Chapter 7: It is a Gift

Helga walked down the long stone hallway of Winterfell. She was thankful to work for the Starks. Not only did they take care of their small folk, but the new young lord seemed to make it a priority to watch over each of them. Lord Eddard learned their names and greeted them personally. He seemed to work day and night never stopping in his desire to see the North stronger.

It was very different then when she loved in the Riverlands where you were considered someone to hide in the background. That was not to mention the fact the walls of the keep were warm despite the chill outside.

That same chill had taken more than a few of the staff to sickness recently. The Autumn had set upon the north and with it sickness seemed to spring up everywhere. The maesters and his new assistants had been running ragged around the keep and Winterton trying to help others. It seemed to be a stroke of luck that the Lord Stark had decided that younger men and women who wanted to learn to help heal others properly were brought together to learn from the maesters at his Academy. They had brought in woods witches and anyone with knowledge of Northern herbs. The young men and women were given training with these individuals once their methods were proven. The maester's called it uniformity whatever that meant Helga couldn't say.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a song that seemed to be sung in a deep barrow tone voice from the family wing. She turned a corner and found Sonya, a young buxom maid kissed by fire outside the chambers of little Rob peaking into it. The young maid was so lost in the song she never noticed the approach of Helga.

The older maid, a young woman in her twenties instead of teens walked quietly up to where the doorway with Sonya. No servant in any castle can resist gossip but peering into the chambers of the Lord's son is a quick way to get punished.

Helga was about to warn Sonya of just what could happen to her when she realized the voice was coming from the chambers. She gently placed a hand on Sonya's arm not to startle her. The pair of close friends met their eyes then both of them peaked into the chamber.

"It's a world of laughter

A world of tears

It's a world of hopes

And a world of fears

There's so much that we share

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all."

Lord Stark stood shirtless only in sleeping slacks as he walked holding two year old Robb against him. The little lord had the fever going around and had trouble in and out of sleep. Lord Eddard had personally hardly left the chamber of his son. In fact he had taken a few pillows and furs into the room to help oversee him against the Maester's wishes.

"It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all. It's a small small world."

They watched Lord Eddard turn and tirelessly walk back to the other side of the room. His voice rumbling as he sung the song. Despite the later hour the man seemed to be tireless as he walked and sung to his son. He never lifted his eyes and never noticed them as his steel grey eyes were latched onto his son with concern.

"There is just one moon

And one golden sun

And a smile means

Friendship to ev'ryone

Though the mountains divide

And the oceans are wide

It's a small world after all."

As their lord turned to walk back towards the far side of the room she couldn't help but stare at his chiseled chest from hours daily in the yard with that great sword. The sight was only topped by when the lord turned around and they saw his backside from those strange squat exercises. Helga turned her gaze to meet the eyes of Sonya seeing the same lust as she tilted her head away. The red head followed the brunette away from the door.

"It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all."

Helga pulled her friend away and let out a sigh of relief the pair did not get caught. Or at least it appeared that they did not get caught peeping on the Lord. But before she could berate her friend she spoke up, "He has been at it for hours. The man is dead on his feet but he still walks tirelessly. Every time the little lord is placed down the boy awakens and cries out."

"Lord Eddard is a good man Sonya. We are lucky he cares so much for his folk and his kin. little lord Robb is lucky as well. I am sure by sheer willpower the boy will make it through if he is anything like his father."

"Lord Eddard? Not Lord Stark?" Sonya asked with a teasing tilt to her words. Helga turned red at the words and hit her bottom lip.

"That backside is a delicious looking at my dinner." Helga answered back as Sonya nodded her head in agreement.

Sonya added back to her friend with heated cheek matching her hair. "Agreed. That cheat too. I would love to get him alone to thank him for all he does for us."

"That can be arranged." The words made the pair of them jump into the air and turn around to stare at Lord Stark standing before them. Both of the beautiful young maids turned so red that their blood vessels might have burst.

"My lord we are so sorry. We did not mean to intrude or chatter. We only wished to be of help to you." Helga answered quickly with a nod of agreement from Helga.

"You wish to help me Helga and Sonya?" Lord Eddard asked raising an eyebrow as he looked them both up and down from full firm cheats downwards to slim legs from days walking up and down castle steps. A smile crept over the lips of the Lord of Winterfell, "Perhaps you both can join me to warm bath in my chambers. I might need some help to remove some of the seat and stink that has built up. But only if you are both willingly."

The girls eyes flashed back and forth with a smile matching. They spoke up together in answer, "At once my lord."

The pair of Helga and Sonya giggled before they rushed off with Eddard following to his chambers.

I let out a sigh as I stood up and stretched in the bed. My body ached from my back to knee from training in the yard and helping to take care of Robb. Last night had been the first night away from my boy. In truth I had been ordered by maester Luwin almost to get some sleep. Maybe I should have picked the super stamina ability?

I slowly turned my gaze down to the buxom pair of the redhead and brunette in my chambers asleep holding each other. Helga snores lightly against the hair of Sonya causing it to ruffle in the breeze. The furs had slid down their bodies to show off their assets. In my old life I was more of an ass man but the pair were beautiful. Too beautiful to deny a bit of relaxation and fun. After all, It is good to be the king.

Well not quite a King but all in name I was in the North. I stood up and slid on small clothes before a pair of wool leggings, as much as I would like to enjoy myself further I had work to be done. Today my new banner-man should be arriving and I wanted to get the measure of the man.

Part of me was frustrated as I had piece mailed up parts of the Old and New Gifts giving away much of the land. But I needed that land put to the till. The sooner it was growing food the sooner I could start to bring coin and help grow my lands population. The clock was ticking and despite how a lucky jump and dagger ended the long night before it began I was not holding my breath. Especially since Arya did not exist here since I lost Cat.

I found myself entering the inner bailey still in my thoughts as the large party road into the main courtyard of Winterfell. Twenty Stark guards led by Sir Rodrik escorted the party of six men and a White Harbor carriage into the courtyard. The came to a stop and dismounted immediately falling to a knee before myself.

"Lord Stark, this is Jared Rose, leader of the Company of the Rose." Sir Rodrik's deep voice heavy voice announced. At a nod from me he stood up and continued, "You stand before Jarl Eddard Stark. The rebuilder of the North, the father of the First people and the Quiet Wolf."

I was not sure of these titles that seemed to be going around about me at first. But I figured the more mystique about me the more likely the small folk would follow my lead. I did not expect it to pick up with my nobles. "Arise."

The large man with greeting beard did not rise at once instead he spoke up, "Jarl Stark. I hereby swear my life and service to you and House Stark. I swear to be a sword to guard your back, a shield to shelter your men from arrows of the enemy. I swear by blood and fire , by bronze and ice. I swear to defend our lands against all threats from beyond or within our borders. From this day till my last we make an oath of service to House Stark."

"You shall forevermore have mead and meat in my hall. You and your kin shall have protection and assistance as long as you remain loyal to House Stark. Arise Jared of House Rose." I spoke as the man stood up with a smile spreading over his face. I made a motion and Alan brought bread and salt to the men to eat.

The newly named Lord Rose motioned to his men and three of them went to carriage. Two of them returning while carrying a large chest. The third led a led a woman forward who was holding a two year old. The young girl child was dressed warmly with furs but her silver hair peaked out from the furs easy to see. "My Lord Stark. May I present to you Princess Daenerys Targaryen. The last female of her line. A gift as requested to the Jarl of the North."

I stepped forward to the woman and gently lifted up the child. She had cute chubby little cheeks with large purple eyes the looked at me with fear. I felt a little sick with myself at the thought I had just sent her brother to his death. But I honestly could not harbor both in the North. The son of the mad king would be a danger and go mad. Perhaps I could save her from becoming as mad as her father and burning down a city. I softer ruffled her hair with a smile. "You are a pretty little lady Dany. You shall be welcomed and safe here in Winterfell."

I turned back to my new bannerman, "The other is with my brother?"

"Indeed my lord I saw his ship off personally from White harbor. Lord Manderly insisted on sending your brother and the package in a fleet of five warships. He told me to tell you that he has given his word that he will see Benjen safely to Kingslanding and back." Lord Jared answered calmly with a prideful smile.

I glanced down at the little girl in my arms who seemed to be cold despite the fires around her. A quick decision was made as I spoke up, "come inside I shall see the child settled and we can discuss your new lands as you work on your other endeavors you have agreed to accomplish. Since you have brought me a dragon let me tell you of the lands around Sea Dragon Point."

Benjen Stark

Kingslanding

The city stinks. That was the first thought the came to Benjen as he stepped down off the plank of the Manderly ship. His friend Sir Wendel Manderly let out a big sigh with a grimace. "Every time I come I am thankful that White Harbor is not built like this."

"Aye. I will need to make sure if I am able to grow a city around Moat Cailin someday that we will not have the same stench." Benjen answered as they waited for their men to bring the prisoner.

"You have time." The large knight threw his arm over the shoulders of Benjen and grinned. "Besides you have me around my friend to remind you to get trooper drainage. I promise to visit after our adventures are threw."

Benjen just shook his head with a chuckle having grown used to his friends joking nature. "So where is the best places to see and eat in this city?"

"You don't want to try the bowl of brown that is for sure." Wendel added with a grimace.

"A bowl of brown?" Benjen asked in confusion.

"Aye. It is a stew in Flea Bottom. It is said to be fu of rats and worse." Wendel shook his head with a face full of disgust.

"What is worse then a rat?" Benjen asked with a frown.

"There aren't many cemeteries around for the smallfolk Benjen. Guess where some of the bodies might end up." Wendel answered and watched his friend turn green in the face. He slapped the younger Stark brother on the back. "Cheer up there are plenty of places to visit for a good meal and company. I shall show you about."

"Get your hands off of me! I am the Dragon!" The familiar scream of their gift to the King howled out at their guards. The sound of a fist hitting flesh sounded out and a body landing on the ground.

The tow turned to find the boy on the ground and a Manderly knight shaking his hand that was bleeding. "The buggering well bit me!"

"Gag him and bind him up. We don't hurt children in the North." Benjen said with a stern frown. At once the men snapped to do as ordered. The knight looking sheepish for his striking the former prince.

Benjen waved off the apology of the knight as a carriage they had hired rolled up. The boy king was tossed into it with four knights to surround and guard the bound up boy. Benjen and Wendel along with ten others mounted horses while a guard of twenty Stark guardsmen surrounded the carriage.

The trip through Kingslanding to the Red Keep went by quietly. Benjen enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city, if not the smells. But it was different then Bravos or White Harbor. There was bustle about the place that was unique to Kingslanding. Still there was an undercurrent of divide here very unlike the two cities he had seen. It was a divide between the extremely rich and the dirt poor.

While Eddard preached that any man or woman of the North could rise if they worked hard. That life was a ladder and even the poorest child in their academy can earn themselves land in the future. Here in Kingslanding it seemed up we're stuck where you came from. Benjen was not sure what was the worse fate, knowing your future and not being able to change it or being sold on the possibilities that were being offered. He leaned towards his brothers way as long as the smallfolk did not get any ideas of their own.

The Red Keep was a massive impressive castle that overshadowed the city along with the Sept of Baelor. While he had no intention of ever going near to the Sept the keep drew closer by the moment. The large gates fifty feet high opened up for them to enter once the Stark banners were seen they found themselves in a courtyard of the keep.

In truth the Red Keep was a monstrous castle but compared to the sheer size of Winterfell it was dwarfed. Brandon the Builder did good work and his ancestors work overshadowed the Red Keep. As Eddard would say 'All that glitters is not gold.'

Benjen and Wendel jumped down from their mounts and bowed as a massive man with black hair bright blue eyes came moving at almost a run into the courtyard from the main hall. The monster of a man came to a stop before Benjen after a glance at the dire wolf banner. "Benjen is that you?"

All of the guards, knights and the two young lords dropped to their knees before the man that was their king. "Aye your Grace. Ned sent me south with a gift for you."

"I thought Ned had come to visit." The King answered with a bit of sadness in his tone not even thinking of offering anyone in the courtyard to stand.

"You know my brother Your Grace. He will not leave his work and our frozen homelands." Benjen answered with a small smile.

He was surprised when he was pulled up and into a hug by the King as the man chuckled. "I missed that Northern dry humor." The king looked around at everyone kneeling "Get off your asses and back to work."

As the men and women of the keep rushed to get to work the King let out a chuckle. Robert added under his breath. "It's good to be the king."

An elder man in his early sixties walked forward and smiled at Benjen, "Lord Benjen welcome to the Red Keep. You said young Eddard has sent a gift."

After a bow before the Lord Hand Benjen grinned at the two most powerful men in the Seven Kingdoms and stepped up to the carriage. "Aye you will like this gift your Grace."

The door was wretched open and Benjen reached inside to grab by the arm a child. He ripped off the hemp sack covering the head of the boy then tossed him onto the ground before his King. "My brother Jarl Eddard Stark formally presents the former Prince Viserys III Targaryen."

The courtyard was shocked into silence as the silver haired boy looked up at Robert Baratheon and pissed himself. Benjen couldn't resist adding, "Don't we bring the best present?"

Author note: Once again I wrote this on my phone. So my apologies for any typos. I will go through and fix them soon as I can but I delayed getting this out. I am sorta enjoying writing Benjen as a cocky young kid. A bit do wolf blood in him. He has gone from a shy kid to starting to enjoy the hunt. Now that Bobby B has been given a prize. What should the north ask for?