Chapter 8 – High Heights
Eddard
-The Eyrie-
The Raven that reached Eddard nearly 2 months after his return to the Eyrie was one filled with information from Winterfell. It was written by his brother Brandon, for starters which, had surprised him. He read it carefully in the quiet room he had been given almost 2 years before when he had arrived for his fostering.
Ned,
I am letting you know that Lyanna managed to get all the Lords of the North to Winterfell for a reason other than a funeral or wedding. She sent a raven to Last Hearth claiming that the Septa was trying to convert her and Benjen. Well you can imagine the uproar. All Lords arrived at Winterfell and explanations were demanded. The Maester has been punishing Benjen with a cane across his forearms for months. And both Wayls and the new Septa have been removed from Winterfell. They sent Wayls to the Wall. The Septa has been banned from the North. Father seems to be looking into the Southeron betrothals and to see what he can do. Lords of the North are requesting they be negated. Lord Umber has requested foster ship of Benjen to spare him the Nights Watch. Knowing father, Karlyn's betrothal will stand. Mine and Lyanna's may be changed. He seemed to be considering it. I have been casually mentioning Barbrey when he asks me about things at Barrowton. Maybe I will get my wish and not have to marry Catelyn Tully. No word from Karlyn, but then she will only just be getting to Kings Landing. I hope she writes. Maybe father will call her home. Lyanna has been smug ever since the Septa's removal. Father's lords are constantly asking to put restrictions in place around Septas and Maesters. Father wrote to the citadel. He wants a Maester from the North for Winterfell. We shall have to wait to see what happens with that.
Your brother
Brandon
Ned sighed as he read the letter. Lyanna had won. He should not have doubted it truly. Karlyn had warned him. And he knew he should have heeded his sisters' words. Setting the parchment down on the small table beside his bed, Ned considered the situation. The Northern Lords had his father's measure at the moment. Brandon would need to marry well in the north to maintain their good auspices. His father would be aware of that. And like Brandon, he didn't see Karlyn's betrothal being changed. Lord Lannister was not one you insulted and Karlyn as Lady Lannister would be a great boon to their family.
Eddard liked to think things through, and he was more, as Karlyn had often said, steady than Brandon and Lyanna. He considered it from all angles, just as he had considered the ramifications of the Dornish's arrival at the Eyrie. A visit that, had lasted 4 weeks. 4 weeks where Ned and Robert had trained with Arthur, the newly knighted Sword of Morning. For Robert, who preferred his War Hammer, it was different training, but for Ned, it had been enlightening and a tough work out. And he had learned a lot from the older swordsman. {Picking up Brandon's letter, he rose and moved to the small desk. He would write a reply and send it. Maybe it would reach Winterfell before Brandon left back to Barrowton.
Bran,
Good to hear that the Maester has been sent packing, though I sorely doubt he will be much help at the wall. I hope father agrees to Lord Umber's proposal concerning Benjen. It would be the better option. Maybe we should ask Father to put aside one of the small keeps towards Last Hearth for Benjen. He would need his own place. I will try and prepare Robert for a betrothal being broken, he has been wanting stories of Lyanna since my return. I have been tempering them a lot. As for your betrothal to the Tully Girl, I wish you luck. I hear Hoster Tully insults easily. Father may have to throw him something to calm him down. And it better not be me, brother. Maybe one of Lord Manderly's boys. Suggest them to Father, for I also do not wish to marry a fish! Have you heard from Karlyn? No Raven has reached me yet from her, I hope she does well in Kings Landing. A wolf in the south is not necessarily a good thing.
Your brother
Ned
Putting the quill down Ned sealed the letter and headed to find the Maester and the Rookery. Then he would find Robert and begin downplaying Lyanna again to make it less painful should the betrothal be broken.
Author Notes and Review Responses:
Cancer-Chris- Thank you for your reviews. And thank you for pointing out the fact that I missed mentioning Tyrion's dwarfism. I have not changed it, he is a dwarf in this story. But with Joanna alive, I see the family being a lot more caring towards him – Cersei obviously the exception. I have found a number of conflicting information around the colour of eyes of Lady Lannister. So I picked one. Also I made the Dornish travel by land to make the connection.
More complete timeline
Chapters 1-4
3rd month of 273 – 1st week, 3rd day – Lady Stark passes away
3rd month of 273 – 2nd week – 1st day – Funeral for Lady Stark. Stark children discuss situation
3rd month of 273 – 2nd week – 2nd Day – Karlyn and the Lannisters leave Winterfell.
3rd month of 273 – 2nd week – 4th day – Eddard heads back to the Eyrie; Brandon leaves for Barrowton
3rd month of 273 – 4th week – 2nd day – Eddard arrives at the Crossroads Inn
3rd month of 273 – 4th week –3rd day – Eddard leaves for the Eyrie form the Crossroads inn
3rd month of 273 – 4th week – 5th day – Brandon arrives back at Barrowton. The Septa arrives at Winterfell.
4th month of 273 – 1st week - 1st day – Eddard arrives at the Eyrie
4th month of 273 – 1st week – 3rd day – Karlyn arrives at White Harbour
4th month of 273 – 1st week – 4th day – Karlyn takes Ship for Kings Landing
4th month of 273 – 4th week – 2nd day – Lyanna and septa have fight. Raven flies to Last Hearth
4th month of 273 – 4th week – 7th day – Rickard informs his daughter that the Lords of the North are coming.
Chapters 5-7:
5th month of 273 – Week 2 – 2nd day – Lords of the north arrive - Wayls is dismissed – Brandon Returns home
5th month of 273 – Week 2 – 3rd day Karlyn arrives in Kings Landing.
5th month of 273 – Week 2 – 4th day – Karlyn is presented at Court. Smallfolk are ordered north.