Chapter 12: The golden stag

The bells of the Great Sept of Baelor rung seven times before falling silent. The High Septon has graciously ordered the bells of the Sept to be rung seven times at the end of each week till the day the King returned to the city. To Jon, this was not only welcome but also quite a joy. He loved to hear the great Sept sound off the bells of victory.

As someone with no son of his own body, he considered Robert a son. Even though a bit unruly at times he loved Robert dearly. Now, Ned was the favoured student. Someone that he could be proud of by simple virtue of Ned's existence. There is no greater student he could ask for when it comes to passing on the chivalry and honour born out of an oathbound knight. In this regard, he considered himself blessed to have Ned as a ward. Many of his fellow lords were not so sure of taking a Stark as a ward but Jon had paid them no heed. There were past misdeeds from both House Stark and House Arryn. But, the past should not dictate the terms of the future. He befriended Rickard Stark on the battlefield. Bonds that are forged in steel and blood are not so easily eroded because of a darker history neither he nor Rickard barely remembers.

'Clinging to the past made the Targaryens weak and arrogant. If there ever was a better example then the fall of the dragons would be the one.' Jon thought.

Aerys Targaryen forgot he depended on the support of the lords of the realm. It was this ignorance that led to the fall of the Targaryen dynasty. Thankfully, this was not the case for Robert.

Jon was more than aware of the vices of his favoured ward and King. Robert was brash, loud, a womanizer, a squanderer and least bit interested in ruling as it is. But, Robert made up for all of that by having one powerful quality that attracted friends and foes alike. Robert's ability to befriend someone was uncanny. He knew how to handle the lords of the realm very well and pull them in by his natural charisma and boisterous personality.

With the recent victory over the Ironborn Robert has ensured the remaining Targaryen loyalists will keep their heads down for the foreseeable future. Now, his work was just beginning not just to oversee the matters of the realm but also to undermine the Targaryen loyalists. Only a fool would say there will be no more conflicts. The Martells in Dorne is lying in wait for the right time to sink their poisoned fangs into the Baratheon dynasty. He was more than aware that the Dornish are not going to forget what happened to their Princess when the Lannisters sacked the capital.

Nonetheless, he was not going to lift a finger to punish Tywin. Mostly, cause it would only weaken the Iron Throne in the long run. Tywin remained one of the important pillars that grants power and legitimacy to the Iron Throne. If Jon was to throw that all away by moving against the Old Lion he'd only make it easy for the Targaryen loyalists to undermine the Baratheon dynasty.

Besides, he didn't see any of these honourable lords lift a finger when his kin suffered unjust death at the hands of the Mad King. Let those hypocrites grumble all they want. The Baratheons were here to stay and rule and if he had to partner with Tywin Lannister to accomplish this task he will. The Seven Kingdoms can ill afford the madness and stupidity that plagued the Targaryen dynasty for so long. It was time for the reign of Dragons to be sidelined to the history books once and for all.

The work for this was already underway and once Robert returned from the North he could start in earnest to pull the Reach into the fold. His plan to have the marriage of Stannis as a threat to the Tyrells was nearly thrashed with the stunt Robert pulled. Thankfully, the Florents were not offended and now the axe was hanging over the Tyrells. It was now Lord Tyrell's move and Jon waited patiently how Mace Tyrell would react. The recent incident with Lord Tyrell's heir and Oberyn Martell was just a blessing from the Seven. He'd be an idiot to not use the opportunity to widen the fissure that was surely forming between the Tyrells and Martells.

"My lord, Hand."

Jon turned around facing Maester Pycelle who was slowly climbing up the stairs.

"Grand Maester. I hope the morning suits you well."

"Oh, yes. Yes indeed, my lord. Even in my old age, I am blessed enough to enjoy these summer days. Another winter is gone and I thank the Seven to be among the living." said Pycelle wheezing out the words tiredly from climbing the flight of stairs.

Jon secretly detested the Grand Maester for these word plays. While he appreciated the man's insight could bring he also remained cautious of Pycelle's proclivity to side with the Lannister cause. He was not blind to the Queen's attempts to fill the court with her kin and Pycelle was quite supportive of the Queen's endeavours. He just wondered how Lord Lannister managed to own Pycelle. Perhaps he ought to look into Pycelle's past more keenly.

"Is there anything important that requires my attention Maester?" Jon asked seeing as Pycelle was not budging from his spot.

"Oh, yes. Forgive me, my lord. Sometimes I forget myself."

Jon just nodded with a polite smile. Of course, he knew Pycelle was merely putting on the act of being tired and old.

"Take your time Grand Maester."

"Ah, yes. A raven from Lord Tywin arrived, my lord."

Now, that piqued his interest. What'd the Lord of Westerlands want from him?

Accepting the parchment from Pycelle he traced his eyes over the contents.

"It seems Lord Tywin is hosting a tourney to celebrate the King's victory over the Ironborn. He offers quite a sum for the victor in the lists." said Jon, gathering his thoughts on holding a tourney at Casterly Rock. He had plans to hold celebrations in the capital. He was sure Robert would have loved the idea not to mention he could gather the lords of the Seven Kingdoms under the auspices of the Iron Throne.

'No matter. I'll have to arrange for a separate tourney in the capital lest the lords think this war to be the victory of House Lannister.'

Politics remained a dreadful business and he detested the games he had to play to secure the Baratheon dynasty's future. Yet, he was forced to play this game of words for the sake of peace in the realm. He longed to see the days when he could retire back to the Eyrie and forget about the woes of the kingdoms. But first, he must ensure peace is properly restored and Robert's hold over the kingdoms remain strong.

"Any word from Robert Grand Maester?" he inquired.

The last he heard from his former ward, Robert was enjoying the hospitality of House Ryswell. From the raven the Maester of the Rills sent, Robert was quite taken with the wild forests of the North and was hunting all sorts of game available beyond the Neck. While he'd not have adviced Robert to take a royal progress across the vast North right after the war he was nonetheless not opposed to his decision. The North has proved time and time again to be a crucial ally to have in some of the most critical wars fought on Westerosi soil. The Dance and the Rebellion came to his mind.

The Targaryens foolishly never rewarded their Northern subjects despite being the least troublesome kingdom of the Seven Kingdoms. Even at the lowest points of Targaryen power, not a single lord of the North ever rebelled against the Iron Throne. In the Rebellion, if not for the armies of the North they'd have not crushed the royal army as they did. The sturdy Northmen held the lines at the Trident allowing the finest Knights of the Vale to cut through the loyalists.

So, Robert visiting Winterfell seems a pertinent decision. Robert would become the second king of the Iron Throne to visit the North right after Jaehaerys Targaryen. However, Robert's visit held an ulterior motive.

Jon was of two minds of the rumours spreading about Ned's second son. He was just as curious about the truth of the matter. The claims were frankly farfetched in his opinion but he'd keep an open mind for Ned's sake. If the rumours proved to be true then Jon would actually be quite happy. Having a strong and prosperous North actually made his work that much easier. He needed the North, Riverlands, Vale, Crownlands and Stormlands to be as strong as possible. With the original alliance member kingdoms growing in strength Robert's reign will not be threatened again so easily.

If Harrion Stark can indeed replicate Valyrian Steel then it was another blow to the supposed House of Dragons. It would prove that the Targaryens were not so special after all. Without their dragons they were not worth the respect and fear Aegon the Conqueror instilled on Westeros. He'd eagerly await Robert's raven from Winterfell. A warhammer made of Valyrian Steel is another cause for celebration. It would be a weapon worthy of a king, not to mention one of the most unique weapons made of Valyrian Steel. The prestige alone would be a crowning moment for the new Baratheon dynasty. And perhaps, if the Seven smiled upon his house he could commission a sword worthy of House Arryn from Ned's son.

It was something to look forward to.

Letting out a sigh Jon took his leave to the Tower of Hand. If the realm is to prosper much work has to be done and he was not one to shirk his duty.

XXXXXXXX

The North!

The land of the heathen, Septons back home called this land. The oldest and largest of the Seven Kingdoms. To Robert, this was not just the ancient land where the First Men called their home. It was the land where his true love slept after being desecrated by the accursed dragon.

Each night in his dreams he kills Rhaegar over and over, yet his thirst for vengeance remained unquenched.

'Perhaps, it never will.' Robert thought as he rode his horse through Wintertown.

Robert looked over the neutral faces of the smallfolk. There were no trumpets or flowers to greet him. No hoorays or drums sounded from the gathered people. He could only see silent judgement shining in their eyes.

"The Northerners don't much trust outsiders." said Eddard, riding beside him on a horse.

"I wouldn't have been an outsider if it wasn't for Rhaegar. We would have been family." Robert said, a faraway look in his eyes.

"Rhaegar lies beneath the ground by your hands. Justice was done for my sister and my father and brother." said Eddard.

"Not enough Ned. I kill him over and over in my dreams. It is never enough. For what he did to Lyanna and your family it's never enough." Robert growled, his fingers closing in to make a fist. He gritted his teeth as rage surged within him.

"Lord Stark, forgive me if this offends you. I couldn't help but notice the five-pointed star drawn on each of the houses. What's with that?" asked Ser Barristan.

That's when Robert also took note of the strangely shaped star drawn on many of the houses. Some had it painted on their doors. Some has it drawn on their stone walls while some houses have the star carved into stone and wood. There were even some banners of the like hanging from trees up ahead. It was truly surreal.

"I am as baffled as you, Ser." said Eddard, looking around noticing the changes that have undergone.

Robert heard Ned charge Jory Cassel to find the verity of the matter. He eyed the Valyrian Steel sword fastened on Jory's hip. The young man earned the right to wield the blade as he had seen Jory Cassel's bravery in defending his friend during the siege of Pyke. Although, Eddard did explain the sword was merely loaned to Jory for the duration of the war. It is quite an honour to wield a Valyrian Steel blade but Robert felt the man deserved a good reward. This was why he personally knighted Jory Cassel and Jorah Mormont. Both of them showed valour and skill during the siege and that's why he knighted them both.

As the trees and other obstructive constructs of the town escaped his line of sight, Robert finally gazed upon the towering castle of Winterfell in the distance. There was a misty tint to the air and a bit of fog clung to the castle but his eyes showed the mighty castle true.

"It is massive, just as you described." said Robert to Ned who smiled upon setting his eyes on his childhood home.

"Welcome to Winterfell, your grace." said Eddard.

Robert smiled. It took him nearly seven years but finally, he was at the resting place of his Lyanna.

XXXXXXX

Catelyn kept her composure as she watched the banners of House Stark and the King moving into the courtyard. She would have preferred to see her husband who was away at war for nearly a year immediately but the King's presence complicated the situation. It'd be disrespectful towards the King if she were to behave in such a manner. Proper decorum has to be followed after all.

So, even though she had her eyes all over her husband searching for any signs of ailments she still went to her knee once the King dismounted his horse. She had to force Harrion down as her troublesome son still thought it acceptable to stay on his feet. Thankfully, her son didn't open his mouth to say something highly contentious right at the moment and instead knelt. She sent out a prayer to the Mother for this small mercy. The last thing she wanted was for the King to get offended.

She didn't have to worry about Robb or Sansa. Robb took her advice to the heart showing proper respect to the King. He was, after all, going to be the Lord of Winterfell one day. Thankfully, Robb was the least troublesome of her children and he had sportingly agreed to watch over Sansa who was increasingly taking after her rebellious older brother.

She'd have a word with her husband about the issue regarding these new banners coming up everywhere. The castle and Wintertown were getting filled with this new symbol which her son called the Pentagram. She can see the symbol almost everywhere she looked. Sansa was the one to draw the symbol all across the castle walls and from there the smallfolk took it upon themselves.

Now, the Smallfolk thinks this Pentagram is a symbol of the Old God's favour. She was truly afraid of what the lords of the North would think. Quite a few of the lords were accompanying the King and her husband. Some others were staying in the castle and so far they have kept mum about the matter if only to not offend her. Mayhaps, her hasty execution of Septa Mordane has given her an intimidating reputation among the lords, as suggested by Maester Luwin. Maybe, that's why the lords were keeping their opinion to themselves.

"Rise, all of you." ordered the King.

Catelyn took to her feet and so did the others. Even so, she maintained a tight grip on Harrion's shoulder. She only released it when she was sure her husband remained unscathed from the war. It was truly a blessing and she thanked the Seven for this mercy.

"Your grace, Winterfell is yours." she said, performing a perfect curtsy.

"Ah, Cat."

The King embraced her as if she was his own sister. By the stories Ned has told her, King Robert would treat her as such seeing as her husband remained brother in all but blood to the King.

Coming out of the embrace the King turned his attention to her children.

"And these must be your children." The King commented taking a good look at her three children. Then the King moved towards her eldest son.

"Red hair and blue eyes like your mother. You must be Robb." said King Robert before shaking her eldest's hand.

"Little Sansa Stark. You will grow to be a beauty like your mother and all the lords will vie for your hand in marriage." the King complimented before moving on to her second son, Harrion.

"Black hair and grey eyes, eh. You must be Harrion Stark, the famed Blacksmith. I shall look forward to your work young Stark."

By the grace of Seven, her son silently accepted the compliment and shook hands with the King. It was a relief to her that Harrion didn't snap back any offensive comments to the King.

"Well then, Ned. Take me to your Crypts. I will have to pay my respects." said the King.

Catelyn took note of the sad look flashing in the King's bright blue eyes. It has been seven years and the King has a beautiful wife and an heir. Yet, King Robert still pines after her goodsister. She had of course known King Robert loved Lyanna Stark very much but not to this extent.

'Is this how Ned thinks of the bastard's mother?' she wondered, as her husband led the King towards the Crypts.

The thought blindsided her for a moment and she couldn't help but throw a resentful look at Jon Snow despite her best efforts to control herself. The bastard was standing far back behind the lords and other household guards. She knew the boy was hardly responsible for her husband's infidelity but Jon Snow remained the living memory of her shame. No matter how much she tried she could not entertain the thought of another woman sharing Ned's bed.

Perhaps she wouldn't have felt this deeply if she hadn't fallen in love with her husband. She also knew her husband loved her. But, her worry has always been whether Ned loved Jon Snow's mother more than her. After all, Catelyn was a political marriage for Ned. While the other woman must have taken her place in Ned's heart.

When she saw Jon Snow looking in her direction she put those dark thoughts away. There were far more important matters to deal with rather than wallowing in depressing thoughts.

"Family, Duty and Honour." she whispered in her mind to settle herself.

It was time to do her duty as Lady of Winterfell and welcome the many guests accompanying the King and her husband. At least, that should take her mind off her woes.