Chapter 80: The wayward son returns
22 AF
There is a three-year time jump since last chapter.
Check out the detailed family tree in the bio of my profile. Just delete the spaces between the parts of the link. The Tully family tree has also been added.
Robb
They arrived in the largest city of the North under the guidance of the warm afternoon sun. The weather had been clear for most of their trip and food had been plenty. The forests were filled with game, whilst wild rabbits lived in many of the hills. The fish in the White Knife and its tributaries were plenty and they had made good time. The southern parts of the North looked like another country in summer, but he knew better.
In winter, the White Knife would freeze over and the fish would be out of men's reach. The animals in the forests would disappear and the glowing hills would be covered by a carpet of snow and ice, often many feet deep.
Summer was beautiful and they all hoped it would be long, but it would never last. A Stark knew that summer was simply the time to prepare for winter. He had long started preparations and it seemed that they were necessary earlier than expected."
Nevertheless, he had enjoyed the seasonal differences on the land. What he had especially liked, were the other changes. On his way south, he had passed at least two dozen new hamlets and villages. Some on his own lands, which he knew well. Others were on the Cerwyn or Dustin lands. Even around White Harbor, new settlements seem to have sprung up.
At the gates of the city, they were welcomed by Harmond Umber. He was the consort to the heir and was designed to accompany him to the castle. On all sides of the roads stood thousands of people waiting to see their king and queen.
He waved and smiled at them, and so did Alys. His wife had changed out of her carriage a few miles before the city and had chosen to ride next to him as they made an entrance. Behind them rode their two youngest children. Jon rode alone on a small mare and Margaret Stark was seated together with his mother. Their three direwolves leisurely walked beside them to show their prowess, with Ghost only one row behind them.
His youngest daughter seemed to love the people's attention and she waved and blew kisses towards them all under the encouragement of his mother. His son Jon merely looked interested at the city around him, not the people. He had never been to White Harbor before, and his eleven-year-old son had been very excited to see the sailors and the silversmiths at work.
The cries of excitement of his seven-year-old daughter grew lauder and lauder as they got closer to the keep. She was the only one from his family who hadn't been to the Riverlands yet, therefore these were the most southern style buildings that she had ever seen.
They passed under the portcullis and were greeted with a small crowd of people waiting for them upon arrival. When he jumped of his horse, Lord Wylis Manderly bowed and ceremoniously called out. "White Harbor is yours, Your Grace."
Two familiar faces went to one knee next to the new Lord of White Harbor. To his left bowed his own brother. Bran seemed to have completed the trip before him, which wasn't surprising as Moat Cailin was much closer to White Harbor.
To his right bowed Lord Wylis young grandson Ser Wyman Manderly. He knew the future heir of House Manderly well, as he had been fostered in Winterfell for several years. At the age of fourteen he had left fosterage to gain his spurs for three years at the side of Lord Donnel Locke. Curiously, his daughter and heir Wynafryd only stood behind them on the second row.
"Thank you, Lord Wylis. It is always a pleasure to be under the roof of one of my most loyal bannermen." He replied, as he motioned for them all to get up.
"First and foremost, I would once again want to show my condolences about the loss of your father. Lord Wyman was one of the most intelligent advisors that I ever had. He was an invaluable source of guidance in my early reign, and it would be hard to find a more loyal or capable vassal than him anywhere in the kingdom. My house mourns his loss almost as much as yours does." He spoke loudly, for all in the courtyard to hear.
"I thank you for your kind words, Your Grace. The loss of my father weighs heavily on the entire household. Nevertheless, we will endure. The Manderlys have protected the mouth of the White Knife for House Stark for over a thousand years. This will never change." The new head of House Manderly responded.
"Thank you, Lord Wylis. I have no doubts that you will serve just as capable as your intelligent father." He voiced, which seemed to please the new head of House Manderly.
"Come, Your Grace. Let me introduce you to my household." The stout lord of White Harbor spoke.
Bran walked over to him first. "I know this one Manderly. This is no vassal of yours." He laughed and many in the courtyard joined in.
They hugged fondly. "Good to see you brother, it has been too long!"
"Aye, it has, but only because you deemed it my job to rebuild your damned fortress." His younger brother laughed loudly.
"It was the right choice. You are doing a fine job." He smiled, as he let go of his brother so he could greet mother and Jon.
Next up was Ser Wyman Manderly. He greeted the young knight warmly, as did Alys. "Did Prince Rickard accompany you, Your Grace?" The young Manderly asked.
"Sadly, he didn't. He oversees Winterfell, whilst we are down here. However, he will accompany me to Seaguard for the marriage of his sister in four months. If you would wish it, I would be happy to have you accompany us." He answered.
The lad gladly agreed, which brought a proud smile on his grandfather's face. It was clear that Wylis wanted his successors to remain close to Winterfell. A thing which he wholeheartedly supported. The Manderlys were one of his principal bannermen, and White Harbor was growing by the day. Good relations were more important than ever.
Wynafryd was as kind as ever, as she rejoined her husband. However, both seemed to play second fiddle in comparison to their own children and especially young Wyman, which he found strange. Nevertheless, the Manderly family seemed close and she seemed preoccupied with greeting her sister Wylla and her niece and nephews.
He was also introduced to Ser Wyman's new bride Alyssa Locke. She was the youngest daughter of Lord Donnel Locke and was the last significant move that the old Lord Wyman had made on the political cyvasse board. A shrewd move tying House Manderly's closest neighbor even closer to them.
They were led inside of the keep and shown their rooms. His daughter quickly ran off to play with Wynalda Manderly, Harmond and Wynafryd's youngest child. Little Jon asked him permission to run off with Jon's eldest son Edrick and Wyndar Manderly, the second son of House Manderly.
He both let them, but not without a Kingsguard and their direwolves to accompany them. It was good to foster true and honest relations with their vassals' children, but it was foolish to run around this castle without protection. White Harbor now counted over sixty thousand inhabitants, infiltrating it wouldn't be too difficult for someone with bad intentions.
After freshening up, he wanted to go pray. He told the Manderly knight as much, and the young man had surprised him by proposing to join him. Ser Wyman Manderly, his father Harmond Umber, Jon, Bran and he rode towards the Wolf's Den together with their guards and retainers. Together they prayed for a while, before riding back towards the New Castle.
"Ser Wyman, it surprises me that you still keep true to the Old Gods of your father instead of the New Gods of you mother." He voiced on their ride back.
"I keep to both, Your Grace. I am a Manderly and I was named in the light of the Seven. Nevertheless, my father and House Umber have always kept to the Old Gods. I pray to both equally, which I think suits my lands. Whilst most of White Harbor's population prays to the Seven, outside of the walls it is the other way around. In total the number of Seven believers in our lands is dwarfed by the Old Gods believers. I don't find it wrong that the lord adheres to both customs." The young knight replied.
"That is an interesting way of thinking. How do the pious vassals of White Harbor respond to this?" He asked him.
"Most stopped caring once it became clear that I adhered to all the customs that my house had always followed. I visit the Septs every seventh day and have prayed with many of them over the years. I have been knighted with the oils of the Seven in the Sept of the Snows like my grandfather and his ancestors before him. Only one or two surly families keep remarking upon it, but the vast majority doesn't care anymore." He replied.
"Do your siblings believe the same?"
"No, and that might help with the vassals too. My sisters only follow the Seven, whilst my brother keeps to both as well. Nevertheless, Wyndar tends to lean towards the Seven too, whilst I keep to both in similar capacity. It might have something to do with the time that I have spent with my father and the years in Winterfell and Oldcastle." The young man shrugged.
It was an interesting piece of information that he would discuss with his family later, for now they needed to get back to the keep. Many people still took to the streets when they saw them ride back from the Wolf's Den, but the presence of Grey Wind, Summer and Ghost deterred them from ever blocking their way.
That night, the Manderlys hosted a great feast in their honor. Almost all of their vassals attended, as did many neighboring houses like the Lockes, the Woolfields and the Hornwoods. The actual funeral of Lord Wyman had already passed weeks before, but the feast was still held in his memory.
The next morning, he had an audience with Lord Wylis. His usual Master of Ships had been absent from the council the past three months, and he wanted to catch up with him on what was going on. He also had some things to discuss with him.
His son Jon would spend the morning with his namesake uncle and his sons exploring the harbor and the fleet. Young Wyndar Manderly would accompany them, as well as the young sons from Houses Locke and Hornwood.
Margaret would spend the early day with Alys, Wynafryd and Lady Berena Hornwood, formerly Umber, and their daughters. Jon's youngest daughter Wenda would join them too. They had planned to do some embroidery together. They would all join together for lunch, as the ship was expected to arrive in the afternoon.
He walked up to the solar together with Cedric Cerwyn. Eddara's old sworn shield was one of his usual Wolfsguard now, as he had no one to protect anymore ever since his eldest married into House Glover.
Torr usually protected the Queen. The third senior member of his guard, Harmond Turrel, had sadly passed away last winter. His replacement had been Ser Podrick Paege, Halmon Paege's second son. The young knight was very impressive with a sword and had by now integrated well into the order.
His uncle had become too old and sickly to travel with him. He had stayed home to rest and help advice Rickard where needed. In total, four Wolfsguard had joined him on his trip to White Harbor. Torr, Cedric, Ser Jeremy Bigglestone and Ser Edmyn Grey. While a fifth member of their order, namely Ser Benedict Blackwood, had accompanied Bran from Moat Cailin. This left four members, including his great-uncle, in Winterfell to watch over the rest of his family.
A Manderly guardsman stood guard outside the pine wooden door. He bowed before him first, notifying his lord of his arrival right after. Cedric took place next to the guard, while he entered.
Lord Wylis was as hospitable as ever. "Please, Your Grace, sit and have some wine. I wanted to talk to you about a matter of things, first of a family matter."
He took a seat in front of the large man. The seat was decorated with soft cushions and wine, cheese and a variety of small raw fish were spread out on the table in front of him. He thanked his vassal for the gesture and took a small herring and a glass of light red wine.
"A family matter, Lord Wylis?" He asked.
The stout lord sighed. "Aye, Your Grace. Over the last few years, we have heard rumblings from some of our vassals about my lack of a male heir. When my father sat on your council, it was I who ruled White Harbor with my daughter Wynafryd helping me as my heir. This led to some murmurings, but they grew much louder when my father and I swapped places."
"For the last three or four years, my father's health was slowly deteriorating. This, together with his somewhat larger size made it difficult for him to perform some of his lordly duties. Wynafryd performed many of them, whilst my father spent more and more time grooming my grandson together with Harmond. During this period, open criticism started to be heard about Wynafryd's sex, not only by our own vassals but also by other Northern nobles and contacts in the Free Cities."
Since my father's passing, this criticism has taken new proportions. My daughter is very capable, but I fear that House Manderly's influence will decline due to the lack of respect that many seem to have for her.
"All of this simply because she is a woman?" He inquired.
"Mostly, yes. You must remember that women ruling is not the norm in the North and my daughter is no fierce Mormont. Many of my vassals are pious followers of the Seven and they fear that Harmond, a believer of the Old Gods, will come to rule through her instead." Wylis started explaining.
"Harmond is a very capable man that has helped me and my father greatly over the last two decades. However, he has come down here with a few dozen of his friends from all over the North and throughout the years many have acquired small lands in the area, either through marriage or by gift of my father for loyal service. Others, who have proven capable, have been gifted positions in the household. Some of the older families feel threatened, whilst even some of Harmond's old friends believe that a woman should not rule. Many of the merchant princes across the Narrow Sea feel the same way."
He scratched his beard in contemplation. This was a serious issue. Ever since he had been a kid, the Manderlys had been steadfast and loyal. They had a firm grip on White Harbor and a lot of influence on the neighboring houses around them. During his reign, White Harbor had further grown in size and importance. If their succession was to become problematic, it would severely weaken his kingdom.
"That is a serious issue. I do not have an immediate solution. Nevertheless, you want me to help you?" He asked.
"Aye, Your Grace, because I have a solution, but I need your help to reinforce it." The Lord of White Harbor responded. He simply raised his eyebrow, motioning him to continue talking.
"If I were to make my grandson Wyman the heir, all problems would go away. Most of the pious Seven believers would be pacified, as Wyman attends service with them every week. Many of Harmond's old friends and the few Old Old Gods believing families native to the area would be elated, as they see my grandson as one of their own. He is an adult male Manderly, and a knight besides, which would also silence those nobles and foreigners skeptical of a woman's rule." Lord Wylis unfolded his plan.
He continued. "More importantly, he has been groomed by my father for years and has become very capable under not only his, but also yours, mine, Lord Locke's and Harmond's, tutelage."
He thought back about the talk that he had had with the young knight yesterday. He also thought back about the five years that the boy had spent with him and the boy's great-grandfather in Winterfell. Lord Wyman had spent some daily time with his great-grandson. He had thought him many important things about ruling, most of the time over a game of cyvasse or a good meal. He had always known the young man to be capable, even during his childhood he had shown promise.
"What do you want from me, Lord Manderly?" He asked carefully.
"I would want you to confirm my grandson as heir after I announce it, Your Grace. Skipping over Wynafryd is no small matter and many will try to use it to undermine my family. Some of the smallfolk may even openly oppose the decision, as my daughter is adored in the city. Having said that, none will ever question the decision when it is backed by their mythical king, who freed them from the shackles of the South." The older man explained, grinning slightly at the exaggeration at the end.
He chuckled about the dramatic way the plan was presented too. "I understand your reasoning, Lord Wylis. I don't even oppose it. I know your grandson to be a promising young knight, who has the potential to be just as capable as his great-grandfather and namesake."
He could see the pride well up in Manderly's chest as he praised his grandson. "However, there is one big problem from me." He saw the eyebrows of the lord in front of him tighten.
"What do Wynafryd and Harmond think of this? I will not make enemies of them. Harmond is a friend of mine and Wynafryd is a good friend of my wife and sisters. I will not stab them in the back."
Wylis Manderly simply smiled. "This honors you greatly, Your Grace, but that is no problem at all." He rummaged through his desk until he got two sealed scrolls that he put in between them on the table.
"These are formal documents, containing both their acceptances of the plan." He explained.
He picked up one of the scrolls and read it.
I, Wynafryd Manderly, daughter of Lord Wylis Manderly and heir to White Harbor hereby relinquish my claim on my family's lands in favor of my son Ser Wyman Manderly and his line.
I do this on the sole condition that I will be awarded with a financial endowment until the time of my death.
The letter was not only written in her hand, but her seal was also applied to it. He recognized both from her correspondence with Alys. The next letter was the same, but with Harmond's name.
"What did they get for agreeing with this?" He immediately asked.
His vassal laughed loudly. "Very shrewd response, Your Grace. Wynafryd will remain part of the lord's council until her death and will get a large endowment so she can spend the rest of her live in luxury while still advising me and later her children and remaining close to her family." He nodded approvingly. Wynafryd was an intelligent woman. White Harbor would benefit from her council.
"Harmond's is similar. He will be appointed as captain of the guards. This will allow him to stay near his son and protect him and his reign, a condition that he wouldn't budge on. Lastly, Harmond will be given some lands to the southeast of the city and all of its incomes. The lands include a small holdfast with a tower along the water, two fishing villages and a farming village, as well as a few spread out farmsteads. These lands will be governed by Harmond until his death, after which they will be inherited by his second son Wyndar."
He thought that over. The lands were unexpected, but it was a clever way to solve things. Harmond got lands to call his own and by making the second Manderly son the heir he got some independence from his eldest son and future lord. It also solved Wyndar's inheritance early, which might prevent strife with his brother when the time came.
He carefully looked it all over for a second time, thinking of things that he might have forgotten. After a while, he simply looked in the eyes of his trusted advisor. "This seems to be in order. When you declare Wyman your heir, I will support your decision. I even propose you do it in the remaining days that I am here, although not tonight. That way I can support you in person for most of your vassals and allies."
Wylis' face split open in a wide grin. "Thank you, Your Grace. My grandson won't disappoint you after I am gone, I promise you that!"
"I do not doubt it." He smiled back. "Now I had something else to discuss with you as well, Lord Wylis. I wanted your advice on a few things."
"Certainly, Your Grace, I am glad to be of service." The stout lord replied immediately.
"My council will undergo some changes in the future. Lord Jason Mallister has resigned from his job as Master of Laws citing that he wishes to spend his remaining years with his son and grandsons. He has gone south with us on the Kingsroad but kept going towards the Riverlands. He will be in Moat Cailin by now and will help arrange the wedding of his grandson Jeffory and my daughter Sarra. However, he needs to be replaced and I would ask you for your advice on who you would nominate." He explained.
Lord Wylis thought about it for a little while, before commenting. "You said that the council will undergo multiple changes? What are the others?"
"My brother Jon has resigned as Hand of the King. He wants to focus on developing Sea Dragon Point and help his people survive the winter. Lord Harrion Karstark will be his replacement. Lord Karstark has served on the council before, and he was educated by Lord Rickard together with me. He will do well." He responded.
"Lord Harrion will do well. Karhold and White Harbor have held good relations for years now and I will be looking forward to working together with him. The next generations of our families will call themselves family as well. Harmond's sister married Lord Harrion and the Karstark heirs are cousins to my grandchildren." Lord Wylis nodded and then smiled.
"Aye, Harrion held off on serving in my council for years now. Now that both his eldest sons are married and his heir Edric is expecting his first child with my Bolton niece, he feels like he can leave Karhold in safe hands and that his family is secure."
"Now back to the issue at hand … a successor to Lord Jason for the position of Master of Laws. Why not take someone with experience as advisor in the council?" His vassal asked him.
"Who do you propose?" He countered back with a question.
"Lords Cerwyn, Mallery and Deddings would fit the job. Lord Brune could be considered as well, I suppose. I myself would propose Lord Cerwyn, but I understand that you would need to tread lightly whilst balancing out the kingdoms. If it needs to be a Riverlander, I would go for Lord Mallery." The Lord of White Harbor responded.
He nodded at that, both decent choices. "Thank you, My Lord."
"Now on to the outside news, I assume that you have heard of King Willas Tyrell's death?" He asked his Master of Ships.
"Aye, Your Grace. They say that he suddenly never woke up. I hear that some have their doubts."
He nodded. "Whatever the case he is dead now. His heir Prince Garlan Tyrell will soon be crowned king. This may prove problematic. With Willas, the last vestiges of peace may perish. This Garlan is said to be ambitious. Most of the traditional advisors in Highgarden like Olenna Tyrell, Randyll Tarly, Baelor Hightower and Matthis Rowan have long died."
"I am told that the prince surrounds himself with other influential nobles of his age such as Lord Osgood Peake, Lord Gerold Hightower, Lord Humfrey Rowan, Ser Garth Footly and Ser Alyn Oakheart. He will also be advised by older lords who were influential in his father's court such as Lord Hobber Redwyne and the prince's uncle Lord Dickon Tarly."
The Lord of Whiter Harbor listened to him intently. He paused to take a sip of wine, before continuing his story.
"The problem with that is that most of these advisors are militaristic in nature. Lord Dickon Tarly sees in himself the successor to his father Randyll and wishes to prove this on the battlefield on his own, instead of only as his late father's right hand. Lord Hobber Redwyne wishes to restore his family's honor after their humiliation against the ironborn decades ago. Lord Humfrey Rowan and Ser Garth Footly are documented to have openly cursed me and my house for the lands they had lost in the peace treaty almost two decades ago. To make matters worse, claimants of many knightly houses that once lived north of the Goldroad have settled in the court at Highgarden, some even befriending the prince."
The frown upon Lord Wylis head steadily grew deeper. "Do you think that war is coming?"
He scratched his bear. "I don't know. However, it will not come soon. The Reach is not yet ready for war and the new king will need to settle internal affairs first. He will need to placate the lords and show himself decisive. Afterwards, he could try to fulfill his ambition and try to reconquer lost lands. It seems that the Faith Militant has the ear of the young Tyrell prince too. This doesn't bode well."
He inhaled sharply. "Yet, we have been saved by the Maesters for now. Only days after the dead of the Tyrell king, they have announced the arrival of autumn. No war will be waged during winter. Nevertheless, we need to be prepared by summer."
"Aye, the white raven, I have gotten one too. It seems that after the last long summer, the Gods have only seen to give us a short one this time." Lord Manderly replied.
He nodded. "However, most of the stocks are high enough. Have you started importing food?"
"Aye, we have. Massive shipments of grain, stockfish and dried fruits have been delivered over the last two months. These shipments will continue to arrive from both the Vale and Braavos over the next months, even increasing in volume. The stores of White Harbor and most of our vassals are full already and we are in the process of selling food to the Hornwoods, Woolfields, Slates and Cerwyns. Your brother has already inquired about this before your arrival, and we will start selling him specific foods for Moat Cailin's stores too." His vassal told him.
"Very well, do you have any idea on how the other lords of the eastern coast are faring?"
"Aye, the Lockes and Flints of Widowswatch are importing food from the Vale as well. In lower quantities, but more than enough to fill their own personal stocks. The Boltons and Karstarks are importing some food from Braavos as well, although I don't know how much. The Skagosi seem to be buying some second hand from the Karstarks. Our harvests over the last four years have been plentiful as well. During those times we have sold grain to some of the neighboring houses. We sold some to Winterfell as well, Your Grace."
"I remember." He nodded. "I have recently made a deal with Lord Andar Royce. He has agreed to sell Winterfell ten thousand tons of corn, barley, wheat and as much as ten thousand dried pumpkins. I count on your men and infrastructure to put them onto barges to sail up the White Knife. Your men will be compensated by me at their usual rates. You can send me a list of the costs afterwards."
"Of course, Your Grace, that won't be a problem."
"I am in talks with Pentos and Myr too. Similar deals may come your way, but I will let you know before any shipment leaves harbor." His vassal simply bowed his head to signify his compliance.
"May I ask how is the rest of the North faring? Less shipments of food have gone out from White Harbor than last autumn and late summer. Even with the extra deals and the number of shipments rising, less food will have come through my lands." Lord Wylis asked.
"Aye, that is true. The North will be prepared for winter. The explanation to less passage through White Harbor is fivefold." He commenced his explanation.
"Firstly, we enjoyed a short winter. Many ate from their stores during much of the spring, whilst already replenishing them with fresher alternatives by early summer. Secondly, the Riverlands have once again become one of the breadbaskets of Westeros after their recovery. Many of its food surpluses go towards their towns in Duskendale, Riverport, Fairmarket and Maidenpool, but large shipments of grain, fruits and wines have continuously been transported north during the summer either from Seaguard or through the Kingsroad. Once temperatures drop, dried sausages will be imported as well as Northern winter temperatures make them almost indefinitely storable."
Lord Wylis listened carefully, as it was White Harbor's business to know why there had been lower demand of their infrastructure.
"Thirdly, the North has produced more food than it has ever before. During spring and summer many new farmsteads and fishing villages were created now that the adult population has started growing. Fourthly, the emergence of Barrowton is finally bearing fruit, quite literally that is. Its harbor has been expanded and food imports from Seaguard and the Westerlands are becoming common. The Flints of Flint's Finger profit from the passing ships as well."
"Fiftly, as you mentioned, many lords have begun to import food themselves. For example, Lord Harrion Karstark has betrothed his daughter Lysara to the Blackwood heir, as part of their negotiations the Blackwoods have been exporting parts of their excess foods from Maidenpool to Karhold every year. The Sumbers have arranged a similar deal with other Riverlander and Stormlander houses for House Umber."
"All in all, the North is in good hands. The southern and central parts of the kingdom will easily be able to survive a long winter. The east will hold its own. The problem areas for now are in the northwest. The lands of Houses Whitefyre, Mormont, Glover, Shield, as well as the Mountain Clans aren't ready for winter yet, but food transports from the Reach, Riverlands and Westerlands are underway. I am confident that these areas will be able to feed their larger population during this winter as well."
"Thank you, Your Grace. To come back to the earlier point, what will you do about the Reach?" Lord Wylis inquired.
"I will extend extra loans to Houses Mossbridge, Sumber, Paverell and Menning. All four are new houses on the border and some of their keeps aren't as strong as I would like them yet. This will hurt the royal coffers, but we can make it work. I will also look to create a plan to destroy all the undefendable crossings over the Blackwater in case of an invasion. If you have any additional ideas, be free to let me know." He replied.
"Very well, Your Grace."
"Now could you update me on the workings of the fleet here?"
"Certainly!" The stout man smiled proudly. They talked about the Manderly fleet for the next hour and how he would deal with an invasion from the sea if there ever was to come one.
Next, he had lunch with his own extended family and that of House Manderly. He spent some more time with his family afterwards, until finally a guard disturbed them. "Your Grace, a ship with direwolf sails has been spotted. It will make landfall in the harbor within the hour." He thanked the guard and picked his daughter Margaret up.
"Let's go prepare to welcome your uncle, will we?" He asked her and she screamed her agreement loudly.
Less than an hour later, they all found themselves on the docks in the harbor, as a large merchant cog in Pentosi style docked onto the pier. It sported a grey sail with a black direwolf on it.
After the gangplank was installed, Shaggydog ran from the boat onto the pier. He ran past the whole family and all their direwolves until he reached solid ground, scaring many of the sailors and workers on the shore. Once on the ground he howled and whined happily, whilst rolling around in a patch of dirt next to a storage hut.
Grey Wind looked at him for permission and he nodded. Immediately, his companion raced after his brother with the three other direwolves following behind him. They tackled their rolling brother and happily greeted each other with a collection of howls, bites and barks.
"Is it too obvious to say that he didn't like the water much?" A voice laughed from behind him.
When he turned around, he saw Rickon walking down the gangplank onto the pier. It was unmistakably his brother, but he had visibly changed. He was clad in a grey tunic of Essosi style without arms and a black direwolf was stitched on the front of it. On his belt hung an assortment of weapons. A Northern sword, an Essosi dagger and a small, weird-looking axe. Two throwing knives were bound around his right leg.
His long auburn hair was kept in a bun behind his head to keep it out of his face. He sported a short, clean beard, but a white scar ran through it on the left side of his face. His face was bronzed like he had never seen before, but his blue eyes shone with mischief as they had always done. His uncovered arms sported more scars, small and large, and they consisted of significantly more muscle than when he had left.
When Rickon stepped forward towards, it was clear that he was holding something against his chest behind a light black cloak, but he could not see what.
He walked forward towards his little brother with his arms wide open, ready to squeeze him in a bear hug. When he got close, Rickon jumped back and held his hand out to keep him back. "No, don't, please. You'll wake her."
His eyebrows rose to his hairline, as he looked differently at the large bundle in his brother's arms. From behind him, their mother rushed eager to take her youngest child in her arms for the first time in almost four years. "Oh Rickon, I have missed you so. I have been so worried!" She cried out, for once forgetting all decorum.
Rickon pushed her back gently, not allowing her to hug him, which she didn't like. "What do you think you are doing Rickon Stark? Do you think a bronze skin and some new scars make you too tough to hug your worried mother?!" She chastised him loudly.
"Shht! Don't scream. You'll wake … oh damned be the Gods." He cursed, as sleepy sounds could be heard from behind his cloak. By that time, some of his brother's companions had left the ship and they stood behind Rickon. They all looked sheepishly, as expecting trouble which they didn't want to be a part off.
Once Morgan Barclay saw him look at them, the long absent Kingsguard quickly went to one knee. His brother's other companions quickly followed suit, but they all did their very best to look away from their family and avoid eye contact. Ser Edmund Blackwood seemed to have seen something very interesting in the sea below.
His mother next to him looked at her youngest son in shock and for once it was not because of his casual use of blasphemy. He shared looks with Jon, Bran and Alys, their eyes equally as large as his.
"What is that?" She asked in shock. Rickon scoffed. "Really, mother? Who is that is what you should be asking. Let me present you to your youngest granddaughter, Vala." His brother told them, as he pulled away his cloak.
They looked at the back of a small head of dark brown hair. Rickon twisted his arm and suddenly they looked into a pair of very young eyes. Those eyes were bright blue, Tully blue. Her skin color was different than theirs. It reminded him of the Dornish somewhat.
Once the little girl saw them all look at her in shock, she quickly hid back in Rickon's chest. "Who is that?" His mother almost screeched.
His youngest brother rolled his eyes. "As I mentioned before, that is your granddaughter mother."
"She doesn't look like a newborn." Jon remarked stoically.
"Aye, she had her first name day a few months before we shipped in in Pentos." Rickon replied.
"You hid a child for us for over a year?" Bran asked as his eyebrows were halfway up his forehead. "I have to tell you brother, that is extreme even for you."
Rickon scratched the back of his head. "Aye, I didn't know how to tell you by letter. Best I show you, I thought. Before Robb ordered me to leave her behind or something."
He looked towards his little brother. "Why would I ever ask you to leave our blood behind? She is yours, that much is clear from her eyes even if the rest of her is foreign to us."
Rickon let out a sigh. "I didn't know how you would react. Best to be prepared for the worst." His brother explained.
Their mother cut them off. "Send her back? Why would Robb do that? What kind of a name is Vala? Did you marry an Essosi woman without telling us? Where is this woman?" Their mother started ranting and he had to do his best not to look away in embarrassment. His mother was the only one who hadn't judged the situation well.
A small look of sadness passed over Rickon's face and he hugged the little girl in his arms closer. "Her mother died in childbirth. She was the daughter of a local inn keep in Selhorys. She left her home to come with me when the Second Sons and I passed through the city."
Now the puzzle pieces started to visibly fall in their place in his mother's mind. "You … you brought back an Essosi bastard?" She almost spit out.
Rickon's face immediately turned hard. "I brought back my daughter. She has no one else in this world except for me. Besides, I would prefer it if we don't hold this conversation in front of her. She understands more than you think."
"I don't care what you think!" His mother screamed for half the harbor to hear. "You run off to Essos one day to tour Braavos and Pentos. Suddenly, we get word that you are travelling from Myr to Volantis over land THROUGH THE DISPUTED LANDS. Instead of going home as you should, you let us know that you are travelling to Norvos and Qohor over the Rhoyne. Do you return after that? No! You then join a damn sellsword company as if you are nothing more than a common alleyway cutthroat? NOW YOU BRING BACK A BASTARD?! This is too much Rickon, even for you!"
Then his old mother did something that he had never seen before. She started crying in public. She wiped it away with the sleeve of her beautiful blue woolen dress, before turning around and walking away from her family. Shaggydog passed her, as he quickly took back his place next to Rickon.
You could see the anger, shock and hurt on his little brother's face over their mother's words. These emotions were reflected in Shaggy and the direwolf started growling lowly. Grey walked up to them and barked sharply at Shaggy, the two direwolves that had just been playing now squaring off against each other.
"Don't make me send her away, Robb. I won't do it. If you send her away, I will go to. I will never set foot in the North again. Don't make me do this." His brother pleaded. It was clear that he was desperate, but his body language told them that he was serious. The way that he protectively held this little girl and how Shaggy was feeling threatened, it was clear that he loved his daughter.
He inhaled and exhaled slowly, as all eyes turned towards him. He looked at the mop of brown hair that had drilled itself into Rickon's tunic. He turned back to his brother's blue eyes, who looked at him with both determination and fear.
"Vala, is it?" He asked.
Rickon nodded. "Aye, it is the only thing that her mother could ever give her. I couldn't bring myself to change it."
"Vala Snow", he tasted the name in his mouth. "Unusual, but it will work."
His little brother looked at him in confusion, until his eyes turned wide. "You … you mean that we can stay." He simply nodded. Rickon burst into a face wide grin. "I thought with mother and everything …"
"No kin of mine will be banished from my kingdom, especially not because of who her mother was or who she wasn't." He replied, a finality in his voice that he often used when making rulings.
He meant it. She may be a bastard, but she was still Rickon's. Starks had had bastards before, and they would so again. She was part of the pack whether his mother wanted it or not. He would not abandon her or his brother to become lone wolves and die alone.
You could see a weight dropping from his brother's shoulders, as he came forward to him and his siblings. He put his arm around him carefully, not to crush his young daughter. In his ear he whispered. "Thank you, brother. I owe you." Like nothing happened, he similarly hugged Bran and Jon and kissed Alys' hand, before turning to the children.
His son had already forgotten the drama and went straight to the questioning. "Uncle Rickon, will you tell me about Essos? Have you seen snakes? Did you really fight battles with a sellsword company? Are there still dragons in Valyria? Did Shaggy miss me?"
Rickon laughed loudly. "Yes, yes, yes, no and yes." He replied, as he ruffled the boy's head, who smiled up at him with excitement about the fact that somebody could finally answer his questions about the other side of the world.
He crouched down towards Margaret. "Do you remember me?" He asked her and she nodded shyly.
"Good, because I only have gifts for little princesses that remember their uncles." Rickon winked and she smiled back widely. "I'll give it to you tonight, good?" She nodded enthusiastically. Then he continued on to Jon's children.
He took a step back. "Is that you Wenda? You have grown into a beautiful young woman. Where is your older sister?" Jon's daughter smiled. "Aye, it's me, uncle. Lyanna is with her husband and son in Torrhen's Square."
Rickon scratched his beard. "Aye, that makes sense. I'll just have to visit her myself then. Maybe, you can join me? If your moody father allows it?" Their youngest sibling looked towards Jon with a cheeky grin, who just sighed at his antics. All Jon's children laughed loudly.
"We leave within the month." Rickon winked at Wenda, who smiled back broadly.
Next up were Jon's sons Edrick and Benjen. He told them how much stronger they looked than before he had left. He also promised both gifts and to tell them about all his battles and adventures."
When he had made his rounds, Rickon looked back at all of them. "Now it is time you reacquaint yourself with my companions, I guess. I have a member of the Kingsguard who is dying to see his king again." He joked, but he simply cocked his eyebrow at him.
"What?" His brother asked, a collective sigh from the family was his deserved response.
"We want to see the baby!" His seven-year-old daughter screamed what they were all thinking.
"Oh, well that is normal I guess." Rickon pulled the girl out of his tunic, which she didn't let go off easily. He placed her in front of him on the ground, but she immediately clung to his leg softly whining. Shaggy walked in front of her and started licking her forehead, which seemed to calm the young girl.
"She is a little shy." Rickon shrugged. "She doesn't get that from me." He grinned awkwardly, which elicited real laughter from his siblings.
"Oh, that much we know, brother." Bran quipped, which made them all laugh even louder.
"Vala, look to your father." Rickon softly said, as he squatted down to his daughter. She looked at him intently.
"These people are family. They are the people I tell you stories about before you go to sleep. You know that I told you that there are more direwolves and that they are pack?"
The little girl nodded towards him. "That are those wolves." Rickon explained, as he pointed towards Grey Wind, Ghost and the others.
The little girl turned around and cocked her head. "Olf?"
"Aye, wolf very good. Do you want to look at the other wolves?" He asked his daughter.
"Uhuh", she nodded affirmatively. He picked the little girl's hand, and she waggled over towards him, flanked on one side by an overprotective direwolf and on the other by an overprotective father.
She stopped in front of Grey and had to look up towards him to look into his eyes. Grey answered her stare intensely. "Ouch?" She asked Rickon.
"Aye, you can touch, Vala." She waggled closer to the direwolf on her own. Suddenly, Rickon looked towards him in shock. "She can, can she?" He nodded. "Grey won't hurt her."
His companion bowed down and with her tiny hand she petted his belly, while he sniffed her. He heard his direwolves thoughts in his mind. "Smells a bit different, but still pack." He almost had to grin about the blunt honesty in which his companion summarized the truth in his head.
After meeting all the wolves and the whole family, Rickon picked her up again. Bran and Jon talked with their brother's companions, as the other members of the Wolfsguard reacquainted themselves with Barclay.
Rickon had picked up Vala and put her on his shoulders. Margaret had become jealous, so he had picked her up as well. Together they walked down the pier, back to the shore. Hundreds of people were staring at them. Apparently, a king and a prince carrying their daughters on their shoulders whilst both being flanked by eight feet tall adult direwolves. He was vaguely aware that his daughter was playing with the crown on his head, but he didn't care.
"You have a lot to explain, brother." He chuckled. Rickon sighed. "I know, Robb."
"Little Jon's direwolf has grown massively and Margaret's pup is new?" He voiced, after a while.
"Aye, Grey and Mathir had a new litter." He responded. His son Rickard had named the female companion of his direwolf. It meant mother in the Old Tongue, he thought it appt seeing that she was the mother of his children's' wolves. "Summer and Aintir", which meant aunt in the Old Tongue, "have gotten another litter as well. Bran's daughters now have direwolves too."
He saw the glint in his brother's eyes and had to shut that down immediately. "No, Rickon, she isn't getting a direwolf. I will accept her into the family. I will accept her into Winterfell. I will give her a room in the family wing. I will get her an education worthy of a Stark's daughter. I will even arrange a good noble marriage for her and take care of her dowry if you want me to, but she won't be getting a direwolf. You know the laws that I have made on the subject. I will not deviate from that."
His brother looked at him, and they locked eyes until he finally relented. "I know. Only people with the name Stark get a wolf, otherwise all families will simply intermarry us until they acquire their own. Still her father's name is Stark that should count for something." He complained.
"Vala won't get a wolf?" Margaret asked above him. He looked up towards her. "No, she won't. However, you can let her play with yours. Maybe she would like that." He told his daughter. His little girl just nodded happily in response. In her mind they were already playing together.
"Oh, and about that dowry, I don't think that will be necessary." His brother told him.
He simply raised his eyebrow. "We made quite a bit of coin on our journey through Essos. Edrick Cassel had the idea of buying small amounts of trade wares in Pentos when we travelled to Myr. We sold them later for profit. We have all been doing that every time we travelled the past three years. Besides that, we made good coin serving in the Second Sons and gained our fair share of loot too. We all have our own chest of gold and silver that we have brought back North."
He let that information sink in. "That's smart of all of you. Their families will be happy. All of those that see their members return that is."
Rickon just looked into the distance, his face hardening and his eyes filling with sorrow. His brother had originally left with a ship filled with fifty guards, a Kingsguard and twenty-one noble companions from all over the North. He had sent back all guards that wished to go home when he left Myr, only eight had chosen to stay with him on his journey. Denys Dustin and Artos Locke had also gone home then, but the other nobles had chosen to stay.
Of his twenty-eight companions, eleven had died. Three of them had been guards, eight had been nobles. Amongst them had been cousins to Lords Ryswell, Blackwood, Locke and Flint of Flint's Finger, two clansmen of different clans, the fourth son of Lord Woolfield and the younger brother of Lord Lake.
He put a hand on his brother's back. "I know what it is to lose friends and war companions and to be the one they look to when things get difficult. I will not judge you for the choices you have made and the consequences they had."
Rickon smiled sadly at him. "Thank you for that, brother. I do have a few requests to make." He asked him, whilst they walked towards the horses that were waiting for them at the harbor together with the Manderlys.
"Name them."
"The eight guards that remained for me. They didn't have to do so. They risked their lives for me daily. The three that died had become friends by the time they passed. I want you to find out where their families live. I want to visit them, and I want them taken care of." Rickon began.
He thought that over quickly. Most of these men would have joined because of the opportunity to see the world or the hope of gaining riches. Nonetheless, it could inspire loyalty in the area he ruled for only a very small price to pay. "It shall be done." He answered.
His brother smiled at that. "The other five … I want them raised to nobility and I want lands to be given to them."
He frowned at that. "Brother, I can't simply bestow lands to all commoners who serve well and whom we bond with."
"Why not? You and uncle Edmure gave a hedge knight a lordship for saving his life during the war. All five of them saved mine, multiple times." He was countered.
He thought it over. "I can't give them lands, but I will investigate the possibility of having them raised into landless nobility. Maybe they can be knighted or something. I will also offer them service in either Winterfell or Moat Cailin's household for fair compensation if they wish it."
"That'll have to do, I suppose." Rickon replied. "Lastly, I want you to organize a meeting for me with Lord Manderly."
"Organize a meeting? Rickon, you are a prince of House Stark. I don't have to arrange meetings for you. All doors open when you say your name even without my assistance." He responded confused.
"I know that, but your help will be appreciated for what I am about to ask him." He signaled for him to continue.
"I want a ship to be built for me, a trading cog. Not part of the Manderly fleet, but for me alone and I want to find a ship captain to steer it. I made a lot of contacts in some of the Free Cities and maybe I'll want to go back there someday. Until then, it could give me some coin to spend and pass onto Vala and possible other siblings of her one day. Something that is mine, not simply from Winterfell's coffers. I can pay for it to be built from the coin that I made on my travels. Trade could pay for the crew and maintenance."
"Siblings? Are you finally considering marriage?" He asked.
"Not now, but maybe someday I will."
He nodded appreciatively. "Well come to me when you feel that you are ready. I will ask for a talk with Lord Manderly tomorrow. I will stand as guarantor for the build, that way he won't be able to refuse you. However, it might be better to wait for spring. Seas will be dangerous during winter for a new captain and crew to cross the Narrow Sea."
Rickon looked pensively at that. "I will be remaining home the next few years anyway. I can wait until spring. We will just need to implore Lord Manderly to have it finished by early spring."
He laughed. "That won't be a problem." He put his arm around his brother's shoulder, as Vala and Margaret smiled silently at each other. "It is good to have you back brother. I am glad that you will be staying home."
"I will still be travelling around the kingdom. I must show Vala the Wall and the Neck and everything in between. However, I will be staying in the North for the next years. She already lost her mother. She deserves to have a father."
This is it for this chapter.
Lord Wyman Manderly has died, and Robb's council is changing. Jon will be focusing more on his lands and family, intending on creating a stronghold for his family to thrive in. We get to know Jon's family better, as well as Robb's two youngest children. Robb's eldest gets his first experience ruling Winterfell in his absence.
Robb is seen ruling and helps avoid a Manderly succession crisis. We get an insight on how the North is dealing with the upcoming winter (after a short summer). This is the most important part of Robb's reign, as it will make or break demographic and economical growth. Robb's alliances (Royce!) and those of his vassals (Manderly-Hunter e.g.) prove their use.
Willas Tyrell has died, and his son now rules the Reach. The young Garlan Tyrell seems much less cautious than his late father and trouble may be brewing there. Nonetheless, the arrival of autumn has made hostilities impossible … for now.
Rickon returns home, after almost four years in Essos. He has visited most of the Free Cities, sailed the Rhoyne, fought in a sellsword company (the Second Sons just as his great-great-grandfather Rodrik the Wandering Wolf) and made a small fortune. He has lost friends and gained scars, maturity and experience. More importantly, he brought home a bastard daughter Vala.
Catelyn is very upset, relating to her personal trauma around bastards. Robb and the rest of the Stark family accept his bastard daughter as one of their own. Rickon speaks with Robb and shows how he has grown and what his plans for the future are. He shows to the family that he is glad to be home.
Do you readers have any suggestions for the future marriages of Robb's two youngest children? As well as those of Bran (oldest son and two younger daughters)? They need to come both from the North and the Riverlands. Any names for all the new direwolves (9!) are appreciated as well.
Thank you so much for your support.
Fannic
Reviews:
- Scifiromance: Thank you so much! Yes, the rumblings with the Faith Militant are getting louder and louder. Something will need to be done soon. Willas has, on the one hand, tried to ease tensions somewhat with Robb. On the other hand, he actively let the Faith Militant spiral out of control and create problems for the Starks. This was intentional. Now his heir has taken over and the new King of the Reach is young and ambitious. We'll see where that leads.
I'm glad that you approve of the marriages for the other three. Your explanation was completely the idea that I was going for.
- OneDocToHealThemAll: Thank you! I remember your old comments fondly. The story will have at least 5-10 more chapters, as things will start to unfold soon. However, knowing myself as a writer, it will probably be around 10-12'ish haha. The story won't finish until the summer, that's for sure.
- Supremus85: That chapter has been a while! I reread it too to write this, as I needed to get the nuances and rewards after the war right here. Whether the Harlaws will get their crown will be shown in the future. Diplomatic appeasing of the Tyrells and the Faith is difficult, now that Willas is gone. We will see the implications of it in the future.
- Rebfan90: Thank you!
- Wolfstark: Thank you! The North's economic capabilities are now better than before the story. The Sunset Coast has healed from the ironborn incursions and long abandoned areas are being (lightly) settled. Other parts of the North have economically grown like the Barrowlands, Wintertown and White Harbor and its surroundings. Demographically the whole North has grown, but not equally. Militarily, you will know more in the future.
- Force smuggler: Thanks!
- Wolflord45: Thank you very much!