Chapter 15 – The Stark in Winterfell

10th month of 273, week 4, day 7

It was many weeks later when Brandon rode back into Winterfell with his father and the two large dire wolves at their horse's sides. As they entered the forecourt, Brandon noted the looks from the people in Winterfell, just as he had noted the looks from the people in Winter Town. Two dire wolves were definitely a statement.

Rickard Stark had written to his children who were in the south, both Karlyn and Eddard knew of the wolves and were to keep it to themselves.

Brandon dismounted and ran a hand over Myst's head. "Father" he said softly.

"yes?" Rickard asked

"Winter Town. I would like to do some work there."

"Like what?" Rickard asked as stable lads took the horses watching the wolves warily.

"Improvements. I was speaking with Byran and he is going to be making sure the houses of Queenscrown have slate rooves and proper roads. I think we can improve Winter town so that it can be a proper commercial centre for Winterfell."

"And when will you be wanting to do this? You are due back at Barrowton by months end." Rickard replied.

"I foster there until I am 13 name days, that gives me time to plan and if you allow, I would like to have Vayon and Rodrick to assist once they have finished escorting the smallfolk to Queenscrown. Surely there won't be many more groups. Kings Landing must have lost its smallfolk population by now."

Rickard nodded. "And what's worse is that without skilled smallfolk, the nobles of Kings Landing are finding life a bit tough."

"The Hand's last raven?" Brandon asked.

"Indeed. The king has relented and stopped the flow. But he has insisted that Lords of the Crownlands still send their 200. And has enforced it with his own loyal troops checking on each lord." Rickard said. He paused. "I have had a Raven from Storms End. Requesting I send Lyanna to foster. I have turned it down."

"And the betrothal?"

"Not yet." He sighed. "Eddard is full of praise for Robert Baratheon and she is the daughter of a Lord Paramount and there are no other Lord Paramounts with Sons her age that are not betrothed."

"Highgarden?"

"No, they have already arranged Mace Tyrell's marriage."

"And with Karlyn betrothed to Jaime Lannister…"

"And the Tully lad, the age of Benjen and with the Tully's against us…"

"The fish are going to do what? Splash us father?"

"They have ceased trade with the North and are pressuring their vassal houses to follow suit. Though not many have done so. It is being said, that Lord Tully has been approached by the Lord of the Fingers, Lord Baelish, to betroth the daughter Catelyn to his son Petyr. But it is a poor match so I doubt it will go through. And Lord Tywin writes that he has been approached by Hoster Tully to have Catelyn replace Karlyn. He assures me, that it will not happen. The Lannisters, they will keep their word."

Brandon nodded. "I guess Karlyn is a better choice than Catelyn Tully."

"Yes." Rickard replied.

With the wolves at their sides, they moved into the keep proper. Rickard paused. "I ordered the stable hands to build a larger kennel for the wolves. It should be done by now. We will look at it once we have reviewed the latest ravens. And the new Maester should be here by now."

"One from the North?"

"So the Citadel assures me."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "And you believe them?"

"We shall see, if not then the Nights Watch gets another Maester."

"Which would make the Lord Commander happy." Brandon replied.

"Indeed"

11th month of 273- week 2, day 5

Winterfell

Lyanna hovered. She and Benjen had been with their aunt for hours a day, learning of the North and Lyanna had been getting lessons in house management from her aunt, but now she hovered at the door to the Wolves new kennel. They had not known, when the Wolves arrived at Winterfell that this would happen.

Her father knelt in the straw with the Maester Luwin, the new Maester. Wolf pups were being born. Benjen was in the kitchen talking to Old Nan, and out of the way.

Birth of animals were a messy thing as they always had been and she had watched horses foal before so she was prepared.

And slowly with their father watching from beside their labouring mother, the pups were born. One, two, three, four…then a fifth.

Rickard rocked back on his heels and exchanged looks with Luwin. Five direwolf pups.

Lyanna shifted forward in the straw and her father looked at her. "Lyanna."

"Father" she said softly. "They are so small."

"Indeed. And five of them." Rickard studied his youngest daughter. "You would like one?"

Her eyes lit up. "Yes Father!" She gasped.

"Your siblings will all get one, even Brandon, though Myst seems taken with him."

Lyanna leapt forward and hugged him tightly. "Thank you!"

Rickard awkwardly patted her back and then Lyanna was off to tell Benjen the news.

Luwin looked at his new lord. "Are you certain about this My Lord Stark?"

"Yes. It is fate almost. I have five children, and five young direwolf pups. There will be more litters I am sure, and we will soon have direwolves everywhere." He stood to grab a pitchfork.

The pups were at their mother's side. "We best clean up Luwin, before we have to deal with the stench for days."

The maester nodded and stood to help the lord. And late that night in the Maesters records of Winterfell, it was entered:

11th month of 273- week 2, day 5-Today, the Direwolves Lord Rickard and Lord Brandon brought from the Gift, were blessed with puppies.5 puppies in all. Lord Stark is planning on sending three to the eldest Stark Children in their foster homes. It will be quite a surprise I believe for those south of the neck the first time they see a direwolf pup.

12th month of 273 – week 4 – day 3

A wagon left Winterfell 6 weeks later. On it, were three sleeping direwolf pups, two male and one female. Their destinations were different. One for Brandon at Barrowton, one for Eddard in the Vale and the female for Karlyn at Casterly Rock. At Winterfell, Lyanna and Benjen were already spoiling their wolves, named Spirit –Lyanna's and Scout-Benjen's. The Stark in Winterfell watched the other three puppies depart, and was content that south of the neck, Karlyn and Eddard would have their house's Sigel to protect them.

Authors Note:

Thank you to all who have reviewed the story. I am glad you are all enjoying it.

Chapter 16 will be set in 277AC, meaning a time jump of 3 years as this chapter is at the end of 273AC