Chapter 29: Back at Winterfell

Bear Island

"Jory!" I called out from the entrance of House Mormont's keep, accompanied by Maege Mormont, the lady of Bear Island.

Jory turned to look at us, leaving the handful of recruits we had brought to the coast for training—an opportunity for them to lose their hesitation about taking a life in defense of our realm.

"Robb, Lady Mormont. How are you both today?" Jory asked with a smile.

"We're well, and much better thanks to all the support from House Stark," Maege said with a grateful smile. "We had been suffering greatly from all the raiders that have been attacking lately."

"We Starks must protect our realm, Lady Mormont," I replied calmly. "Besides, all our recruits are gaining valuable experience here." I finished with a chuckle.

"We all benefit, don't we?" Lady Mormont said. "The best alliances are forged this way."

Thanks to my father's idea to bring 500 soldiers with us on this expedition to the coast—to let them get some real experience and see the life of a guard—we were able to enhance the training effectiveness through real battles against raiders and pirates.

These soldiers were from the first batches we graduated in Winterfell. They had the theoretical knowledge of how to fight and defend their lands, but over the months they had spent on the coast, they had gained practical experience and lost their sensitivity to taking lives when necessary.

The Mormonts had provided a small keep, which would be maintained by our soldiers. For their sustenance, both groups would work together to supply the population of Bear Island, from fishing practices that could be useful in the future to hunting the island's wild animals.

Moreover, with the message my father gave me before starting this expedition, the Mormont family began to increase their maritime power with the help of the Clover family, who stayed with another contingent of 300 guards. Each of the northern houses was ordered to start training large groups of soldiers from the beginning, it didn't matter if they were highborn or peasants, everyone started at the same level. Any peasant who wished to help or simply offer their services was accepted, as long as they did not break the law. Naturally, some houses could not provide large numbers of soldiers, but those who could were doing so.

Additionally, all families with coastal territories were required to increase their security and begin constructing keeps where garrisons of soldiers would be stationed. With this and the help of the Manderlys, they could start working on maritime trade and begin earning more gold for their families and the North.

The Clovers, the Flints, the Ryswells, and the Karstarks had the support of the Manderlys and the Starks in this effort. The Manderlys were building merchant and warships at no charge, and once each house had at least three ships—two merchant and one warship—they would begin seeking out trade opportunities for the goods produced by the other families. The Manderlys could continue assisting thanks to the profits they had accumulated over the years, and the Starks subsidized where we could, making the North stronger.

We were gradually preparing for the War of the Five Kings, and I was genuinely pleased with what we had achieved over the past two years. We were still waiting for the crown's response regarding the decision they would make with the research data, but as much as I wished otherwise, I had no power to change it, and we would have to endure these decisions for over a year. The advantage was that by troubling the Northerners with these sanctions, the separation or struggle for the throne would gain more traction, which would give the North better advantages in the future.

As I thought about the changes in the North, Jory and Maege finished their conversation and were looking at me, noticing I was distracted.

"Are you okay, Robb? You seemed lost in thought for a moment," Maege asked with a teasing tone.

"I think it's time to return to Winterfell. I'm sure your family will be able to continue the construction and other tasks," I said with a sheepish smile.

"Dacey will be sad to see you go, Robb," Maege said with a hearty laugh.

"Tell that little demon to give me some space, haha," I laughed with her. "She never stops fighting with me or Jon; all she thinks about is battles."

"Yes, it's a pity," Maege said, "I'd like to have grandchildren soon," she added with a suggestive wink.

"Ughh," I staggered back a couple of steps. "I need to go. Jory, prepare everything for our return to Winterfell. We leave at dawn."

Putting as much distance as possible between myself and the lady of Bear Island, I focused on the memories of my family. Realistically, I had been away from Winterfell for a very long time, but it was necessary. Preparing ourselves before Canon began would ensure the North could defend itself against the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. There were too many enemies and too few allies, so preparing ourselves could save our lives in the future.

Winterfell

Leaving the battalion on Bear Island was a decision made very carefully between my father and his advisors, but realistically it was the best option. We left one of Winterfell's veteran guards in charge of the keep at Bear Island; he would command the troops alongside Maege Mormont.

This way, my house wouldn't lose control of the troops, as it would be a joint command between both houses.

Approaching Winterfell, I saw the guards opening the castle gates. The sounds of the hundreds of guards present at all times, the clanging of their training weapons, could be heard from outside the castle. Their effort was at 110%; no matter the initial reason they joined the army, after months of training together, they had all gained a new family in each other.

Entering the Great Hall, I noticed that my family was not alone. Various lords were present with them.

"Robb. I apologize for not being able to receive you as always," my father said, a bit embarrassed.

Giving him a calm smile, I approached his seat at the table and hugged him. "No problem, Father. It's good to be back home."

My father responded with a small smile before returning to a conversation with Rickard Karstark.

"Mother, every time I see you, you look more beautiful," I said to Catelyn with an honest smile. My relationship with her was not like in canon; the distance that had grown between us was quite obvious, but that didn't mean I didn't love her. She was like a second mother to me. There wasn't total trust, and my maturity had led her to stop treating me like a child in front of others. But I couldn't deny that I felt good when she showed concern for me.

Catelyn smiled warmly at my compliment, stood up, and gave me a welcoming hug. "We've all missed you, and Jon," she whispered so only I could hear.

"We're happy to be here. And I think we'll be staying in Winterfell for a long time. There are many responsibilities I've had to neglect due to my travels, and it's time for me to return to them."

My mother's smile grew even wider upon hearing this. Kissing me on the brow, she followed my father's example and returned to her conversation with Lord Umber's wife.

My younger siblings also approached happily, even more so when they heard what I told my mother about staying in the castle for a long time.

Sansa and Arya were accompanied by the new septa, who was tasked with guiding them as best she could. At least Sansa listened to her teachings, but Arya couldn't care less about them. At least she attended and didn't try to run away, as she had permission to do as she wished in this life. For now, she just ran and played with some guards, but in the coming years, Arya would surely start learning how to defend herself.

My mother didn't seem to like this, but she overlooked it and continued teaching her other daughter how to be a proper lady.

Sitting down, I couldn't deny there was no way to express how happy I was to finally be home. Each day left less time for preparation, but I was confident I would achieve my goals. The War of the Five Kings, and then unifying the kingdoms under my command, all that work just to prepare for the long night.

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