Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; it is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire is owned by George R.R. Martin, Dan Weiss and David Benihoff, HBO MAX, and Warner Bros Discovery respectively. The Lady of the Forge is from God of War: Ragnarok which is owned by Sony and Santa Monica Studios. I own nothing. I am just a fan. This story is for fun and nothing else. It does not represent me or my beliefs. This story is not meant to promote or propagate anything.

This story has been heavily inspired by Dragonrise' Celestial Forge story which can be read on Ao3. Please do support it as it is a great story.

Author's Note: Hello everyone, here we are with a third chapter. Please read and review generously. Your reviews and ideas will shape the future of this story. This third chapter focuses on Naruto's first meeting with Ned Stark as he ponders the implications of what Naruto has made and the secret wealth he has found and amassed. We will also get an appearance of The Lady of The Forge from God of War: Ragnarok. Without further ado, let us begin

Chapter Two- First Meetings and First Impressions

In the crack of dawn, the sounds of hooves could be heard as the people gathered in the village square and marveled at the sight of the Lord of Winterfell, Ned Stark, the man of honor and nobility. Trailing behind him were the Lords Manderly and Glover. The people gathered around them as it was unheard of for the nobility and leaders of the North to visit such a humble, quaint village. The smallfolk living in the village could surmise exactly why Lord Stark had come to their village.

Naruto sighed as he woke up and realized that this day was not far behind. Many of the swords he made were sold in the North by the merchants that visited his village… and it was only a matter of time before the quality of these blades had all sorts of people asking questions. It was better to get this over with and put a little fear into idiots. These so called Lords were about to realize that not everything was for sale.

Naruto had exited his modest home as he saw the people gathered around Ned Stark and his trusted men. The people noticed him but said nothing as they did their best to shield and guard his presence. Naruto may not have been born in the North, but he was one of them and every Northmen worth his salt would never betray each other's secrets.

Ned Stark and his men noticed the apprehension on the faces of the villages as he did his best to calm them.

"Good men and women of the North, please calm yourselves. We did not come here for war or any sort of fight. We simply came to inquire about the weapons that are made in this humble village. Please, will the blacksmith of this village step forward and answer out inquiries?"

Before Naruto could say anything, Ned Stark could hear the rumbling of strong, controlled footsteps. Out from his home, emerged Kurama in human form. Kurama had chosen a height that was grand and a physique that was muscular. He looked very intimidating as the villages gave him a wide berth. He stood with the color of his bright hair and beard and the visage of a seasoned, battle-hardy veteran.

Ned Stark narrowed his eyes at the sight of Kurama. This was a man who was taller than the Mountain Who Rides. He noticed the large blade at his side and the shield at his back. He had never seen a weapon like that before. The man in front of him was no ordinary man. He spoke coldly and powerfully to them.

"I am not at liberty to answer your questions, nor do I wish too. There is no one here who makes weapons. Please… be on your merry way."

Lord Glover was the one who spoke next. "Do be careful how you address us. You stand in the presence of Lord Stark, the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. You will answer his inquiry, now."

Kurama chuckled. "You Lords and your questions. Do you think you have power over me? Do you have any idea who you are addressing? No, because if you did… you would speak softly in front of me. Then again, you noble cunts are all the same. What was it about you Starks? Oh yes… the Starks killed the Warg Kings and took their daughter as prizes. Who the hell do you think you are to lecture me about anything in this world? You will not get another warning from me. You have five seconds."

Kurama smiled as the men reached for their blades. He was looking to flex his muscles. Before a "fight" could break out… a powerful voice rang through the area.

"Peace, o brother of mine. There is no need for violence. It seems we got off on the wrong foot here."

The villagers smiled as they saw Naruto Walk next to Kurama. Ned had looked upon Naruto and swore that the man was a mixture of both Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister; he saw that the man had Cersei's golden hair and Robert's blue eyes. Ned noticed the man was shorter than his friend, but heavily muscled and gave off the aura of a veteran who saw war and bloodshed. The black blade hanging at the side of his hip gave off an intense aura. Ned realized these two individuals were indeed mighty men.

"Please, forgive my brother here. He does not like the nobility or anyone for that matter. Welcome to our humble village, Lord Stark. My name is Naruto and my brother and I are the ones who make weapons in this humble village."

Lord Wyman Manderly chuckled. "Do you see Lord Glover? Diplomacy and negotiations always win out over rage and brutality. Boy… you seem to know your letters and you can write?"

"Indeed, my Lord. I do know how to read, write, and talk."

Ned had narrowed his eyes at seeing Naruto's weapon, as he brought his hand out. " I apologize if we have caused any slight. That is not our attention. Child, may I see your weapon? I promise that I will return it to you. You have my word."

Naruto had noticed that Ned Stark had not given an order, but rather, gave him a request. Naruto removed his blade from its sheath and handed it to Ned. When Ned held it, he admired the color and the distinct patterns infused within the blade. Not even the finest smiths of Qohor could make a weapon like this. The pommel was in the shape of a wolf. Ned felt that the blade was the perfect fit for him, and when he swung it, he swore he could cut the wind itself.

When Ned Stark swung the Black Blade, a small shockwave could be felt in the air as Ned felt the blade's power in his hands. It was awe-inspiring and powerful as it called to him and spoke to the fabric of his soul. Naruto had hoped that Ned would not use the blade on other things. The Black Blade was experimental and it had the power to cleave through stone, crush objects, and unleash an invisible force that could allow the wielder to push its foe back. With raw Natural Energy fueling the blade, it was intensely durable and strong. It also made the blade a bit unstable and in the wrong hands, it could be used to terrible effect. Naruto and Kurama still had to work out the kinks.

"Incredible… the balance, the grip, it was like the blade is made for me." Ned handed the blade back to Naruto as he had gained a new resolve.

"Child… I wish for you to show us the forge where such mighty weapons are made." This time, Ned's voice held strong resolve and steel within it. It was not an order… but it was not a request either.

Naruto sighed as he and Kurama led them to the place where weapons were made.

Ned had pulled out a bag of coins and had given them to the village elder. "Please… there is no reason to be alarmed. You deserve the coin and your hospitality and kindness have been noted. Please see that my men are fed well and once again, I thank you for your service."

The village elder nodded his head and accepted the pouch of coins. "Of course, my lord."

The villagers were relaxed as they went about their day, preparing a large meal for their guests at the Inn. Naruto had led Ned Stark, Wyman Manderly, and Robett Glover to his humble workplace. At first glance, it seemed simple. The tools of a blacksmith decorated the walls. There was an anvil, hammers, and a sturdy workbench. It was when they went deeper inside that their views had changed.

There were gasps of astonishment, wonder, and sheer delight as the Lords of the North looked like glorified children in a candy store. Different manners of weapons decorated the walls as the Lords could barely contain their hidden excitement. All of these weapons were a work of art and would put anything made in King's Landing to shame.

There were war hammers, massive and spiked, that rested on the stone floor, crafted from exotic metals that proudly displayed their beautiful colors. Daggers of different sizes and lengths rested on the walls, their sharp edges promising a swift, silent death. Spiked maces as black as coal rested near the daggers. Spears, ornate and powerful, stood tall and proud next to the war hammers, with intricate carved into the metal. Bows of different sizes and ingredients rested on the wall like intricate centerpieces with their arrows beneath them, capable of piercing through armor with ease.

Robett Glover had gone near a Warhammer and picked it up with all of his strength, flabbergasted by the perfectly balanced handle. "Dear me, this is impossible. The weight, the heft, the balance… it is beyond perfect. This is a weapon that can indeed be passed from heir to heir."

Wyman Manderly had inspected the daggers, surprised by the quality and sharpness. "So light and yet so deadly. These daggers are sharp enough to split hair. The color, the weight, this too would make a perfect family heirloom."

While Ned admired the intricate craftsmanship of the bows, his eyes had fallen upon a sword made of pure crystal. It gleamed as he carefully lifted it from its stand and admired it in all of its glory. It was a sword that could capture the Sun's rays and use it as a way to blind an opponent. Of course, they would never recognize that the sword could do that.

For the first time in a long while, Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell was at a loss and struck dumb. He had no idea that a person from the North could craft such deadly, intricate, beautiful weapons of war. When he had found his voice, he spoke again.

"How… how long did it take for you to build all of this?"

Naruto smiled. "it took me three days, Lord Stark. All though, my brother and another person did help out."

Robett Glover looked at him with his jaw dropped. "Three days? Even with help… three days is impossible. Why, there must be close to a hundred weapons here."

Naruto shrugged. "I will admit… it is not easy. When I work without any distractions and full focus, it can take me days to craft several weapons. The most intricate weaponry, however, takes all the time it needs to be perfect."

Ned had spoken again. "Child… why? What reason do you have to forge such a mighty arsenal of weapons?"

Naruto shrugged. "Truthfully, I was hoping to leave the North one day. Essos is warm and beautiful. And the people there would pay gold and so much more for weapons like this. And with the funds acquired, I can enrich this small village and make a better life for the people here."

All three of the Northern Lords had looked at Naruto with shock and horror. There was no way in hell they would allow such prodigious talent to end up in the hands of the South or Essos.

Kurama chuckled. "Look at you Northern Lords. You are like children discovering chocolate and candy for the first time. If you are fawning so much over these weapons, what kind of experience will you have once you see the armor?"

The Northern Lords tilted their heads to look at Kurama above. While Ned was more composed and calm, his grey eyes held hidden excitement. Wyman Manderly and Robett Glover could not contain their excitement.

Naruto sighed as he took them to yet another room and Kurama chuckled as he got to view the expressions, he knew they would show. Robett and Wyman had immediately gone to the walls and delicately grasped the various armor pieces that they were displaying- helmet, breastplate, shoulder and forearm guards, and even knee guards and footwear.

Wyman was the one to speak first. "Ned, look at the colors, look at the design. This is far superior to any armor in the North and in the South. It is light, yet tough at the same time."

Robett was at a loss for words as he grasped one of the breastplates. "He speaks the truth, Milord. This armor is amazing. I could only Valyrian Steel damaging it."

Ned, however, said nothing as his eyes were transfixed on an intricate set of armor the likes of which he had never seen before. It was gray and black in color, and looked regal and powerful. The shoulders were decorated with wolf heads and the helmet was in the shape of a wolf's head. Ned had shook his head and spoke to Naruto clearly this time.

"Child, I can recognize Valyrian Steel when I see it. Much of this armor is Valyrian in origin. And these weapons are of metal and materials that I do not recognize? Is this true?"

Naruto nodded. "A lot of this does come from Valyria. And yes, I am not lying. I found a lot of things in Valyria. It was not easy to take from there. The land… there is a sickness and an evil that still lives there."

The Northern Lords were stunned as they pondered the implications of what they learned. Indeed, the Doom still reigned over Valyria. And a man who was once a boy, had gone there and acquired things from there.

"As for these exotic metals… they came from the mines."

Robett Glover was shocked. "That is impossible. Ned, these lands fall under my jurisdiction. There is no way a mine with such valuable materials would escape my notice."

Naruto sighed. "Perhaps it is best that I show you them."

Ned Stark nodded. "Indeed. Lead the way, child."

XXXXXX

Naruto had led them to a large clearing outside the village where a cave was guarded by large trees. The trees had parted for Naruto as he lit a torch and went inside with them. As they progressed inside the cave, they traversed down a stone staircase which led them to a sight that they were truly privileged to witness.

"Oh my…"

"Dear me…"

"Dear God…"

The Northern Lords could not say much as they struggled to take in the sights of what they were witnessing. Metallic constructs that were infused with Kurama's chakra and an unknown individual's energy were busy shaping raw materials into use for weapon making and other needs. The Northern Lords saw the stone walls decorated with large veins of Gold, Silver, and Crystal that shined in the darkness of mines. The various metals and their unique colors stood out as well, as the Northern Lords admired their gleam and shape.

However, it was those metallic constructs that gave them pause, worry, and awe. The constructs were easily able to extract these precious minerals and metals and shape them from their raw states into ingots and ores to be used for whatever purpose Naruto needed them to be. Besides the metals, there were rubies, sapphires, and emeralds that were being sorted which caught their attention.

When Ned found his voice, he spoke again. "How much… how much is the value of all of this?"

Naruto shrugged. "Gold is good for selling and has a tremendous, not for weapons making mind you. At present, probably more than 100 million gold dragons. This does not count the silver that is not being used for weapons making."

Wyman and Robett sputtered. "100 million gold dragons?" When Wyman found his voice he spoke again, gesturing to the metallic constructs. "Surely, the veins will not run dry?"

Naruto shrugged. "Not really, there is a way to replenish them… if I ever need too. The North is a vast place of untapped potential. There is so much hidden within the land and beyond the Wall itself. And this mine… is still not fully explored."

Lord Manderly had fallen to the ground in shock. Ned and Robett helped him to his feet. All three of them were shocked as they stared at the metallic constructs that continued their work. They heard Naruto speak to them.

"However, I cannot take credit for everything, you know. You should meet the person responsible for a lot of these marvels. She and my brother taught me a lot."

Ned's eyes widened. "She?"

All of a sudden, the ground rumbled as a pond appeared out of thin air. And emerging from the pond was indeed a woman, a mermaid, who landed on the stone floor with grace, poise, and elegance. She stood tall and proud as she looked upon the Northern Lords with curiosity and annoyance.

The Northern Lords had no idea what to say as they were shocked into silence. Only Wyman Manderly walked forward and looked upon the woman in awe.

"Ned… she is beautiful. She is more beautiful than the finest gold and gems in existence. She is breathtaking. Not even a Targaryen could compare…"

Ned had to agree with him. The woman in front of them… if it was indeed a woman, was beautiful. Her body was colored magenta with glitter and she had scales on her head that simulated hair. There were golden decorations on her arms and her eyes were yellow and piercing.

Naruto smiled. "Meet the Lady of the Mines also known as the Lady of the Forge. This woman here is a woman of commitment, focus, beauty, and power. She imparted some of her knowledge and wisdom to me. I earned her respect and care… and thus, she taught me how to make weapons. The Lady of the Forge can make a weapon out of anything… and she is the greatest weapons maker and weapons master alive. Valyrian Steel is nothing compared to what she chooses to make.

The Lady of the Forge had opened her hand… and on top of her palm was a gold ring. The gold ring glowed and a piercing sound was heard as the ring transformed into the spear known as "Draupnir". The Lady of the Forge held the spear as the Northern Lords were shocked into silence. And like the wind itself… the Lady moved forward and the Northern Lords found themselves on the ground, looking up at a spear positioned at their throats.

Before any sudden movement could occur… Naruto placed a hand on the Lady's shoulder. "It's okay. They are just curious about the mines. They mean no harm to you. While you did find the gold and silver in these lands, it is all yours, you know. I promise you, they are leaving very soon."

The Lady withdrew her assault and disappeared into the water as the Northern Lords helped themselves up, questions on their mind.

"I am sorry. The Lady of the Forge does not like… people that much. It took me a long time to earn her trust and respect. Come, we must go from here. I am sure you three will have to discuss things amongst yourselves."

XXXXXX

In a private room of the Village's Inn, the three Northern Lords were in deep conversation with one another. A tray of warm food was prepared for them as they sat there locked in deep conversation.

"One hundred million gold dragons." Lord Manderly shook his head as he pondered the implications of such wealth. "With that kind of wealth… the North would become prosperous and wealthy beyond belief."

Lord Glover agreed. "With that kind of wealth, we could rebuild every castle in the North. We could feed our poor and hungry for perhaps two decades. We could build a proper army and fleet."

Lord Stark sat there staring at the flames in the room. "The gold is not what concerns me in the end. It is those weapons that concern me. That body has the power to make weapons that would make Valyrian Steel look trivial and useless."

Lord Manderly. "We cannot lose the body to Essos… or to King's Landing."

Ned Stark nodded grimly. "Robert would demand that he be brought to court. And then after that… the Lannister's, those monsters would never let him go."

Lord Glover shook his head. "I am not sure how we could convince him. Brute force would be useless, as would honeyed words. A man like that could easily escape anytime he wishes… and the Lady of the Forge would gladly help him in that endeavor."

Lord Manderly stroked his beard. "We must offer him something that would encourage him to stay. Perhaps a Lordship? Perhaps Land?"

Lord Glover spoke next. "Besides Sea Dragon Point… there is the Stony Shore and parts of the New Gift that have been left abandoned due to the dwindling numbers of the Night's Watch. Stony Shore could be left better protected under young Naruto's watch. The New Gift has sizeable land… and if he were given Sea Dragon Point… perhaps the Lady of the Forge could make her home there. I would be very happy if they came there and we were neighbors."

Lord Manderly chuckled. "I might visit you more often to get a glimpse of the prettiest woman in all of existence. However, we must proceed with caution. That boy cannot be manipulated, coerced, or controlled. He will see through every lie and deception."

Ned spoke again… this time with greater clarity. "In the end, my friends, we are of the North. We are proud, prideful, and we have ambition. Yet, our desires in life are simple; a roof over our head, a warm bed, food in our bellies, and family. That is what we can offer the man. We can offer him all of this. We can show him that the North is a place where he can cultivate grow his life and leave behind a real legacy of community, bonds, and love. We protect our own… and young Naruto is a Northman and a part of the North now. We must convince him that the North is the best place for him to live… not Essos. He can grow and survive well in the North and keep the people protected from whatever is out there."

Lord Glover nodded. "You know, the timing of all of this could not be more perfect. Winter is coming, Ned. And with young Naruto's help… we could stave off so much death and famine. We would not be reliant on the South for the first time."

Lord Manderly. "Ned, there is another way the boy could stay in the North. If he were to marry a girl from the North… he would be bonded to the land."

"Naruto will marry my daughter Sansa. I will not risk division and discord among the Great Houses. We must be united in this matter."

Lord Glover and Lord Manderly nodded. Though they were greatly disappointed as they wished for their daughters to marry him… they understood the implications very well. If a lesser house gained access to Naruto's power… civil war and bloodshed would soon follow. They shuddered to think of House Bolton ever gained access to the Mines.

Lord Glover spoke next. "You are wise, Ned. The resources of young Naruto would ensure House Stark's supremacy over the North for millennia or more. The boy will need to be trained. He is intelligent but there is much he still needs to know."

Ned nodded. "I will bring him to Winterfell and educate him on what he needs to know. He can meet Sansa there and from there… their bond will grow."

Lord Manderly spoke next. "My Lord, there is something else to consider. What if he does not wish to be a lord? What if he refuses outright?"

"If that is the case… then I shall ensure that Naruto becomes the greatest Blacksmith in the North and his name will be spoken with respect and honor for generations to come. He will still come to Winterfell and marry Sansa. Their children can one day claim a great land in the North and we will build for them a great castle."

Lord Glover smiled. "We are giving him a choice… while we secure his loyalty, impressive."

Lord Manderly smiled as well. "For the first time… the North will have the chance to prosper. Think about it friends; Glass Gardens stronger than anything once made. No longer would the men and women of the North ever have to go to sleep hungry."

Lord Glover nodded. "And think of Moat Cailin… restored to its former glory and improved beyond our imagination. The North will once again be protected."

Ned spoke next. "Those weapons and armor are what matter for now. I held that Crystal sword in my hands. It was as if I could capture the light of the sun and imprison it within the blade. Its sharpness and power was unlike anything I felt. And that armor… Robert's War Hammer would shatter against it. Young Naruto has gone to Valyria and brought back Valyrian Steel. He has discovered the way to make it stronger than ever before."

Lord Glover spoke next. "An army with these weapons would be invincible. We have used the North's terrain to aid us in battle… but now…"

Ned spoke again. "The South will notice, they always do. When our soldiers appear wielding weapons and armor that outshine what the rest of the Seven Kingdoms can make…"

"The Lannisters will not be far behind. Tywin Lannister will want his due. He will say it is for the good of the realm. And the mine… imagine if he learns about the Mine and The Lady of The Forge…"

Lord Glover spoke next. "they will do everything they can to take Naruto from the North. The Lannisters, the Tyrells, the Martells… they would stop at nothing. And if they could not have him… they would send assassins."

There was a new resolve on Ned Stark's face. And that resolve was to protect the boy who was living in his lands. "We must keep this between us for now. We must keep this a secret until the North is strong enough to defend itself. And then… if the South or anyone tries anything… we will respond in kind."

Lord Glover and Manderly nodded as Ned was left to his thoughts. Everything was converging upon Young Naruto and his allies and the abilities they possessed.

XXXXXX

Chapter End

This is the chapter everyone. It is my gift to you. Please read and review generously. Your reviews drive this story and I appreciate comprehensive reviews. This chapter is a gift to you all because I am humbled by the reception and how much you all like the story. I am surprised I got this out. For sure, I will be taking a break. After my medical scope and colonoscopy on Friday, I am hoping for good news and hopefully, news that I have no cancer.

This chapter and this story have been heavily inspired by Dragonrise' Celestial Forge Story. Please support the man on ao3. He writes good stories. This story has been inspired by his works. Enjoy the holidays and have a great 2025.

Stay safe and well wishes to you all. Share your ideas and I hope the new year will mean another great story from me.