anything for her family. She practically breathes her house words."
"Hmm, well she'll have new house words eventually, hopefully the southern flower won't wilt when winter comes." Lyanna said dismissively
"She's a trout not a flower, maybe she'll freeze in the river." Robert said jokingly. He was pleased when he got an unladylike snort from Lyanna.
"You said she's devout, I can just imagine her looking down on all of Winterfell as tree worshiping savages." She said in a mocking tone.
"Not all of us look down on the old gods. My home still has a godswood with a weirwood tree. It has a very solemn face, reminds me of Ned actually." He said fondly. "Riverrun does as well if I am not mistaken." he continued trying to bring the conversation back to Catelyn.
"So, you count yourself among the devout? Does this have anything to do with your recent change of heart? Can you stomach me conducting my heathen rituals in the heart of Storm's End?" She said mockingly.
"Yes, and if you mean praying quietly near the Heart Tree then I think I can stomach it." Robert returned playfully.
"So you think you know a bit about the old ways?" Lyanna seemed slightly surprised.
"I know what Eddard was willing and able to share. I would honestly like to know more. I don't think our faiths are as incompatible as our ancestors would have believed" Robert responded thoughtfully. Lyanna gave him a curious look but said nothing encouraging Robert to continue. "Well, the old gods are gods of nature. Nature is wild and powerful, but ultimately simple and this is reflected in their worship and ways. The Seven Who Are One are a god of mankind. The complicated and sophisticated nature of man is reflected in the Faith and its ways. The gods care about different things, so there shouldn't be a problem venerating them all."
"Hmm," Lyanna replied, her hand on he chin in thought. "I guess that makes sense, just don't expect me to run to the nearest sept and prostrate myself before your statues."
"You're supposed to light candles not really bow before them, but I understand. I wouldn't want you to abandon your ways for me." Robert said with a smile. He was truly enjoying this time with her. It was simple and straight forward, none of the simpering, tittering, and demure smiles of southern noble ladies. The rest of the ride was spent in silence as they enjoyed the crisp winter day. The warmth he felt from the progress he had made kept the chill of the wind on his cheeks at bay.
When they arrived back at Winterfell, Lyanna thanked him for riding with her before excusing herself. Robert found himself with little to do for the next few hours. Normally, he would go practice at the tilts, but he had spent enough time on his horse today. Talking with Lyanna about the old gods reminded him that one of the reasons he had come here was to learn more, so decided to seek out Old Nan. It didn't take long to find her as the members of the Stark household were very helpful in directing him to the old nanny. She was sitting bundled up next to a roaring fire in the kitchens. As he entered she was about to stand but he gestured for her to stay seated.
"M'lord Baratheon, what can this old woman do for you?"
"I hear you tell good stories." Robert responded with a charming smile.
"Aye m'lord, that I do. Not so many Andal stories though."
"That's good, I've been hearing those all my life." He responded with a chuckle. "I was hoping to hear more about the North actually, and the old gods." Old Nan studied him with a wary gaze.
"I have many of those tales m'lord. Beggen' yer pardon, but I would not expect a southern lord to come here seeking old stories of the North."
"True, but if I am to ask Lyanna to come south with me, I should at least learn about her people and her gods." While this was true, Robert was also very interested in them for his own sake. Knowing that the old gods are real and are playing an active role in his life definitely fueled his curiosity in them.
"Well, you have been good to the Stark boys, m'lord. And you even treated my own brood kindly enough. I suppose that earns you a few stories." She smiled a mostly toothless smile. What followed was several hours of tales from the North's history and legend. She spoke of the children of the forest, the Rat Cook, Bran the Builder, and other stories of the old ways. Robert was fascinated by the tales, he figured much of it had to be exaggeration built up through retelling and wondered if anyone bothered to write all this down. Maybe he would commission someone to do it in the future.
After a while a servant found Robert and informed him that Lord Stark wished to see him in his solar. Robert thanked Old Nan for her stories and made his way to meet with the Lord of the North. After being invited in, he saw Lord Rickard sitting at his desk looking over some ledgers.
"Thank you for coming Lord Baratheon. I just spoke to my daughter, and it seems as if you have made a good impression on her. I believe her exact words were 'he isn't as bad as I thought'." The slightest grin appeared on the older lord's face. "Are you prepared to negotiate a dowry?"
"I'm sorry Lord Stark, I haven't exactly kept up with the Baratheon Ledgers, but I am not overly concerned with how much coin this marriage brings in. Whatever you feel is fair and honorable for House Stark and a lady of her station I will accept." Robert said, feeling slightly embarrassed as Lord Stark's face returned to it's normal stoicism.
"Hmm, many lords have left the handling of their estates to stewards and castellans with little harm being done. Good lords who work towards the betterment of their lands take a more active hand in their finances." He said gesturing towards the stacks of ledgers strewn across the desk. "No matter, if you are amenable we can discuss the terms of the betrothal."
"Thank you for your wise words, I don't think the agreement needs to be too complicated." Robert replied with a smile. In the end the betrothal was agreed upon. In the end they agreed to wait until after Lyanna was eight and ten name days for the wedding to be held. Robert insisted that the wedding be held in the Storm's End godswood before the heart tree before a ceremony would be held in the sept to make it official in the eyes of the faith. Lord Rickard was surprised by this, but appreciated Robert's interest in honoring his family in such a way.
Eventually it was time to join the rest of the Stark family in the great hall for the evening meal. Brandon was once again absent, and Robert happily enjoyed eating, drinking, and telling stories with the younger Stark siblings. Before Lord Stark arose and announced the official betrothal between Robert and Lyanna. Robert couldn't quite place the look on her face. She definitely didn't look excited or happy about it. She wore a gracious smile, but he could swear that there was a little sadness in her eyes.
"Not happy with the arrangement?" Robert asked quietly.
"No Lord Robert, It is perfectly acceptable." She replied politely.
"Hmm, then what has you so worried?" He pressed.
"It is not a good topic of conversation for such a place." She insisted
"Perhaps we can talk about it on another ride?" He offered.
"Yes, that would be nice. If you'll excuse me it has been a long day and I'd like to retire to my chambers." She stood and gave a curtsey to Robert before bidding good night to her family.
Robert, having secured a promise for another ride with Lyanna, decided to retire for the night as well. He was feeling great as he laid down to rest, but his dreams were once again troubled. He tossed and turned and jolted awake with Lyanna's voice still echoing in his head "promise me." Try as he might, he could recall nothing of his dreams but those haunting words. Restless and disturbed he itched for the solace of a sept, but unfortunately the nearest one was leagues away in white harbor. He thought for a moment and decided that the godswood would be the next best thing. He quickly donned a heavy cloak and left for the most sacred place in Winterfell.
Not but moonlight illuminated the snow laden trees of the ancient godswood. Robert couldn't help but feel on edge as he walked through the glittering darkness of the North's most sacred ground. He could almost feel a supernatural presence saturating the air long before he saw the blood red leaves and bone white bark of the weirwood heart tree. The eerie atmosphere did not deter him however, and he soon found himself standing before the heart of Winterfell. Steam rose from the hot spring lending an even more otherworldly feel to the place. He sat on a stone and began to pray, the sound of his whispered words disappearing into the misty darkness.
"King Robert?"
Robert jumped up from his seat and looked around.
"Who's there?" Robert called. In the fog over the pool, he saw a shadowy figure in the shape of a boy. He was vaguely familiar, but he couldn't make him out enough to recognize him.
"Come away Bran, it is not safe to spy on the usurper." An all too familiar and unpleasant voice called to the boy. Robert was stunned. Bran, as in Eddard's boy? How could he be here?
"But he heard me, you said the past couldn't be changed"
"Come away." The voice of the Crow commanded as a spectral hand clasped around the boy's shoulder, and a moment later the figures were gone. Robert stood gazing over the dark pool, watching the vapors swirl and twist in the still air as if nothing had happened, waiting to see if the boy would return. After what felt like an eternity, Robert finally let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in. He had just seen an apparition of Eddard's future son; he would absolutely question his sanity if he hadn't had the experience of returning from the dead in the past.
"Seven preserve me." He muttered as a wave of exhaustion came over him after the adrenaline spike he experienced from the supernatural encounter. He left the godswood as quickly as he could in the dark and returned to his chambers. Despite his physical fatigue he could not easily return to sleep. His mind was reeling from the implications of the experience. Bran had called him king, does that mean he fails to stop Rhaegar? He prayed to the seven, asking for guidance and peace. Eventually, he heard a small voice in his heart, the voice of the crone.
"Not all fates can be changed."
"Rest now." The voice of the mother continued, "your faith will be tested soon."
With that, Robert's body relaxed, his mind stilled, and he slowly drifted into sleep.
A/N Another chapter down, and my shortest yet I think. I really struggled getting this the way I wanted it. After the conversation with Lyanna, I had so many different ideas of where I wanted to go next that I had a hard time choosing exactly how I am going to get there. Also life has gotten in the way of me putting as much thought as I would like into it. Anyway, I am going to be dipping into show events a bit more, but I do want to stay more focused on book cannon and characters. Thank you all for your kind words and encouraging comments, I really do appreciate them, and they help motivate me to keep writing.