Chapter 230

When they finally arrived in Winterfell, the atmosphere was tense and palpable.

He knew why that was thanks to Lyra's spy network.

One day before they arrive, Bran Stark fell from the top of the ruined tower. He fell into coma soon after and has not woken up since.

When they finally entered the castle, he could see the Black Stag on Yellow background everywhere. The sigil of the royal House of Baratheon. He could also see the Red cloaks everywhere and shook his head.

The King's entourage held far more Lannister men than it held his own Baratheon men. A clear sign of a destabilized throne if there was any. The Lannisters have secured far more power for themselves. He wondered how the other houses felt about that.

He stopped in the courtyard where Robb and Jon had come out to greet him along with little Arya.

Rickon was too young to go anywhere on his own. Bran Stark was bedridden and his mother was probably with him.

That didn't explain Lord Stark's absence.

"It's good to see you here Lord Bolton." Robb said with a genuine smile "the hospitality of Winterfell is yours."

He climbed down from the horse and pulled both Robb and Jon in a hug before he mussed up Arya's hair who shook his hand off and growled at him.

Robb and Jon's direwolves, Midnight and Snowric were there as well. They had each grown to the size of an adult direwolf but he could still remember them as the little pups they were when he had given them to Robb and Jon.

He petted their hands as well before turning to the new addition in the family.

"And who are these?" he asked as he sat down as looked at the three direwolves around Robb, Jon and Arya.

"This is Greywind. My second partner." Robb said as he gestured Greywind to go ahead.

Greywind sniffed his hand and nipped at his finger before yelping at him in joy.

He smiled and turned to the albino direwolf who stared at him in a curious manner with it's red eyes.

"Ghost doesn't speak much." Jon said and Ghost sniffed his hand before it went to back Jon.

"Like you then." He said with a smile and turned to the last direwolf.

"And who's this hellion?" he asked.

"Her name is Nymeria." Arya said, her voice filled with childish pride.

"You named your direwolf after the Warrior-Queen of the Rhoynar and the great ancestor of House Martell?"

"Of course." She replied and he chuckled and petted Nymeria's head before he rose and mussed up Arya's hair once again much her annoyance and the amusement of her brothers.

"Only you Arya." He said with a smile.

He might not like the betrothal that Lord Stark had hosted onto him and he didn't like Lady Stark or Sansa all that much but he did like the rest of the family.

They reminded him of the Weasley in how close they were and how much they fought amongst each other despite being a family.

"Hey! Can I see Lily?" Arya suddenly asked as she looked at the Valyrian Steel blade on his waist.

"Arya. He is a lord. You cannot talk with him like that." Jon whispered to Arya who looked disgruntled but he simply chuckled at the siblings.

"It's perfectly alright." He said "And I can show you Lily. But you must be very very careful with it." He said and when Arya nodded, he removed the belt from around his waist and showed it to Arya before slowly bringing out the Valyrian sword from it's sheath.

Arya's eyes widened with joy and her hand went to touch the colorful ripples on the sword.

He didn't move and allowed her to admire the sword for a few more moments before he put the sword back in it's sheath and put the belt back around his waist.

Arya looked disgruntled but didn't complain. Then her eyes light up and she asked "Hey Domeric! Where did you get that sword. And can I get one as well."

He smiled and reached for her head once again but she quickly moved out of the way. He took back his hand and said "That's a secret. And who knows. Anything can happen in the future."

Then Robb gestured to one of the servants who brought forward a plate filled with bread and salt to complete the tradition of the Guest Rights.

"Please partake in our bread and salt Lord Bolton." Robb said, trying to imitate the serious demeanor of his father. He was doing a decent job of it but he was still much too young and inexperienced to pull it off perfectly.

"I thank you Robb Stark." He said and at the bread and salt. The bread was no where near as soft or tasty as the bread he got in Dreadfort but he didn't mind.

He and his party would only stay here for a few days.

"Let me show you to your rooms Lord Bolton." Robb said and gestured to Jon who went to show the rooms to his men.

He nodded and followed the younger boy to his guest room.