Chapter 4: Home

Eddard Stark

283 AC

Mountains of the Vale

I knew the Vale well having been the foster son of Jon Arryn. I had spent years here bent dragged into mischief by Robert. There was things that I could love about the Vale. The gallantry of the knights. The skills at arms of the famed warriors they during the rebellion showed how strong a force they truly were. The lords of the Vale in most cases cared for their small folk and tried to make their lives better. It was not something common here in the South.

There was also things that I did not care for in the Vale. The strength of the Andal faith which overshadowed everything. The fact these lands were once lands of my people but were stolen away from them by the invasion and those who worshiped the old gods were shunned and often killed. There was a strong divide in the people by religion. It was one of the reasons I would not allow the spread to happen North of the neck. It was the reason I was here now.

There was no Godswoods left in the Vale. There was no nobility left to worship the old ways and all had caved into the worship of the new gods. Once that change had occurred so too were lost the Godswoods. The closest I could find for the meeting was here in the lowest valley to the mountains. The grove was old and filled with weirwood trees. While there was no heart tree it would work for the meeting that was to come.

I sat here looking over the parchment of a rubbing from the armor for Yohn Royce as I waited for the gathering. I had requested that the runic work on the armor to study with the excuse of historical purposes. But in truth I could read the runes. I believed I could reproduce the impressive armor that the Royce family has used for decades. If I could accomplish that it would become a benefit in the future for House Starks soldiers when war comes again.

An interruption from my study came as two large men walked into the clearing. I carefully rolled up the work and placed it back into a satchel I kept to keep it safe. Then I looked up from my spot sitting on a set of large rocks in the middle of the glade. "Wull, Liddle. Are they here?"

"Aye The Ned. They are here to meet with you. The heads of the Moon Brothers, Milk Snakes, Painted Dogs, Storm Crows, Howlers, Sons of the Moon, Sons of the Mist, Howlers, and Red Dogs." The Chieftain of the Wull clan answered my question.

The mountain clan chiefs of the North had been sent out to meet with chiefs of the Vale clans. I had figured it made sense that they would relate better than sending our random Northerners. Further it I could meet with them myself all together it should give me a better chance to bring them to my position. Plus I didn't feel like chasing them down into the mountains. "The Burned men and Black Ears didn't answer then?"

"They do not trust anyone but their own and would not consider meeting here. Maybe if the others agree they will come but I doubt it. There is bad blood." The Liddle explained with a shrug

"So be it. This is more than I expected to answer. Your people have both done well." I gave a nod and stood up with a creak of my back. "Let's get this underway then."

Both men nodded in agreement then went out to get the gathered chieftains. A few minutes later they returned leading a large group of men and women. I waited for them all to come into the clearing then motioned to Fat Tom one of my guardsmen at the side. He stepped forward with bread and salt as I spoke. "Before we begin I offer guest right as it our way."

I received a few grunts of agreement but none argued and all grabbed pieces of bread and salt from the tray. Once they was done and the guard stepped away. I spoke up at that point my words in the old tongue, "I am Jarl Stark. My family has lead the North for over eight thousand years. When the children walked the lands and the long night was here my ancestors built the wall and Winterfell. We have held the old ways and the old gods since then. We shall hold them till the end of time."

I let my words carry over all present. I did not yell or raise my tone. I spoke smoothly and calmly knowing that I had their attention due to my chieftains. "The Andals of the south took you lands and tried to take our own. We stopped them and held them back time and again we defeated them. But even we could not stop the dragons from stripping some of our lands in the far North."

"The dragons are gone. The North has taken those lands back for our people. I consider you among our people. I welcome all first men to come and live on these lands. I come here now to make this offer to you." I paused a brief moment again to let my offer ring out into the silence.

"I offer your clans that swear loyalty to Winterfell to have the chance of lands of your own. Places to hunt and raise crops. Places for your children to life and grow without the worry of death from the Andals. Those that swear will be given lands, provisions and weapons. I will see your people safely to the North. I will offer your hearth and warmth at my table. I will see to it that your elders no longer need to walk into the winter so the young may survive. Your past here is gone and will not be able to be reclaimed. But I offer you a future for you and your people. This I swear on bronze and ice. I swear on fire and ice. I swear this on the old gods, the true gods and my own blood". I raised my ha upwards for all to see and cut into it with a danger before squeezing it and letting the assembled me. "Who shall join us for the future?"

In the end all of the tribes gathered joined my people. They swore their allegiance gaining the North close to five thousand swords and around eighteen thousand new people. Eddard had worked out lands in Brandon's gift that he would give to each clan. The Northernmost lands of my realm from the Eastern to Western shores would be split up and filled out with people for the first time in centuries living and growing in Brandon's gift.

While these lands were not as fertile as those of the new gift they were lands rich for crops or mountains filled with possible mines that could be exploited in the future.

The chiefs were happy and their people were excited for the chance to build a better future. I acquired supplies for the people from House Royce that would be paid for by the crown as per our agreement. This included food, clothing, carts, horses and livestock from gulltown. Then we had set out from the mountains of the moon to the bloody gate.

I would like to say we made good time but that would be a lie. It took a month to get to Moat Cailin. The reconstruction and the work for the canal had not started at all yet but that was to be expected. I had to meet with numerous contractors at Winterfell for my plans for both Wintertown and the Moat. It was better to be careful and plan things correctly instead of just starting right away and finding problems.

It took a week over another fortnight to reach Winterfell. We passed through the Barrowlands with the hills and graves of the first men. They were rolling hills filled with summer grasses. My lands were beautiful in a wild unclaimed nature. While passing through the Barrowlands it reminded me again how vast the lands of the North truly were. So much possibility to be found for our people and the future.

When we passed castle Cerwyn and road over the bridges of the White Knife I knew I was close to home. It was still a few more days to the slow moving of my party but I remember riding to the top of a hill and seeing Winterfell in all of its glory shining in the sun.

Part of me really truly understood where I was at the sight of the majestic caste. This was my home. It had stood strong and untaken for eight thousand years. My family had ruled these lands from this giant of a seat that could dwarf castles in my old world. I had to pinch myself at the beauty of the place.

We rode to the small town known as Wintertown. Normally in the winter it would swell to twenty to thirty thousand people but now in summer there was barely five. There the clans that had followed from the mountains setup camp outside of the town. They would be given building to live in and rest some before they headed north to their new lands following clans Wull and Liddle.

I road with my guardsmen to the keep eager to see home. When I entered through the large gatehouse i saw the full keep was assembled in the courtyard with my brother front and center. I quickly dismounted as everyone dropped to a knee, "Arise all of you."

Momenta after giving the order I stepped forward and pulled Benjen into a strong hug. I clamped my hand across the back of one of my last kin and let out a sigh knowing I was finally home. I stepped back and looked at him meeting his eyes that were filled with sadness. "I have missed you brother."

"As I have you Ned." The young man said as he motioned towards a young woman and a wet nurse came forward with a bundle in her arms and presented me Robb.

I couldn't help but smile at seeing the auburn tuft of hair sticking up from his head. I gently gave him back to the woman so she would see him brought back into the warmth and turned to meet Benjen's eyes. "We have much to discuss Benjen. Come let's go to father's solar and get this out of the way so I can rest some."

"Your solar now Ned." He answered and followed a bit of sadness in his steps.

We walked down the halls of Winterfell and it felt weird they I could feel at home new at the same time. I had memories of Eddard as he played and got up to mischief about here till he was sent off to foster. I remembered so many times of playing with Brandon or Lyanna or even holding little Benjen. There was a spot we passed they our mother used to love to sit and read in the morning warm sunshine. The view from the window she loved overlooked the glass garden. I had to force myself to keep walking instead of standing there looking for ghosts. In some ways I took over Eddard but with his memories and emotions of this place he also took over me.

Finally we got a thick door made of ironwood and barred in iron. I pushed open the door and walked over to the large weirwood crafted desk and took a seat. A roaring fire filled the room with warmth but besides a large map of the North on one wall and few skins of white bears there was little in the chamber. I motioned to Benjen to pull up one of the few chairs in the chamber to sit across from me and took a seat. A few moments later a servant delivered a pitcher with Northern ale and two mugs.

I poured a mug for each of us and took a long sip from mine before letting out a sigh, "The south can keep their wines. Nothing they offer can top our ale."

That at least drew a smile from Benjen and broke the tension of the Chamber. I took advantage to start the conversation. "You know about Lyanna Benjen?"

"Aye, I do." He started to say and I could see the look of loss and sadness in his eyes. The regret seemed to boil off of him in waves.

"Do not blame yourself. I am as much to blame as you are for letting her go. I should never have tried to convince father that Robert was a good choice for her. I was wrong for they as I had thought he would have treated her well and let her be herself." I grimaced and shook my head slowly with a frown.

"What you do not know is I found her in that damned tower left to die. Her bed had been bloody and I believe she had been with child. Somewhere those sick bastards took her child. I believe they they bred her and stole her son or daughter and ran off after their silver prince was dead." I grew quiet as I looked at the flames crackling with a frown. "I should have been fast Ben. I should have been quicker and realized something might go wrong. I was slowed from my injuries and again in Kingslanding. I failed her."

I took another swallow from my mug before refilling it. I paused before looking up to meet his eyes with my hard grey ones. "I need you. In need your help to find him somewhere and bring him home. I want Lyanna's son here. I knew you had thought to perhaps escape to the watch for redemption but I need you instead for our family."

"How did you know that? I never told anyone." Benjen asked with shock on his face.

"I had dreams. Wolf dreams that show me possibilities of what might come. I know this war won't be the last and truly Winter is coming. It will be a winter that we have never felt before." I sipped again from the ale and wiped off my mouth with a sleeve.

"What I am asking you to do is help me make sure we survive the wars to come and secure the pack. Rotting at the wall with frostbite will do you no good. I need you to guard the north and help me find Lyanna's child instead." I offered with a frown of concern.

"How will I be able to do it?" Benjen asked slowly with a frown filled with concern.

For a moment I felt bad for manipulating his feelings of regret but I knew this was better for him then dying as a fucking ranger beyond the wall. I could almost see his long face turned ghostly white and willingly giving himself up for Bran. Brandon Stark, a boy that would never exist in this world. Does that mean the three eyed raven would end when the wights came for him? I shook my head to clear it and frowned. "I want you to go to White Harbor and learn everything you can from the Manderly about captaining ships and trade. I want you to become one with the sea to the point you understand the changing of the wind better than an ironborn."

"They took him to one of the free cities and we will find him there eventually. I plan to build a network of individuals to find them, a network to protect us from our enemies. When I find them, and I swear by the Old Gods I will do so, I will send you with a fleet to get him back home to us." I met his eyes firmly with expectation in my voice.

Benjen met my gaze and gave a single nod of agreement at the chance for his redemption. I knew he would grow to become a capable and determined individual. You do not live yo become first ranger without skill. This should direct him.

I won the right for our family to have the return of the gifts back to the North. The blood of our family has paid for this land. Further the new crown will pay for the rebuilding of Moat Cailin and gave funds to build a canal to connect the east coast to the saltpeter. That shall become your seat and you shall have a cadet branch of our family in the future."

His eyes went wide at the statement and what would be his own. "Winterfell shall forever be your home Benjen but I mean for you to have a future and a reason to live. I arranged a marriage for you at the wishes of the crown to heal the divide of the North and South."

Benjen looked angry at the fact that he was being forced into a marriage. So I reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "She is a beautiful girl and you may grow to care for her. You have time to see and if you do not I will break the arrangement."

"Who is she?" Benjen asked in a small voice like a young man.

"Lynesse Hightower. The favored daughter of Lord Hightower of Oldtown. If you marry they will help fund the building of the canal for you seat along with two fortresses on each side of the new river to guard it. Furthermore they will help furnish your keep in the desires of you both. Plus you will have opportunities for trade deals with one of the richest cities in the seven kingdoms. From what I have been told and shown the girl is not only beautiful but has a kind heart. If you are yourself I am certain love will flourish." I ended the words and poured another mug full of frothy ale for Benjen.

"She is pretty?" He asked in a high pitched voice that showed himself to be the young teen that he was.

I couldn't help but laugh and smile, "She is and you will see for yourself. She and one of her brothers will be traveling to White Harbor in the next few years for preparations on their side for the canal. You will get to meet her but I expect you to write to her before that to try to win her over. Try some of the poetry that Lyanna said you used to write.

I couldn't help but grin as he blushed like a maid then I took a long sip of the mug of ale.

The younger Stark frowned and looked back to me, "Why would they choose me over you? They could perhaps have a child ruling our lands in the future."

"Don't sell Moat Cailin short. If the canal is successful all of the trade from Bravos and Pentos to the Westerlands and the area h will travel through there. You will have the richest seat in the entire North besides Winterfell Benjen. That is just from the taxes from the city that will be built plus the canal not even considering the military significance of your lands. Benjen I am trusting you with the keys to the North. You are the Wolf that Guards the North. That is why you must learn and take in everything you can about the sea." I shook my head with a small smile before I met his gaze.

"It is what I think father would want for you brother. He would want you to have a bright future. This is a chance to become someone special and respected." I leaned back into my leather bound chair with a sigh realizing I was guilting him with those words.

"Don't do it for father or even myself. Do it for yourself. You deserve a chance to be your own man and with this you will become a great and important man." I smiled at him and for moments the boy met my eyes and finally gave me a nod of return.

"I think... I think Lyanna would want this for me too Brother. She always wanted to see the world and adventure on the seas. It would be a chance for me to live her dreams and I could bring her son or daughter home." He nodded slowly to himself almost in agreement to my words. A true smile starting to come over his lips as he considered the possibilities and living his life somewhere besides the penal colony up north. "If my marriage is bad that will become my penance."

"A marriage is what you make of it Benjen. Go into it hoping for a good future and a partner and you shall be happy. But know that no matter what Robb and I will be always here with you." I placed down my mug and reached forward to squeeze his shoulder.

The grin I received lit up his face before a bit of mischief came into his eyes. "At least if I am to be engaged then I will not be the most eligible bachelor in the North."

I chuckled at the words with a smile on his lips, "Indeed you do not have to be chased after I feel bad for the poor sod that will be. I wonder whom they will be the Manderly sons or Glover, perhaps Bolton."

Benjen broke out into laughter which rang out through the room, "No brother none of them. You are that poor sod since you are a widow. Look at the pile of letters on your desk. They are already starting to show up."

I glanced down at a neat pile of scrolls on my desk with a House Frey on top but already there had to be six or seven scrolls from houses of the Riverlands and the North. There was even a few from the Crownlands there for me. I stared at them for long moments before I uttered the one word that came to my mind for the situation,"Fuck!"

Author note: Not sure how I feel about this one may see a rewrite here adding more interactions with the chiefs. There will be one more chapter before I start to do time skips at a year at a time. Maybe a few chapters of other characters eventually but it will still be Eddard centric. I hope you all enjoyed. Not sure who his pairing will be perhaps Daley Mormont?