Chapter 32: Arrivals and offers.

Winterfell.

Preparing for the arrival of the royal caravan was more tedious than difficult. With all the gold we had saved over the years, despite Littlefinger's and the Lannisters' attempts to diminish it, we had enough to give them a grand welcome.

Aside from waiting, there wasn't much I could do, as most of the logistics were handled by Mother and Sansa, who were most knowledgeable about what the royal party might require. Taking extra food from our supplies wouldn't hurt, as they didn't bring many people.

According to the message we received last night, the royal caravan consisted of eighty people, mostly guards, with the rest being personal servants and the smallest group being the royal family.

Taking my time, I walked toward my father, who was in the Godswood trying to calm himself. He probably needed to pray and seek wisdom. There was only one reason for the King to come personally to Winterfell, and he didn't know how to address it. The most obvious response would be to refuse the King's request, but that wouldn't be easy, and he probably wouldn't do it. My father had been taught to live with honor, and if his friend, the King, were to ask for his help like in the series, he would likely go with him, leaving the North in my hands.

Since I arrived in this world, I knew I wouldn't be able to change his decision to go to King's Landing. Still, I could change enough to make it easier to spirit him away alone, so the betrothal of Sansa and the bastard Joffrey couldn't happen. This was the most pressing matter for me to discuss with him before the arrival of the royal family.

Heading directly toward him with my mother in tow was easy, thanks to my insects pinpointing his location. Seeing him torn with his thoughts sent a pang to my heart. I'm sure he considered different ways to act, but none seemed entirely possible.

"Father, there are things we need to discuss before their arrival," I said directly, believing that being blunt was the best approach.

"Yes, we must plan," my father said, but I could see he had already decided how he would proceed.

"Have you already made your decision, Father?" I asked knowingly.

My father looked torn for a moment, gazing at me and my mother before finally speaking. "Yes, son. I have. I will follow Robert to King's Landing."

I shook my head. I didn't agree with him, but there was little I could do to change this.

"I understand, Father," I told him. "It must have been difficult to make this decision."

"Aye, it was. But I can leave knowing that the North is in capable hands, Robb. Continue making me proud," my father said, patting my head.

"I will, Father," I nodded firmly.

"What about the rest of the family, Ned?" Mother asked.

"I will make time to return, dear," he told her.

There were many tears in my mother's eyes as she nodded, but she understood better than anyone how my father thought.

After giving them some time in semi-privacy, I cleared my throat to attract their attention.

"There's one thing I want to discuss right now, Father," I said.

"What is it, son? If I can, I'll do whatever I can to make it happen," he answered.

"The King was obsessed with Aunt Lyanna, wasn't he?" I asked, taking a seat near the weirwood and touching it. I always felt at peace being near one, and it was a welcome sensation.

"She was his intended, son. He went to war for her, as you know," my father nodded.

"But she didn't feel the same way," I added.

Father looked me straight in the eyes before sighing and agreeing. "Aye, she disliked him and was very angry with your grandfather for a long time."

"It must have been difficult for you, Father. That your little sister didn't want to marry your best friend," I said lightly.

"Where are you going with this, Robb?" he asked impatiently.

"If the King asks for the hand of any of my sisters or mine in a betrothal with his family, I want you to tell him that you won't arrange marriages for us," I said seriously. "I don't want history to repeat itself, and if the prince is anything like his father, I would kill him to protect my sisters' feelings."

My father looked grim. "That's traitorous talk, Robb."

"I would say the same to his face, so please do this for me. I don't ask much from you, but I won't budge on this. I want them to marry for love, and I want the same for myself. The North is strong; there's no need for arranged marriages for our family," I concluded.

"I'll discuss it later with your mother and Luwin, but if it's possible, I will make it happen," he nodded slowly.

"That's all I ask, Father."

One Month Later

Waiting with the rest of my family for the arrival of the royal caravan was nerve-wracking. Thanks to the changes I made, Bran and Arya were somewhat calmer than their canon counterparts, so they were with us, waiting for the Royal caravan.

As we saw the first few guards leading the caravan enter the courtyard, I felt myself getting excited at the start of one of my favorite series ever. When the King arrived and dismounted his horse, everyone was silent.

Due to the Crown's actions, they weren't greeted with much enthusiasm by the populace. They were always respected, but there wasn't a palpable excitement at seeing the King of the Seven Kingdoms in our ancestral home.

The King approached and noticed that people didn't look at him with devotion, but he ignored it and walked up to my father.

The rest of the royal family approached in the same manner. Joffrey, with his usual attitude of preferring to be elsewhere, cast glances at Sansa, who completely ignored him. Thank the old gods that the new education she had received from the maester and the new septa had kept her from fantasizing about a fictional romance with someone she didn't know.

Myrcella and Tommen looked like good children, and I had nothing against them. If the opportunity arose, I would see how I could help them survive, but I wouldn't go out of my way if they didn't happen before me.

Cersei, likewise, looked at everyone with a critical eye, her gaze lingering on me and Sansa. She had probably heard about me and wanted to learn more to see if I could be manipulated or if I should be eliminated for her son's future. Despite being a detestable person, one thing that couldn't be denied was her absolute love for her children, especially the firstborn.

Moreover, she probably noticed Sansa because of her beauty. As they said in this world, my sister hadn't "bloomed" yet, but it was easy to see that she would be beautiful in the future. Thanks to her intelligence, I was sure her future husband would be very lucky to have her, after many threats from Jon and me, of course.

"You've grown fat," the King said seriously.

My father only looked back at the King's enormous stomach without saying anything until he finished, "Winterfell is yours, King Robert Baratheon."

The King noticed that my father wasn't pleased with him, but he ignored it.

"Take me to the crypts, Ned. I want to pay my respects," the King continued seriously.

"Darling, the journey has been long. Wouldn't it be better to rest? You can pay your respects another day," Cersei said calmly.

The King looked at her indifferently. "Ned? Take me to the crypts," the King repeated.

My father nodded before turning to my mother. "Cat, take the rest to the welcome banquet. We'll join you when we're done."

My mother nodded and then turned to the Queen, leading her inside with the rest of the important people in the caravan.

While my mother focused on her task, I observed those who had arrived at Winterfell. I could see Jaime Lannister in the distance with a cocky smile on his face. Most of the people who came were the same as in the series, with one exception: a bald head was among the caravan.

Trying to hide my shock at Varys being here, I maintained a fixed smile.

"Welcome back to Winterfell, Ser Oakheart," I said to the knight who had sparred with me last time. "How is life in King's Landing?"

"Nice to see you again, Lord Robb," the knight greeted. "Same old boring job; there's not much to do," he said lightly.

I noticed that Varys had gotten close enough to hear us but pretended to be busy ordering some servants to help with the luggage.

"That's nice to hear. At least you're doing a good job with King Robert's security," I told him somewhat sarcastically.

A snort was heard behind me where the Kingslayer was located. "You would know about working hard, wouldn't you?" he japed.

"You would be the expert at protecting kings, Ser Jaime. Why don't you tell me what you think of the security on the Kingsroad?" I japed.

Ser Barristan, who had moved closer to us while we talked, snorted, showing his disdain for the oathbreaker.

Jaime's smile faltered for a moment before disappearing as he remained silent.

"It is nice to meet you, Robb Stark," Ser Barristan said, extending his hand.

"It's an honor to meet you too, Ser Barristan," I said respectfully, shaking his hand.

"I think we should join the rest of the royal family. Please follow me," I told them before heading inside the castle.

The Crypts

Ned Stark walked with the King in silence, but soon the King broke it in front of Lyanna's tomb.

After paying his respects to his original intended and obsession, the King touched the statue before looking at Ned.

"I need your help, Ned," he started. "I want you to be my Hand in King's Landing."

"It is a great honor, Robert, and I will do it only because you asked," Ned accepted after a moment.

"I don't think you'll thank me with all the vipers in King's Landing," Robert chuckled.

"Another thing, I want us to unite our families by blood," he continued.

Ned lifted his hand to stop him. "With all due respect, Robert, no. I won't arrange marriages for my family."

"Excuse me?" Robert said, irate and huffing.

"You heard what I said, Robert," Ned repeated. "I told you that I won't make my children marry someone they don't want. If your son can woo any of my daughters and they reciprocate the feeling, we could proceed with it. But if that doesn't happen, you can forget about it."

"And if I decree that it will happen?" the King asked.

"Then it will be the same as Lyanna, Robert. And our friendship won't save you from the North," Eddard said seriously.

"Do not make that mistake, Robert. The people are angry at you for everything the capital has demanded of us in the last couple of years," Eddard explained.

"Ha," Robert chuckled. "You Northerners are nuts, but that's what I like about you. It's better than the snakes in the South."

"I'll tell my firstborn to try and court your eldest, Sansa, was it?" the King asked.

"Then I hope he's intelligent because she wants the best for herself, and her brothers will screen everyone who tries, haha," Ned laughed.

"Aye, your eldest… There are bards singing songs about him in the South. What I wouldn't give to have one like that," the King said mournfully.

"Lyanna and my sons would have been like that, you know?" the King asked. "All my strength and her willpower in one body."

"Reality is cruel, Robert," Eddard said. "But we must work for the future. Now, let's go. We've kept them waiting long enough."

"Aye, I'm famished," the King laughed, slapping his stomach.

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