2: A Wintry Ball By Wolves Part 1

(Winterfell, The North, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)

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(Barthogan Stark POV)

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Barthogan Stark stood in the Practice Yard, firing Arrows with his Yew Bow, he could split five Arrows perfectly with another one before his aim started going just ever so slightly awry.

If he was honest, there was something about the Inner Harmony he felt when he fired an Arrow. The best description he could give was that he gathered every ounce of the tension and frustration within his body and focused it into the singular point of the arrow. As he fired, he exhaled. It was a kind of cycle that strengthened his resolve and focus by leaps and bounds.

Right now Only House Tallhart had arrived since the Ravens had flown, but undoubtedly the Glover's, Dustin's, Ryswell's, Ryder's, and Manderly's would be next. Following them would likely be the Bolton's, Cerwyn's,and Mormont's, with the Karstark's and Umbers arriving last.

South-wise The Riverlord's would obviously be next, with either the Greyjoy's, Westermen, or Stormlord's following after them. Then it'd likely be The Valemen, Reacher's, and Dornish. The sheer number of previously Non-Cannon Characters was a little bit unsettling, but whatever.

Barthogan was of the mind to choose either Cassandra Baratheon, Nymeria Martell, Alyssane Karstark, Ashara Dayne, Mira Arryn, or Wyllia Manderly for his bride. Cassandra would bond him to Robert and gift him a truly Queen-Worthy Bride. Nymeria would undoubtedly decrease the enmity between Dorne and the Rebels, or maybe not. Mira Arryn would bring Wealth, Power and the Knights of The Vale into the Fold. Ashara would potentially help him save Arthur. Alyssane brought him Eight Thousand men at least, and renewed the ancient bonds between Stark and Karstark. Wyllia brought in immense coin, and would go a long way to reforming the Northern Fleets that had been burned by King Brandon Stark The Burner.

As for being Fostered, Hoster Tully's only saving Grace was his Brother Brynden Tully, The Blackfish of Riverrun. He could hypothetically speaking drown Petyr Baelish at night time after he takes Lysa's Hymen. But putting up with him until then? No fucking thank you.

Lord Tarly was easily the most appealing choice for him as it meant learning from the Warmaster's of The Reach. The men who singlehandedly gave Robert Baratheon his only Military Loss in his lifetime, and that was in itself quite appealing, but then that same appeal showed that The Tarly's would likely fold and hand him over for execution at the first whiff of a Royal Decree.

Lord Steffon was probably the safest bet, since it meant he'd be in Storm's End, which like the Eyrie had never fallen to Military Might. Oh Storm's End had surrendered once or twice, but it had never been breached and overrun, plus Stannis Baratheon was on his list of favorites. Stannis might've been a Terrible King, but he was by no means anything short of being a Great Battle Commander and halfway decent Administrator. He inspired enough respect that the entire Royal Fleet chose him over Joffery Illborn and the more beloved Renly.

If Barthogan forged a powerful enough bond with Stannis it would make the Inevitable fracturing of The North and Riverlands from the rest of Westeros potentially all the cleaner, it was unlikely, but worth a shot.

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(Time-Skip: Three Weeks Later)

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Within Three Weeks everybody had arrived, from the Umber's in the Deeper parts of The North, to the Martell's of Southeastern Dorne. Winterfell was bursting with occupants, and amidst the Grand Ball Prep was The Lion's of Lannister and Dragon's of Targaryen; Tywin Lannister, Rhaegar and Rhaelle Targaryen. Tywin and the Two Royals were accompanied by Four Knights of The Kingsguard, Ser Barrristan Selmy, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Jonothor Darry, and Ser Oswell Whent.

Barthogan admitted that he was looking forward to the opportunity for sparring with any one of the Four accompanying men in the White Cloaks. But that was a tertiary priority, Number one was meeting his suitors, Number two was determining the suitability of Hoster Tully, Augustus Tarly, and Steffon Baratheon as Fostering Options.

Presently Barthogan was in his finest clothes, stood in the Great hall, watching with his mother and Elder brother beside him.

''See the Raven haired one in Black and gold? That's Cassandra Baratheon, It's said she loves hunting, riding, and sailing. The Baratheon Traits promise a strong woman of large....assets. The Dowry for her Maidenhead is no small thing either.'' Says Brandon, having to alter his sentence in presence of his mother.

''And the Arynn Girl? What's her promise?'' Barthogan asks.

''She's an Arynn of Gulltown, but still an Arynn. Arynn Women have historically suffered fertility issues, so you might be able to get one or two children out of her before infertility sets in.'' Lyarra says.

''See the Auburn Haired girl, That's Catelyn Tully, a bit older than you perhaps, but no less worthy a match.'' Says Brandon.

''Go on Big Brother, I know you want to.'' Barthogan says as Brandon does just that.

''That's the Two Daughters of the Princess of Dorne, Elia and Nymeria. Either one would be a good match, but Princess Elia is slightly more frail than her younger sister. And that girl next to her is Lady Ashara Dayne, younger Sister to Ser Arthur Dayne.'' Says Lyarra.

''Something tells me she and Ned are made for each other.'' Barthogan says with a coy smile.

''You of course already know the Northern Suitors, but based on these possible selections who are the three most interesting to you?'' Asks Lyarra.

''Cassandra Baratheon, Ashara Dayne, and Mira Arryn. Here in The North I could see myself in a betrothal with potentially Alyssane Karstark or Wyllia Manderly. But we should look to the South first. Better to exhaust options southwards before burning bridges at home.'' Says Barthogan.

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(POV Shift: Cassandra Baratheon)

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Cassandra Baratheon eyed the future Lord of Moat Cailin with interest. The boy was credited with turning House Stark into an economic Power House Overnight with his alcoholic brews and ingenious Greenhouses which made The North Extremely Wealthy and Extremely Self-sufficient respectively.

Looking at him now, you wouldn't expect someone so young to be so smart. But Cassandra had seen the way he sparred. He'd sent every Challenger to the dirt, and had given the likes of Barristan Selmy, Oswell Whent, and Jonothor Darry trouble. Which was naturally impressive, especially when the Baratheon's said it. The Baratheon's weren't easily impressed, it was a noted, but less than well-known trait of theirs.

Cassandra wasn't easily impressed but this Young Wolf Pup was growing on her.

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(POV Shift: Mira Arynn)

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Mira Arryn came to the North's Capital to both Pick up Eddard Stark and try and Woo Eddard's Twin Brother Barthogan.

He was unnaturally handsome for a Stark who were not especially well-known for their good looks. But then again neither were the Arynn's.

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(POV Shift: Hoster Tully)

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Contrary to what many thought Hoster Tully wasn't by nature a Grasping or Greedy individual. Je was this way because it was purely out of necessity. The Riverlands always got caught in between Armies due to be the central region of Westeros. He hoped that either Brandon Stark or his Brother's Barthogan and Eddard would marry his cat while someone like Robert Baratheon or Jaime Lannister would marry his Lysa because it would provide safety, wealth, and security for the Riverlands.

And more coin in the coffers ne er hurt.

But by the look of things Brandon Stark wanted to court his Catelyn while his Youngest Brother Eddars sought Ashara Dayne and his Younger Brother Barthogan sought who knows whom. It wasn't exactly to his plans but it wasn't necessarily an all together bad thing all things considered, it just meant plans would need changing and redesigning....