The Awakening of the Wolves

by DominicAsh

Summary:

The War against Voldemort is over, they won. Or at least that's how it looked. However the Wizarding World proved that it couldn't change over night and conflict would come again eventually. Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, is broken. His wife, his child, his friends, his allies, his family are all gone. The World is in ruins and Man and Wizarding kind is on the brink of extinction. Having nothing left to live for, the young hero jumps into the Veil of Death hoping for eternal peace. Instead he finds himself in a child's body, reborn into a different family, in a different world. And he intends to keep this family safe this time.

Chapter 1: The Beginning

The North was always viewed as a backwater by many. A land of heathens, savages, unwashed barbarians. Weak and inferior to their southern neighbors, that was until the time of Robb Stark, The Young Wolf, The Builder Reborn, the Great and the King in the North and the Trident. Robb Stark beginning was unremarkable at first, born to Lady Catelyn Tully and Eddard Stark many simply viewed him as the future Warden of the North and nothing more. Robb Stark however would soon prove that he was much, much more.

He would lay the foundation of a great and powerful empire that would shake the foundations of the Known World. He would bring the North to a golden age never before seen and would lead the North to many great victories throughout his life earning the title The Great. However before going deep into his life in adulthood we must first start from the beginning.

Chapter 2: Rebirth

He slowly began to open is eyes, only to shut them back instantly. Bright, it was too damn bright. He could hear sounds, voices around him and it was in that moment he realized he was being held by someone, wait, held, what by Merlin's balls was going on? "You have a beautiful baby boy milady" he heard what sounded like a woman say. He began to open his eyes again and saw the face of what seemed to be a middle aged woman staring at him with a loving smile. " Let me see him" he heard another woman say. The woman who was holding him proceeded to walk toward a bed with a beautiful and exhausted woman laying in it and handed him to her.

The woman he realized had lovely thick auburn hair, fair skin and deep blue eyes. She looked upon him with a look of love and care. "Greetings sweetling, I am your mother Catelyn, you have no idea how happy I am to have you" the woman who he now knew was named Catelyn said warmly. "What would you like to call him milady?" the woman who had previously held him had asked. "Robb, he shall be Robb Stark" Catelyn who was apparently his mother said.

The whole time this was going on Harry was trying to make sense of what was happening. He was able to quickly decipher that he was an infant, strange because he damn well knew the last time he was conscious he was a grown adult, this woman named Catelyn was clearly his mother, again strange as he knew Lily Potter was his mother. He tried to remember the last thing he did and he remembered going through the Veil of Death and then it hit him, the Veil, the bloody Veil, it didn't kill him as he had been expecting, it sent him to what was either a different time or..-he felt a chill go up his spine just thinking about it, a different world. Thinking about all this resulted in one single thought entering his mine "You've done it know haven't you Potter".

Another thought suddenly entered his head, " he had a mother he could actually get to know, probably a father too, he jumped into the Veil hoping for death, instead he got a second chance, he got a family again and he was going to do his damn best to keep them this time, no matter the cost".

Notes:

There you have it everybody. Apologies for the short chapter, it's my first story and I'm still trying to get the hand of it. Now as you can see Harry has been reincarnated into Robb Stark himself, The Young Wolf. Reason I chose Robb is that I feel that Robb doesn't get enough love from people with most gravitating to Jon and I get that. I love Jon too but I like Robb as well and I'm to do him good, I hope. Constructive Criticism is always welcomed.

Chapter 3: Getting Accustomed

So after some more affectionate coddling and breastfeeding ( I won't even go into detail on that) I reached out with my magic that was surprisingly still at it's peak strength to try and understand just where I was and what was going on by tapping into my mother and everyone else minds ( learning the mind arts goes a lot smoother when a greasy haired git named Severus Snape isn't teaching) and I found out that I was on a continent called Westeros and that I was currently in Riverrun, the ancestral seat of House Tully, the rulers of the Riverlands. There was apparently a rebellion going on against the ruling dynasty, the Targaryens after my aunt Lyanna Stark was apparently kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen and when my Uncle Brandon Stark and Grandfather Rickard Stark went to demand justice my grandfather was instead burned alive in a substance called wildfire, while my uncle strangled himself trying to save him. Apparently the Targaryens have been ruling Westeros for nearly 300 years after Aegon Targaryen or Aegon the Conqueror as he was usually called conqured the entire continent forming what is now called the Seven Kingdoms.

When I realized that they practiced incest a vicious disgust welled up in me. I was instantly reminded of the pureblood supremacist degenerates who thought that by "keeping the bloodline pure" they would grow in strength. What a load of horseshit. The only thing such practices lead to is ruin and catastrophe, something these Targaryens were realizing. That aside he was beginning to adjust to his new environment. But by Merlin himself he hated being in the body of a toddler. As I was thinking on that a guard entered the room, " riders approaching milady, carrying Stark banners". It would appear I would soon meet my father for the first time. The household including myself and my mother who had me cradled in her arms gathered in the courtyard for my father, we didn't have to wait long as the sound of horses approaching filled the air and right there a group of men flying the banner of the Direwolf entered the courtyard, at the head was a man who while clearly young carried himself with an aura that screamed authority. This was clearly Eddard Stark, my father. He proceeded to climb down from his horse and approached us.

"My lady wife, I am glad to see you are well and healthy" my father greeted, a bit awkward, no surprise as he had apparently left soon after marrying my mother and getting her pregnant with to go fight the Targaryens so he didn't get to know her properly, this combined with the fact that my uncle Brandon had originally been expected to marry my mother as he was the heir to Winterfell at the time only added to the awkwardness. "As am I my lord husband. I'm happy to have you back safe and sound. Come my lord meet your sound Robb Stark" my mother asked him. "Robb, named after our new king Robert I take it" he replied kindly but I could sense the tension and a bit of anger when he mentioned Robert's name. From what I was able to decipher from my mind probing Robert Baratheon was a dear friend of my father having grown up with him in the Vale of Arryn as a ward of Jon Arryn. It would seem that something happened between the two of them. As I was going more into thought on that I noticed one of the men who accompanied my father step forward, he was surprisingly short as it was clear he was an adult, but his stature made him look like a young man barely into adulthood, but I could see that this was a man not to be underestimated, I had fought in many battles in the wars against the purebloods and then the muggles so I could identify someone who was dangerous when I saw them and this man was definitely dangerous. He approached with what appeared to be a child cradled in his arms. My mother noticed.

"Who is this my lord?" She asked with a bit of dread in her tone, "This is Jon Snow my lady, my son" my father replied. Damn. My father apparently survived a war just to come home to be murdered by his wife apparently. I could literally feel the rage pouring of my mother, but she was, thankfully able to control her rage. "Why don't you come inside, my lord, you must be exhausted after such a long journey" my mother said with anger in her voice, before turning around to walk back into the keep, not even waiting for a response from my father.

Yep. This was going to be quite the interesting new life.

Notes:

Well there you have it folks, Harry is beginning to adjust to his environment, but it won't be rapid. As for the case of his magic, he's still at the previous levels of power he was when he jumped into the Veil, which as the story progresses you'll realize are very, very high. He of course won't be using it to immediately take over, that would be boring. He's also discovered were he is and what was going with the Targaryens. He is of course not impressed with them for obvious reasons. Ned has arrived with Jon and boy is he in trouble. As always Constructive Criticism is always welcomed.

Chapter 4: Master Forger

It had been six years since the conclusion of the war against the Targaryens or as it was now being called Robert's Rebellion. The loyalists of the incestuous dragons had a different name of course, the War of the Usurper. Quite Ironic if you ask me. Afterall it was Aerys the lunatic who called for my father and Robert's heads even when they hadn't done anything wrong. Seems like self-defense to me. Regardless the dragons were defeated and the survivors fled into exile in Essos. The new Baratheon dynasty ruled now. For how long remained to be seen. After my father arrived at Riverrun he along with the northern army returned home not soon after, with myself, mother and my half brother Jon Snow with him. To say my mother had been enraged at father's decision to bring Jon to Winterfell with us was an understatement. She demanded he be sent to one of my father's bannermen instead or even his mother, who's name my father insistently refused to reveal despite my mother's wishes for the contrary. Lord Eddard of refused of course and stood his ground, refusing to budge. This of course caused great friction in their marriage, but the man refused to change his mine.

I however couldn't help but be suspicious. I had always heard tales of my father's honor and I simply couldn't imagine him having a child with another woman. It simply wasn't his way from what I had heard. I also noticed that whenever anything about Jon came up he would immediately get defensive as if preparing for a battle, also whenever he mentioned that Jon was his, he tended to refer to him as his blood, not his son. This of course could simply have been nothing but whenever I gazed into his eyes I could see something other than love, fear, nervousness. That I couldn't understand.

He claims that Jon is his, but he won't call him son and he gets fearful and nervous about it. If he was so uncomfortable about Jon he would have simply done what mother asked and sent him to one of his bannermen or something. No something else was going on and I intended on finding out what. I would have just taken a sample of Jon's blood and determined who's child he was, but I was still young and my body couldn't yet handle the strain of such intense magic.

I tried to tap into my fire magic, but the pain that shot through me was insanely unbearable and I stopped immediately. I was very confused at what happened before deciphering that spells of very great couldn't be used as my body simply wasn't mature enough to handle them. I would have to get to the bottom of Jon's identity another time. Speaking of Jon.

"Robb come on we're going to be late for lessons with Maester Luwin" my brother called out. Since we were old enough to walk and talk me and Jon had been inseparable despite my mother's many attempts to keep us apart. Jon was my brother regardless of how he came into being. He was a Stark. To hell with what anyone else thought.

"Coming Jon" I replied, running to catch up with him. I wasn't really interested in these lessons much as a couple of days in Winterfell's great library gave all the knowledge I needed about Westeros, this combined with the treasure trove of knowledge from my old world I had was more than enough for to not require lessons.

It couldn't be hepled however. As far as everyone else was concerned I was a six year old boy and it wasn't yet time to reveal the true extent of my knowledge. Not when I wasn't even at full power yet.

We arrived at the Maester's Tower for our lessons. Waiting for us was Winterfell's Maester, Luwin, a good man, a scholarly man as well, he had a variety links that apparently represented a course of knowledge he was well versed in.

"Okay, Robb, Jon today we will be discussing the Great Houses of Westeros, are you ready? We nodded affirmative. Very well, Robb you first, who are the Lords of the Trident? My lady mother's family, House Tully of Riverrun. Correct and who is the current head of House Tully? My Grandfather Lord Hoster. Correct and how did the Tullys come to rule the Riverlands? During Aegon’s Conquest the Riverlands were under the dominion of the Ironborn ruled at the time by House Hoare. After Aegon set his sights on the trident, the Riverlords eager to break free from the Hoares rebelled led by Edmyn Tully, after the Harrenhall was burned along with the Hoares and the remaining Ironborn were pushed out the Targaryens named Edmyn Lord Paramount of the Trident as a reward for leading the Rebellion against Harren the Black" I correctly answered.

"Well done Robb, well done, continue as you are and you soon won't need any lessons" Luwin said. "I don't need any lessons now" I sarcastically thought, but wisely didn't say it out loud.

"Now Jon it's your turn, tell who are the current Lords of the Stormlands?" Luwin asked. I heard Jon speaking but began to zone out. Since I had been here I had been getting the lay of the land I was to one day rule and I was not pleased with what I saw.

The North periodically went through unnaturally long and brutal winters, the soil of the North wasn't fertile enough resulting in a dependence on southern food imports, giving our southern neighbors a frightening advantage over us. Combine this with the fact that as a result of the long brutal winters the North's population could never be on par as most of the kingdoms due to much of the people dying.

Safe to say I had a lot of work to do and I couldn't afford to wait until of became Warden of the North.

"Robb are you even listening?" The Maester said. I realized I had zoned out for quite some time given the unimpressed look the Maester was sending my way. "Sorry Maester, I was a bit lost in thought, what were you saying? I asked. Safe to say that didn't improve Luwin mood given how I furrowed his brows at me " I was asking you to tell me about the Tyrells and how they became the Lords of the Reach".

I promptly answered him, all the while waiting for the lessons to end as I had something I was working on and I needed Jon there with me.

When our lessons finally ended Jon and I went to the training grounds. I was not pleased at all. It wasn't that I didn't like the training I, I did, after I had used a variety of enchanted weapons I had created during the wars back in my old world so I was pretty well versed in combat.

I had even used magic to copy many fighting styles and techniques to make it a bit easier to learn them and after much training I had become deadly combatant. The issue I had was while I remembered everything I was in a literal child's body, so while I had the moves, I didn't have the physique and stamina to make use of them resulting in me having to build that up all over again.

"Robb, Jon you're hear, good, let's not waste any time and get to it, grab your swords and get on your training gear". This was said by none other than Ser Rodrik Cassel, the Master-at-Arms of Winterfell. "Yes Ser Rodrik" the both of us answered in unison.

After finally getting ready we both squared off. The both of us tightening our grips on our swords and waiting for permission to begin. "Begin!" Ser Rodrik barked and just like that we were both on each other. I may not have the stamina and strength yet but I still remembered all the moves I had. The result was a spar being mostly in my favor. Jon was good, he had the potential of a prodigy, but I was no ordinary individual. Our swords made contact constantly but I was precise and concentrated, my practice blade moving like it was an actual limb. It was a testament to Jon's skill that he was still going but I could see he was getting exhausted, then again I was feeling a bit winded as well.

"Time to end this" I thought. I added a bit more speed and strength into it catching Jon of guard momentarily. It was all I needed. With a mighty downward strike I knocked Jon's blade out of his hand and then put the blade to his throat. "Enough" Ser Rodrik exclaimed. "Well done Robb, you move well, precised. You moved not just your sword but your body as well, well done. Jon you have the potential and your skill is present but you are too stationary and you don't take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. You need to be more mobile and bold". Ser Rodrik explained. "Yes Ser Rodrik, I'll do better" Jon said. "Very well, that is all for today, off you go" Ser Rodrik dismissed us.

After putting back the blades and gear, I dragged Jon with me to the Chief Blacksmith of Winterfell, Mikken.

"Why are we going to see Mikken Robb?" Jon asked confused. Don't worry it'll be great. We finally arrived at the Blacksmith's area wear Mikken was waiting. "Mikken, is it done?" I asked. " Yes my lord, it's ready" he replied. "Excellent let's get on it". He brought me and Jon to a table were a sword layed. It was well crafted, castle forged steel, impressive but nothing special or so it looked.

I had decided that in order to help bring the North up it would require, economic and military might as well as a bigger population. I couldn’t do anything economic just yet as I had to prove myself first. Which I where this sword comes in. I had approached Mikken telling him of a sword I would like him to design. He was skeptical of course wondering what a child would know of such things, but after I showed him the schematics I had written up and explained to him the whole design he was shocked and I convinced him not to reveal it to my father as it was a surprise. Under my supervision he created the blade, with me pouring my magic into the alloy.

Know it laid here ready for the final touches. I proceeded to use my magic to imprint certain runes on the blade. A rune for lightness, one to make it indestructible, another to make it impossibly sharp and finally a rune to make it never dull. After completing the runes I proceeded to lowly chant the activation of the runes. The runes proceeded to glow signifying the activation of the blades magic.

I then looked back at Jon and Mikken who were both staring at me with shocked expressions on their faces. I couldn't help but laugh at their expressions.

"Well Jon, Mikken I believe we should show father this sword, don't you?"

Notes:

Well there you have it folks. Harry has taken into his identity as Robb Stark and he is not pleased with the state of the North and he's going to move to do something about it. He and Jon are of course good friends and he's quite suspicious of whether Jon is Ned's son or not. The sword is going to be the starting point of Robb's modernization effort of the North. At the beginning when I brought the naming of the Rebellion against the Targaryens that was because it was always a great Irony to me how the dragon loyalists call Robert Usurper when he literally fought because he had no other choice, when you also bring into account that the Targaryens pretty much usurped the kingdoms of Westeros during the Conquest that makes it all the more ironic. Constructive Criticism is welcomed as always.

Chapter 5: The Unveiling

It was a peaceful day for Eddard Stark. The sun shinned, the weather was a bit chilly but this is the North, it's always chilly on a good day, he could take it. He had never expected to become Warden of the North, after all he had an older brother, but said brother was gone, as was their father and sister, while their younger brother Benjen went to the Night's Watch. Safe to say it was a rough couple of weeks for Ned Stark, but he persevered. And it wasn't like he was alone. He had a lovely, wife, two healthy and strong sons and a beautiful, sweet daughter Sansa, born three years after the Rebellion. While there was the tension with Jon ( and he still was not going to send him away, he made a promise after all) life was quite good for him. There was one thing always on his mind though and that was his first born and heir, Robb.

Ever since he could walk and talk Robb had shown himself to be quite extraordinary. He soaked up knowledge like a sponge soaks up water.

In fact Maester Luwin said that at this rate, he would soon have nothing left to teach Robb at all. Ser Rodrik has also said that Robb conducted himself at training like an experienced soldier. He fought with a speed and tenacity as if he had fought in battles before.

In fact he had once witnessed one of Robb's spars with Jon. He moved not just his blade, but his body as if he were dancing and as of the blade was an actual limb and not an object.

Ser Rodrik himself even said that if he keeper this up Robb would be a truly deadly combatant. But what really warmed his heart was the relationship between Robb and Jon.

He had at first feared that there would be conflict between them, but Robb had been fiercely protective and loving of Jon. He had even once said "Regardless of who birthed him, he is my brother, he is a Stark, that's all that matters".

Robb had loved to spend as much time as possible with Jon, playing with him, training with him and eating with him. After little Sansa was old enough to play he did the same with her too minus the training, though he had asked once if she could.

Yes. Eddard Stark was quite happy. So when his two sons and Mikken entered his solar he was quite confused, especially when he saw Mikken holding something wrapped up in his arms.

"Hello father, sorry to disturb you, but there is something we would like to show" Robb said with a wide grin on his face.

"Okay son, what is it?" Eddard asked still confused, bit intrigued as well.

"Mikken" Robb gestured for the Blacksmith to step forward. Mikken did laid out the item he had been carrying and unwrapped it revealing a sword, but when Eddard saw the blade he couldn't help but gasp.

The blade was a work of art. Incredibly sharp and it seemed to shine. He brought his fingers down the length and it was smooth. He lifted it, only to be surprised by it's lightness. And it was light, absurdly light. There was no weight what so ever. He also noticed strange runes in the center of the blade.

He moved to feel the edges. "Careful, it doesn't just look very sharp, it is very, very sharp" heard his first born say.

"Mikken I must commend you, this is very well done, it's a masterpiece" Eddard complimented.

"Thank you my lord, but it was young lord Robb that is the reason the sword is so well done. I forged it yes, but it was your son that completed it" Mikken revealed.

Eddard was shocked, he turned to his son. "Father i take it you noticed those runes on the blade" Robb asked.

"Aye, I have" Eddard replied.

"Those runes serve a specific purpose. One is to make the blade impossibly sharp, another is to make completely light, the other is to make it unbreakable and the final one is to make sure it never, ever dulls" Harry revealed.

Eddard couldn't believe his ears. Magic. His son was basically saying that he created a magical sword.

"Robb do you hear what you're saying? You are saying to me that you helped create a magical sword" Eddard said, incredulous and nervous.

"I know father, but you must admit this is a great accomplishment. Just think about how invincible our armies would if they had weapons such as this. With enough time I could produce enough of these weapons to arm the entirety of the North" His son explained with confidence and a not so small amount of smugness.

Eddard couldn't believe what he was hearing. His son basically just created his own version of Valyrian Steel and said that he could with enough time make more weapons of this caliber. It was amazing, it was unbelievable and it was dangerous. If someone like Tywin Lannister were to discover Robb's ability then his son's life would be in constant danger. But he could also see the benefits. If the North's armies were equipped with such weapons then they would be nearly unbeatable in battle. Casualties would be reduced significantly and the North would better feared and respected on the field of battle.

"Come on father I can see you thinking. You know I'm right. You know this is a great opportunity for us all" Robb said and damn it Eddard knew he was right.

"Very well Robb. I shall permit to continue creating these weapons, but you must be discreet. Many would kill to have you and many more would try to kill you for your abilities" Eddard explained, deciding not to beat around the bush with his son to let him know how serious this was.

"I understand father, I promise you won't regret this. We can with time produce not just swords, but suits of Armour that can cover a man's entire body with no gaps or openings, but can give the wearer complete mobility, even allowing him or to run in it and not get tired immediately as if they weren't wearing Armour at all spears and arrows that can go right through plate armour as if it was nothing, warhammers that can crush viciously destroy a man wearing the heaviest of suits, but can be lifted as if they were feathers and more" his son went on and on excitedly.

"Alright Robb, but don't go to fast alright, we aren't currently at war so there's no need to rush it" Eddard firmly instructed his son.

"Yes father, no problem" his heir said with a triumphant look in his eyes before taking his leave with him, Jon and Mikken speaking about hurriedly and excitedly with one another. He even heard Jon ask Robb if he could make him a sword like the one he just helped make. Robb of course laughed and promised his brother that he would make him a better one.

That was going to be an issue, but one he would have to deal with later. He looked upon the sword that they had left with him and couldn't help but smile to himself.

"Oh Robb, you are going to bring about interesting times won't you" Eddard couldn't help but think to himself.

Unfortunately for Eddard, he would soon realize that when he said that they weren't at war he was dead wrong.

For later in the day a black raven would arrive at Winterfell from Kingslanding bearing dark news.

Lannisport had been attacked and the Lannister fleet destroyed by the forces of the Iron Islands. The Greyjoys had declared independence and raised their banners in Rebellion and the Lords of Westeros were being called to arms.

War had returned to the Seven Kingdoms.

Notes:

There you have ladies and gentlemen. Robb has revealed his abilities to Ned and Ned is of course worried, but even he can't deny the benefits of what Robb can do. And Ned hasn't seen anything yet, as Robb hasn't yet shown him all of what he can do. The Greyjoys have rebelled and Ned will have to go to war again. Hope you enjoyed and as always, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 6: Production Line

After revealing the sword to father and getting the go ahead to proceed we got to work on producing more weapons. We started slow like father suggested, but after word of the Greyjoy's rising in rebellion reached our ears we went into overdrive. 24 swords, 35 spears, 10 shields, 155 arrows and 7 suits of armour were produced. It was good, but it wasn't enough. While the North was huge and it would take time for the Northern Lords and their troops to arrive, we knew that we still wouldn't be able to produce weapons and equipment in sufficient numbers by time they arrived. We were only human after all. I was magical that was true, but I wasn't at full power yet so I couldn't be at it forever. It was worse for the others. They did their very best, but they needed food and rest and they couldn't be hammering for a long period of time as they required breaks to cool off and rehydrate. Even Jon who despite doing his very best to help was getting run down of if him falling asleep as soon as his head hits his pillow is any indication. This wasn't sustainable. Combine this with the fact that we still had to attain lessons and training meant less time in the forge. I needed a new way to increase output without running myself and everyone else ragged. And I may have just the thing. It was risky, and it would reveal my secret and potentially be draining but it had to be done.

After having breakfast and finishing our lessons and training Jon and I, as was becoming custom went straight to the forge. I had some schematics I was carrying under my arm. Jon had asked about them, but I said it was a surprise.

We arrived at the forge to find Mikken and the others already waiting for us.

"My Lords, shall we begin?" Mikken asked.

"Aye Mikken, but I think I have a means of increasing output without us having to run ourselves into the ground" I stated.

"Truly, my lord, how? Mikken asked, skeptical, but also eager.

I handed him the schematics and he and the others, Jon included took a look. I had to laugh at their eyes widened so comically.

"My lord, what exactly is this thing?" Mikken asked with shock and surprise in his voice.

"This my dear Mikken is an automaton" I proclaimed.

After the end of the Second Wizarding War I completed my education at Hogwarts and after claiming the wealth of the Black and Potter vaults as head of those two houses ( suck on that Malfoy) I went on a worldwide trip to learn all I could about magic wherever it existed. I had realized after the war that my magical prowess was woefully inadequate and I needed to improve. I studied and learned magic of several societies and cultures, both known and lost to time. Along the way I began to do the same in the muggle world. I knew the muggle world was very advanced compared to the magical world as I had grown up in it and I was curious about just how advanced it had become by that point. I learned engineering, robotics, chemistry and other forms of science. It helped that I had learned a magical ability to learn knowledge, much, much quicker than most people. It wasn't easy to learn the ability, but it had been worth it. I had taken a very great interest in robotics and wanted to test my knowledge by creating a robot and combining my magic with it. There was one problem though. Magic and technology don't mix. It was like trying to dose a fire with gasoline. It was a recipe for disaster. But I was a gryffindor. We didn't back down easily. So after much trial and error I finally gained my goal. I had enchanted the metal I created to make the robot and I did the same for its inner components as well. Afterwards all I needed for the robot or automaton as I preferred calling it was a power source. Muggle power sources were out of the question so I had to make an alternative and I did. I created a crystal which contained portions of magic which would power the automaton indefinitely, even after I was dead. It took even more trial and error and I nearly blew myself up on more than one occasion but I finally did it. However, I couldn't bask in my achievement as the purebloods ( inbred fools) had risen in revolt and I had to help put it down. Successive pureblood revolts and eventually the war with the muggles took up my time and attention and my project was postponed indefinitely.

Until now.

"It requires no food, no drink or rest. It will by operational day and night nonstop stop increasing output" I declared.

"You don't have to believe, just watch me" I said.

I made my way over to the working area and promptly shrunk it down to my height. After producing the enchanted metal I got to work on forging. As I hammered away at the metal I blocked every thing else out, lost in my element as I bent the metal to my will and began using the pieces to form my automatons. After who knows how long I was finished and before stood two finished automatons.

"Now for the finishing touch" I said.

I began to chant and then my hands began to glow with magic until it died down and in my palms were two crystals containing my magic. It was a bitch to make them as the exhaustion I was feeling could attest to, but it was worth it. I placed them in the openings in the automatons chests into their power modules. They came to life instantly and I had to calm everyone down and reassure them that they wouldn't be harmed when they began to be nervous.

"These automatons will make our jobs much easier" I said.

"But Robb, there are only two of them, that's not nearly enough to make more weapons" Jon said confused.

"Indeed dear brother, but they won't be alone, they are going to produce more of themselves" I revealed.

After making more of the enchanted steel and replicating the hell out of it I ordered the automatons to get to work and they did. Before the eyes of Jon, Mikken and the other smiths, as well as other, servants, guards, stabble hands, etc, who had noticed the commotion and arrived to see what was going on (father was going to give an earful for this) two automatons, became four, four became six, six became eight, eight became ten and ten became twelve. To say creating 10 more crystals core crystals was exhausting, would have been a bloody understatement. I was barely standing on my own two feet, but I could go on. Soon all ten of the new automatons were operational before the stunned eyes of everyone. After creating yet another batch of enchanted metal and replicating it again I turned to the automatons.

"Use this metal to make more weapons, shields and armour and place the runes upon them, I shall activate them when I have rested" I ordered.

The automatons immediately set out to follow my orders and then I began to head back to my room with Jon helping me, utterly drained before the shocked, bewildered and in some cases reverent eyes of everyone. Then Jon stopped walking.

"What Is it?" I asked him.

"Look" I said with fear in his eyes.

I looked and I wish I hadn't. Right there stood father and mother who was holding little Sansa's hand. Father had a look of exasperation and annoyance on his face, while mother had one if horror and indignation.

"Merlin's fucking balls" I groaned, knowing I wouldn't be seeing my bed for a while.

Notes:

There you have it folks. Apologies for the late chapter. As you can see Robb knew that they had to produce more weapons and equipment and decided to use a project from the past. Now before you all start yelling about how I'm making the Starks OP, remember it's mentioned that making the crystals that power the automatons is very taxing on Robb's magic. He won't be making great armies of automatons, it's just too tedious and long. Robb's currently in hot water with Ned and Catelyn as his secret is now out and word will eventually reach the south and the ears of a certain magic hating essosi spy master and a certain Lord of a certain mountain fortress full of gold. Yikes. As always constructive criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 7: History Short

When my grandfather was born, many simply dismissed him as another great lord's heir. Thought that he would simply rule after his father's death in the frozen backwater he called home. Now 250 years later those same people are dust, their names forgotten, whatever deeds they may have done unknown and unrecognized. But my grandfather's name, the name of the man who took the North when it was a mere frozen land and transformed into a superpower that to this very day makes even the proud slavers of the east tremble, the name: Robb the First, the King in the North and the Trident and eventually Emperor of Winter still lives on. The North's armies wield weapons that never dull or shatter, that cut through plate armour like butter and are light to wield, they wear armour that covers them whole, but allows them run and move at will with no delay. Our fields are ripe and lush producing bountiful harvests that can feed both us and many a nation with enough left behind for storage. Our fleet rules the waves to the point that even the Braavosi know not to cross us. So when you ask me if my grandfather's name will be remembered, I say to you this: it will be remembered for the known world is to awed or afraid to dare forget it.

 

Words of Jon the Third, Emperor of Winter and Lord of Winterfell "Winterfell Archives, Chapter 59: Words of Rulers, The lives of Robb the Third and his descendants

Chapter 8: Brothers to the end

Safe to say I got an earful after my magic was revealed from my father, who was not pleased with me in the slightest and the less said about my mother the better. I loved her very much even if I had a problem, a big problem with her attitide towards Jon, but her obsession with that wretched religion of her's drove me nuts on the best of days. To I had no love for the faith of the seven was an understatement. It was under that religion that the Andal Invaders massacred the Children of the Forest and the Giants. They cut down so many weirwoods that magic in Westeros was weakened beyond belief. So no me and the faith were not best buddies and that bloody Septa my mother brought with her, Mordane, wasn't changing my opinion much. Sansa though practically fell in love with my magic and always wanted me to do some magic tricks for her, Jon too. I, of course, obliged them. Either way when I explained the full extent of my magical abilities my parents and Maester Luwin, as well as Ser Rodrik, who had both found out almost immediately were shocked, especially my mother. When they asked about the automatons, I knew I had to come up with a very convincing lie. After all, saying I'm from another world and I learned it there would have everyone think I'm mad. So I said they were a concept I came up with as I had a fascination with machinery and wanted to see what I could do. I gave them the best lie yet. I told them the truth, without telling them everything. To really sell it I said I had also received visions of the automatons in my sleep. Safe to say they bought it for the most part, though there was still some skepticism.

That aside, the automatons had proven their worth. They worked day and night non-stop increasing output and giving Mikken and the others the breathing room they had needed so much. They had been able to produce 1000 swords, 500 spears, 5000 arrows, 450 shields, 250 warhammers and 30 suits of armour by the end of the month. A massive increase from before. They were able to produce so much not just because they worked day and night, but because as a result of me transfering the knowledge required to forge the weapons and equipment they were able to work incredibly fast with a speed no human could ever do without risk of injuring themselves or messing up the forging process. It was paying dividends. Mikken and the others could now work at their own pace without worrying about output being short again.

I was going to meet with Jon to spend time. I had just left Mikken's forge after having finished overseeing the construction of twenty new automatons 10 of them were operational, I would activate the remaining 10 when my magic recovered.

"Man I can't wait when I'm back at full power, this is ridiculous" I thought annoyed beyond belief.

While my magical abilities at the moment were more than sufficient I knew it could be better.

"Guess I'll have to wait until I'm older and my body can handle the more advanced spells" I thought.

After a bit of looking around I found Jon in the great hall at the family table eating some lunch.

"Jon" I greeted.

"Hi Robb, how are you today?" Jon asked.

"Quite well, I don't have anything more to do so I have some time to kill, want to join?" I asked.

"Sure" Jon said, clearly happy.

After finishing the rest of his lunch Jon and I proceeded to go to the training grounds. I began to tap into my magic and levitated Jon of the ground.

"Robb, what are you doing?" Jon exclaimed shocked, but also a bit joyful.

"Having fun dear brother" I answered playfully.

After putting him down, I showed him some more tricks. I created spectral animals, conjured a water flask, transfigured a sword into a dog, etc. I had just finished creating a magical fireworks show, when I heard a someone exclaim something behind us and I turned around to see who it was. My joyful mood died instantly when I saw it was Septa Mordane. She had been worse than my mother when it was revealed I could do magic. She was a literal religious zealot. She glanced upon both me and Jon with horror and disgust.

"That is an abominable thing you are doing Lord Robb. Magic is a blight on this world, the faith" she proceeded to say before I brutally interrupted her.

"I don't care what the faith says, this is the North, the Old Gods reign supreme hear, not your seven statues" I said firmly.

"Trees, the seven are the one true gods and they always will be" Mordane said fiercely.

"Really now, strange those one true gods didn't seem to be there when the Andal Invaders got slaughtered every time they dared try and conquer the North. Seems they were too scared to help" I bit back with a malicious grin on my face.

Jon laughed out loud at my reply and Mordane turned her attention to him.

"You dare laugh bastard, you the blight, the disease upon this house, it is a shame that you weren't taken by your whore mother, else" Mordane said, resulting in Jon looking away, with tears in his eyes. My rage began to build.

"Silence" I said, coldy and quietly, but Mordane heard none the less.

"Excuse me" Mordane said shocked.

"Shut your cunt hole bitch, before I shut it for you" I said my voice raising slightly.

"How dare you I am" Mordane began to say, but by then my rage exploded.

Mordane began to struggle to breath and began to grab at her throat before collapsing to the ground. I walked over to her, my hand outstreched.

"How dare I, how dare you, you think because my mother worships your foolish religion that gives you authority here, think because my mother has you teaching my sister that makes you my superior, you, an upjumped southern bitch in some ridiculous costume, preaching some foreign faith. I am Robb Stark, a son of winter, a son of Eddard Stark, my brother who you dared insult is a son of winter as well, as well as a son of Eddard Stark, who are you to insult him bitch, who?!!!!" I roared at the top of my lungs, Mordane was convulsing at this point.

"Robb stop, you'll kill her!" Jon shouted trying to stop me.

"Good, let her die and join the Gods she loves so much" I shouted back.

The sound of running was heard and before we knew it guards began to swarm the area. Leading them was Ser Rodrik.

"My lord, what are you doing?!" Ser Rodrik exclaimed.

"Teaching this upjumped bitch her place" I replied with fury in my tone.

"My lord please stop, killing her won't solve anything" Ser Rodrik tried to explain.

"It's true Robb killing her will just cause you problems, it's not worth it" Jon said.

I listened and began to calm down, before releasing Mordane. She caughed viciously and profusely, before standing up.

"Your mother will hear about this!!!" Mordane shouted.

"Get out of my sight, before I change my mind" I said back with fury

Mordane left, escorted by the guards. Ser Rodrik walked up.

"That was dangerous what you did my lord" he said.

"I don't care, she insulted me, Jon, the North and the Old Gods. She needs to learn her place" I replied back, unapologetic.

"You know your mother and father won't be pleased with this" Rodrik warned.

"I know, I'll face them and tell them the whole story" I said.

"Very well, my lord, just try not to kill anyone" Rodrik replied playfully.

"No promises" I said back.

He left after that, leaving only me and Jon.

"You didn't have to do that Robb, I'm not worth all that" Jon said.

"You are to me Jon. You are my brother, my blood. You are a Stark no matter what anyone says" I replied firmly.

"You know you'll get in trouble for what you did" Jon warned.

"And I'll gladly do it all over again. We are Starks brother. Starks stick by one another no mattet what" I said.

With tears in his eyes Jon hugged me tightly.

"Thank you brother, thank you" I said greatfully.

"Always Jon, we're brothers to the end" I assured.

Notes:

There it is folks. Mordane thought she was hot shit, but Robb laid down the law fast, showing what happens when you insult a Stark in his prescence. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 9: Laying down the law

I stood before my mother and father in my father's solar. After teaching that impetuous septa her place a guard arrived soon after and said that I was being summoned by my father. After telling Jon I would see him later I followed the guard who escorted me to my father's solar leading to the present dilemma.

"Robb Septa Mordane says that you used your magic to choke her and the guards themselves say the same. What say you?" My father said with exhaustion, annoyance and a bit of worry in his voice. My mother was a great contrast. She was angry with me.

"I did use my magic to choke her and I regret not finishing the job" I said firmly and coldly catching my father off guard with my tone.

"Robb what you did was wrong. The septa has been a leal and good member of this household. How could you have done this?!!! My mother shouted, but I wasn't frightened in the least.

"She insulted my brother, insulted my gods, insulted my people and insulted my magic. That upjumped bitch should be lucky I let her keep her worthless life" I replied.

"Robb have care of how you speak. You are addressing your mother who is my wife and Lady of Winterfell" my father said sternly.

"And Jon is my brother, your son. Did Mordane tell you how she called Jon's mother a whore, how she wishes his mother had taken him away with her, how he was a blight on our family? She clearly didn't as if she did you would have had her removed from this castle immediately. And as for mother being lady of Winterfell she sure doesn't act like it. She is now a northern lady, but yet insists on acting like a southern one, she is raising a northern daughter, but yet instead of having a northern governess teach her, she has some septa who's whispering nonsense in Sansa's ears and don't even get me started on the Sept" I said pointing out the brutal truth. I loved my mother, but she needed to grow up and accept the fact that this was the North, not the South. The Manderlys were the exception, not the rule.

"Robb, how could you say such things about me, I'm your mother" my mother said with tears in her eyes.

"I say what I say because you need to open your eyes and accept reality. This is the North, not the South, this is Winterfell, not Riverrun, we are Starks, not Tullys. I say this because I love you and I would protect you, even from yourself" I said with conviction in my voice.

"Enough of this, we are getting off track. Robb I understand that you wanted to protect and defend Jon, but you went too far. There was no need to attack the Septa like that. She will remember this for the rest of her days" father said.

"Good. Let her remember what happens when you insult a Stark" I said.

"I am not pleased with what you did Robb, but neither am I pleased with the septa's words. Jon is my blood and such an insults won't be tolerated. The septa will apologize to Jon and never go near him again and she will also be confined to her quarters until i say otherwise unless she needs to teach Sansa. You Robb will apologize to her for attacking her with your magic and that is the end of it" Father said with a tone that brokered no argument. Unfortunately for my father I lived to argue.

"Not going to happen" I said firmly.

"Excuse me" father said shocked.

"I'm not apologizing to her. She stepped out of line and put her back in her place, I'm not going to apologize for anything" I said firmly.

"This is not a negotiation Robb, magical powers or not, I am your father and your lord and you will do as I say" father said with a tone of warning not to push this. Oh, I will.

"And I respectfully refuse to obey. That septa is arrogant and needs to be taught her place and you want to give a slap on the wrist? I don't think so" I said.

"Robb I don't know where this behaviour I coming from, but it will end now, your lord father has spoken and you will obey him" my mother said. She had been quiet for a while, but when father laid our his terms for resolving the issue, she seemed to be in agreement. They no doubt had made this whole deal when I hadn't yet arrived.

"Indeed he is my lord father and I love and respect him, but in his quest to appease you and your ego he seems to have all but turned his back on Jon. He says the septa will apologize as if that will solve anything when it won't. I won't stand for it. You have told me your terms father and I shall give you mine" I said.

"Will you now?" He said. After I brought up Jon and his neglect of him, he looked hurt, but didn't say anything. Knowing deep down that I was right.

"Indeed. Mordane is to be banished from Winterfell and no other septa will replace her. A northern governess will instead take over Sansa's lessons or" I said.

"Or what?" my mother asked.

"Or that Sept that was built for you will be burned down mother" I said coldly.

"What, that is outrageous!!!!!" Mother shouted.

"Robb I built that Sept out of love for your mother. I can't possibly burn it down" father said shocked and hurt by my suggestion.

"Fine then Mordane is banished" I said.

"I can't banish the septa. She is important for Sansa's education" mother said.

"Well someone better decide which punishment will be applied. Because that previous punishment you suggested is nonsense. Mordane went too far this time, she insulted not just my brother, your son, but the entirety of the North. There must be consequences, vicious consequences" I replied firmly.

"And if we refuse to do either" father asked, worry lacing his voice.

"Then I will kill Mordane" I replied.

"Robb!" Mother shouted, horrified.

"I'm sorry mother, but there is no scenario I can accept in which Mordane walks away from this issue unscathed. She went above and beyond her place. That can't go unpunished. She either leaves, the Sept is burned, or she dies. I won't accept anything less" I said. It hurt me to have to be putting my parents through this, but it had to be done. Mordane went too far. If she's allowed to walk away scot free from this then she would feel invincible and she would continue doing what she did. No doubt with approval from my mother. Such insults against House Stark could not go unanswered, such attacks on any member of House Stark could not go unpunished.

"One more thing father, mother. Did either of you think about how the northern Lords and ladies would react when they found out about this?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" Father asked with dread in his voice.

"Well word of this situation will no doubt spread around Winterfell, assuming it hasn't already and might reach Wintertown. When the Lords and of the North arrive with their troops they will no doubt hear about what happened so if I give in to your demands, they will so how the Stark of Winterfell lets southerners insult his own blood in his own roof and let's it slide. Now on one hand they could just say that it's not their problem or they could say that they are being ruled by a weak man who is a slave to his southern wife who doesn't even make any effort to try to be a northerner. How do you think House Stark's allies will feel about that? The Umbers, the Cerwyns, the Mormonts, the Karstarks and so on. How do you think our enemies will feel when they hear about it? The Boltons to be exact. They are always poking around for weaknesses. You think they won't exploit this" I said.

My father had a look of realization on his face.

"You're right Robb" he said.

"Ned, what do you mean he's right" mother asked indignantly.

"He means that there was never any scenario in which House Stark came out of this situation in a strong position with Mordane remaining here" I said.

"I'm sorry Cat, but Robb is right. Word of this situation will reach the ears of the northern nobility eventually and if I don't take action, harsh action, then our house will look weak. I have no choice" father said.

"But Ned, surely there is another way than this?!" mother asked desperately.

"There is no other way mother. I'm willing to spare your sept, I know how much it means to you, but Mordane can't stay here. She has to go" I said.

Mother didn't reply, she simply looked back and forth between me and father before realizing she had no chance of victory and left the solar in defeat.

I sighed before slouching in my chair. I knew I had to do this, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt to put my mother in this situation.

"You have caused quite a deal of upheaval, haven't you son" father said.

"Indeed father, but I wouldn't have done this if there was another option. Mordane mouth condemned her more than I ever could have. At least this way it spares mother the sight of watching her die" I said.

"Would you really have killed her son?" father asked.

"Yes" I simply said.

Father sighed.

"You know your relationship with your mother is going to be complicated now don't you? You said some really hurtful things to her" father informed.

"I know father, but I merely told her the cold hard truth. She has been here for nearly a decade and she still makes no effort to try and understand the North. She won't ever truly thrive here if she doesn't leave this southern mind set of hers behind. I know it and you know it" I said.

"Indeed I do know it and I'll to get to try, but just please don't force her" father said.

"I won't father, I've said all that was needed to be said. Whether she acts on my words is up to her" I told him.

"You were right by the way. About Jon. I love him, but it appears I've neglected him too much" father said.

"Jon loves you too father, but when people call him a blight and a curse it doesn't do any good for his confidence. It would help a lot if you talked to him about this" I advised.

"You are right Robb, you are right, I will" father said.

"Thank you father" I said.

"Thank you for not killing the septa" father said.

"It's Jon and Ser Rodrik you should be thanking. They were the ones who saved Mordane" I said playfully.

Father and I let out a laugh at that. Things didn't turn out so bad. My relationship with mother would no doubt be in a bad spot, but I would deal with that later. For now me and father just sat there and laughed our heads off. That was enough for me.

Notes:

There you have it folks. Harry was unyielding and relentless. Mordane's mouth doomed her and there was no way she would survive this if she remained in Winterfell. Catelyn of course is upset and her relationship with Robb is not good at the moment, but Robb doesn't regret saying what he said. It was the cold hard truth afterall. As always Constructive Criticism is always welcomed.

Chapter 10: The Northern Lords

A month after the discussion about Mordane's fate and after realizing that there was no way she could remain here my father had her banished from Winterfell. She had been given enough provisions and money for the trip back south, after that she was on her own. Mother had been furious with the septa's banishment and had resolved to not speak with either me or father since. I felt bad about damaging my father's marriage like this, but it had to be done. Mother would come around eventually. Sansa had also been sad to see the septa go, but I could keep her happy. Barely anyone in Winterfell felt sad about the septa's banishment. She had been a nuisance for practically everybody. No one said anything out of fear for my mother and respect for my father. When Mordane left no one openly celebrated, but I would hear them whisper when they thought no one was listening: "thank the Gods Lord Eddard saw sense", "that arrogant bitch won't be missed", "I'm relieved she's gone" and so on and so forth.

On the other hand, weapons production had been rising significantly. During the issue with Mordane, about 32 automatons had been constructed. Now 40 more automatons had been produced, bringing the total number up to 72. This payed off immensely as with all the automatons working through the night (the populace of Winterfell hadn't been able to sleep properly for a while as a result of all the noise, but they eventually got use to it) we now had 10,000 swords, 6000 spears, 3000 shields, 1000 warhammers, 32,000 arrows and 500 suits of armour. It had all been produced just in time too, for the Northern Lords and their troops had finally begun to arrive. Safe to say it was decided not to reveal the automatons yet, as a means of ensuring that the Lords didn't immediately attack them. That would have ended badly. For the Lords.

It was decided that we would reveal the weapons and the automatons at the feast that would take place as by now all the northern lords had arrived. I wanted all of House Stark's troops to be armed with them before anyone else and God's above I would keep as much of them out of the hands of the Boltons as I possibly could, but that would cause conflict as so far the Boltons had remained loyal, well, as loyal as a Bolton can be. For now though I would try and keep an eye on those Boltons. They're always plotting, always.

"My lord, your father has called the Lords to the great hall for the feast. He summons you and your brother" a guard outside said.

"Coming" I said back.

I looked back to Jon who was done dressing.

"You ready to face the North brother?" I asked him jokingly.

"Haha very funny Robb" Jon said.

"What, I'm just making sure you don't embarrass yourself in the great hall" I said laughing.

"I'm nervous brother. I'm really nervous" Jon said anxiously.

"Don't worry brother. Just be confident in yourself. You are the son of Eddard Stark and those Lords will look for any weakness they can find in you. Don't give it to them. Hold your head up high and never make anyone forget who you are" I advised him.

"Thank you brother" Jon said gratefully.

"Anytime brother, let's go before we're late" I said.

We left for the great hall, escorted by two guards. Upon arrival we found it full of the nobility of the North with the walls having many banners hanging from them. The roaring giant of Umber, the black battle axe of Cerwyn, the rusted long axes of Dustin, the grey stone hand of the Flints of Flints's Finger, the silver fist of Glover, the brown bullmouse of Hornwood, the white sunburst of Karstark, the white merman of Manderly, the black bear of Mormont and so forth. As I made my way to the high table I noticed Jon breaking off to go sit at the lower tables.

"Where do you think you're going" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" Jon asked, clearly confused.

"The high table's this way" I said pointing in the correct direction.

"But, the Northern Lords might" Jon tried to say.

"I don't care what they want to say. This is our home and you are family. A Stark. You have more right to sit up there than any of these Lords do. Now let's go" I said with a tone that made it plainly clear that I wouldn't back down from this.

Jon seeing that I was serious, made no more argument and followed me up to the high table. My mother looked upon this with clear disapproval, but I had long since gotten use to this.

At took my seat next to father with Jon sitting next to me. The northern lords looked upon this wide eyed. After all to seat a bastard at the high table was something that rarely happened anywhere, but I didn't care. Jon's a Stark. That's that.

"My Lords, my Ladies, I welcome you all into my hall and give my heartfelt thanks for you answering Winterfell's call to arms" father said to the nobles.

The nobles cheered and roared in response.

"That said, there is something that you must be shown. Something that would make our army invincible on the battlefield" father proclaimed to the nobles.

This got their attention as they began to look on in interest and intrigue.

"Robb" father simply said.

I gestured my man to the doors and the guards opened them. My automatons that had been on the outside entered. The northern nobles responded as was expected, with fear and shock at the sight of such strange metal men. Many immediately jumped up in shock and horror.

"Silence!" father shouted.

"My Lords please be calm the automatons will not harm you" father assured them.

"My lord what are these things?!!!" Lord Jon Umber or as he was commonly known as Greatjon asked with shock plastered across his face.

Father simply looked to me.

"These things my lord are as my father called them automatons. Creations of mind. They require no food, drink or rest. They can work all throughout the day and night and will still be going by sunrise" I said proudly.

The Lords were shocked when I revealed that I had created the automatons. Many looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. The Umbers, Mormonts, Glovers, Karstarks, Cerwyns, Hornwoods and others looked at me with surprise, interest and in some cases reverence, meanwhile the Boltons, Rsywells and Dustins were looking at me with narrowed eyes, cold and calculating, Roose Bolton especially.

"I'll have to keep an eye of those houses. Bolton in particular" I thought.

"However my Lords this isn't all we have to show you. Bring them in" I ordered.

"Mikken and the other smiths that me and Jon had worked with previously had walked in, each carrying a a different weapon in his hand. Mikken presented one of my enchanted blades. The Lords were shocked at the quality of the blade.

"This blade isn't just pretty to look at my Lords, it's deadly" I said.

"A presentation will reveal more than I can my Lords. Ser Rodrik" I called.

Two guards brought in a set of plate armour, Ser Rodrik leading them. Rodrik then took the sword from Mikken and with one swing cut right through the armour like it was butter. That got the Lords attention as they gazed in amazement at the power of the blade.

"That blade everyone is one of my design, produced by the Smiths of Winterfell and the automatons. It doesn't dull or rust, it remains permanently sharp, it is extremely light and it is virtually indestructible. And we have produced thousands like it, along with warhammers, spears, arrows and shields" i said.

The Lords gawked at me at that. I couldn't help but smile to myself. The Ironborn won't know what hit them.

"Oh and we also have some suits of armour that cover your entire body, but allows to move around and run at will. They also don't have any openings or gaps, they can take a direct hit from a Warhammer and wouldn't get so much as a dent" I revealed.

The Lords looked like their brains had melted.

"I just remembered about them" I said innocently as I began to eat some chicken on my plate.

Magic is might.

Notes:

There you are boys and girls. The Northern lords have finally arrived and Robb reveals the automatons and weapons to them. He notices Bolton and his Dustin and Ryswell allies plotting with just their eyes. He's gonna have to keep an eye on them. Robb brings Jon up to the high table with him as a clear message to everyone. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 11: Robb Greenhand

It had been at least six months since the automaton and weapons presentation and the northern army had already marched to the south to get to Lannisport in the Westerlands to join with the armies of the other kingdoms to set sail to the Iron Islands. They could have sailed there, but that was not possible as the western coast of the north had no naval presence, something I would have to address soon. Before they left the northern lords had seen the power of my weapons and as was expected began to fight over who got what. I shut that down by saying that the troops of House Stark would be armed first and then and only then would the other houses get there share. Safe to say the nobles didn't take this well, but I reminded them that the weapons were mine, my property and I decided who got to use them and that if they didn't shut up about it they would get nothing. They looked outraged, but when my father backed me up they didn't dare say anything else.

When all the Stark troops were armed and equipped the rest of the remaining equipment was passed out to the rest of the houses. I made sure specific houses such as the Umbers, Cerwyns and Karstarks got equipped first and then the remainders were given to houses who's loyalty was in question (the Boltons, Dustins and Ryswells). I justified this by saying that while the automatons did speedy work, the army was still quite big and there just weren't enough arms for everyone yet. But I made sure to reassure them that this would simply be a temporary issue, calming them down.

In the six months that had past I had created and activated 500 more automatons. It was exhausting, but I still wasn't quite satisfied with the output and wanted an increase, a bigger increase. It payed dividends. The now 572 automatons had produced a whopping, 18,000 swords, 10,000 spears, 6000 warhammers, 10,000 shields, 80,000 arrows and 3500 suits of armour. It took a lot of replicating to get the necessary amount of enchanted steel to reach these numbers, but it was worth it. However, the North needed more than just weapons, it needed food, infrastructure and people, lots and lots of people. Unfortunately I can't create people, but I can create the means to get more people. In order for the North to get more people and infrastructure it needed food. More food meant a population boom which means more people, more people means more workers to build up infrastructure.

I could just create automatons to do this but that was counter productive for two reasons. Reason 1: I couldn't create the number of automatons I needed without devoting all of my time to reach that number and that was simply not acceptable, both to me and my magic. Reason 2: if I had the automatons do all the work then the nobles of the North would depend on them which would mean less jobs available to the people meaning less talent being discovered and used, which means a massive population just laying around doing nothing, which meant horrendous levels of poverty and unemployment which would lead to a poor economic output. After all anything could happen that might make the automatons stop working which meant bad things happening because the North became dependent on them.

So more people was a must, which brings me to the field I'm standing in now.

"Okay everyone plant the seeds in the holes, you all know the correct amount" I ordered.

Several guards and farmers were walking around with pouches in their hands which contained special seeds containing my magic.

Unlike the crystals that power my automatons these seeds required much, much less magic to work. I had learned this from my herbology lessons at Hogwarts, with a lot of assistance from Neville Longbottom, a dear friend.

"I'm sorry Neville. Sorry I couldn't save you and Hannah that day" I thought to myself.

"I had lost everyone I loved and cared about in my old world and while I now have a new family it doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt" I thought sadly, before snapping out of it.

"What will these seeds do Robb?" Jon asked while holding little Sansa's hand. Sansa had wanted to come and with Mordane gone and mother busy managing Winterfell in father's absence, as well as dealing with her most recent pregnancy Sansa didn't have much to do, so this meant me and Jon spent a lot of time with her, when mother never could. A suitable northern governess still hadn't arrived yet so Sansa was me, Jon and mother's ( when she wasn't busy) responsibility often.

"These seeds Jon contain a portion of my magic based on agricultural aspects. When these seeds are buried and activated the magic within them, the magic will spread across the soil of this field, making it lush and green and fertile. Anything from wheat all the way to apples will be able to grow on this field when it's magically saturated" I explained.

"Incredible. That would essentially end the North hunger problem. Reducing our dependency on the South" Jon realized. I also plan on producing special glasshouses across the North. These glass houses will be much more effective than the current ones and will even be capable of operating in winter" I said.

"Incredible!" Jon said excitedly.

I laughed at his enthusiasm before looking back at the others to realize that they were done and were currently filling back up the holes they dug.

When they were done and stood back awaiting to see what I would do I began to chant and activate the magic within the seeds. Before the eyes of everyone the field began to turn lush and fertile. Several apple trees also began to grow, as did grape vines, cherries, oranges and more. When I was done the entire field looked like Garth Greenhand himself had passed by.

Everyone began to cheer and thank me. Jon and Sansa being the loudest. Sansa was especially cute as she shouted, "Yay big brother, you did it" over and over again.

There was much work to be done, but hearing and seeing everyone's happiness made it all worth it.

When we got back to Winterfell word had already spread about what I did. Everyone was looking at me as if I was some kind of God. Safe to say it made me uncomfortable, but as long no one tried to make some religion out of me or worship me like I was a God then I would let it go. Upon entering the great hall we found mother there with Maester Luwin who was holding a piece of paper in his hand.

"Mother, Maester" I greeted.

"Lady Stark, Maester Luwin" Jon said his own greeting.

"Son" mother acknowledged me stiffly ignoring Jon all together.

"I see she's still upset with me" I thought.

I knew it would be a while before we were on talking terms again, but I wasn't going to grovel. I said what needed to be said and I wouldn't apologize for it.

"Robb, Jon, come there is news" the Maester said.

"What Is it?" I asked as Jon and I approached them.

"We have just received a raven. The Iron Fleet has been defeated" the Maester revealed shocking us both.

"What, how, where?" Jon asked shocked and confused.

"The Iron Fleet was sailing off the coast of Fair Isle when they were cornered and trapped by the Royal Fleet and Redwyne Fleet led by Stannis Baratheon and Paxter Redwyne respectively. There bigger and stronger ships decimated the longships of the Iron Fleet with the remnants fleeing back to the Iron Islands. Lord Stannis and Lord Paxter are currently sailing towards Lannisport to ship the armies of the Seven Kingdoms to the Iron Islands to end this rebellion" the Maester explained.

"Excellent, then this war will soon be over. From what I've read up on about the Ironborn they're completely hopeless at ground warfare. The seas are their strength and they've just been crushed at sea" I said.

"Indeed Robb, it appears that this is the beginning of the end of the Greyjoy's dream of independence" the Maester confirmed.

"Now what is this I've heard about you turning an entire field lush and fertile, everyone in the Winterfell has been talking about it, calling you Robb Greenhand" Luwin revealed.

"Indeed Maester I used my abilities to produce special seeds that can turn a field fertile and the best part is after the process is done it's permanent" I said.

"Very good Robb, very good, but there is one thing you haven't brought into account" the Maester said.

"Really, what's that?" I asked.

"The Riverlands and the Reach" the maester said.

"Ah yes. The Riverlands and the Reach are the breadbaskets of the realm and the North has always been their greatest buyer. If the North no longer depends on their food then the economies would take a hit and they might get hostile towards us" I realized.

"That is correct Robb" the Maester said.

"The Reach fought for the Mad King even after all the heinous things he did. They can rot for all I care, but I can make openings for the Riverlands in order to maintain our alliance, but not at the cost of the North's prosperity. The days when the North was extorted by the South are over" I proclaimed.

"Very well Robb, but let us wait until your father returns before making any decisions" the Maester said.

"Agreed" I said.

I looked to mother then.

"Mother, any input?" I asked.

She looked at me sternly before sighing.

"I agree" she said.

"Excellent. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more seeds to produce. Let's go Jon" I called.

As we began to leave I heard mother shout out in pain behind us. We looked back to see her putting her hands on her stomach and crying out in pain more.

"Lady Stark is going into labour, get her to the birthing chambers immediately!!!" Luwin ordered the guards who quickly rushed my mother away.

Mother was going to give birth. And I was going to make sure she got through as painlessly as possible. The seeds could wait.

Notes:

There it is folks. Ned and the rest of the army have left for war, Robb has created more automatons and as a result, more weapons and he's also making the North fertile in order to increase the population. Stannis and Paxter Redwyne have decimated the Iron Fleet and Balon's little folly is nearing its end. Catelyn is still frosty towards Robb, but despite this Robb still loves her, which is why as she goes into labour he's preparing to make it easy for her.

Chapter 12: A new addition to the pack

After mother had been rushed to the birthing chambers I had immediately followed with Jon hot on my heels. By time we arrived the birthing process was already happening if the pain filled wails of my mother were anything to go by. I wanted to barge right in, but stopped myself knowing it would just make a great disruption that might result in mother losing the baby. So I waited until I knew I was needed. That moment came not to long after.

"Push my lady, push!!!" Luwin tried to encourage my mother.

"I can't, it's too painful, it's too much!!!" Mother wailed, her voice filled with pain.

"Your almost there my lady, but you must push!" Luwin still attempted to encourage my mother, but mother ignored him and shouted for me.

"Robb, Robb, where are you? Robb please!!!" Mother shouted with pleading and longing.

I immediately moved to the door, gesturing for Jon to follow. The guards immediately let us in. There on the bed, exhausted and disheveled was my mother.

"Robb" she reached out to me with her hand.

"It's okay mother, it's okay" I held her hand.

"I can ease your pain" I revealed.

"Really, how?" She asked.

"Just push, I'll deal with the rest" I instructed.

"The rest of you hold on to her" I ordered.

"I held my hands out to my mother and began to chant, magic began to flow into my mother easing her pain considerably while Maester Luwin continued.

While my magic got rid of much of the pain my mother was feeling the pregnancy didn't conclude immediately. Pushing a human being out of your body isn't an easy thing after all and there was still bound to be pain. However eventually mother finally did it and the room was filled with the sounds of a wailing child coming into the world.

"It's a girl, milady" one of the midwives announced.

"Give her here" I instructed.

Upon handing the child to me, me and Jon proceeded to gaze upon our new sister. I wasn't sure why, but when I looked at her I could tell she would be quite ferocious when she grew up.

"Let me see my daughter" mother called out.

I walked over to her with Jon and handed her our sister. At that moment little Sansa entered the room escorted by one of her minders.

"Sansa sweetling, come here, come see your sister" mother called to her, Sansa, who immediately came over to see our sister.

"She's so small" Sansa said.

"So were you sweetling" mother said.

"What name shall you grant your new daughter Lady Stark?" Luwin asked.

"Arya, her name shall be Arya Stark" mother proclaimed.

"A new addition to our steadily growing pack" I said.

Mother looked at me, before smiling.

"Indeed son, indeed" we all fell into a peaceful silence, before a guard entered with a message in his hand.

"Begging your pardon, milords, miladies. A message arrived" he said before holding it out to Luwin.

The maester took the paper and began to read it, his face lighting up with joy.

"What Is it Maester?" I asked.

"The Iron Islands have fallen, Great Wyk, Old Wyk, Harlaw and all the others fell to the kings forces, Pyke was besieged and was taken, Balon Greyjoy surrendered his crown and bent the knee. The war is over, we have won" Luwin declared.

Everyone began to cheer at that, as it meant only one thing. The northern army would return with father in tow.

Notes:

There it is folks, the Stark family has a new pup added to the pack and the war has ended. Constructive Criticism is always welcomed.

Chapter 13: History Short 2

The first time the legendary weapons of the North were used in warfare was during the Greyjoy Rebellion of 289 AC. Lord Balon Greyjoy believing that Robert Baratheon's reign was still shaky and weak launched a surprise attack on Lannisport, burning the Lannister fleet and declaring independence. When the armies of the Seven Kingdoms, the North included, arrived at Lannisport the southern forces immediately took notice of the advanced weaponry that the northern troops wielded. To say they were shocked when they witnessed the power of the northern arms would have been an understatement, in fact many among the southern forces, the Lannisters especially attempted to buy some of the weapons, but the northerners refused, there were even many attempts at theft, but they were thwarted. Upon making landfall upon the Iron Islands the northerners quickly proved just how deadly their new weapons were. Multiple accounts say the same thing: northern swords cutting right through Ironborn weapons like butter, spears punching right through mail like it wasn't even there, warhammers being swung like they were made of sponge, but crushing bone all the same, northern arrows punching clean through the Ironborn leather and mail covering with ease, one account even said that one Ironborn who managed to get his hands on some plate armour was taken down with a single arrow that struck him, center mass in his chest, his plate armour incapable of protecting him. Northern shields would take blow after blow from swords, axes and arrows, but wouldn't so much as be scratched, in fact the mentioned weapons actually shattered into pieces upon making contact with the northern shields. Arguably the greatest and most terrifying arm that the northern armies had were the legendary armour. These suits of steel covered the entire body of the wearer leaving no gaps or openings anywhere, but the wearer was able to not only move, but actually run in it, without becoming tired instantly. Safe to say, both the southern and Ironborn forces were terrified of the northern army as while not all of them were equipped with these arms and equipment, enough had them to make all the difference. Ironborn were cut down in droves, while northern casualties were negligible. Robert Baratheon would later say:

"It was like watching a butchery, not a battle. The northerners were like demons from the pits of the seven hells, nothing able to stop them. Ned himself was the same. He wore that strange armour that blocked everything that came his way, he wielded that sword that carved through, steel and iron like it was butter. Thank the Gods the northerners are on our side".

However after the fall of Pyke and the submission of House Greyjoy everyone in the south began to look to the North, wondering to themselves how they could get their hands on such arms. This would be one of the many reasons for the wars that would follow.

Druid Wendel, High Druid of Winterfell, " The Weapons of Winter, Prologue, Page 5"

Notes:

Hey folks, here's another short history chapter, let me know what you think.

Chapter 14: Ending the Squids Folly

Six months it had been. Six months since he led the northern army south to Lannisport. Six months since his sons automatons and weapons had been revealed. Six months since the North witnessed his power and Six months since he had been away from home, but as he gazed upon the walls of Pyke finally crumbling to the ground he knew that the war was nearing its end.

"Charge!!!" Robert shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice booming like war drums. We charged as he ordered, some red priest named Thoros of Myr was the first through the walls waving around a flaming sword. Jorah Mormont of Bear Island was the second through and soon we were through.

The Ironborn fought fiercely, doggedly, but it was hopeless. They were outnumbered and wielded inferior weapons, especially compared to the weapons his son had made. As he thought about that fact he witnessed an Ironborn guard get cut cleanly in half by a northern levy wielding one of his son's enchanted long swords. Before he could ponder on that he witnessed an Ironborn rushing at him with an axe in hand. With a simple swing his sword shattered the axe to pieces and vivisected its wielder immediately after. Another one came his way, this time wielding a sword, but just like before, the sword was shattered and its wielder guts falling to the floor.

This dance continued for quite some time, he and his fellow northerners were carving a bloody path through the Ironborn with few losses. Not all of his men were equipped with these magical weapons and equipment, but enough were that it made all the difference. Before long the Ironborn defenders, who were heavily reduced at this point began to retreat back to Pyke proper.

Robert who had just smashed in the head of an Ironborn guard immediately roared commands upon witnessing this.

"After them lads, they've got nowhere to run now, we end this rebellion today!!!!" Robert bellowed.

"Indeed we will Robert, indeed we will" Ned thought resolutely.

They immediately gave chase with Ned and the northerners who were wearing the enchanted armour taking the lead, as the suit allowed for it's wearers to run at full speed.

If the fighting in the open field was hard, then the fighting within the keeps that made up Pyke proper was brutal. Every corridor, every chokepoint, every room was heavily fought over, but in the end it was all for nought. The Ironborn fought hard, the Ironborn fought resiliently and the Ironborn died.

They eventually made it to main keep of Pyke where they found Balon Greyjoy and his throne with a crown of driftwood on his head.

"Well Greyjoy you must be very brave or very stupid to take up arms against your king, such an action would cost one his head for such treachery" Robert said.

"You may take my head, but you cannot name me traitor. No Greyjoy ever swore an oath to a Baratheon" Balon said to Robert.

"Swear one now, or lose that stubborn head of yours" Robert ordered.

Balon with gritted teeth came down from his throne, placed his crown at Robert's feet and swore his loyalty to House Baratheon. Robert however was apparently far from satisfied as he then declared that Theon Greyjoy, Balon's only remaining son (as his first born Rodrik had been killed by Jason Mallister at Seagard, while his second born Maron had been killed by a collapsed tower) would be sent to Winterfell as a hostage to ensure Balon's loyalty.

"You have gotten two of your sons killed in this war you caused and now another has been taken from you. Let's all hope you have learned Balon" Ned thought to himself.

After all that had been taken care of Ned and Robert spent some time catching up.

"Gods Ned, those weapons your boy produced are formidable. I saw axes and swords shattered like glass against them. Your son some kind of God or what" Robert bellowed.

"He's got magic, but he's no God. He himself kept saying that whenever the people of Winterfell kept calling him one" Ned revealed with amusement. His son had been thoroughly annoyed by that.

Robert laughed in a way only he could, loud and boisterous.

"But still I would kill to have a weapon like that. Think your boy would be willing to build me a hammer?" Robert asked like a giddy child.

"I'll bring it up with him. He might be willing but he won't make them for the South's armies. He made that plainly clear" he said.

"Couldn't you just order him? You are his father" Robert asked.

"Robert the boy literally threatened to kill the septa my wife brought with her if I didn't banish her. Robb will obey orders he's find with obeying, but if he doesn't like the order, he'll disobey it because he can and then rub it in your face later" I said exasperatedly.

He loved his son, but the boy had a ruthless streak to him that he wouldn't hesitate to unleash. It was scary at times.

"Either way I still want a hammer and I'll pay handsomely for it" Robert said.

"That will make him create one for you gladly" I said jokingly.

"Excellent, now let's celebrate, we've won a war and it's time to make merry" Robert proclaimed.

"Indeed it is and then I can finally go home" Ned thought to himself.

Notes:

There it is folks. The Greyjoy Rebellion has ended and Ned can't wait to go home. Robert wants a hammer and Ned is sure Robb will make him one, if he pays the right price. What that price will be, you'll have to wait and see 😉. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 15: Making a Factory

After the successful birth of my sister Arya, the relationship between me and my mother had softened. There was still tension from Mordane's banishment, but we were at the very least on speaking terms. We received word that a tourney celebrating the end of the Greyjoy Rebellion was being held at Lannisport and that some northerners including Jorah Mormont, who had been knighted by the king. After Arya's birth, I had gotten to work on making more seeds and before long the lands of House Stark were now bountiful and fertile and already outrageous amounts of food were being harvested. So much food was being harvested in fact that there was a fear that most of it would go to waste, so I had to create special crates enchanted to keep any food within them preserved exactly the way it was when it went in. I planned on going to the mountain clans to do the same, and then the Cerwyns and so on and so forth.

Mother of course was not pleased with that idea in the slightest and I didn't want to cause tension when we were just beginning to get back on good terms so I made a compromise. We would wait for father to return with the northern lords and then present the idea to them. I knew I would end up winning so I could be patient.

From word that's been coming in my weapons were effective and as a result northern losses were so negligible that it looked as if they suffered no losses at all. While I couldn't at the moment continue my efforts to build up the North's food reserves I could still continue to make weapons, hell I could even build some more automatons to help make upgrades to Winterfell and Winter Town, but for the moment I would deal with weapons and equipment. I actually had some ideas for new weapons, but I would need a means of increasing the output of weapons and equipment. The numbers coming out are good, but I needed bigger ones. The war with the Greyjoys may be over, but I knew that peace in Westeros was just an illusion. Another war would eventually come and I would see to it that the North was ready.

This was the reason I was currently outside the walls of Winterfell in a area close to the castle. In front of me were about 872 automatons. I had produced 300 more of them overtime. They would build me what I needed to really get the numbers I wanted, a factory.

I had made sure that they had all the materials they required to make my vision a reality. The replication charm was a real help.

"Alright, you know what to do and you have all you need. Get to work" I ordered.

They immediately scrambled and in the blink of an eye they began to work with inhuman speed, precision and coordination. Knowing that my job was done I walked back to the guards who had escorted me here, with them was Jon.

"Are you sure this will work Robb?" Jon asked as I approached my mount.

"Positive Jon. By time they're done we'll have the means of producing much, much more weapons and equipment" I reassured him.

Over the course of two weeks I had another 100 automatons that joined the other 872 bringing the number up to 972. By that point rapid progress had been made as the automatons didn't require food or rest, just material. By the end of the sixth week the factory had been completed. It was actually multiple massive factory complexes, with one being assigned to manufacture say swords, while another would manufacture spears, but if one complex were to face a problem then the others were capable of taking over that complexes duties until it was ready again. Inside the complexes were production lines, great forges were enchanted steel was shaped into weapons and equipment and more. These complexes were fully automated, but he knew that having the factories just do all the work would put the blacksmiths of the North out of a job.

In order to prevent that I decided that all the blacksmiths of the North would come to Winterfell for training in producing the weapon and other such equipment. My hope was that enough would be trained that the North wouldn't be dependent on my automatons, but that would take time, so for now, the factory and the automatons would be dealing with weapons manufacturing while the blacksmiths received their training.

The complexes were surrounded by two massive walls with fortifications built into the walls and around them. There was also storage houses for weapons and equipment freshly produced would be stored waiting for delivery to their destinations, barracks for the guards and workers, break rooms, lunch areas, and watch towers. It was basically a small town. The people of Winter Town would definitely benefit. Each complex was powered by it's own magical generator powered by a massive energy core of my magic. It took an ungodly amount of time and energy to accomplish such a feat, but it was worth it as the generators didn't just power the machinery, but everything in the complex and with each complex having it's own this meant that should one generator some how get damaged or destroyed then it would effect the others.

Me along with Jon, mother, Maester Luwin, Ser Rodrik and Mikken and the other blacksmiths of Winterfell went on a tour of the complex dedicated to the production of swords.

"As you can all see, this is a very large complex with areas dedicated to a different process of manufacturing. The area we are currently in is where the weapons already constructed flows done these conveyor belts to their final destination where they are place into crates destined for wherever. The next area is the where the metal for the weapons are forged into whatever form they are supposed to be formed in. There are three great forges dedicated to the production of the weapons and finally the final area is where the enchanted metal is produced. For the moment it shall be the automatons and the automated systems of the complexes that do the work while Mikken and his fellow smiths will oversea them. When enough individual are properly trained then we can replace the automatons. Mikken, you will serve is Chief Overseer, while Haggen, Borris and the others will oversee the other complexes" I explained.

"This is a masterpiece of engineering Robb, the complexity of it all is quite overwhelming" Measter Luwin expressed.

"Thank you Maester, these complexes are just the first in a long list of things I plan to build" I said to him.

"But, Robb, you said that it's your magic that grants the enchanted steel it's properties, what will happen when you eventually grow old and die, wouldn't the North lose the means of producing these weapons?" Jon asked.

That got everyone's attention. They never really considered the fact that the North's armaments were dependent on my magic.

"Not to worry Jon, I already have a plan for that" I revealed.

"What is it?" Mother asked.

"I plan on stockpiling reserves of enchanted metal and then placing replenishing charms and runes within the storage areas so that way the North will continue to have a steady supply" I explained.

That got everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. However Jon brought up another point.

"But you said that you need to carve activation runes on your weapons and equipment. Without them the magic within won't work" Jon pointed out.

"Another great point brother, but that won't be a problem forever. You see my magic isn't at it's full potential yet, so I need to have those runes carved else the magic I pour in will wither after a while, but when I reach my full potential I won't need to worry about runes anymore" I revealed.

That got everyone reassured. We continued the tour until we explored every single part of the complex and left. On our way out I began to speak about a thought that's been on my mind for some time.

"There is something is must discuss with all of you" I revealed.

They looked at me curiously.

"This recent war has revealed to me just how deplorably undefended and vulnerable our western coast is. I plan to change the North, but when the North begins to prosper it won't be long until the vultures in the south or the Iron Islands try their luck. Our western coast needs a fleet to defend it and Moat Cailin must be restored" I explained.

"All those things won't be cheap my lord. Restoring Moat Cailin alone would cost a fortune" Ser Rodrik explained.

"I know Ser, but we'll be raking in money soon enough and the automatons will make reconstruction efforts much quicker, we'll even have laborers from around the North assist. It will lead to more work and less poverty" I explained to him.

"And the fleet?" Luwin inquired.

"I've developed some advanced ship designs that can be used to improve both our western and eastern fleets. The automatons will spearhead construction, but we'll need northerners to get involved as well. We would need shipwrights, sailors among others" I said.

"All these things can happen son, but you don't need to rush it. We can't do all these things at once. Let's go slow" mother cautioned.

"Very well mother. We'll go slow" I agreed.

As we made our way back to Winterfell I knew I was making great progress. The factory complexes were the next big step in the supremacy of the North and I would make sure it was achieved before my death. No matter what.

Notes:

There it is folks, Robb is going full industrial and won't back down. He already has plans for a new fleet and Moat Cailin's restoration. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed. Peace ✌️ ☮️.

Chapter 16: Thunder's Bane

Father had finally returned with the northern lords and army, as well as the King of Westeros himself, Robert Baratheon. He was exactly as people described him. Tall, strong and powerful, with a warriors heart and voice to match. He just like everyone else had been dumbfounded when they saw the fertile fields and the factory complexes. I gave them all a tour and safe to say it looked like they were all going to worship me, try to marry their daughters to me and try to kidnap me. Lovely. After bringing up my idea of repeating the process of making the fields of the North fertile it was a unanimous vote of approval for my plan. My father also brought with him Theon Greyjoy, the last remaining son of Balon Greyjoy with him. I had been surprised by the king's decision to give the Greyjoy boy to us as a hostage, but it was done, so the best I could do was try to befriend him. They I made it explicitly clear to him that I wouldn't tolerate any disrespect to Jon.

The king eventually revealed his reason for coming to me, he wanted make him a warhammer imbued with my magic. I thought it over and decided it was doable. The king did say he would offer give me whatever I wanted that was within his power to give. I already knew some things I wanted. So I got to work on producing his hammer, with Jon and Mikken as well as the other smiths who had taken a break from overseeing their complexes to assist. It took at least three days to complete as there were special enhancements I made to it, but we were finished and before us was the completed Warhammer. The usual activation runes, but also the crowned stag of Baratheon covered it's surface. It was black as darkness, but still seemed to shine in the sunlight.

"Well lads, we've done it. Let's go bring our king his weapon" I said.

We arrived in the great hall where the Lords of the North, mother, father, little Sansa, Luwin, Ser Rodrik, as well as the King and his retinue were gathered for dinner.

"Robb, I see you've completed what I asked" Robert said, his voice like thunder.

"Indeed your grace, it's right here" I gestured for two guards who were carrying the crate that contained the weapon. They brought it forward and placed it on the ground.

"Thank you Will, Hollen, that will be all" I said.

"Yes, milord" they both said, before moving to the side.

I stepped forward and opened the crate and revealed the hammer. Everyone was stupefied at the sight of the hammer. The northern lords had seen and used my work, but it still took them off guard whenever they saw something of mind.

Mikken grabbed the hammer and placed it face first on the floor. Robert who had stood and began to walk towards by time I had the guards place bring the crate forward now stood before the hammer. I began to chant the activation sequence of the runes and immediately they began to glow, before dying down.

"The runes glowing is the magic within the warhammer being activated your grace, the hammer is now light, near indestructible and everything else. It also has the ability to come to you by just reaching out your hand, it can channel lightning and the most important feature is that it can only be lifted by someone containing your blood, meaning only your sons and daughters can lift it and use it" I explained.

Everyone's eyes were as wide as saucers by that point. Robert had a look of realization on his face.

"So that's why you asked for a sample of my blood. To magically bind this hammer to me and my children" Robert discovered.

"Bravo your grace. Yes that was the reason. Now to prove that it works I want everyone and anyone who dares to try and lift this hammer. Anyone at all" I proclaimed.

In no time plenty of people of lords tried their luck and all of them failed to so much as move it, let alone lift it. After Greatjon Umber tried and failed it became clear the enchantments worked. Robert then grabbed the handle of the hammer and lifted it. It immediately left the ground and lifted in the air. Everyone cheered at this site. Robert then looked at me.

"Robb Stark you have done me and great service and I thank you for it. As agreed you shall have 3 million gold dragons and the lands of the New Gift shall be returned to the North" Robert proclaimed.

Everyone was silent for a minute before cheering out loud once again, the Northern Lords were especially jubilant at the return of the Gift. Father looked shocked and worried, no doubt about the Night's Watch's reaction to this, but he also looked pleased as well and proud.

Robert gestured to one of his guards who presented him with a sealed document. Robert then turned to me.

"And I also present you with this as you also requested" Robert said.

Everyone was confused at what he meant and what was on the document. I took it from Robert.

"Thank you your grace. Jon, come over here, this is for you" I called to him.

The great hall went silent as it began to click in everyone's heads what the document was for. I looked at my parents and saw a look of shock on my father's face and a look of horror and fury on my mother's. I knew I would get a chewing out, but I didn't care.

Jon came forward, confused and took the scroll before beginning to read it. He immediately looked back at me with a look of surprise on his face.

"Robb, is this real?" Jon asked, hopefully.

"It's real brother, kneel" I told him.

He knelt, still shocked and hopeful.

"From this day until your last day, you are no longer Jon Snow, but Jon Stark, son of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North" I proclaimed.

Everyone stared with surprise written all over their faces as I spoke.

"You knelt a bastard, rise a Stark of Winterfell" I said with a firm voice.

Jon rose with tears in his eyes before lunging at me and pulling me into a hug.

"Thank you brother, thank you so much for this, thank you" Jon said, tearfully and gratefully.

"Always Jon, we're brothers to the end" I said.

There was a sound of clapping. It was Mikken with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face, he was joined, by the other smiths, Will and Hollen, and then Ser Rodrik, Maester Luwin and then immediately everyone was clapping. From the servants, to the guards, to the lords. I looked to my family. Little Sansa was clapping with a big smile on her face, mother had a look of fury and betrayel on her's and father, while he wasn't clapping had a look of pride and happiness on his, but also a bit of fear as well for some reason.

"Your grace, it has come to my attention that we haven't yet named your weapon. All the best weapons have names. What shall yours be?" I asked.

Everyone looked at Robert.

"Thunder's Bane. It shall henceforth be known as Thunder's Bane, for no amount of Thunder shall ever fell a Baratheon wielding this hammer!" Robert declared loudly.

That led to renewed cheers and clapping. I looked to Jon who was still looking tearful and happy and I knew I made the right decision.

Notes:

There it is folks, Robb made Robert's weapon and made sure that only Robert and his children can wield. A certain someone is going to be panicking soon. Robb got 3 million gold dragons, got the New Gift back and got Jon made a Stark. Boy is Catelyn mad and Ned worried. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 17: Teaching a history lesson

It wasn't long after the celebrations and feast ended that I was summoned to my father's solar. When I entered both my mother and father were waiting for me. Mother had a look of fury on her face, while father just looked exhausted and exasperated with me at this point.

"You have caused quite the stir Robb. 3 million gold dragons, the return of the Gift and a legitimization for Jon" father said to me, not even upset, just exasperated.

"It was my weapon, I decide what I get for the price. 3 million was a decent price when you remember just how powerful a weapon i gave the king" I said justifying my demands.

"I understand that son, but what about the Gift? The Night's Watch won't be pleased about losing it" Father tried to explain.

"The Gift is the property of the North. The Targaryens had no right to steal it from us. This is just me writing one of the many wrongs the Targaryens made against us" I said.

"And as for the Night's Watch, the can grumble, the can curse, they can cry, but this is still happening, especially when you consider the fact that they can't even guard the Wall itself properly, let alone the Gift and they are dependent on the North's support of them. If they make a fuss, we can simply just cut off all aid to the wall until they comply" I explained.

"The Watch has been a great ally of the North for thousands of years Robb. We can't just end support like that, when they are the first line of defense against the wildlings" father cautioned.

"Then they will have no problems in giving up the Gift in exchange for some of my enchanted weapons and a steady stream of supplies from the Gift when I make it fertile. Don't worry father, the Watch will be well compensated for the loss of the Gift" I reassured him.

"And what of the bastard?" Mother demanded with a low icy tone.

"The issue of Jon's legitimization is simple. It was long overdue. He has been nothing but steadfast and loyal to this family. He is a Stark, I just made it official in the eyes of the North" I said to her.

"What you did was shame me and humiliate me Robb. That bastard is an insult to me, he is a dangerous to this family. To all of us, he shouldn't even be here. Why would you do this to me Robb? All bastards are treacherous creatures and you just gave one Winterfell on a platter!!!!!" Mother roared at the top of her lungs.

Father and I stared at her, surprised by her fury. And then I proceeded to laugh. Not a small, quiet laugh, but a full on hearty piece of laughter as if I just heard the greatest jape in history. My father looked at me like I was crazy, while mother looked at me with even greater fury. I finally stopped laughing.

"Apologies mother. It just amazes me how you can be so competent, but so hopelessly clueless at the same time" I said amused.

"Excuse me" mother stated indignant.

"You say that bastards are treacherous creatures, lustful, deceitful. But yet, plenty of trueborns have been all those things and worse" I explained.

"You say bastards are treacherous, but yet, did the Boltons not rise up in Rebellion against House Stark several times? Where they not trueborn? Did the Greystarks, not join the Boltons in one of those rebellions? Where they not trueborn? Didn’t the Mootons, the Darrys, the Goodbrooks, the Rygers and the Lychesters betray House Tully and fight for the Mad King? Where the Lords of those houses not trueborn? Didn’t the Freys show up only after it was clear the war against the dragons was won? The Late Lord Frey is trueborn I'm sure. Did Oswell Whent a relative of yours through your mother, Minisa Whent, not help Rhaegar Targaryen in taking my aunt and causing the war in the first place? Wasn't he trueborn?" I stated firmly to my mother.

Both my parents were stunned into silence at my statements, mother looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything. I wouldn't give her the chance.

"You say that bastards are lustful creatures. We are people mother. We're all lustful in some way. Was Aegon the Unworthy not trueborn? Did he not take to bed any woman, regardless of whether she was married or not, when she caught his fancy? Does Walder Frey not make children and marry women constantly? Did Aerys the Mad not get a sick sense of arousal whenever he burned someone alive and force himself on his wife afterwards? Did Rhaegar Targaryen not do the same thing to my aunt? Did Gregor Clegane not rape and murder Elia Martell with her son's blood and brains still coating his hands?" I asked with a steely voice.

"Robb, that's enough" father tried to stop me.

"No father. It's time mother learned" I stated.

"You always like to mention the Blackfyre Rebellions when you want to cast doubt on Jon, but weren’t the Blackfyres legitimate when they launched said Rebellions? Maybe the Septons and Septas don't mention that part in your lessons. The Blackfyres were trueborn when they launched their rebellions. The unworthy himself made them so. When you mention those rebellions, you never seem to mention how Bloodraven remained loyal to Daeron II, you never mention how Bloodraven and his Raven's Teeth loosed the arrows the killed Daemon Blackfyre and his sons, making Bloodraven a kinslayer, out of loyalty to the Targaryens. You never mention how Shiera Seastar helped Bloodraven keep the reign of Aerys I stable, keeping House Targaryen safe. No you only mention Daemon and Bittersteel. You also never mention how Maegor the Cruel murdered several of his own family members to gain power, never mention how Visenya helped him do it. Those two were trueborn. You never mention how Rhaenyra Targaryen was betrayed and usurped by her own brother, who himself was trueborn. No you only mention the names that are convenient to your arguments. You do this because you are biased beyond belief" I said.

The room was silent like a tomb. No one said anything. Mother looked like she wanted to shout, rage, justify herself, but she said nothing. My argument was too true. Too many facts. I stood up and left the solar.

On my way back to find Jon I knew that I had stirred a Hornets nest and that my relationship with mother was in the red once again, but I would be able to live with that. Mother had to grow up. If she wanted to be mad, then she should be mad with father, not Jon who had no say in his birth.

I couldn't ponder that now. I had work to do.

Notes:

There you have it folks. Robb was tired of Catelyn's bias and gave her a history lesson. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 18: The Old Lion

Two years had passed since the day those wretched Ironborn dared attack Lannisport and burn his fleet. Two years since those same Ironborn were humbled. Two years since the North revealed it's advanced weapons to the world. Two years since Robert Baratheon, his foolish good-son gave the Stark Boy 3 million gold dragons, the New Gift and that legitimization. All for a hammer.

He still remembered when he saw those weapons in action. When the northerners tested them in spars and practice dummies. He could still remember how castle forged steel of top quality was shattered as if it were glass, how plate armour was cut cleanly in half or punchered and pierced as if it were paper. He had tried to buy one for a great price, but he was turned down. He then tried to sow doubt in Robert, pointing out how the northerners were hoarding such advanced weaponry while the south went without. It worked on the southerners who heard, but the northerners refused to budge. Robert refused to act, stating how the North was one of his most loyal allies and other nonsense. Ever since then he had his spies send him reports of everything that was going on in the North. He heard tales of metal men creating wonders that belonged in fairy tales. Heard tales of fields of such fertility that they put the one's of the Reach to shame. He heard of how the northerners built ships of impossible height that could go at speeds that shouldn't be possible.

He wanted to dismiss them as madness, but when these same reports kept coming in he began to suspect that it wasn't madness. Robert arriving with that damned Warhammer of his confirmed it. Many men had tried and failed to lift it. He had seen it fly right into Robert's hand. Seen how it crackled with lightning. It was magical and it was produced by Robb Stark.

Robb Stark. That was a name that was spreading far and wide. Everyone heard takes of the boy who was transforming the North. Many betrothal offers were sent Eddard Stark's way and not one had been replied to. Eventually Robb Stark himself announced that he would be marrying a northern girl. That was received by many, himself included negatively. Many appealed to the King, but Robert didn't care. He was too engrossed with his hammer to care.

The North was rising and it was at a pace he didn't like. He knew Eddard Stark was loyal to Robert. He despised me, but he was loyal to Robert. Would Stark's son be loyal to Joffrey? That was the question. He had worked too hard, too long to build his legacy to let some blasted barbarian from the North ruin it. Robb Stark would bend or he would break. No matter what.

He gazed out the window in view of Lannisport. The city had recovered splendidly after the Ironborn attack and his fleet was already being restored. It would be expensive, but sacrifices had to be made.

"I will not let my legacy be undone. Never. Especially by some unwashed northerner" he murmured to himself.

At least that hammer will serve Joffrey well in the future when he ascends the Iron Throne.

Notes:

There you have it folks. A short POV of Tywin. Sorry that it's so short, but this is just a short review of what's going through Tywin's head. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 19: The Queen of Thorns

The profits from our sales to the North were much lower than they had been previously. It had started slowly. The amount of food requested was a bit shorter than it usually was. The orders of wine were less. It was small, insignificant, practically unnoticeable. Then it became a flood. Orders for wheat were halved, then reduced even more. Orders for lemons, apples among other fruits ceased entirely. On and on it went until the Reach was selling a measly fraction of what it use to sell to the North. The architect of this, Robb Stark.

Robb Stark, Robb Stark, Robb bloody Stark. That name was starting to give her headaches. Their bannermen were grumbling about the loss of profits now that the North was breaking off. They petitioned the king, but Robert Baratheon was contemptuous of the Reach. We fought for the dragons during Robert's Rebellion and nearly starved his brothers to death. We would find no help from him. Several of the Lords actually petitioned Winterfell, but Eddard Stark or in this case Robb Stark refused to hear it.

"For thousands of years the Reach has taken advantage of the North's food insecurity and extorted us. Now you come here asking for favorable treatment. Leave this place and never come back. Consider this the Reach's punishment for its crimes against the people of the North" the damned boy had loudly proclaimed.

I had thought problems would develop between the North and the Riverlands as the Lords of the Trident would also suffer from this. However, I found out that a deal had been struck between the Starks and Tullys. The North would buy food from the Riverlands, but at a reduced weight and at a reduced price. This of course did not please the Riverlords one bit, but when the Stark boy apparently threatened to cut them off entirely they quickly fell in line. Rumors said that Robb Stark had at first demanded that not a scrap of food be bought from the lands of Riverlords who fought for the Targaryens during the Rebellion, but his father and mother managed to calm him down.

"Gods that boy hasn't even reached his 13th nameday yet, but he is so vindictive and petty" Olenna thought to herself.

The Northerners still continued to buy from the Reach, but at lower and lower rates. It's estimated that by the next two years the Northerners will stop buying from the Reach all together.

This did not boud well for House Tyrell.

Olenna at first thought of proposing a match between Robb Stark and her granddaughter Margaery, but thought better of it.

Her granddaughter was destined to be a queen. Besides the boy himself announced that he would marry a northern girl.

Olenna was not pleased with what was happening one bit. The North was rising too fast, too rapidly and the rest of the kingdoms couldn't keep up. Already word reached her ears of a proper northern fleet being built on both the East and West coasts of the North. The ships were apparently bigger than anything the south had and were faster as well.

She even heard rumors about metal men, building forts and roads. She wanted to dismiss it as madness, gods help her she did, but the rumors were being repeated constantly. They were true and the architect behind it all was a child that hated us.

Gods this was madness.

One thing Olenna did know was that no matter what, House Tyrell would rise to supremacy and nothing especially some child from the frozen North would stop her. No matter how .any fancy weapons he created.

Notes:

Here you are folks. The thoughts of the one and only Queen of Thorns.

Chapter 20: The Vipers of Dorne

Doran Martell wanted justice, he wanted vengeance. Dorne wanted vengeance for the loss of Elia Martell, Doran's sister and her children. Ever since the Usurper claimed the throne, Dorne had to watch as the Lannisters, that vile family of butchers got more and more power and influence. It was an insult and all of Dorne wanted to answer it with war, but he knew Dorne was not ready for war.

They had lost 10,000 men as well as his uncle, Lewyn, at the Trident. Dorne was military weak and didn't have any allies within Westeros to turn to. When the Greyjoys rebelled he had believed that it would weaken Robert's still shaky grip on the Iron Throne. Instead the Greyjoys had been decisively defeated. But what really got his attention was word about the new weapons that the Northeners were using. Weapons that never dulled, were extremely light, were near indestructible and could cut through plate armour with ease. He was conflicted about this.

On one hand the Starks did fight for the Usurper and did nothing when Tywin Lannister butchered his sister and her children, but he also knew they had every right to rebel. Aerys had murdered their Lord and his heir, had called for the head of another and his son had absconded with their sister. I would have fought Aerys with everything I had too. That and Eddard Stark had called for justice for his sister and her children.

The Starks weren't his enemies per say, but they weren't his friends either. Eddard Stark was loyal to the Usurper completely, so any attempt to get vengeance against Robert would undoubtedly bring the wrath of the northerners with their new weaponry down upon Dorne. He would have to be strategic in his planning. Everything had changed. The reasoning for this change, a child. Robb Stark.

Robb Stark appeared to be more than met the eye. He was single handedly transforming the North into a powerful kingdom. That was worrying. The Northerners already had an independent streak to them. If they were to continue growing in power at the rate they were how long until they decided that it was time to become independent completely? That couldn't, wouldn't be allowed to happen.

He thought of his daughter Arianne and thought of offering her as a potential bride to young Robb, but quashed it immediately. Arianne's future laid with something grander than being a Stark's wife. He would still keep an eye on Robb Stark though. He had a great plan for the future and he would not let it be ruined.

Especially by a Stark.

Notes:

There it is folks. Doran's thoughts about Robb's efforts.

Chapter 21: The New North

Five years had past since that fateful day in the great hall, when I took back the New Gift earning the respect and obedience of the nobility of the North and when I made Jon a Stark. In those five years a great many things happened. His little brother Brandon or Bran as we all prefer to call him was born. My relationship with my mother had defrosted considerably during this time, helped in no small part as a result of me once again using my magic to make the birth easier for her.

I had traveled all around the North with father, Jon and Theon Greyjoy. My special seeds had been planted at every keep, village and field that had people in it leading to the North looking like a lush paradise. This pretty much made me beloved all throughout the North as I had completely eradicated the North's food problem leading to a population boom as people could now have more children without worry of starvation. The factory complexes had worked perfectly churning out thousands of swords, axes, warhammers, spears, arrows, daggers, shields, bows and suits of armour a day. We actually now had more weapons and equipment than we did soldiers, but given how the population was rising that might not be an issue for long.

Over the course of five years he had managed to construct, by using the factories, 10,000 automatons. They were basically just a workforce, but they could be used for warfare as well. He decided that if it came to it when the North was invaded, they would be used as reserves. For now they were used for massive projects. These projects included the construction of his great glasshouses that were the size of small mansions. They were equipped with advanced heating systems and charms and reinforced, magical metal that made them impervious to the harshest of Winters. They were operated by people, but in the case of war when much of the population would have to be mobililized, the automatons would temporarily take over.

Other projects included the development of canals, the building of forts, the reconstruction of Moat Cailin and the building up of the new navy he had envisioned for the North.

His ship designs were based on the steam powered ships of his previous world. They were based on corvettes and frigates. Instead of steam, a magical engine powered by a core of my magic. They couldn't be damaged by regular means and couldn't suffer malfunctions. They were also protected by enchanted steel armouring. Because it was so light the ships weren't weighed down by the metal and could go at speeds that exceeded that of the original versions of these ships. About 150 such ships had been produced over the five year period on the western coast and another 150 on the eastern coast. The western fleet had been divided between Sea Dragon point and the Stony Shore and Bear Island. Their presence at Bear Island had been a source of controversy after it was revealed what Jorah Mormont had been doing.

Joer Mormont had stepped down as Lord of Bear Island and joined the Night's Watch to allow his son Jorah to take over. Jorah had developed a pretty good reputation. He had the second man through the breach at Pyke, he had won the tourney at Lannisport after breaking nine lances against Jaime Lannister. Then he met Lynesse Hightower and everything went to shit. Bear Island like the rest of the North had received fertility from my seeds, as well as three great glasshouses and I planned on building up a ship yard and producing ships there so the Mormonts could not only defend themselves and the North properly, but also sell their surplus food in Essos to rake in massive profits as a reward for their loyalty throughout House Stark's reign. I had traveled to Bear Island with father, Jon and Theon to propose my idea. Reason I brought Theon was because I would be doing a lot of traveling so it was best to bring him along to not make him feel isolated and lonely as well as to make the northern nobility use to him. I met Lynesse on that trip and I didn't like what I saw. She was vain, haughty, greedy and never satisfied. It was like staring at a Malfoy. I had considered speaking up about my concerns, but thought better of it.

"Not my job, not my occupation, not my problem" was my thought on Jorah's marriage.

Boy did I end up regretting it.

Jorah had begun spending the money of House Mormont on all kinds of nonsense for Lynesse, but she was never satisfied, he even started borrowing money to keep up with his Hightower bride's vanities, racking up debt. But then Jorah did something truly unspeakable. He sold some poachers he caught to a Tyroshi slaver in order to get himself out of debt quickly and spend more on Lynesse. When it was finally discovered the entire North was shocked and appalled, none more so than Jorah's family. It's said that Maege Mormont howled with grief and anger when she discovered what Jorah had done. It was Joer Mormont who was the worst though. The man weeped and weeped and weeped and weeped with tears of sorrow, anger and shame. Father went to Bear Island to apprehend Jorah for execution, but he was able to escape.

With Jorah gone a debate was held on what to do with House Mormont. A debate that I found ridiculous. It was Jorah that had done the crime not his family. I said as such to my father and mother. They both agreed but said that something had to be done. I was having none of it.

"The Mormonts gave been one of House Stark's most leal and trustworthy bannermen. They have always answered our call and served faithfully. I will not let such an illustrious alliance by ruined because one love struck idiot couldn't use his head for two seconds to think things through" I said to them both.

I then sought out Lady Maege who had arrived at Winterfell with her daughters. I got along especially well with her daughter Dacey. I told Maege that I pay off the debts Jorah accumulated and pay off his victims as well. All she had to do was denounce him before the entire North and cast him out of House Mormont using her authority as the new head of the house. Maege thanked me profusely for my help and declared that I would always find friends and allies in House Mormont. That night Maege denounced Jorah and casted him out, while father declared that Jorah was now a traitor and a disgrace upon the entire North and that any who gave him aid would face severe consequences.

After all that I then announced that my plans to build shipyards and ships at Bear Island would continue. This wasn't well received by many of the nobles, but they knew not to cross me. After all that messiness was over with I got right back to work. The western fleet had been built, but I also had another fleet of 100 ships each for the west and east of the same design used for trade. They had expanded hulls as a result of me using expansion charms that would store food from the different houses of the North and then they would set sail for Essos which didn't have much in the way of fertile fields outside of the Dothraki Sea and other nations such as Yi Ti. Our greatest customers were the Free Cities, especially Braavos.

Because of the size of the ships and the space within them being taken advantaged of effectively one single ship brought back profits as high as a million gold dragons with a single trip. When they weren't bringing back gold they brought back silver, spices, fruits and beverages, among other things. Every single house of the North from the richest like the Manderlys to the poorest like say the Mormonts and Lockes became rich as hell. They used there rapidly growing wealth to make repairs and upgrades to their keeps and villages, with Deepwood Motte becoming a proper castle of stone. With the new wealth and food villages all over the north slowly became towns. Winter Town also began to expand into a city. Winterfell itself gained repairs, upgrades and expansions, with the broken tower being repaired and the walls being reinforced with cement that I had introduced. It quickly became popular around the North with everyone using it to build stone houses, keeps and roads. For the first time the North had proper roads and this made travel and trade flow much quicker.

While the North's trade network expanded and thrived it also invited the unwanted attention of pirates and slavers. As a result each ship from both the war and trade fleet on the coasts were guarded by specially trained marines armed with my latest weaponry and armour. The ships main protection however, were the cannons I had designed.

I had at first thought to use gunpowder, but thought better of it. This world was dangerous enough as it was, gunpowder had no place in it. Instead I used a special mechanism powered by a magical battery that would shoot out a special cannonball that would explode on contact. They would effectively change warfare forever, but I made sure that they were used by Western and Eastern fleet houses only. The cannons that would be used for ground warfare would be available to House Stark only.

I had also discovered that the mountains of the North were filled to the brim with, gold, silver, gems, iron and other rare minerals. When mines were built into the mountains my and father agreed to make let whatever house who's lands the mountain or mountains were in to maintain ownership of them in exchange for sending a small portion in tax to House Stark, about 10%. This seemed small, but when you considered just how many mountains there were in the North and how many mountains were in the lands sworn to Winterfell, it wasn't an issue. I placed replenishment charms all over the mine shafts ensuring an infinite source of wealth for the North.

Even the New Gift which was already quite fertile became more so and became dotted with greenhouses. As a result of this and the proper protection offered by the noble houses which reclaimed the lost land the population of the Gift sky rocketed and food production soared. The Night's Watch wasn't pleased at first and many including one Alliser Thorne, a Targaryen cocksucker with a grudge made tried to resist, but when I announced that there would be shipments of food, weapons, equipment, armour and other supplies made to the Watch and that I would spare some automatons and workers to help repair the castles along the wall, Thorne and his cohorts were drowned out. I also met the Maester of Castle Black, Aemon and we had a conversation. During this convo I discovered that he was actually Aemon Targaryen, but I didn't hold it against him. He hadn't wronged me and he had spoken in support of the Gift being restored to the northern administration. So I used my magic to restore his eye sight and make restore some of his original strength. He had been very grateful and thanked me profusely for restoring his sight and strength, but mostly for restoring his sight.

House Stark's reputation soared to new heights as the whole North was on our side. Even the Boltons, Rsywells and Dustins couldn't do anything, but be loyal as they themselves benefitted from my efforts. In fact I had even seen Roose Bolton give me and approving nod at times. The North had prospered. So too did my family.

The relationship with me, Jon and Theon also thrived. Me and Jon made the Greyjoy welcomed in Winterfell and we became great friends much to my father's approval. I had even made him a special bow as a present. He had been extremely grateful calling me and Jon brothers.

Yep. Everything was going great for House Stark, the North and my friends. And I would make sure it stayed that way. No matter the cost.

Notes:

There you have it folks. The North is transformed into a powerful and rich nation. Jorah, of course managed to fuck things up anyway, but Robb helped the Mormonts anyway. Afterall it was just Jorah who fucked up. Many of you might wonder how Robb payed off the debts Jorah made as well as the victims, so I'll reveal it. Robb used some of the three million gold dragons he received from Robert. He had payed Mikken and the others who helped construct the hammer, but he still had plenty left. Theon, Jon and Robb are now officially more than friends, but brothers too. Bran has been born as well. As always Constructive Criticism is always welcomed.

Chapter 22: Revealing the truth

The sound of steel echoed through the practice yard of Winterfell. It had, like the rest of the castle received proper upgrades and expansion. More dummies for practice, specific dueling areas with rings that could be disassembled at will and even gym equipment such as weights and bench presses. I had introduced the idea to father stating that it would do wonders in keeping the garrison in tip top shape. Father, who by this point was use to me bringing forward new ideas simply gave his approval knowing it would work out in the end.

I stood facing both Jon and Theon with a practice sword in my hand and a grin on my face.

"Come on you too at least try to give me a challenge. This is just sad" I mocked them with a teasing grin on my face.

They both looked annoyed and exasperated at this point. I had been running circles around them for the past five minutes. Everytime they thought they had an opening I immediately proved them wrong.

With a shout they both charged at me. My sword connected with Jon's and Theon immediately took a swing at me, I side swipped it with lightning speed before with a downward strike that neither saw coming I knocked Jon's sword from his hand and knocked him to the ground. I then wasted no time and moved to Theon who did put up a valiant effort but couldn't keep up with me. I was too fast, too precise and Theon was too tired. I knocked his sword out of his hand and he soon joined Jon on the ground.

"Well that was great" I said joyfully.

"Damn you Robb. One of these days I will defeat you" Jon said annoyed at having lost, but with a grin on his face while saying it.

"In your dreams maybe" I said smugly.

I then with a mental command used my magic to rejuvenate them. Before it would have required actually reaching out with my hand, but no anymore. Not since my magic returned to full strength. I discovered this when my magic flared up rapidly as if it were asleep and finally woke up. I then tested it by summoning fire and it worked a then went about creating a sword and poured my magic in as usual, but I didn't place any activation runes on it this time. It had been two weeks since then and the sword still hadn't lost it's magical properties.

What really confirmed it was when I went to my room one night and saw them. The Elder Wand, my Invisibility Cloak and the Resurrection Stone. I was once again the Master of Death.

I now had an easier time doing my work with my magic now at full strength. Weapons and equipment no longer needed runes to work and I had the enchanted metal placed into the storage rooms without them. All I had to do was pour my magic in and that was it.

It also meant that I could now uncover the identity of Jon's mother. I had wanted to do it immediately, but I kept getting side tracked.

This time though, I would make sure that I did the ritual tonight.

After completing training Jon went to go find Arya while Theon went to Winter City to go explore the brothels.

It was a good thing I provided all the brothel owners with potions to prevent pregnancy and sexual diseases.

Otherwise Theon would have gotten someone or several someone's pregnant and been filled to the brim with STD's.

Speaking of Winter City it had expanded quite well. As a result of the surplus of food now available the populace of Winter Town increased and with the proper housing built in more people began to move there as well. Over the years it began to steadily grow into a proper city. In order to prevent the stench and disease the plagued other cities in this world and in mine I proposed the construction of indoor plumbing and an advanced sewer system. Father, Mother, and Maester Luwin didn't need anymore convincing.

A network of pipes was built and tapped into the water below, resulting in the creation of proper bathrooms for showering and toilets to do one's business. The sewer system also made sure that all the waste was properly disposed of and everyone was pleased with the ability to shower regularly and constantly resulting in a healthy and clean population and city. I also suggested the creation of schools where a free education would be provided to the common people, increasing literacy and creating future engineers, doctors, etc. I got very fierce pushback on this as there was fear of the nobility of the North taking offense, but I said that we would do it in the lands of House Stark first and when the nobility realized the effectiveness of my reforms then they would all fall in line.

It was a major success. People of all ages and backgrounds arrived at these school for learning. This however caused problems with the citadel that accused House Stark of trying to usurp it's role. Safe to say I hadn't taken that well at all and wrote, without my parents knowledge a very worded letter back to the Citadel stating:

"I must say when I received your letter I was quite amused. You have been in existence for thousands of years and what have you accomplished? Nothing. What advances has Westeros made? Nothing. What great wonders to farming and shipbuilding, to infrastructure and medical research has the Citadel produced? Nothing. Westeros has remained stagnant under your purview for too long. The North will tolerate it no longer. You have a problem with what we are doing because you are jealous that the so called "barbaric heathens" have done more in a couple of years than you have for many a millennia. So I say this to you. Take your complaints and shove them up your asses. Thank you."

My mother was livid when she found out what I did, my father was not even surprised and Maester Luwin was annoyed, but impressed at the same time. He himself had realized how stagnant Westeros had remained.

My mother wanted me to write a letter apologizing for my words, but I didn't even hesitate before refusing. Father by this point use to my nonsense simply told mother to let it go.

The Lords and Ladies of the North when visiting Winterfell saw the burgeoning city and how effective the population was due to receiving am education. Already several experts in metallurgy, agriculture, engineering, infrastructure and governance were being produced and they wasted no time in asking for similar reforms to be enacted in their lands. The population of the city by this point in time had reached 320,000 putting it right above Lannisport, but below Kingslanding and Oldtown, but not for long.

As I thought about this I remembered that I still had to get to work on the ritual. I had already gotten my father's blood after sneaking into his room when he and mother were sleeping and after putting up a silencing spell and then numbing father's body I made a small cut on his arm, extracted the blood I needed and then quickly healed the wound and left.

All I needed now was Jon and I could get to work.

That night I brought Jon with down the crypts of Winterfell.

"What are we doing here Robb?" Jon asked, yawning while doing it.

"We will be uncovering the identity of your mother tonight Jon" I revealed.

He immediately perked up at that, all traces of sleepiness gone.

"Really?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes, but in order to do that a ritual will need to begin first. I'll need some of your blood. I already have some of father's. I'll place both in a bowl I brought with me. After chanting the spell while see who your mother was" I explained it to him plainly, not wanting to confuse him with the complicated parts of the process.

Jon clearly didn't care about all that, he was just excited to finally know who his mother was. He quickly offered up his arm and I made a small cut to get his blood. I then healed to wound and placed Jon's blood along with father's in the bowl and began chanting, beginning the ritual. As I finished chanting the blood evaporated and smoke began to rise. As it rose words began to form:

Jon Stark/Daeron Targaryen Mother: Lyanna Stark

I stared in absolute disbelief, wondering if maybe there was a mistake, but I knew there was no mistake. Jon wasn't Eddard Stark's son, not by blood anyway.

"What" i heard Jon say with despair and horror in his tone. I looked at him only to see his face was morphed in confusion and disbelief.

"This can't be true. It can't be true, it can't" he repeated desperately.

"I'm afraid it is Jon" I said.

"But then if Lyanna was my mother then that means" Jon with dawning realization.

"Rhaegar Targaryen was your father" I finished.

"But then does that mean I'm a child of rape?" Jon asked horrified.

"I don't know Jon. It's possible, but it's also possible that she ran off with him. I simply don't know. But I know this. You are my brother no matter what" I assured him.

"I just wanted to be Eddard Stark's son. He lied to me" Jon said sadly.

"He dud it to protect you. We both know the story of Elia Martell and your siblings, how they were brutally murdered. The same would have happened to you. I will admit that father could have done more to make you feel more secure here though" I explained to him.

"Eddard Stark is my father, he's the father I know, the father who raised me. I know nothing of Rhaegar Targaryen. Besides it was Rhaegar who ran of with my mother and left his wife and other children behind with his mad father" Jon said, a bit of heat in his voice.

"Wait this means Aerys the Mad is my grandfather" Jon realized with disgust and horror plain on his face.

"Afraid so brother" I said, laughing while doing it.

"That is just wrong and stop laughing" Jon demanded annoyed and exasperated.

I stopped laughing and thought of something.

"You know I do have a way for you to talk to her" I revealed to him.

"Really how?" Jon asked, clearly confused.

"I could summon her spirit and you could talk to her, but it can only be for a short while and it can't happen often" I revealed.

"Thank you brother, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I need some time to deal with this" Jon explained.

"I understand Jon. While do it when you're ready" I agreed.

"Let's head back. It's late and we don't want anyone noticing that we're gone" I said.

"Aye. Let's go" Jon agreed.

As we left the crypts I couldn't help but think about this discovery. Father had decieved the whole realm for years with none the wiser. Only one thought entered my mind.

All those who said Ned Stark can't lie to save his life can suck eggs.

Notes:

There it is folks. Apologies for the late update. Jon and Robb knows the true identity of Jon's parents, but Jon chooses the family he grew up with. As for that bit about Rhaegar I just had to bring it up as the man left his wife and children with his lunatic father with very few protectors. This makes him an uncaring asshole or a complete moron. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 23: The Heirs of the North

Three weeks had passed since the revealing of Jon's true identity and in those three weeks Jon had manged to slowly but surely get use to the revelation. He still called himself Jon Stark and called Eddard Stark father and that was enough for me. During that time the Lords and Ladies of the North began to arrive at Winterfell for the harvest festival, this time though they had brought their heirs, especially daughters. When I revealed my desire to marry a northerner all the nobles had been giddy and no doubt wanted to get me to notice their daughters in hope of me marrying one of them. It would be a long couple of weeks.

However, this was also quite beneficial to me as well as I could not only get to no and start friendships with my future vassals, but also present an idea I had been considering for quite some time.

The Glovers and Cerwyns arrived first, the new and improved roads making travel much faster. The Umbers, Karstarks, Boltons and all the others eventually made it as well. They all were escorted to their rooms in the guest keep, which had like the rest of Winterfell, been expanded and upgraded. Eventually I ended up in the training yard where many of the heirs were training, the Mormont girls, Dacey included, among them. Theon and Jon were there as well.

"Well look who finally graces us inferior mortals with his presence. Robb Stark, the builder come again" Theon in typical Theon fashion announced me.

Everyone looked at me upon hearing Theon's words.

"Greetings to you all. Welcome to Winterfell" I greeted them.

"We are pleased to be here my lord" Torrhen Karstark, a son of Rickard Karstark said.

"Aye Lord Robb, we have all heard much about you" Cley Cerwyn said.

"Oh and what have you all heard?" I asked curious.

"That you are Bran the Builder reborn, that you the Old Gods chosen champion and how you are a the Greenhand himself reborn" Smalljon Umber revealed.

"Oh is that all? I thought I would have more titles" I said amused.

"Perhaps you should develop a means of making people fly Robb" Jon suggested with a grin on his face.

"I might just try that" I said with a look of mock seriousness.

That got everyone to laugh.

"Perhaps my lord you might join us in some training" suggested Daryn Hornwood.

"Why not. Knocking Jon and Theon in the dirt is only amusing for so long" I said with a grin thrown at them.

"Hey screw you Stark" Theon said annoyed.

"I'd rather screw a girl" I said back.

Once again everyone including Theon laughed again.

I picked up a practice sword and stood at the center of the yard.

"Who's first" I asked.

Daryn tried his luck first and got sent into the grown in no time. Then came Eddard, Torrhen and Harrion Karstark at once. They tried their best, but I moved like lightning and struck like thunder. Harrion went down first and then Torrhen and finally Eddard I knocked his sword from his hand and kicked his legs out from under him. Cley Cerwyn, Dacey and Alysanne Mormont, Smalljon Umber and Robin Flint came at me next. They all swone at me, but their blows were deflected by my own or missed entirely as I always remained mobile, never standing still. This began to annoy the group that was starting to get frustrated. I then moved with lightning speed. Cley's sword was knocked to the ground, with Cley himself joining it before he even realized what had happened. Dacey and Alysanne came at me working together to beat me with Smalljon not far behind. I met Dacey's practice mace coming my way with a blow that sent tremors through her hand that resulted in her dropping it. I then quickly knocked Alysanne to the side and put Dacey in the ground with a well placed kick before Smalljon Umber fell upon with a great ferocity. He was huge and strong, but I was stronger and faster. He began to get tired and with lightning speed I knocked his sword from his hand before sending him to the ground with a well placed punch. All that was left was Robin Flint and Alysanne Mormont.

"You can always give up" I suggested to them.

A wordless charge towards me was their answer.

They tried everything but they were clearly exhausted and still couldn't find an opening. I didn't just move sword, I moved my body as well. I disarmed Robin after meeting his blade with my own and then with a quick downward strike knocking it to the ground and then knocking Robin down as well.

Alysanne was all that was left and she didn't last long. I knocked her down with a good kick to her gut.

I looked down at all of my defeated opponents and then at the audience of heirs that were watching. Everyone stared at me wide eyed. Everyone except Jon and Theon who already knew how this was going to end.

"Anyone else?" I asked smugly, twirling my blade around.

I wasn't surprised when they all declined.

"You're good Stark, you're very good" Dacey Mormont said as she got back to her feet.

"I know" I said smugly.

"Modest too" Alysanne snorted.

I merely grinned at her.

"Well that was fun, kicking your asses, but I'll have to be off now. It was good to meet you all properly" I said as I left the yard after putting my sword back.

"Hey, hold up" I heard someone say and looked back to see Dacey running to keep up with me.

"Yes lady Dacey" I said.

"I never properly thanked you, for what you did for my house after what my uncle did" she said.

"Think nothing of it. House Mormont has always been loyal and true. I wasn't going to let that be ruined because of one love struck moron" I said.

"Even so I am still grateful for your generosity to my house" she insisted.

"Your thanks is noted my lady but unnecessary as I will always look out for my friends and allies" I reassured her.

"Dacey" she said.

"Pardon" I replied.

"You may call me Dacey my lord. My friends and family do" she said.

"Very well Dacey. You may call me Robb" I said to her, a smile on my face.

A thought came up in my mind. Me and Dacey had gotten along quite well when she had visited Winterfell with her mother, after the fiasco Jorah had caused and while I didn't admit it out loud, I had developed a bit of a crush on her. She was bold, loyal, graceful and kind. When she left I had been a bit sad about it.

"Say Dacey, would you mind accompanying me to Winter City later?" I asked.

"Why Robb, you already want to claim me as your own without even a formal betrothal being agreed to" Dacey said teasing me.

"And what if I do?" I said back.

That took her off guard for a few seconds before a smile came back on her face.

"Well then Robb I suppose we'll need to begin somewhere, won't we? I'll be glad to accompany you to the city later" Dacey agreed.

"Perfect, I'll see you later then" I said

"You will" she said before walking away.

I turned away to go to my father's solar as he said he wanted to talk to me about some matters involving trade with Lord Manderly and Lady Mormont when I heard Dacey say something.

"Oh and Robb, I wouldn't mind becoming yours" she said before resuming her walking.

I smiled joyfully before resuming my own walking.

Notes:

There you have it folks. Robb meets several of the heirs of the nobility of the North and introduces himself in true Robb fashion. Robb also scores himself a date with a lovely She-Bear as well. I'm not so good at romance scenes so tell me what you think. As always, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 24: The Wolf and the She-Bear

I had immediately went back to my room and got in the bathroom that had been installed when the room was renovated and took a shower. After finishing and drying myself off I got out some great clothes. A lovely pair of fine silk embroidered with the sigil of House Stark and colored grey. While I was finishing putting on my boots Jon entered.

"Well, well look what we have here. Robb Stark dressed to impress. Got an engagement or something?" Jon teasingly asked.

"As a matter of fact I do. I'm going to be spending the night in the city with Dacey Mormont" I revealed.

"Oh, your dear lady love. You're finally making your move I see. Try not to end up in bed with her until a formal betrothal has been agreed to" Jon said mockingly.

"None of that will be happening and you have no business talking about getting in bed with someone" I said.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Jon asked.

"You think I don't see those looks you send Alys Karstark's way? Or how you two have been getting awfully close lately" I said with a grin on his face.

Jon's face instantly paled.

"You know about that!!!" Jon exclaimed in horror.

"I think half of Winterfell knows Jon" I revealed.

My brother groaned loudly before quickly leaving the room. I couldn't hold in my laughter at his hasty exit. I then made myself scarce and went down to the gates of Winterfell and waited for Dacey.

I didn't have to wait long as I saw her arrive wearing a lovely dress that really showed her beauty. It was of silk and was embroidered with the sigil of House Mormont and was colored green. I was awed at her beauty and she clearly noticed if her laugh was anything to go by.

"I take it you approve" she said doing a twirl in her dress.

It amazed me how she was so fierce in combat and graceful in dresses.

"I do indeed my lady. I do indeed" I said.

"Excellent. I thought that you would like it" she said to me with a smile on her face.

"Shall we be off then?" I asked holding out my arm.

"We shall" Dacey said.

We went to an escort of Stark and Mormont troops covered from head to toe in enchanted armour on horseback. Waiting were two more mounts. I helped Dacey onto her's before getting on my own and then were off.

Winter City was just right outside Winterfell so getting there didn't take too long. After being immediately granted entry by the city watch or the Grey Cloaks as they were commonly called I immediately directed us to a restaurant that was quite popular for it's tasty dishes called Winter's Lounge. I had introduced some recipes for many dishes from my world such as, cakes, frees, curried chicken, pizza, burgers, sushi and treacle tarts. Oh, how he loved treacle tarts. Another thing was something that he didn't introduce. Rice. A Yitish merchant had arrived at White Harbour one day and introduced it. Rice was easy to cook and store. It was no surprise that everyone wanted it. It was realized that Rice could grow quite well in the Neck and so after discussing it with Howland Reed it was agreed that the Neck would be the Rice production center of the North, bringing House Reed and it's vassals much, much wealth.

We entered and were immediately greater by a worker.

"Lord Robb, we are honored by the presence of you and your companion at our great establishment. I am Thomas and I shall be your host for this evening" the man named Thomas greeted.

"Well met Thomas I have heard much about your establishment and would like to treat myself and the Lady Dacey to the best you have to offer" I said.

"Of course my lord. Please follow me" Thomas instructed.

We followed Thomas as he escorted us to our table and then had some glasses of water given to us as we made our orders. He then left soon after.

"I must say Robb I am impressed with all you've accomplished in such a short time. A powerful army and navy, a self-sufficient economy and fortifications all over the North and Moat Cailin being rebuilt. You've accomplished more than all your ancestors did" Dacey complimented.

"I had a lot of help Dacey. Magic and technology can only get me so far if I didn't have the automatons and the people" I explained.

"Still you've made something beautiful. Your parents must be proud" Dacey said.

"They are proud, but it's often overshadowed by the headaches I end up causing them. The latest being that letter I wrought to the Citadel" I said to her, taking a sip of my water.

"I heard about that. Did you really tell the conclave to shove their complaints up their asses?" Dacey asked amused.

"I sure did. They've been around for thousands of years and Westeros has nothing but stagnation to show for it. The slaver cities of Essos have more advancement than the south Dcaey. What does that tell you?" I inquired.

"It tells me that the Citadel is quite useless" she replied.

"Not useless really. They have the potential to actually push Westeros in a proper direction, but they refuse because they care more about tradition than progress. I have a quote I always use to justify my efforts to push the North to advancement: if you don't get with the times, you be left behind. Westeros is way behind the times" I explained to her.

"That's a pretty good quote" Dacey acknowledged.

"Thank you" I said.

We then fell into a comfortable silence before I spoke again.

"I never did ask. What's been going on at Bear Island?" I asked.

"Well the glasshouses and fields you created have given us such a massive surplus that we had to build an additional thirty ships just to keep up. Our wealth is so massive that we had to build an additional vault to hold it all and the population has risen significantly. All thanks to you" she said sending a bright smile my way.

I loved it when she smiled. It really made her glow.

"That's good to hear. Anything else?" I asked.

Dacey's face turned serious at that.

"There is actually. There was an attempted raid on Bear Island a month ago by what seemed to be pirates. Our warships destroyed most of them but three were able to make landfall. Our soldiers decimated them easily suffering only two injuries in the process, but what caught our attention was there clothing and ships. Guess where we discovered they were from" Dacey said.

"The Iron Islands" I stated, sighing.

"Indeed. Officially they were mere pirates who acted without Balon Greyjoy's leave, but" Dacey began to say.

"But he likely made no effort to stop them either" I said, finishing her sentence.

"Aye Robb. I know you are friends with Theon Greyjoy and I'll admit he does seem like a good lad, but you know this isn't good for him" Dacey said.

"I know Dacey, I know, but I fear Balon doesn't care" I said.

At Dacey's confused expression I continued.

"Theon has lived here for five years now. In those five years Balon has made no effort to right to Theon, even though Theon wrote to Balon plenty of times. Balon didn't visit once, it’s not like father would have stopped him. And now this. I fear Balon has already turned his back on Theon" I grimly revealed.

"That complicates things" Dacey said.

"Indeed, but of push comes to shove and Theon's head is demanded I won't let it happen" I declared.

"Even if the king orders it?" Dacey asked.

"Especially if the king orders it. I take protect and defend those I care about" I proclaimed holding on to her hand.

Dacey smiled at that.

"You are a good person Robb Stark, a very good person" she said squeezing down on my hand.

I smiled at her as some servers arrived with plates of roast chicken, venison, pastries and orange and cherry juice. We both agreed to not consume any wine.

As we ate we talked some more about other things. We talked about our families, how we dealt with being the heirs to our houses or simply talked about the city. As we talked we got to know each other more. When we finally finished eating I payed up front for the service and the food and left behind a very generous tip as well.

We explored the city afterwards, our escort right behind us. We explored the markets, the hospitals, the parks and the shops. We stopped at a jewelry shop to pick out a piece for Dacey. I eventually came upon a well crafted and decorated diamond necklace. I introduced showed it to Dacey who clearly liked it so I chose it and payed for it on the spot leaving the shop owner a very happy man. I walked up to Dacey with the necklace.

"If I may my lady" I offered.

"You may my lord" she turned around and I clasped the necklace around her neck.

She then turned back around and I couldn't help but stare at how good the necklace looked on her.

"Beautiful. Incredibly beautiful" I said.

She beamed at me and we resumed our exploration. After visiting another market place we turned back to return to Winterfell as it was getting late. Upon arriving back to the castle we prepared to head back to our respective rooms.

"I really enjoyed tonight Robb. Thank you so much" Dacey said happily.

"So did I. I enjoyed our talks, our dinner, the exploring. But if I'll be honest, I just enjoyed being with you" I said.

"Well I have something else that might really make this a night to remember" Dacey said.

Before I could ask what she pulled me in for a kiss. I was taken off guard at first then eased into it before kissing her back. When we broke apart she smiled at me.

"Did you like that?" She asked cheekily.

"You know I did you minx" I said.

"Glad to hear it, because like I said before, I wouldn't mind being yours" she reminded.

"Oh my dear Dacey, you have it all wrong" I leaned into her ear.

"You're already mine" I proclaimed to her.

She laughed and then looked me in the eye.

"I suppose I am. Goodnight Robb" she said.

"Goodnight Dacey" I said back.

She then left to her return to her quarters escorted by the Mormont men who had guarded us during our date, while I was escorted back to my room by the Stark men. I had a giant grin on my face the whole time.

Life was good.

Notes:

There you are folks, Robb and his She-Bear went for a date and it ended with a kiss. Robb is getting lucky, but as I showed in the relationship tags he also ends up with Wynafred and Wylla Manderly and Roslin Frey. Those relationships will come to pass as the story continues. As always, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 25: The Winter Wolves

A week had passed ever since I had taken Dacey out to Winter City and since then we had grown even closer and more attracted to each other. A kiss here, a lingering touch there, but we never took it the bed chamber. We weren't ready for that. I noticed that Jon seemed to be the same with Alys Karstark. They had both been going out in private to the heart tree, the city or even spending time with Arya who had taken a liking to Alys and the Mormont girls. Arya would be no lady. I knew this for a fact. Sansa was growing into a lady, but a lady with sense and resolve. The northern tutor that had been assigned to Sansa taught her all she needed to know about being a lady, but also taught her how to be a northerner as well. She no longer believed in nonsense like knights in shining armour coming to rescue you or dashing princes. She was also getting along well with the Manderly girls, Wynafred and Wylla.

When the Manderlys arrived at Winterfell they didn't date bring and septon or septa with them. They weren't forbidden from practicing their religion, mother's Sept was available, but I wouldn't tolerate the faith's priests or priestesses. Never again. I also noticed how both girls were giving me looks whenever they thought I didn't notice. It was clear they both wanted me, but didn't know how to approach me. This put me in quite a problem as I was already set on Dacey and I didn't want to crush the girls. I went to Dacey with my concerns and she instead of getting mad or concerned laughed in my face about my worries saying:

"Oh Robb. So smart in many things, but clueless in this. Who said you only had to have one woman" she said before walking away with a teasing smile on her face, leaving me dumbfounded.

It wasn't everytime I found myself in situations like this. However, when it came to women I could admit that I was out of my depth. Even when I was married to Ginny I still couldn't get women and I probably never will.

I had also grown close to the nobles heirs as well, striking friendships with the Karstark boys, Smalljon, Cley, Alysanne, Jorelle, Lyra and Lyanna Mormont, Robin Flint, Daryn Hornwood, Larence Snow, the bastard brother of Daryn, Benfred Tallhart, Roger Ryswell and others. Jon had made fast friends with the Karstarks, Daryn, Larence, Cley and Smalljon. Even Theon struck up a friendship of sorts with Jorelle Mormont and Benfred Tallhart, though he made jokes about his thick neck that would earn him a beating one day. I looked forward to it.

I went to my parents with a proposition. The heirs remain in Winterfell to foster thereby striking up friendships and partnerships ensuring the next generation of nobles were on House Stark's side. I would have also liked Domeric Bolton to come as well, but he was fostering in the Vale of Arryn. My mother and father liked the idea and suggested it the Lords and Ladies who agreed without hesitation.

So when the nobles left their children remained behind. We ate together, we trained together, we went out on adventures together. You would think we were a family.

I had something to show them today. An idea of mine that I had been thinking about. I found them all in the great hall having breakfast with my siblings.

"Morning" I greeted as I took my a seat in between Jon and Theon. A servant eventually brought me a plate of scrambled eggs, bread, some meat and sausages, as well as a cup for the some water or juice.

"Morning Robb, anything on your agenda today?" Theon asked.

"There is actually. I have an idea that I want to share with you all" I said as placed the eggs on the bread.

"What's that?" Torrhen Karstark asked.

"I've been thinking about forming a professional army for the North" I revealed.

That took everyone by surprise. The North's armies were well equipped and provisioned, but it was still a mostly levy force, though Robb had suggested setting up training schools for levies to report to every two weeks for 12 days of training.

"That's quite radical Robb, even for you. It takes time and money to accomplish such a thing and there would be push back" Jon explained.

"I know brother, but we are currently, for now anyway, in a time of peace, so time isn't an issue. As for money, House Umber makes more money in a week than most southern houses make in a year if not longer and it's the same for every other house. Money isn't a problem either. As for the resistance I would no doubt face, I won't be forcing the nobility to disband their levied troops to form this army I'm proposing. We would form it in the lands of House Stark and recruit from the populace of Winter City and the surrounding lands. Our people are more likely to accept this as it would provide jobs and a steady income and the factories churn out enough arms and equipment to keep them ready for anything" I explained.

"This does sound promising. Having an army that's always ready and prepared would do wonders for the North" Cley Cerwyn agreed, eating a piece of meat.

"Indeed" Smalljon Umber said also agreeing.

"What would you call this army?" Roger Ryswell asked sipping a cup of cherry juice.

"I would call them the Winter Wolves. Named after the 2000 northerners that fought for Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons" I revealed.

"How would it be structured?" Dcaey asked me.

"It would structured as legions and cohorts. A cohort would be 300-1200 men and a legion would be 2000-8000 men. I would like to form four regiments leading to 32,000 troops" I explained.

"How would the leadership be chosen?" Daryn asked.

"It would be a full fledged meritocracy. Only those who prove that they have the skills for a leadership role will be chosen. Whether you are noble or commoner doesn't matter to me" I said.

"That might cause our families to get upset. The idea of nobles answering to commoners might not sit well with them" Roger Rsywell cautioned.

"Yeah, well that's too bad. It would be House Stark's army. I would be the one making it, so it's up to me who joins" I declared.

"Well, you'll get no complaints from me" Larence said.

"Me either" Daryn agreed with his brother.

"Or me" Robin Flint said.

Soon everyone at the table gave their approval for my plan.

After concluding breakfast everyone left for the training yard or lessons, everyone except for Dacey.

"This idea for a standing army will ruffle a lot of feathers Robb" Dacey said.

"I know Dacey, I know, but the fact of the matter is the army is important. History has shown that Westeros has had more years of war than it has peace. Soon another war will begin and I want to make sure we're ready" I explained to her.

"I understand Robb and you have my support" she smiled at me.

"Thanks Dacey" I said before kissing her.

"Nice to know you're becoming bolder, Stark" Dacey said with a teasing smile.

"I've always been bold Mormont" I retorted with a grin, before kissing her again.

I went to my father afterwards and explained my idea to him. He then called for Ser Rodrik and discussed the details with him and the Master-at-Arms agreed with my idea as House Stark could afford it and it would be very beneficial. He especially liked my idea about appointments based on skill and intelligence and not social rank. Father agreed after that and gave me the greenlight to proceed. Weeks later we recruited 6000 men and women from the City and organized them into five Battalions lead by a leftenant colonel.

They were drilled relentlessly in many different formations, were made to march with heavy packs which contained their equipment for a certain amount of time, were made to run and complete laps at a decided time with said packs on and were trained in all manners of weapons. They were also trained on how to set up fortifications and camps. They were equipped with a short sword, a spear based on the Macedonian Sarissa, a shield, a dagger and a suit of armour that was colored black with a cape that had the snarling direwolf of House Stark embroidered on it. They were given potions that enhanced their muscles and stamina that made the training easier for them and loyalty potions were discreetly placed in their food and drinks. This was an army responsible for the safety of the North. I wasn't going to take any chances with potential turncoats. This was 7 weeks ago. I know stared at all 6000 troops. They were all lined up in formation waiting to receive their next set of orders. The pay was good too, four gold dragons a day, meaning they received 28 gold dragons a week. That was more money than most people south of the Neck see their whole lives.

An additional cohort was set to be raised next week with 800 support personnel.

I had heard the others talk about joining in to receive training. I had ideas about training meant specifically for officers. Those who applied would be tested on their skills and thinking, to see if they were officer material. Perfect for nobles and commoners wanting to rise up.

Soon the North would have a proper army and I would use it if necessary.

Notes:

There it is folks. Robb begins the ground work for a professional standing army inspired by the Roman legions. Now I know that a cohort of the Roman legion is 480 men and a legion is 5000 men, but these legions are simply inspired by the Romans, they won't exact replicas of them, hence the reason why the numbers and the ranks are different. Robb was also able to get the heirs to remain in Winterfell, ensuring that the next generation of northern leadership will be well acquainted with one another. As is custom, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 26: History Short 3

The Winter Wolves or as they would come to be known, Robb I blades, were the professional army started in 293 AC from a mere 6000 it would grow to be 32,000 strong by 295 AC. Armed with enchanted weapons and armour they were formidable already. However what really set them apart from the levies was their unnatural discipline, obedience and dedication. They would march long distances in the sun for hours, undergo brutal training and constant drills until they could a pike formation half asleep. They were just raised from the populace of Winter City originally, but word began to spread across the North about them and this attracted many young men and women ( came in droves after it was revealed that people of both genders could join) the Winter Wolves would by 298 AC number 50,000 personnel. 

There had been a lot of opposition in the beginning however, about the Winter Wolves. Much of the nobility were fearful that Winterfell intended on abolishing the levy system and replace it with the Winter Wolves, thereby stripping the nobility of their armies. Lord Eddard Stark and the then Lord Robb reassured the nobles that the Winter Wolves wouldn't replace the levy system, but would instead by used as the first line of defense for the North. They would soon get their chance to prove their worth in the War of the Five Kings, where many southern armies fell to their blades. 

In order to give them an edge they were given potions that enhanced their stamina and strength. This would prove vital in the many wars to come during that time. One aspect of the Winter Wolves that really set them apart from other armies however was the insistence of a leadership caste or officer corp as it was to be established through merit and not status. This caused controversy yet again among the nobility, but Winterfell stood firm. 

"This is an army that will be the first to fight any foe that comes our way. It needs to be the best and to accomplish that it needs the best leadership. I don't care where it comes from" were the words of Robb Stark mere years before his coronation.

The Winter Wolves would continue to operate for the next 5000 years until they were merged with all the levies of the North to form the Unified Army of the Winter Empire.

General Brandon Karstark, Karhold, "The Blades of Robb I, Chapter 1"

Chapter 27: The Future

It was quite early in the morning to be working, but Eddard Stark knew that a great lord had to make sacrifices to keep up. He had woken up from a peaceful and restive slumber without stress. Robb had shown mercy and didn't cause problems the past couple of days. Then again he was always busy with training up those Winter Wolves as he called them and when he wasn't doing that he was spending time with his other wards, Dacey Mormont in particular.

"The lad's smitten with her completely. I should approach Maege with a betrothal offer. It's not like either them would object" he thought to himself.

As he walked down the halls to his solar he passed by one of his son's automatons. It just like the rest of it's mechanical brethren moved with purpose, discipline and silence. What exactly it was doing, he didn't know. But he knew it wasn't idleness. These things were never idle. He would never admit it out loud, but he couldn't help but be frightened by Robb's creations. They were magnificent and were extremely vital in the North's rapid ascent, but their inhuman speed, precision, strength and silence wqs frightening. The silence especially. He had been taken off guard on more than one occasion by them simply because they were so silent in their movements. They were cold and emotionless. However he couldn't deny the fact that they were effective.

He finally arrived at his solar to find two of his household guards, Alyn and Desmond standing guard. They both wore enchanted armour painted silver with the Stark direwolf in the center of the suits and wore capes with his house sigil embroidered on them. It would have been quite easy to mistake them for knights, but this was standard issue armour given to all of his men at arms. They were armed with a spear, a short sword or longsword, a dagger and a shield. They were also given some of his son's special potions for strength and stamina.

"Milord" they both greeted him.

"Alyn, Desmond" I greeted before entering and the closing the door behind me. It was still a bit dark out, but the sun was beginning to rise. Most of the castle was still asleep, making him all the more grateful for the showers as his son called them as he would have hated to have to wake up the servants this late. Yet another wonder his son had developed. The toilets that made chamber pots and the privy obsolete, the towels, the rags and the bars of soap made for a heavenly bath.

He began to look at some documents regarding trade with the Riverlands and saw that, true to our agreement with the Tullys, the North still bought Riverlander food, at the agreed upon rate and price. The Riverlords had not been pleased with the lose of profits, but agreed in the end. Some profit was better than no profit after all. He looked at the amount of food that came from the lands of House Darry and was reminded of his heir's vitriol hatred against the Riverlords that fought for the dragons during the Rebellion and how he demanded that not a spec of food be bought from their lands. It took hours to convince Robb, but he eventually agreed to accept food from all the Riverlords including the former loyalists, but he made it clear he did not like it at all. It was when representatives of the Reach arrived that Robb refused to compromise.

The entirety of the Reach had fought for the Mad King, this combined with the extortion that the North had endured at the hands of the Reach since its existence made the Reachmen the villains in Robb's eyes. He would fight against any deal made with them. Eddard quite frankly was in agreement with his son. The Reach took advantage of the North for too long. They would find no mercy from him. Catelyn had tried to convince to make a bargain with the Reach stating that it would gain them much influence over the Tyrells, but both he and Robb disagreed. We both wanted the North to stay as far from the South's games and intrigue as possible. This led to relations between both kingdoms souring. Then again, it's not like the North and the Reach were ever allied kingdoms to begin with.

Satisfied with the reports about the Riverlands he then turned his attention towards the North's trade with Essos. In order to avoid full on conflicts and issues with the South it was decided that the North's surplus of food would be sold to the Essosi, the Free Cities in particular only. It wasn't just food that was sold, but also wood, furs, clothes, soaps, towels, rags, jewelry, diamonds and gems. The jewelry trade had started when Robb had produced arguably the finest pieces of jewelry Eddard had ever seen. Necklaces, Bracelets, etc. He had at first given the pieces he made to his mother, Sansa, and any noble ladies who came to Winterfell. Recently he constructed a very well designed and elaborate diamond necklace, dotted with pearls for Lady Dacey Mormont and lovely dresses encrusted with diamonds for Ladies Wylla and Wynafred Manderly and Sansa. Safe to say they all wore those pieces every chance they got.

Robb then began to produce his pieces and had them sold to wealthy individuals in Essos. One necklace he made actually sold for 450,000 gold dragons. The jewelry trade brought House Stark 9 million gold in profits last year alone. While this was technically the money of House Stark it was left to Robb to do what he wanted. He was the one who produced the pieces after all and he was a Stark so it wasn't like Winterfell lost money. The main reason why he raised no objections was that this way Robb would have his own steady source of income for his projects and didn't have to dip his hand in the treasury to get funds.

With the surplus food they sold overseas, combined with taxes the accumulated from their vassals and the mines in Stark lands Winterfell's treasury held 65 million gold dragons. He was smart with the money however and knew that he couldn't just spend it all at once rapidly as that would devalue the gold dragon. Either way he knew that the wealth of House Stark was bound to increase as the years went by. The mines alone brought for a massive amount of wealth that would as a result of what his son called, "replenishing charms", never dry up. House Stark was richer and more powerful than it had ever been and that led to him thinking about the future.

He wouldn't always be around and one day Robb would have to take up the mantle as Lord of Winterfell. Robb had done a magnificent job in readying the North for his ascent, but he needed more than that. He needed a wife and children of his own one day. He already seems to have found his future wife with Dacey Mormont, but I also noticed the looks the Manderly girls sent his way and the looks he sent back. I really hoped a scandal could be avoided as Winterfell couldn't afford to offend the Manderlys who were one of our greatest vassals and allies.

Robb had shown that he had a good head on his shoulders when he requested for the heirs of the his nobles to remain for fostering as this led to him striking up friendships with all of them. Even Jon and Theon seemed to have integrated well with them. That reminded me about Jon's legitimization. Since he was now a Stark in both name and blood he would need a seat to rule. Robb had suggested Moat Cailin and I found myself in agreement. There was one issue though. Catelyn. She would no doubt fight against that happening, but I would deal with that when it came to it. Jon also seemed to be getting close to Alys Karstark as well. This was perfect as Alys clearly liked Jon and Jon got along well with Alys's brothers. I would bring it up with Rickard when I see him again.

What concerned him though was Robb's ruthless streak. He still remembered being informed of Robb choking Septa Mordane all those years ago and Robb's vicious ultimatum afterwards. There was also his desire to refuse any food from the Riverlords that had fought for the dragons and then his utter contempt for the Reach. I couldn't say I blamed Robb, but I was worried Robb would antagonize too many people in the South and this would cause conflict. He already knew that the Lannisters were no doubt eyeing the North warily. Tywin Lannister was a bastard, a vicious, greedy bastard, who would cross any line to gain more wealth and power. I feared that a conflict would develop between Stark and Lannister in the future when Robb was Warden of the North. Lannisters didn't like not getting their way when they wanted something and Robb didn't like being told what to do by people he had no respect for. And Robb definitely had no respect for the butcher of Casterly Rock.

Robb did seem to have become genuine friends with Theon though. He had even once overheard his ward call Robb and Jon brothers once. Theon was no issue. His father on the other hand was. It had been five years since Theon had arrived at Winterfell and Balon made no effort to write to him or visit. I wouldn't have stopped him. Theon had written to Balon many times yet Balon never answered once. He had seen how that crushed Theon. He had also seen how Robb and Jon comforted him.

He prayed Balon didn't do something stupid. He really prayed that he wouldn't.

The North was for the moment secured, but for how long he did not know. What he did know was that he would do everything he could, even at the cost of his own life to ensure that his people and his family stayed safe.

He didn't know what the future had in store foe him and his family. But this he knew.

He would face whatever it was head-on.

Notes:

Hey folks. Apologies for taking so long with the update. As you can see Ned is thinking about the future and worries about what it might bring. He also worries about Robb potentially facing the Lannisters and other southern threats as Robb doesn't take orders from those whom he has no love for and boy does Robb have no love for Tywin. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 28: Betrothals

It was a beautiful day. It was always a beautiful day in the North, but today just felt right. I passed by numerous guard and servants on my way through the halls. Every time they would stop and greet me with respect and adoration. My efforts had payed off. I was beloved all throughout the North. The treasuries were filled to the point that new ones had to be made to hold the money. The fields and glasshouses produced so much food that that we couldn't sell enough of it, resulting in the construction of large silos in order to store the excess food that couldn't be sold on time. It was probably for the best. This summer had been quite long. I suppose winter will be the same in length. The mines produced massive supply of resources that would make a Lannister jealous. He then thought about the Winter Wolves.

Great progress had been made with them. We now had 8000 in total. A whole legion. Good, but for him it wasn't enough. He wanted 32,000, but he could admit that 8000 was a great start. He was then reminded of his friends. They had been impressed with the Winter Wolves and wanted to take part in the training to see of they could make it. Safe to say they were all in for a surprise. The training was brutal and unrelenting. The constant drills and marches made Roger nearly quit until he was convinced by the others to keep going. I couldn't blame Roger though for wanting to quit at first. The training wasn't easy and many volunteers had quit after the first couple of weeks. Some, the first couple of days. This wasn't for everyone, but his friends were actually pushing through and were all making excellent progress in their leadership training. They wouldn't be leading armies into battle anytime soon, but I knew that when I needed them they would be ready and so would the Winter Wolves.

I made my way out of the main keep and towards the tower of knowledge, formerly the broken tower. After it had been repaired and upgraded I had used it as my own workspace for my projects. Outside the tower were the usual automaton and Stark guards who opened the doors for me without issue.

The halls inside the tower were illuminated not be torches, but by special crystals that glowed a blueish light. The walls were smooth, but firm. As he walked to his workshop/laboratory he passed by more guards, automatons, but also doctors, scientists and engineers from all over the North who got a chance to work within his tower to develop more advancements and inventions for the North. He wouldn't be around forever and while he would leave behind the notes and schematics of his work he would need others to maintain it when he was gone. He was thinking about finding and recruiting people with potential for magic. He could unlock their ability and show them how to harness it, giving the North an even greater advantage against any foe. Something to think about.

He finally arrived at his workshop and entered. Along the walls were weapons, schematics, equations and maps of Westeros and Essos. He made his way to his desk and looked at the reports left there.

Additional fortifications were being added to Moat Cailin. Walls, cannons, murder holes, etc. Reason for this was because after the lands of Moat Cailin were made fertile and reconstruction of the fortress began people had begun to move to the area. At first it was workers helping with the construction who took their families with them, but eventually this began to include smiths, farmers and even immigrants from the South who were desperate and saw an opportunity in the North. He made sure all these immigrants were screened to see if there were any spies of course. It helped that they came in groups and not a whole flood. While construction continued the makings of a town began to take shape and by time the work was mostly done the people who moved into the area just remained there and father and I saw no need to concern ourselves as they were working the fields and building up the place. Now Cailin Town was present. The populace was a staggering 55,000 when he last checked. Such a town needed proper defenses to keep it safe. In addition another 10 towers were constructed for the Moat, bringing the combined number up to 30 towers in all. 15 facing to the North, 15 to the South. Glasshouses were also constructed within the fortress as were thousands of sheep, pigs and chickens. The Moat was effectively siege proof. There was however a secret way inside the Moat that he ordered the automatons to secretly construct away from the human workers. In case traitors gained control of the Moat he could use the secret entrance to sneak in and retake it.

I then looked at some reports from our trade with Essos and I liked what I saw. Profits continued to rise and demand was always growing. Our greatest customer was Braavos. While we did business with all the free cities it was the Braavosi we were most comfortable with, as they weren’t slavers. Lord Manderly on one of his visits to Braavos was invited to the Sealord's palace for an audience with the man himself. The Sealord revealed that he was interested in deepening ties with the North beyond just trade, but was interested in a military alliance as well. This was very good in my opinion, but there were things to consider. This would potentially jeopardize the North's trade ties with the other free cities who didn't like the Braavosi and could cost the North, tens of millions in trade, but this could also grant the North the strength of the Braavosi Navy as well as the Iron Bank, Braavos's greatest weapon. No southern house, even the Lannisters would dare try and touch the North when they risk facing the Iron Bank's wrath. It was something to be considered, but I would leave that to my father. He was the Warden of the North. I would grant him advice though.

After spending some more time looking over the report I heard a knock on my door.

"Enter" I ordered.

Harwin, one of the guards entered.

"My lord, your father requests your presence in his solar" he said.

"Very well. One moment please" I replied.

I put up the documents and left with Harwin, until he arrived at my father's solar. Harwin then took up his position outside the door and I entered to find Jon there with father.

"Ah Robb you are here, we can now begin" father said upon seeing me enter.

"Begin what father?" I asked confused. I looked to Jon and saw that he was just as confused as I was.

"The discussion of your future marriage prospects" father revealed.

My eyes widened in surprise and I realized that Jon was the same.

"You and Jon will soon be of marriage age Robb. You have built up the North in ways I still can't believe I am seeing, but, just like me, you won't be around forever. One day someone will have to rule the North when we are all gone and it must be your child Robb" father explained.

"I understand this father, what did you have in mind?" I asked with a bit of nervousness, hoping he hadn't made a betrothal agreement yet so I could make my case for Dacey.

"I have noticed how close you are with Lady Dacey, Robb and I've seen the spark between you and Lady Alys, Jon" father revealed.

I wave of embarrassment came over me. I hadn't been aware father knew about my attraction for Dacey. Then again I probably should have as it wasn't like I made my date with her to Winter City a secret.

Jon who had a bit of blush and embarrassment on his face cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Yes father. I am close with the Lady Alys. I hope it isn't causing any problems" Jon stated, clearly worried that he couldn't get to marry Alys.

"No need to worry Jon. It's quite the opposite. I noticed your attractions for Ladies Karstark and Mormont respectively and I sent messages to their parents proposing betrothal with you two. They both agreed. They are coming to Winterfell to Iron out the details, but as of now you are both officially betrothed" father declared.

Both Jon and I were silent for a few seconds, our brains trying to make sense of what we just heard. Then we both scrambled from our chairs and hugged father tightly, stating our thanks over and over again. Father hugged us back with a giant smile on his face.

"Of course my sons. I'm glad that you both found a love that can actually happen. I'm proud of the men you are both becoming" father said.

"Thank you father, thank you" Jon said happily.

After a couple of minutes of talking about our betrothals Jon and I left father's solar and went our separate, Jon was no doubt going to find Alys and tell her the big news and I went to find Dacey. I eventually found her in the training yard practicing with her mace. She noticed my presence and smiled at me.

"Robb, what brings you here and what seems to have you in such a good mood?" She asked.

I simply walked up to her and rammed my lips against hers hard. She was taken off guard at first but eased into it and kissed me back. Eventually we broke apart for air.

"My, my, what's brought this on?" Dacey asked.

"Father sent letters to your mother and Lord Karstark offering betrothals. Me and you and Jon and Alys. They agreed. We are now betrothed" I revealed.

A look of pure joy was on her face instantly and she kissed me back before throwing her arms around me.

"We'll be married" she said happily.

"Aye, we will. I wouldn't have it any other way" I said back with a bright smile on my face.

Notes:

There it is folks. Robb and Jon are officially betrothed and both parties are beyond happy. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 29: The Manderly Sisters

BOOM!!!

The cannonball was fired with unrelenting force and speed before connecting with it's target, a rock, and exploding on impact, obliterating the target instantly. For southerners this would have been the most unholy and loudest sound they've ever heard since the dragons. For northerners, it was just a regular day. The forces of House Stark had been practicing using the cannons since the day the first batch was made. The people were at first frightened by the loud noise they made, but over time got use to it. Today members of the Winter Wolves were training as cannon opera tors.

"Very good, very good. Your accuracy has improved markedly Legionnaires. Keep this up and you'll be able to hit anything within range" I praised the operators.

"Thank you sir. We will ensure our skills never rust" Legionnaire Markus promised.

At first the legionnaires addressed me as "Lord" or "Lord Stark" but I made sure to instead have them simply address me as sir as it was easier to do and it was good for discipline.

"I know you will. Alright I've seen enough. You all know what you're doing. I'll leave you to it" I said.

"Legion, dismissed!!" Colonel Donner of the 1st Legion barked.

The legionnaires saluted before leaving for their barracks.

"Colonel Donner, a word please" I requested.

"Of course sir" the colonel came over to me.

"Well colonel I must say, I am very impressed with your men. The discipline, the coordination, it's all up to standards. Well done" I praised him.

"Thank you sir. I do my duty and shall continue to do so" Donner said back.

"I know you will colonel. I've taken up enough of your time. Good day colonel" I said.

"Same to you sir" Donner said before turning and leaving.

Donner had been selected to by the 1st legion's commander after having done the greatest in the officer training and tests. He was once a simple farmer with his wife and three children, but when word spread about the formation of the Winter Wolves Donner had joined with the hope of making a name for himself and elevating his family. He was from Winter City, growing up in the now gone Winter Town.

"My plan is going well. Soon House Stark will have a truly massive army of professionals who's sole purpose would be warfare" I thought to myself.

I made my way back to Winterfell with my escort led by Jory who pretty much became my unofficial chauffeur at this point. Upon arrival back at the castle I wqs greeted by my betrothed Dacey Mormont who greeted me with a kiss. Word had spread of my betrothal to Dacey by this point and so everyone knew. Mother didn't feel so good about my betrothal as the slavery scandal with Jorah was still fresh, but I didn't really care. Jorah Mormont was rotting somewhere in Essos. If he knows what's good for him, he'll stay there.

"Welcome home my lord" Dacey greeted me with a grin on her face

"Glad to be home my lady" I replied with my own grin.

It had been a week since the announcement of my betrothal with Dacey and Jon's with Alys and everyone was beyond happy for us. Well almost everyone. If mother wasn't pleased with my betrothal to Dacey, then she was enraged about Jon's. She looked like she wanted to vent about bastards being untrustworthy, lustful creatures again or bring up the Blackfyres, but father firmly told her that the betrothals would stand. That clearly didn't please her, but she seemed to be focusing more on Sansa and Arya, no doubt plotting to have them both married off to some southern houses like the Tyrells or, Gods forbid, the Lannisters. That will never happen as long as I live. No relative of mine will ever marry into any of those untrustworthy, opportunistic, scoundrel houses. They would the only houses in the south I could consider were the Blackwoods or the Royces. No more.

"How have you been?" I asked as we began to walk our escort having been dismissed.

"Day has been well enough. Just got back from officer training. Those strategies and tactics you devised are really ingenious" she praised.

"Of course they are. I was the one who made them after all" I said with an exaggerated arrogant tone

Dacey laughed at that before smacking me on the arm.

"Careful Stark, that's arrogance I'm hearing" Dacey said with mock seriousness.

"Arrogance. But my dear lady I am merely stating facts" I said jokingly.

Dacey merely rolled her eyes before kissing me again. We then proceeded to walk to the Godswood. Upon arriving to the Godswood I was immediately comfortable. The great magic I could feel emanating from the heart tree was immense. The heart tree also looked more lively and strong. As if it had awoken from a great slumber and was ready to go. It was a phenomenon that was occurring all over the North. Many lords reporting how there godswoods began to be more bright and lively. How when they went in it was like a calming and peaceful force overtook them. Some even said they felt as if their bodies were tingling in a way when they were inside. They felt energized and at peace.

I was able to decipher that all the magic I was throwing around the godswoods in the form of my magical weapons and equipment, as well as the magically fertile fields and even the automatons that were powered by a magical core was bringing the godswoods back to their former state. Magic had been deplorable weakened after the Andal Invasions and it was weakened even further after the Targaryens dragons died, but it seemed that it was returning to the North at least.

Dacey and I arrived at the weirwood tree with it's melancholy face and sat down against it. We simply sat in silence for a while before Dacey spoke to me.

"We need to talk" Dacey said bluntly.

"About what?" I asked confused.

"The Manderly girls" Dacey revealed.

"What about them?" I replied.

"I see the way they look at you and I see the way you look at them. Don't deny it. I have seen it" Dacey said to me looking me straight in the eyes.

I felt nervousness and a bit of fear well up in me. I hadn't done anything beyond just talking with the Manderly sisters and I could see that they were both interested in me and I knew that a part of me was interested in them, but I never went further beyond just talking. I was betrothed after all.

"Look Dacey" I began to say.

"Don't worry I'm not mad or anything. I just wanted to discuss how we could bring them into this little relationship of ours" Dacey interrupted with a sultry grin on her face.

To say I was shocked was an understatement. Dacey, my betrothed stood in front of me and was saying basically that not only was she aware of my attraction towards Wylla and Wynafred, but she actually wanted them to join in on our relationship.

"What" I stated, dumbfounded.

"You heard me Robb. I want them to join in. I've seen the way they look at you, but I've also noticed them sending looks my way as well. It seems the Manderly girls want us both" Dacey revealed with a teasing grin on her face.

"Seriously? I knew that they were eyeing me, but I didn't realize they were interested in you. They must have been really careful with their glances if that slipped by me" I said. It was surprising that I didn't realize this. I usually noticed stuff like that.

"They were indeed careful and I know they want us. So why not let them in" Dacey said.

"But Dacey, if we do this they both might become scorned for it. You know how people feel about that stuff" I cautioned.

"I know Robb, but the thing is I did some studying of the worship Old Gods and discovered the polygamous relationships and marriages aren't against the Gods, just incest and I doubt the Wylla and Wynafred are interested in one another" Dacey revealed.

"I understand your point, but the Manderlys don't worship the Old Gods, they worship the Seven. Lord Wyman and Ser Wylis might take offense to it" I explained to her.

"The Manderlys won't mind if we marry them under this very heart tree. Getting a septon to officiate the wedding might be impossible, but the Manderlys might not care much about that as two daughters of their house would become Ladies of Winterfell and when you consider the fact that their fleet is larger and more advanced, their city is grander and more populous and their food stores and coffers are filled to the brim because of you they won't object, if anything they would trip over their own feet accepting the offer" Dacey said.

I realized that Dacey was right. Lord Wyman and Ser Wylis worshipped the Seven, but they were practical men and worship of the Seven in White Harbor was nowhere near as fanatical and strict as it was in the South. Being in the North for so long hammered out the more stubborn edges of the Faith in the city.

"You're right Dacey. Your idea does have merit and Wylla and Wynafred would no doubt approve, but we'll need to go to them first before making in decisions" I decided.

"Agreed, let's go find them and tell of our offer" Dacey agreed with me.

We then stood up and after brushing our selves off proceeded to leave the Godswood to find Wylla and Wynafred. If all went well then things would get much better around here.

Notes:

Here it is folks. Sorry about my late updates recently. It's a bit of a struggle to write these chapters and make them make sense. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 30: Making a proposal

Upon leaving the godswood Dacey and I sought out the Manderly sisters and after asking around were informed that they were currently in their room. Being told this we made our way to the guest keep and went to the Manderly quarters and knocked on the door.

"Enter" I heard Wylla answer.

We entered the room and saw Wylla looking towards from a desk she was sitting at and Wynafred who was lazing on her bed. Upon seeing me they both immediately stood up and curtsied.

"Lord Stark, Lady Mormont, we were not expecting you. Is there something you require of us?" Wynafred asked.

"Oh no my ladies. My apologies for the abrupt visit, but Dacey and I have a proposal that we would like to offer you. Oh and just Robb. You don't need to address me as my lord in private" I said smiling at them.

"Okay Robb. What is this proposal?" Wylla asked, intrigued.

"I know the two of you like me and Dacey and that you both want us" I revealed bluntly.

Wylla and Wynafred went red in the face from shock and mortification upon realizing that they had been discovered.

"You both need not worry however. Robb and I have discussed this and acknowledged that we want you two as well, hence the proposal" Dacey said, reassuring the sisters that they weren’t in any trouble.

Both Manderlys breathed sighs of relief at that.

"The proposal we would offer is this: I would marry you two along with Dacey making you my Ladies of Winterfell. It would be hard at best, impossible at worst getting a septon to officiate my marriage to you, so we would marry beneath the Weirwood Tree under the Old Gods. Unlike the Seven the Old Gods don't condemn polygamy, so it would work out well for all of us" I revealed.

Both Wylla and Wynafred were clearly shocked by my proposal, but they were clearly considering it as well. After all, the both knew that the Faith was going to condemn any marriage between us and I didn't want them as mere paramours. This combined with their attraction to Dacey also meant that a marriage under the Faith was simply impossible.

"I will admit that this proposal is quite acceptable and I do want you and Dacey, Robb, but our grandfather and father might not accept it and the High Septon would cause issues over this, he and the rest of the Faith are already raging about your magic" Wynafred cautioned.

Wynafred was right. When word of my magic reached the South there was an uproar immediately. Septons and Septas from all over raged against me, calling me a demon, a heathen, an abomination among other things. The High Septon also wasted no time in denouncing me. This nearly led to King Robert taken his head off, but he was calmed down by Jon Arryn, his hand. The High Septon retracted the denunciation afterwards, but the rest of the Faith wasn't so compliant. Even now Septas and Septons rage against me, but I didn't care. As long as the Faith didn't try and bring back the Faith Militant they could cry and curse all they wanted.

White Harbor's Septas and Septons didn't join in the denunciation and actually condemned it. They had benefited greatly from my magic and had more sense than their southern counterparts, so as a reward I created seven crystals imbued with my magic in honor of the seven pointed star of the Andals and placed them into seven golden statues of the Andals's seven gods that would always glow bright in the darkness and the sunlight and then had them sent to the Sept of White Harbor. I didn't care about the Faith of the Seven and I would never care about it, but that didn't mean I wouldn't reward loyalty when it was due.

The people of White Harbor were appreciative of the statues and crystals to the point that they all condemned the High Septon's actions and that of their fellow Andals in the South.

"You need not worry about that Wynafred. The South can cry all they want, but unless they want a war, a war they would lose I might add, I'm not going anywhere. As for your grandfather and father, we both know that they are both pragmatic individuals. They love their faith, but they love their family more and they both would love to see you two as Ladies of Winterfell. Especially as the opportunity of having future Manderlys with my abilities would be too sweet to pass up. Everything will work out" I reassured.

Both Wylla and Wynafred looked hopeful, as they both wanted this to happen. Wylla then began to speak.

"We all want this Robb, but nothing can truly happen yet until our father and grandfather give their approval. So in the case that they refuse I don't want any regrets" Wylla said before kissing me with all her might.

Her lips were soft and smooth and before I knew I was kissing her back with equal force. After what felt like forever we broke apart and then looked at one another. I then grinned.

"You are a bold one, aren't you" I stated.

"Indeed I am Robb, but I feel like Wynafred should get her turn" Wylla said with a saucy grin on her face before moving over to Dacey who had a look of smugness and lust on her face, before kissing Wylla.

Wynafred then immediately moved on me and kissed me with just as much force as her sister did.

We were like this for quite a while, no words, no proclamations, just kissing with the occasional moan from one of the sisters. We eventually broke apart and just looked at each other.

"I believe I speak for everyone when I say that I hope our father and grandfather grant their blessing to our relationship" Wynafred said.

We laughed at that, but we also hoped for that to happen as well.

"I hope so too, but I have a good feeling that they'll agree to it" I said confidently.

"Oh and how do you know this if I may ask?" Wynafred asked beside me.

"Because I'm Robb Stark, I know these things" I said looking at her with a smug and arrogant grin.

Dacey simply rolled her eyes laughing.

"And that ladies is something else you have to look forward, Robb's ego. I fear that all this power is getting too him" Dacey said with a mock annoyed look on her face.

"We both know you love it my She-Bear" I retorted.

She simply scoffed with a grin before kissing Wylla again, while Wynafred wasted no time in reconnecting our lips again.

"I'm going to enjoy these two. I know it" I thought to myself.

Notes:

There you have it folks. Wylla and Wynafred have been told of Robb and Dacey's proposal, but before anything concrete can happen their grandfather an father need to approve first, but will they? You'll need to wait to find out. As is custom, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 31: Negotiations

"I still can't believe you would even consider this Robb. You have crossed the line before, but this is too much!!!" My mother stated either fury lacing her voice for the third time.

After Wynafred and Wylla agrees to the proposal I went to my parents to tell them about it as they were two of the four people I needed to convince. Safe to say they were shocked and horrified when they heard my idea. Mother especially as what is was suggesting went against everything she had been taught.

"Mother I really don't see what the problem is. This would benefit both Houses Manderly and Stark and we both know Lord Wyman and Ser Wylis wouldn't object" I said to my mother with a bit of irritation in my voice.

"This would put the North at risk of conflict with the Faith. The High Septon only just retracted his condemnation of you, this could make things worse Robb" mother said with a bit of worry in her voice.

"The High Septon is nothing but an upjumped fool in a ridiculous costume. Unless he's willing to declare war against us, a war he would lose may I remind you, he and the rest of the Faith can't do anything, but cry and complain" I stated firmly.

"That maybe so Robb, but we don't even know if Lord Wyman and Ser Wylis will agree to this. They worship the Seven and they may find this offensive. We could lose White Harbor if this goes bad" father cautioned.

"The Manderlys have been northerners for so long that if it weren't for their worship of the Seven they could easily be mistaken for First Men. They respect their faith, but they have sense. This is an opportunity that they wouldn't dare throw away. They'll agree" I said confidently.

Father looked annoyed and tired of me at this point, but then again that was an expression that was on his face quite often when I did something crazy.

"Let's just message Lord Wyman and Ser Wylis to come to Winterfell so we can discuss this with them. If they agree to my proposal then you two will grant your blessing" I compromised.

Father looked like he wanted to refuse outright, but he didn't. He could see the benefits of such an idea.

"Very well Robb, I will summon them to Winterfell to discuss this, but hear me son, if we end up losing the Manderlys because of this you will be the one to pay the price" father sternly warned me.

"Noted" was all I said to that.

After that discussion father sent a message to White Harbor summoning Lord Wyman and Ser Wylis to Winterfell. As a result of the new and improved roads they arrived quite fast. They were greeted by a contingent of Winter Wolves as well as myself, mother, father, Sansa, Little Arya, Jon, Theon and Wylla and Wynafred.

Ser Wylis was quite fat, but nowhere near his father's weight. He wasted no time in hugging his daughters tightly with a jovial look on his face as he hadn't seen them in quite a while. A good, loyal and decent man. Lord Wyman must have been the fattest man I had ever seen, but looking in his eyes I saw a cunning that made me aware that this man was not to be underestimated. He maybe fat, but he was dangerous.

Following the greeting and the granting of guest right my father, mother, myself and Ser Wylis and Lord Wyman made way to my father's solar where got down to business after offering the two Manderly men some drinks.

I then proceeded to tell them of the proposal me and Dacey offered Wynafred and Wylla and by time I was finished both men's eyes were as wide as saucers and their mouths hung open like they were fishes out of water. Ser Wylis eventually cleared his throat and began to speak.

"This is quite unconventional Lord Robb and while I am flattered that you feel this way about my daughters I assume you understand the risks that come with this proposition of yours?" Ser Wylis asked

"Indeed Ser, the Faith will no doubt condemn this as soon as word reaches them about this and the High Septon will no doubt condemn me again and hold to it this time, but really and truly Ser, they aren't a threat to us. The Faith Militant hasn't been in existence since their uprising, so the High Septon would have to petition King Robert and when you consider the fact that the crown receives a fortune in taxes from us and the king's love tor my family he won't make any move against us, especially because the High Septon's ego was bruised. Besides, we have a better army, navy, fortifications and when you add in my automatons any invasion of the North is doomed to failure." I explained.

"Indeed my lord, but how would you marry them? I doubt a septon would officiate this marriage and how would it work anyway?" Lord Wyman asked.

"I would marry Wylla and Wynafred beneath the heart tree of Winterfell under the Old Gods. They don't condemn polygamy and my first child with Wynafred would take on the name Manderly and become the future ruler of White Harbor after Ser Wylis. Anymore children I have with them will be given castles and mansions that I would construct for them in the lands of Houses Stark and Manderly" I reassured him.

I could see the gears turning in both their heads as the weighed the cost and benefits of my idea. After a while they both looked at me.

"Well my lord this is still unconventional, but I can see the benefits of this and as my daughters clearly love you I see no reason why I should resist. As long as you treat them right you will have my blessing" Ser Wylis said.

"As my son stated this is quite unconventional, but the benefits are too good to ignore and my granddaughters are clearly smitten with you. Always protect and cherish them and you shall have my blessing" Lord Wyman said.

A grin broke out on my face before I could stop it. I had the go ahead from both men and my parents had no choice but to agree now.

"Very well then. We shall hash out the details later, but as of now Robb is hereby betrothed to Ladies Wylla and Wynafred. You may go now Robb, this meeting is over" father said.

"Very well father, thank you. Thank you Ser Wylis and Lord Wyman, I swear upon my honor as a Stark to always treat Wylla and Wynafred with the love the deserve" I said firmly.

"I know you will my lord. You always keep your word" Ser Wylis said with a smile on his face, Lord Wyman nodded in agreement with a jovial look.

After that I left the solar to seek out Dacey, Wylla and Wynafred. After asking around I was told they were last seen at the shared room of Wylla and Wynafred in the guest keep. Upon arrival I knocked and upon receiving the go ahead to enter I stepped inside and found all three girls there.

"Well, what did they say?" Wynafred asked anxiously.

"They said yes. We are now hereby officially betrothed" I said with a smile on my face.

Massive smiles broke out on all three girls faces before they moved straight towards me with Wynafred giving me a kiss on the lips. After she broke off for some air, Wylla was on me instantly and then Dacey. Eventually they all looked at me with grins on their faces.

"Well Robb, you were right" Dacey said.

"I always am my love" I said with a triumphant look on my face.

"So cocky, I might have to beat it out of you one of these days" Dacey retorted with mock seriousness.

"You can beat him later Dacey right now I want to celebrate our betrothal" Wylla said.

"How about I escort you ladies to Winter City? I would love to treat you to a lovely evening" I said.

"I would love that" Wynafred agreed.

"Me too" Wylla said.

"And I, we haven't gone out in quite a while anyway. I want to know if you can still be a gentleman" Dacey said teasingly.

"Oh I still remember Dacey, you'll see soon enough. Now, let's get ready" I instructed.

Wylla and Wynafred moved to prepare for the trip, while Dacey and I left to return to our respective rooms to get ready. On the way back I couldn't help but think about all I had accomplished in my life so far and how much more I intended to do.

"The future's looking pretty bright" I thought with a smile on my face.

Notes:

There it is folks Robb negotiated with the Manderlys and won. He, Dacey, Wynafred and Wylla are now betrothed. This will undoubtedly cause problems with the Faith. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 32: The Leech Lord

Five years, it had been five years since that Stark boy revealed himself and in those five years, he had completely transformed the North into a military and economic powerhouse. He had remembered when Robb Stark had unveiled those automatons of his and while I wouldn't say it aloud, I had felt, for the first time in my life, genuine fear. Then he revealed his weapons and Roose knew then and there that everything had changed. Those weapons had proven their worth at Pyke. Hundreds to Thousands of Ironborn must have fallen to the enchanted weapons and those suits of armour were extremely effective as well. Just when he believed he wouldn't be surprised again, he was proven wrong yet again. The boy had constructed that hammer for Robert Baratheon and the boy was given 3 million gold dragons, the New Gift and a legitimization for his bastard brother, Jon Snow. After that the entirety of the North had no choice, but to worship him. He had gotten the Gift back, writing a wrong that was long overdue and went over both his parent's heads to get his brother made legitimate. This Robb Stark was decisive in getting what he wanted, and he clearly wasn't above using his powers to do it.

He remembered when he arrived with his troops at Winterfell and heard about how the Septa Mordane that Lady Catelyn brought with her insulted Robb's power and then proceeded to insult the Old Gods, but what really sealed her fate was when she insulted the Jon Snow or Stark now. Robb nearly chocked her to death and then had her banished afterwards. Even I couldn't resist being impressed. The boy had the ruthlessness of the Kings of Winter in his veins and wasn't above resorting to force. A true Stark. Then he built that factory of his, turned the North fertile, built mines, roads, fortresses, a proper fleet on both coasts that were more powerful than anything the south could ever have and rebuilt Moat Cailin. Now Northern ships sailed at impossible speeds to Essos to sell the surplus food that simply couldn't be stored. Mere years previously the North could barely feed itself and now it was feeding a continent. The profits from these ventures were enormous, his treasury was filled to the absolute brim with gold and silver, he actually had to order the construction of another vault to hold all this wealth. His fields were unnaturally fertile; the population of his lands was rising rapidly, and his troops were equipped with the best arms and armour in the entire world today. And it was all thanks to a child.

He knew his House's history with the Starks, and he knew that the only reason why his bloodline still existed was because we were useful to the Starks of old. We were their attack dogs, their weapons of terror, but those days were long gone. Or were they? In his experience men people like Robb Stark don't stay content with what they have forever, they always want more. House Stark was loyal to House Baratheon because of his liege lord's friendship with Robert Baratheon, but Robert and Eddard wouldn't be around forever. There was no telling if Robert's heir would continue what his father started and there was no telling if Robb Stark would want that.

Whatever happened House Bolton would follow the Starks. It was simple sense. The Starks were too popular, too powerful and with the creation of these Winter Wolves as he heard they were called, the Starks would only become more powerful. Robb Stark introduced and taught advance means of medicine, engineering, governance, building, agriculture, metallurgy, science, mathematics and more. These reforms were radical, dangerous and the entire North was eating them up. Acting against the Starks would be madness. No one would back him and seeing Robb Stark so far, he knew House Bolton wouldn't be spared.

"I followed Eddard Stark because there was no other option, I will follow Robb Stark because there is no other option" Roose thought to himself.

He remembered the Stark boy had requested that all the heirs of the North's nobility be allowed to foster at Winterfell and Roose mentally applauded at the genius of the idea.

"By making friendships with them he has ensured that the next generation of nobility will be loyal to him and with his betrothal to the Mormont and Manderly girls he has secured Bear Island and White Harbor's fleets and wealth" Roose thought impressed.

He had taken off guard yet again when he received word that Robb Stark had been betrothed to the Manderly girls as well, but he was also approving as well. It was the Old Gods that reigned supreme here and they didn't condemn polygamy. The High Septon would without a doubt rage and complain, but unless he was willing to pick up a sword and declare war and then lose badly, raging and complaining was all he could do.

"Perhaps it's time Domeric came home" Roose thought.

The Stark boy was welcoming the heirs to his home, it's only fair that House Bolton sends its heir as well. Because no matter what happens, House Bolton won't be left behind.

Notes:

There you have it folks, Roose Bolton's thoughts. Let me know what you think and as always, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 33: The Spider

The Small Council Chamber of the Red Keep was as usual smelling of ink, wine and parchment. It was one of the few places in Kingslanding that didn't smell like dead bodies, where the men of the so called "small matters" of the realm gathered to discuss said small matters. It was usually dull and boring with the same old, same old things, but not these days as the scene before him could attest.

"This is completely unacceptable. Not only does Robb Stark concert with foul dark magics, but now he means to commit this abominable mockery of a betrothal. The Faith will not stand for it; I will not stand for it!!!!" the High Septon roared at the top of his lungs.

It was quite impressive how such a fat man could have so much energy, but I could assume he's had quite the workout these past few days. The reason: Robb Stark. That was a name that many in the South had long since grown to hate by now. Tales of magical weapons, fertile fields, mines that provided wealth that never dried up, ships that were much bigger and faster than anything the South had and metal men that needed no sleep, food or drink, that could work through the day and night without stopping. The reason for all that, Magic. That foul, dastardly ability. Varys had since the day he had been cut by that sorcerer when he was a child despised magic. It was unnatural and had no place in this world, but now the Stark boy was using it like a toy and the foolish northerners were blinded to see the dangers of it. Robb Stark was a threat for his magic alone, but he was a threat to his plans for the future. By making the North so rich and powerful the Stark boy was making his plans of subduing the North in the future impossible and that couldn't be allowed to happen. The boy would have to be eliminated somehow, but that was a task for later.

"We hear your complaints your holiness, but as we said before, both Manderly girls agreed to wed under the customs of the Old Gods with their father and Grandfather's blessing. The Old Gods do not condemn polygamy so there is nothing we can do without sparking a war with the North, something the crown has made clear it has no intention of doing" Jon Arryn the Hand of the King said with barely concealed annoyance.

The High Septon had been an annoyance ever since word of the betrothals reached his ears, preaching and condemning them and constantly hounding the crown to take action. It was becoming an annoyance, and it would seem the Lord Hand was reaching his limit.

"Trees are just that, trees, the Seven are the true gods and the northerners mock insult them with their actions. The Faith will take action. The Faith must take action, this cannot continue!!!" The High Septon shouted again.

"I would be very careful your holiness. The Northerners don't take kindly to their gods being insulted and the crown will not provoke them. I will not have the realm plunged into war. The North has remained loyal and wish to ensure they remain that way. If you wish I can always have the king speak with you if you are not satisfied" Lord Arryn replied with a raised eyebrow.

It was quite amusing as everyone knew the king wouldn't do anything. In fact, when he had heard about the betrothals, he had actually laughed so hard that it his face turned red, and he actually couldn't breathe and actually applauded the Stark boy, saying that "the lad now has three women, three. Gods what I would give to be able to do the same. It would certainly be better than that Lannister harpy I call a wife that's for sure". Thankfully the queen wasn't present to hear that, though it would have been quite amusing.

"You and I both know that the king is too blinded by his love for the Starks to do anything Lord Hand" the High Septon replied back with anger in his tone.

"Honestly your holiness I do not see the point of this discussion. All parties have agreed to it, and they are not marrying by the customs of the Seven, so like or not there is nothing we can do, and I quite frankly don't feel like I want to do anything about that. We have more pressing concerns to deal with, so as the case of the North is growing military might" was the opinion of Lord Stannis, the king's brother and Master of Ships.

It was no surprise that Stannis was concerned about this. The North's rapid rise took everyone by surprise and the royal navy was an inferior relic compared to the North's fleets. The worst part was that the royal fleet, redwyne fleet and every other fleet of the south all said the same thing, they caught glimpses of massive ships moving at impossible speeds, but as a result of said speed they could never catch up with them to get a proper look. There were those in Essos however that were able to get a proper look at them as the docked to unload goods for sail. They had sails but didn't seem to be propelled by them, as they simply moved to fast and they were clad in metal, but the metal didn't seem to slow the ships down at all. None of this boded well for his plans.

He had come too far and worked too hard to let his plans fall apart by some boy from the North. Magic or no magic the boy would fall, he had to fall. One way or the other.

He was brought back from his thoughts by Pycelle agreeing with Lord Stannis.

"No doubt to try and help Lord Tywin" Varys thought to himself.

Pycelle was a Lannister man through and through despite being Grand Maester, but then again, being Grand Maester is probably a part of the reason for his agreement. The Stark boy's reforms made the Citadel look quite useless after all. He then looked to Petyr Baelish or Littlefinger as was commonly known, the Master of Coin. He was quiet so far, but he was plotting. They all were, but I would come out on top.

I always did.

Notes:

There you have it folks, the thoughts of the spider himself, Varys. Constructive Criticism is welcomed as always.

Chapter 34: The Lord Hand

The High Septon finally got the hint that he wouldn't get his way at long last and left, but I knew it wouldn't be the last time I had to deal with him. The faith was becoming a problem, and he needed a solution to shut them up. He was a devout follower of the Seven, but he was no fanatic. He was not going to cost the crown one of its greatest allies because the High Septon didn't like their marriage customs.

"Still though, I will need to find some way of calming them down. We can't afford division among ourselves, not when there are still Targaryens out there" I thought.

That aside he still couldn't believe how quickly the North had risen and how it was due to a literal child. Robb Stark named after our own King Robert had transformed the North into a military and economic giant with which the South couldn't keep up. For many this was concerning as the North was always viewed by many as a land of barbarians and heathens, but now they had surpassed the South in everything, and it wasn't viewed kindly.

It was a cause of many political headaches, the Faith being one of them. Another such headache was the Citadel. Ever since word had spread of Robb Stark's centres of learning or "Schools" as he had called them many in the South had looked to them and not the Citadel, especially when it was revealed that both men and women could join. The Maesters had complained, but when these schools started to make more progress and results in a manner of years than what the Citadel had shown thousands of years many people all across the realm started to wonder what the purpose of the Citadel was. Robert even once said that he was wondering what the purpose of providing the Citadel with royal funding was when they weren't producing anything worthwhile.

"The North even produces better learned men than we do" I thought.

I was getting a bit worried about how bad the animosity against the North was becoming though. The Citadel, the Faith, the Reach, all three were angry with the Northerners for different reasons. The Citadel because the North made them look useless, the Faith because of those betrothals and the Reach because the North no longer bought from them, reducing their income. The Reach would survive, but they were angry and wanted the crown to take action. However, the crown couldn't just force the North to buy the Reach's produce if they didn't want to. There was no written agreement stating that the Northerners had to buy from the Reach so the Iron Throne couldn't interfere.

Besides, it wasn't as if Robert would interfere anyway. He had never truly forgiven the Reach, while yes, he had accepted their submission, he was always still a bit hateful towards for nearly starving everyone in Storm's End to death all those years ago. The Tyrells were struggling to keep their bannermen under control as the loss of profit was felt and the Reachmen were angry about it. This combined with the fact that the North was now selling their surplus food to Essos and making a profit out of it made the Reach even angrier. It basically meant that the North that couldn't feed itself properly mere years ago not only was able to feed itself but had so much food that they could sell portions of it and not have to worry. The North made wealth, and the Reach lost wealth.

The advancements that the Northerners had was a game changer and could make the whole realm prosper, but from what he heard Ned's son had no interest in sharing his accomplishments with those south of the Neck. This was very disappointing, but he knew that trying to get the North to change their minds would simply make them close ranks and he didn't want to lose what was fast becoming their greatest ally. The North was loyal to House Stark and House Stark was loyal to the crown and that would have to be enough.

"Thank the Gods that Robb was born a Stark and not a Lannister" Jon thought, shuddering at the mere thought of it.

Power like what the North had didn't belong in the hands of Tywin Lannister. The man was already a problem now, but to have such advancements, no, Westeros would burn if the Lannisters got their hands on the North's weapons and knowledge. Better it remains in the hands of the content Starks of Winterfell than the ever-greedy Lions of the Casterly Rock.

"Your daughter is queen, and your grandson will be king, that shall be all you get if I have anything to say about it Tywin" I thought firmly.

Thinking about Casterly Rock reminded him of the debt that was owed to Tywin by the crown, for now it was small enough to be repaid, but he feared that Robert's vices wouldn't let it remain that way.

"I will have to talk to him about this, the crown cannot afford to grant the Lannisters anymore influence" I thought.

His mind then went back to the North. He had heard reports about a professional army being raised by the Starks called the Winter Wolves. Yet another pillar in the North's military superiority. The crown currently had House Stark's loyalty, and it was imperative that it remained that way. Should Tywin, the Tyrells or the Martells try anything the North would be the crown's greatest weapon against them. I would need to amke sure that Robert maintained his friendship with Ned and try and strike a possible fostering of Joffrey at Winterfell to make a friendship with Robb Stark. It would work.

That is of course if the harpy of a woman Cersei doesn't interfere or if Robert would stop playing with that damn hammer of his and actually do his job for once.

"I'm starting to wonder if that hammer is a boon or a curse for us" I thought to myself before getting back to work.

The realm wouldn't run itself after all.

Notes:

There you have it folks the thoughts of Jon Arryn himself. He is of course beset with issues and headaches, the issue of the North in particular but he recognizes the potential of the North in safeguarding the crown from enemies, Tywin in particular. As is custom Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 35: The king is coming North

Five more years had passed since the betrothals between me, Wynafred and Wylla was agreed to and in those five years I had deepened my bond with all three of my betrotheds to the point that everyone had said on more than one occasion that we looked like a married couple already, Theon in particular who on another day would have been beyond jealous, but was too preoccupied with his relationship with Jorelle Mormont.

Apparently the two of them had been in a relationship for quite a while and Theon was quite determined to keep it that way, even stopping his visits to the brothels unless Jorelle was with him and joining him. Apparently, Jory had that in common with her sister. Jon and Alys were also going strong too. On more than one occasion I had seen them together hand in hand, talking, kissing or simply enjoying each other's company. Jon had changed from the sullen boy he was previously. He was now more confident but wasn't arrogant and retained his humbleness. He was also becoming quite the swordsman as well. I had decided to start training Jon in some of my moves and styles, and he was quite the good learner. He still couldn't beat me, but he definitely could trounce everybody else. We once put Jon against ten of Winterfell's best guards as a test and all ten of them got knocked to the dirt. My training was paying off.

My family had also received yet another addition to the pack. My youngest brother, Rickon had been born two years after my betrothals to Wylla and Wynafred was finalized. He was little and young, but gods above he had that ferociousness in him. He and Arya were the wilder members of our family.

Great progress had also been made to the North during this period. Another 10,000 automatons had been produced and activated increasing the number to 20,972. They had been put to work in producing more glasshouses in the ever-increasing number of towns and villages around the North as people from the South had been arriving in the North in larger numbers over the five-year period and we even got craftsmen, builders, shipwrights, sailors and more from Essos. Many of these people had arrived with their families to get a crack at the benefits of Northern citizenship, using their trade to get accepted easier. We also acquired not just freemen, but slaves as well. Essos was a massive continent, so I knew that the slavers there wouldn't mind losing some of their slaves, so I secretly negotiated a deal with Lord Manderly and my father to buy a large number of slaves and their families if they had any and free them upon arriving in the North.

It wasn't easy at first for the newly freed people to adjust to their freedom. For many of them slavery was all they ever knew so they struggled at first to adjust, but over time they got the hand of it and welcomed their freedom with glee, praising me, Lord Manderly and father for freeing them and granting them a home. We did however face challenges.

The first challenge came from the nobles who were not comfortable having so many foreigners in the North, but they didn't complain for long after the freemen made their worth known. The next and most persistent challenge came from, to no one's surprise, the South. The Faith to be exact. The Westerlands and the Reach did try to discredit the North when word of what we were doing was revealed, but when we sent a raven to Kingslanding detailing how the former slaves were freed upon arrival in the North the crown didn't make a fuss about it, in fact King Robert himself sent ravens to both the Lannisters and Tyrells to stop their attempts to discredit the North. We freed slaves, gave them proper housing, food, opportunities and more. The crown couldn't condemn us for that. It also helped that Braavos also put its support behind the North as the Braavosi, from the common folk to the high class were pleased with the North's actions and everyone in the South knew it was stupid to draw the wrath of Braavos as that would lead to the Iron Bank getting involved. The southron nobles backed off, the same couldn't be said for the Faith.

The Faith continued to denounce the North, House Stark in particular. They accused us of being slavers, something that enraged the Mormonts in particular as the actions of Ser Jorah were still fresh, called us tree hugging barbarians and heathens, were preaching of how I was a demon from the pits of the Seven Hells and how all the modernization the North went through was as a result of my quote, "hellish, demonic, unnatural abilities" and were even spreading tales about how I was planning on invading the South to spread my "pagan faith" and wipe out all those who refused me. It was quite ironic when you remember how the Andals did the very same things during their invasions.

The High Septon had been ordered to get his septons and septas under control, but he had been unsuccessful so far, stating how if he interfered the followers of the Seven might rise up in rebellion. Bullshit. He did nothing because he refused to do anything.

I was willing to turn ignore them before, but I couldn't now. The Faith was becoming too bold, too confident. I had to watch them. And I was developing the means to do exactly that.

Despite all that everything else had been going pretty good for the North. Profits for the North generated by all sectors of the economy reached the hundreds of millions now. The sold food, jewellery, wood, furs, wines, juices, coffee, tea and more. One product that was becoming popular and profitable rapidly was Ice.

I had realized that the North could provide a limitless supply of Ice, and I had convinced father to use it to not just use to cool our beverages, but also for preservation as well, such as our meat. Safe to say it became a hit and everyone wanted it. I developed store houses for the ice to keep it from melting as well as smaller storage containers that could be carried around. Basically, small and large refrigerators. After satisfying the North's appetite I turned my gaze South. It was agreed that we wouldn't sell any food, wine or anything else to the South that could harm the southern Winemakers and farmers. Ice however was something that the South didn't have and when we sent messages announcing our desire to sell Ice to the South all the southerners answered positively, the Dornish in particular.

The first shipments of Ice sent south disappeared in rapid succession leading to constant and larger orders for more. The Ice was sent in storage units that would prevent them from melting and knowing that the South had no chance of figuring out how to replicate them, they were left in the South, though whenever new shipments arrived, they previous units would be returned and new ones given and so on and so forth and in order to prevent theft the number units left were documented and catalogued.

The profits made from this varied, but they were always in the tens of millions, especially after we began selling to Essos as well, last year's profit margin was 25 million gold dragons in total.

All in all, another successful time for the North, but the threat of the Faith was still an issue, but an issue I could look into another time. Right now, something else required my attention.

I stood in the training yard with Jon, Theon, Rickon, Dacey, Alys, Laurence Snow, Smalljon, the Karstark Brothers and the new member of our little group of heirs, Domeric Bolton. Domeric had returned from his fostering in the Vale with House Redfort and had been sent to Winterfell by Lord Roose. Everyone was cautious around him at first, him being a Bolton and all that, but he everyone warmed up to him when it was revealed just how different he was from his father. He was kind, an excellent horseman, loved history and loved to play the harp. He was a massive contrast compared to his father. I also noticed how he and Sansa seemed to get along quite well, and I also noticed the looks they sent when they thought the other wasn't watching. A potential union between a Stark and a Bolton was something that everybody believed would never happen, but who knows what the future may hold. It was something to think about at least.

We were all currently watching my little brother Bran knock an arrow and aim it at the target set up. Bran was a very energetic and spirited child, though this has caused mother many headaches as Bran has taken a love of climbing. I don't mean typical things like climbing a tree but climbing towers and buildings. I once saw him climb up one of the guard towers with no struggle. It was impressive, but also dangerous, which was why I was planning on building some climbing equipment for him. I knew that trying to prevent him from climbing was pointless, so I decided to just make it easier and safer for him. Jon leaned down to talk to Bran.

"Go on, father's watching and your mother" Jon said to our brother encouragingly.

Bran let the arrow loose and it flew right over the target.

Me, Jon, Rickon and all the others let out a laugh at this, while grunted in frustration.

"And which one of you was a marksman at ten?' Father, who was watching with mother demanded sternly.

"Don't even think about it Robb" Dacey said looking at me sternly upon seeing about to raise my hand.

I merely grinned at her before turning my attention back to Bran, giving him some instructions along with Jon when an arrow came out of nowhere and struck centre mass in the target. We all whirled around to see my little hellion of a sister Arya standing behind us with a bow in her hand and a mischievous and smug grin on her face. She then proceeded to do a mock curtsey. Bran immediately threw his bow aside and chased Arya, with all of us shouting encouragement for him to go faster to keep up with her.

Arya was a wild and adventurous girl who didn't abide by traditional norms. She loved horse riding, weapons training and other things. She was also quite good with mathematics, household management, economics, organizing, politics and governance. I had made sure that the new governess for Sansa and Arya, Morella, taught them what they needed to know to survive in the real world. Sansa loved sewing and songs, but she was also taught politics, governing, economics and governing. They still had a lot to learn, but they were getting there rapidly.

We all began to clean up the yard when a guard approached us and said that a deserter from the Night's Watch was apprehended and that we were all summoned to go to the execution, except Rickon as he was still too young, but Bran would be coming with us this time.

Upon finishing getting the yard back in order we all saddled up, accompanied by Daryn, Cley, Roger and the others, as well as a contingent of Household guards and Winter Wolves. The Winter Wolves now numbered a mind boggling 50,000, Six whole legions with another not yet at full strength. The personal, professional army of House Stark. Well trained, disciplined, armed and equipped.

We arrived at the execution site where more Winter Wolves were waiting with the deserter. The man was dressed in the typical uniform of the Night's Watch, the new typical clothing to be exact. Black coloured enchanted armour with a black cloak. His weapons and helmet weren't with him for obvious reasons, but what really got my attention was his appearance. He was dishevelled, exhausted, but also scared beyond belief as if he saw his worst nightmare materialize before his eyes.

"Just what has frightened you so" I wondered to myself.

Me, Jon, Bran, Theon and the others got into position and waited for the sentence to be carried out.

We watched as father moved up to the deserter who I now recognized to be Gared. I had met him on one of my trips to the wall when my Uncle Benjen, the First Ranger of the Night's Watch introduced me to him. He was a loyal, steadfast and excellent ranger. And now here he is.

"I know I broke my oath, I knew I should have went back to Castle Black and warned the others, but I didn't when I should've. I saw them. I saw the White Walkers" Gared said with fear in his voice.

"What, White Walkers, but they've been gone for thousands of years. Gone. Gone. They've been gone. It was never said that they were destroyed" I realized.

"Don't look away. Father will know if you do" Jon said to Bran. It was then I realized that father was about to execute Gared, but I was curious.

"Hold on father" I cried out.

That got everyone attention as they stared at me.

"What is it Robb?" Father asked confused.

"I'm curious about this deserter's claims. He is an experienced ranger who if I remember correctly has been with the Watch for 4 decades now and he never deserted then. I'm curious about this situation" I said.

"Robb the man is a deserter and he's mad and frightened. The White Walkers have been gone for thousands of years. He isn't in his right mind" Father said to me.

"Indeed, but we don't really know what lies beyond the wall. Yes, there are the Wildlings, but we don't know what else is there. Also, we should remember that dragons used to fly in over Westeros and my magical abilities aren't in doubt. Why are White Walkers so hard to believe? Especially when you bring into account the fact that it was never mentioned that they were destroyed, just pushed back into the lands beyond the wall" I said to everybody. They all seemed to be catching my drift while Gared looked happy that someone believed him.

"How about this father? We send a message to Lord Commander Mormont and inform him of what Gared had said and set up an escort to return him to the wall where we can investigate his claims. If his claims turn out to be false, then the Night's Watch can simply execute him themselves" I explained.

Father thought it through before nodding his head.

"Very well Robb, Gared will live until we can decipher the truth of his claims, and I will send the raven to the wall detailing this. Until then he will be held in the dungeons until he is escorted back to the wall" Father decided.

I nodded as the guards brought Gared up to his feet. He had a look of joy at knowing that he was being believed by at least one person, but the fear was still there as he was dragged off.

As I made my way to my horse, I heard my father call out to me. I turned and saw him make his way to me.

"Are you sure about this Robb?" Father asked.

"I'm not sure father, but I do want to know what exactly is going on up at the wall. You said that there was an alarming increase in rangers disappearing and Gared said to the Winter Wolves who apprehended him that he went out with two others and that both were killed, I'd like to know if those two have been found yet. Besides I have a way of knowing if Gared is being honest or not" I revealed.

"Very well son, though I hope he isn't being honest, because that would mean" Father didn't finish, simply looking at me with a frightened expression.

I nodded and then we both mounted up and made our way back to Winterfell with everyone else. Along the way Jon, Theon and the others were asking me why I had decided to speak in favor of Gared living and voiced their skepticism about the White Walkers being back. I simply told them I would explain later when we got back to Winterfell. Afterwards me and the others, including Bran started a race to see who was better on horseback and eventually came upon a shocking sight. A direwolf, a very large direwolf lied dead on the path with the antlers of a dead stag in its throat. I had a very foreboding feeling when I saw it and didn't really know why.

The greater discovery were the wolf cubs we found. There were five in total that we saw and at first father ordered their deaths as they wouldn't survive out in the wild on their own. Jon however was able to convince father against this, pointing how there were five wolves and that the sigil of our House was a direwolf and that we were destined to have them. Father asked if Jon didn't what one, but he said there were only five and that he was fine with that, but I could see the sadness in his eyes of not getting one and so could father as well if the way he looked at Jon was any indication.

Thankfully as we were beginning to leave, we heard a sound and upon checking we found another wolf that looked to be the runt of the litter and Jon immdiately claimed it as his own, much to the relief of all of us that Jon wouldn't be left out.

However, when I believed that the craziness would subside now, I was proven wrong as later on in the day as me Jon and Theon were talking about my decision to investigate Gared's claims we were summoned to father's solar where we found mother and Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik.

"We received a raven from Kingslanding. Jon Arryn is dead and the king rides North to Winterfell" Father revealed to our shock.

"First Gared, then the wolves, now this" I thought to myself.

I didn't like this at all. Not one bit.

Notes:

There you have it folks. The game of thrones is about to begin as the king makes his way to Winterfell and the White Walkers make themselves known. As always Constructive Critcism is welcomed.

Chapter 36: Readying for the South

After it was revealed that the King was coming North everyone in Winterfell prepared. The Winter Wolves, Greycloaks and garrison of Winterfell were on high alert and drilled relentlessly, servants ensured the stores were full and ready for the royal family, wine and other beverages were catalogued and all the nobles in Winterfell were freshened up on our knowledge of the South. This was at my mother's insistence as she wanted to make a good impression on the royal family. I couldn't care less, but I decided to show mother mercy and not fight it. I was thinking about Gared and his claims of the White Walkers, and I intended to pay him a visit later, but right now my mind was on the royal family or rather those who would accompany the royal family.

The queen was a Lannister and an arrogant, haughty bitch as well from what I heard and apparently the crown prince was a right royal prick. I wasn't looking forward to having to deal with them, but they were the least of my worries. The king would no doubt travel with a massive precession of royal retainers, servants and guards, but also members of the queen's family, which only meant one thing: Lannisters would be in my home. Gods did I hate that thought.

I was currently with Dacey in the Godswood speaking about the king's imminent arrival.

"The King hasn't spoken to my father since the Greyjoy Rebellion. Now Jon Arryn is dead and he's coming here. There's only one thing he would come here for" I said to my betrothed.

"He means to make Lord Eddard the new hand and that displeases you because of what happens to Starks who go South" Dacey said looking at me with an understanding expression.

"Of course. I've lost a grandfather, an uncle and an aunt to the South and let's not forget Rickon Stark, son of Cregan Stark who died in the Young Dragon's little game of conquest in Dorne. Cregan Stark got away because he was smart enough to simply do what he needed to do and get back North right away" I explained.

As far as I was concerned Starks should avoid going south of the Neck as much as possible. We don't prosper there.

"I hear you and I understand you Robb, but I don't think Lord Eddard will have a choice in the matter as I highly doubt the king will take no for an answer" Dacey said cautiously.

"He damn well does have a choice. King he may be, Robert Baratheon can't force people to except posts they clearly don't want to without facing pushback. No, father does have a choice, but I fear he will choose to except the post anyway" I said with a bit of worry.

I loved my father, but from what I've heard about Kingslanding it requires people with the willingness to get down and dirty to hold on to power there and my father was not one of those people. He was too honourable. Honour counts for nothing in the south.

"What I'm most concerned about though is the king's Lannister relatives who will no doubt be accompanying him" I revealed.

Dacey laughed at that.

"I know you don't like the lions Robb, but don't you think you're being a little too paranoid?" Dacey asked amusedly.

"Nope. Lannisters are arguably the greediest, most power hungry and arrogant family in the Seven Kingdoms. Not even the Tyrells for all their ambition have anything on the Lions of Casterly Rock. They were always arrogant and greedy, but under Tywin Lannister, House Lannister has become even worse. The man is the richest person in the south, his daughter is queen, and his grandson will be king in the future, and he's still not satisfied, still not content. I have no doubt any Westermen among the King's retinue will be snooping around trying to find our secrets or spy on us. Which is why I convinced father to ban the southerners from entering the factories, armouries and any other place with highly sensitive equipment and information. My tower is certainly off limits. I've also secretly instructed the Winter Wolves to monitor the king's retinue's movements while there here" I revealed to a shocked Dacey.

"My, my Robb, you're definitely not leaving anything to chance, are you? You've prepared for everything" Dacey realized.

"I've prepared for everything I think the southerners might do. I can't prepare myself for everything, but I will try" I said.

Our conversation then turned to Gared.

"I'm still trying to understand why you convinced your father to spare that deserter Robb. The man is clearly mad and frightened" Dacey said.

"Aye, but frightened of what? Gared has been a sworn brother of the Night's Watch for forty years Dacey and he's spent those years as a ranger. You and I both know how dangerous and stressful being a ranger is. To have lasted for 40 years means he's seen things we can only imagine and gone through things we may never know. And through it all he never broke, so how comes he broke know. He's a hardened veteran; it takes very extreme and haunting sights to break a veteran" I explained to my betrothed.

"So, you think he may have seen White Walkers? Think that's what broke him?" Dacey asked.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. That's what I want to find out. If's he's telling the truth then we face a grave threat indeed, but if he's lying then he'll be executed anyway. My uncle Benjen informed me and father the last time he was here that there had been a sharp increase in the disappearances of rangers and not rookies either, experienced, hardened men, just gone. Even the wildlings seem to be vanishing as well as Uncle Benjen said that he and a group of his rangers once came upon a wildling village that just a week ago was steaming with life and when they got there it was empty and silent like a crypt. No signs of a struggle, no blood, no bodies, nothing. Something's going on Dacey, and I want to find out what" I explained.

"Okay Robb, I get you. We will however have to deal with the king and his retinue first though, before we can go to the wall" Dacey said.

"We, you mean you intend on accompanying me, sweet she bear?" I asked teasingly.

"Of course I intend to you fool. I'm to be one of your wives soon enough after all, I'll need to do these things" Dacey said with a grin on her face.

I grinned back before kissing her. I loved this she bear now and forever.

We broke off before resuming our conversation turning to another topic.

"How is the western fleet coming along?" Dacey asked.

"Pretty great actually. The automatons and shipwrights have made great progress in expanding the shipyards leading to more ships being produced. The western fleet currently numbers 350 warships and 300 merchant ships. It's the same for the eastern fleet as well. The naval academies have also been producing very effective sailors as well for the fleets, the western fleet in particular" I revealed.

"I still can't believe you didn't face any backlash from the Glovers or the Tallharts over the annexing of Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore" Dacey said.

"Both houses know that they have no naval mindset at all, and they don't want to bear the cost of developing one. I also technically didn't annex the Stony Shore and Sea Dragon Point. I just had naval facilities and shipyards built there to produce and house the Stark fleet. We're leasing the areas I guess you can say, and we are compensating both Houses Glover and Tallhart. We build our fleet and that fleet protects their shores against naval attacks" I stated.

"Aye, but we both know it won't be long until those lands become yours entirely Robb" Dacey said.

"Maybe, but it won't be in my time when it happens. Houses Tallhart and Glover are two of House Stark's most important allies. I won't jeopardise that" I said.

"You know the queen might try and demand that you surrender the means to build the ships, cannons and everything else, don't you? She is a Lannister and she no doubt doesn't like the North growing so powerful" Dacey said.

"The queen can make as many demands as she likes my answer will be the same: no. I built all this for the North, not the South and especially not the Westerlands. Advancements like this don't belong in the hands of lions. The realm would burn" I said firmly.

"The king might not like that Robb and Tywin Lannister would no doubt try to force the issue if it arises" Dacey cautioned.

"I don't give a fuck. Robert owes his crown and his life in no small part to the North. We were the ones who fought his battles, we were the ones who lost thousands for his claim, we were the ones who helped put his ass on the Iron Throne and if he forgets that we now have the means of taking him off it. As for Tywin Lannister, I don't care what he thinks. He can force it, and I would still refuse. If he tries to use force, I'll destroy his precious rock with him in it if needs be. I don't kneel to Lannisters" I said with pure conviction and decisiveness in my voice.

Dacey smiled approvingly before resuming the conversation this time talking about the Winter Wolves. After a while we decided it was time to get going and we left the Godswood before going our seperate ways. Dacey said she had practice with Jory and Alysanne and then a conversation she with Wylla and Wynafred. What that was I didn't know, and I figured it involved me in some way, but I didn't dwell on it. I had work to do.

The king would arrive with hundreds of people no doubt and I knew that even I would need more than the Winter Wolves and the garrison to effectively keep the southerners at bay. And the answer to that problem was simple: wards.

Little magical security charms that came in various forms. I could set up wards that could disorientate an intruder or many intruders, wards that could make would be thieves look the other way, shields and more and I intended to use as many as possible, it would take time as it was a delicate process, but it would be worth it.

I exited Winterfell and made my way to the factories; they would be the very first place the southerners tried to infiltrate so they would need charms especially.

"Let's do this" I thought to myself as I made my way to the factories.

If the Lannisters or anyone else in the king's procession thought, they could steal the North's secrets then they would be in for quite a surprise.

Notes:

There you have it folks, Robb is suspicious of what's going on beyond the wall and he wants answers and he's also preparing and taking all the precautions for when the king arrives. As always, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 37: Arriving north

It was my first time coming north, though I had wondered at times what the North was really like and wanted to see with my own eyes, far from the bias of the Faith. Many would simply say they were barbarians and heathens, but Tyrion Lannister was not many. He didn't make judgments based on others' opinions, he made his own and so far, he could see that the south was inferior to the North now.

Ever since it was announced that Jon Arryn had died many in the Red Keep had wondered who the new hand would be. Some believed it would be Stannis Baratheon, the king's brother, others my own lord father, Tywin and Cersei had even outrageously suggested one time that Jaime of all people should be hand. I knew none of these individuals would be picked. Robert would sooner drown himself in the Blackwater before ever making Stannis hand and he wouldn't even think twice before refusing to name my father hand. He was already surrounded by us, no need to bring in more. As for Jaime, that wasn't going to happen. He couldn't think of a more unqualified person for the post. He really had to wonder how father ever believed making Cersei queen was a good idea. She was a complete fool who thought herself smarter than everybody else even when she truly was average and that was simply being polite. She had too high an opinion of herself and thought that the world existed to cater to her every whim. Then there was Joffrey.

Joffrey was arguably the very definition of a cunt. Arrogant, haughty, prideful and completely incompetent. He believed that he could do as he liked and that everyone was his to do with as he pleased and Robert actually wanted a friendship of sorts to form between Joffrey and Robb Stark, saying that it was his friendship with Eddard Stark that secured the North's loyalty and Joffrey would need to do the same with Robb Stark. Pure foolishness.

"The Stark boy might just strangle Joffrey like he did that septa" he thought with amusement.

When Robert declared that he would make Ned Stark hand I wasn't surprised. Robert loved Eddard Stark more than he loved his own brothers, of course he wanted him. Cersei wasn't pleased and neither was the royal court. The North had grown economically and no doubt militarily powerful and we still didn't know the full extent. The South felt threatened and vulnerable and the thought of the already powerful Starks getting the office of hand was a bitter pill to swallow. Robert however would not take no for an answer and on they went.

It didn't take long to figure out of how much the south had been left behind when the crossed the neck. Towns, not mere villages, but small towns, with proper stone houses, advance and well-built roads, fertile fields as far as the eye could see and people who smallfolk who were better dressed, healthy and fed than most in the south. It said wonders about the North's wealth when even the common people were getting rich. The great shock came when we arrived at Moat Cailin.

Once before it was a shameful ruin, but now it was a monstrous fortress that could make even the bravest and largest of armies reconsider their choices. Three massive walls that looked like they were created from a single rock, with battlements, murder holes and other defensive features, including the legendary northern cannons. Word about them had reached the south after five northern ships on route to Pentos sunk ten pirate ships effortlessely with them. That had caused quite a bit of upheaval with the naval houses of the south who suddenly realized that their ships were completely worthless against the North's. Another feature were the towers, thirty in total, fifteen facing the south and another fifteen facing the North, though it looked like another ten were under construction. Any invasion of the North had better have hundreds of thousands of men just to have a chance and even then, that was without bringing into account the crannogmen. Then there was the town that was fast becoming a city, Cailin Town. Better organized, better built, better everything than Kingslanding. Clean water was available to everyone due to the proper drainage systems and the place didn't stink either. From what the leader of the town, a "mayor" he was apparently called the town numbered 80,000 people and those numbers would no doubt rise.

When we were given a tour of the town and fortress, I quickly realized that there were certain areas we were not allowed into and if we tried to force the issue like Cersei tried to one time the guards would immediately get defensive, preparing for a fight. They told us only what we needed to know about the place, not what we wanted to know. Members of the new professional army of the North, these Winter Wolves also seemed to be everywhere we went, watching us, making sure we didn't try anything.

"They no doubt are aware that many in this procession will try snooping and they're taking every precaution. They don't trust us at all" I thought to myself.

Sites like that of Moat Cailin were commonplace everywhere they went. Organized towns and villages filled with food and people who looked like they were minor nobility, bountiful fields, well paved roads that made the south's look like inferior dirt, the glasshouses that were apparently prevalent all over the North and the automatons that helped make it all possible. When Robert had returned from the North with his hammer, he also brought tales of the legendary machines that built the North.

Hearing about them was one thing but seeing them was another. They were silent, precise, disciplined and efficient at whatever they were assigned to do. He would admit that it was unnerving seeing beings made of metal moving about on their own accord, but it was fascinating as well. There were also the Winter Wolf patrols as well. They were everywhere we went and always watched us with that unnerving silence of theirs. They were armed to the teeth with Robb Stark's impressive weapons and armour and were disciplined and well organized, something you couldn't find in the south if you tried. Not even the army my father created for House Lannister with all its equipment and discipline could match these Winter Wolves and that was concerning.

For all Robert wanted Joffrey to emulate the friendship he made with Eddard Stark with Eddard's son I knew Joffrey would fuck it up. He was too stupid, too prideful and too arrogant. He would somehow insult Robb Stark, and it wouldn't end well for him given the fact that the Stark boy had magic. Robb Stark created a kingdom that was richer and more powerful than the entire south. Joffrey couldn't afford to make and enemy out of him, not if he wanted the North to remain in the Seven Kingdoms. The North didn't need the South anymore after all, they just had to declare independence and nothing short of dragons could get them back and I had doubts if dragons could even work like last time.

We had stopped in a nearby field for the night to rest as there wasn't a village, keep or town in site in this area. As camp was being set up, I went around looking for Jaime and eventually found him sharpening his sword in his tent that was already set up.

"Brother how good to see you. Tell me, have you been enjoying the North so far?" Jaime asked with his signature cocky smirk.

"Indeed, I have brother, and I must say Robb Stark has truly transformed his home. He has quite the inheritance to look forward to" I said.

"True. This place looks like a paradise, shame the Starks keep it all for themselves. Seems kind of selfish don't you think?" My brother asked with that grin of his growing wider.

"As if father wouldn't have done the same" I retorted with a pointed look.

"Fair enough Tyrion, fair enough. I still wonder about this Robb Stark though. Eddard Stark is loyal to Robert like a hound, but will it be the same with Robb Stark and Joffrey?" Jaime asked with a serious expression.

"If Joffrey and Cersei don't fuck things up then maybe, don't give me that look, you know I speak the truth" I said after Jaime sent me and annoyed look.

"Cersei is too arrogant for her own good. She has seen all the progress that the North has made and still has the temerity to say the Westerlands are better. Joffrey acts like he's already in charge, talking about how he will make Robb Stark relinquish command of these Winter Wolves to him and how should he refuse he would have him replaced as heir to the North and other such nonsense, Neither of them understand that the North has risen and will continue to rise and should they insult the architect of said rise the consequences will be dire. Robb Stark is well loved, revered and respected all over the North, can the same be said for Joffrey?" I pointedly demanded of Jaime.

He couldn't answer.

"That's what I thought. We will arrive at Winterfell soon enough and I have no doubt Robb Stark will be disappointed when he sees Robert, we can't afford for him to be disappointed in the heir to the Iron Throne" I said firmly.

"I understand brother. I'll speak to Cersei later about this" Jaime said.

"See to it that you do dear brother, see to it that you do" I said before moving on.

"That said, how have you been Jaime?" I asked.

We then conversed with each other until we both became tired and got some rest. Jaime was relieved off his Kingsguard duties for a couple of hours so he could get some rest. The next day we were all up and about, Cersei and Robert were arguing, and Joffrey was being an annoyance, so the usual routine. After breakfast we were on the road again, Robert seemed to have missed his dear friend Ned as he wasted no time in getting us all moving. As we made our way down the road we passed by some more Winter Wolf patrols and even some automatons that seemed to be accompanying them, we also passed by smallfolk working the fields of their farms that seemed to be fertile and radiant. It was the same as we went deeper into the North before entering the lands of House Cerwyn. We were on the road when the sound of incoming horses was heard. I road up and saw heavily armoured men who I eventually identified to be Winter Wolves making their way to us, at their head was someone who was clearly their leader. They stopped in front of us when the lead Winter Wolf began to speak.

"I am Leftenant Colonel Marcus, commander of the third cohort, Second Legion, I have been tasked with escorting this procession to Winterfell" The newly identified Lieutenant Colonel revealed.

"I am King Robert Baratheon, lead the way Leftenant Colonel" Robert said after struggling a bit with pronouncing the man's rank.

If the man was surprised at the state of Robert, he didn't reveal it, he simply nodded and turned his horse around, followed by his men and led the way. All the time Robert asked the man about the Winter Wolves and as I expected he revealed the bare minimum. What took us all by surprise was when he revealed that women were serving in the Winter Wolves and not as cooks or washer women, but as actual soldiers. How the Stark boy pulled that off I won't know, but I could say this much, things would no doubt be very interesting when we got to Winterfell.

Notes:

There you have it folks, the journey north told from the perspective of our favourite dwarf. Let me know what you think. As always Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 38: The King's Arrival

It had taken an ungodly amount of time to properly set up wards in Winterfell, the factories and other sensitive areas, but it was worth it. Now charms that could render potential thieves and assassins, sick and even incinerate them had been set up. Anybody wanting to poke around could now be knocked unconscious, lose heart or interest and turn away and even forget why they were even there, among others. Setting them up took time as it was a delicate process, setting up wards, but now he could rest easy knowing that attempts of espionage, thievery and murder wouldn't happen. Anybody in Winterfell with lethal intent for anyone within the castle would immediately be picked up by the wards and I would become aware of it. I had done what I could and now I would wait and see how things went.

I currently sat in the working area of Winterfell's personal barber, Tommy. Mother had instructed that we all be trimmed for the arrival of the royal family, much to Jon's annoyance. Tommy was finishing up my trimming when I heard Jon talking.

"Why is your mother so dead set on getting us pretty for the king?" Jon asked, annoyance lacing his tone, no doubt still annoyed at the thought of his hair being cut. If it weren't for his clear love for Alys, I would be genuinely concerned with his obsession over his hair. It did provide a great deal of entertainment whenever me, Theon and the others teased him about it though.

"It's for the queen I bet. I hear she's a sleek bit of mink" Theon said.

"And a wretched bitch" I thought to myself.

"I hear the prince is a right royal prick" I replied, not looking forward to when they arrived.

"Think of all the southern girls he gets to stab with his right royal prick" Theon always thinking with his prick retorted.

"I'd rather not thank you and you should be careful with such words if I were you Greyjoy. Just think of what Jory would think hearing that" I replied as I got as Tommy was done with me.

I then walked up to Jon with a grin on my face and pushed him towards Tommy.

"Go on Tommy, shear him good. Before Alys he's never met a woman he's liked more than his own hair" I said with a teasing grin.

Theon and Tommy laughed, while Jon sent me an annoyed look as Tommy got to work on his hair.

A knock on the door drew our attention minus Tommy who was concentrating on Jon.

"Enter" I said, wondering who would it was.

I received my answer at the sight of Dacey, Wylla, Wynafred, Alys and Jorelle entering.

"Robb, Jon, Theon, glad we found you, we've been looking for you" Wylla said.

"Hey, I'm afraid you are witnessing Jon lose the second thing he loves most in this world" I said much to Jon's annoyance if his groaning was anything to go by.

"And what's that?" Alys asked.

"His hair" I said seriously.

Everyone minus Jon broke out in laughter at that.

"I will knock your daylights out Robb" Jon said with annoyance in his tone.

"Now, now beloved, he's just teasing. Besides, I quite like your hair getting a cut every now and then" Alys said.

"Wait, really?" Jon asked with a bit of a blush.

Theon and I laughed at how quickly Jon folded.

Theon turned to me grinning.

"And I thought you were the love struck one" he said with a mocking grin.

"This coming from the man who gazed upon Jory like a lovestruck puppy all the time" I retorted.

Theon went red in the face at being reminded at that and we all laughed, Jory especially who looked at Theon with a smile on her face and love in her eyes. It still boggled my mind at times when I see those two together. The Ironborn and people of Bear Island had been enemies as long as anyone could remember, but yet hear was an Ironborn heir and a Mormont daughter in a relationship.

"You know I still can't help but be surprised whenever I see you two together. Now don't take this the wrong way Theon, Jory, I'm not insulting you or anything, but Ironborn and Bear Islanders, hell Ironborn and Northerners in general have never been friends. So I can't help but be taken off guard at times when I see a Mormont and a Greyjoy in a relationship I'm shocked" I explained as best as I could.

"Aye Robb, I understand, when I first met Theon I thought I was instantly going to dislike him and for a time I actually did. Overtime though I realized that he's actually a good person, a bit too arrogant for his own good at times, but a good person, so when I began to develop feelings for him I said, "why not" and gave it a try. Best decision of my life so far" Jory said.

Theon actually had a some tears in his eyes when she finished and kissed her then and there. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Theon deserved some love and I was glad he got it.

"That aside and I'm happy for you two by the way, there was a reason we came looking for you three" Wynafred said as Jon stood up finished with his trim. I then payed Tommy his fee and after wishing him a good day we all proceeded to leave his work space.

"What was this reason?" I inquired curiously.

"As you all know the king and his procession are currently being escorted to Winterfell and will arrive soon, a procession which will no doubt have Lannisters in it. We want you all to be on your best behaviour while they're here, you especially Robb. Your dislike for the Lions is known, but the queen is a lion and it would be best to not antagonize her" Alys said.

"In other words beloveds, behave yourselves" Dacey said.

"We always behave ourselves" Theon said indignantly.

"And I'm the mother come to life" Wynafred retorted mockingly.

"I hear you Wyn, but I hear that the crown prince is a cunt and I won't tolerate any disrespect to myself or the North. I won't antagonize him, I don't even want to be near him, but if he comes looking for a fight I won't pull my punches. I'm Robb Stark. I kneel to no Lions" I said firmly.

"Understood. Just try to avoid a confrontation with the Lannisters if it's possible. The North can thanks to you easily triumph in a conflict with the crown, but we would like to avoid that. Besides, these rumors about the crown prince might just be that, rumors" Wylla said.

"I highly doubt that, but we can hope. Anything else?" I asked.

"Yes, we have been wondering about our impending wedding. Every Lord and Lady of the North will be hear to witness both our and Alys and Jon's wedding, so we were wondering when we the weddings might take place" Dacey revealed.

"I've been wondering the same thing. With the king's arrival the weddings might not take place anytime soon as those things take time to organize the king might not want to stay up here that long and I have a good feeling that father will except the post as Hand of the King so we might have to wait until he can find time to come home as I don't want to get married without him being here and I'm definitely not having my wedding in Kingslanding. I'll talk to him about it later today to see if he has a proper time frame yet" I said.

A thought then entered my head.

"Speaking of Lords and Ladies of the North arriving, I've noticed for quite some time that the nobles of Skagos haven't once arrived at Winterfell" I revealed.

"Why would you care whether they arrive or not Robb. The Skagosi are cannibals and haven't been trustworthy throughout their history" Jon said.

"I care because Skagos could be perfect for a naval base. A means of expanding the North's naval dominance and secure the eastern coast even more, as well as provide more numbers to the population. The Skagosi are Islanders and during their heydays were excellent sailors making them perfect for an expanded navy. I might reach out to them and invite them to Winterfell to discuss terms to reaffirm their loyalty which has for quite some time been ceremonial at best. If they are unwilling to cooperate and refuse then we might just have to look for new rulers of that Island" I declared.

"Using military force might not go well with everybody, besides you need your father's approval to do that as you are still just the heir" Dacey cautioned.

"The smallfolk practically worship me and I doubt the nobles will be opposed. If I get the Skagosi's cooperation without bloodshed then that would enhance my family's reputation and make House Stark's future more secured. As for needing my father's approval, I have a way to get around that" I revealed.

Everyone looked at me curiously before Jory asked what was no doubt on all their minds.

"And what would that be?" She asked.

"My father will no doubt except the post of Hand of the King meaning that when he goes he'll make me Acting Lord of Winterfell and Lord Paramount of the North giving me authority to use military force to bring the Skagosi to heel" I stated.

That surprised everybody.

"Wow, you've really thought this through Robb" Wynafred said surprised by her betrothed's cunning.

"This is a good plan Robb, but what if father refuses the offer to become the king's Hand?" Jon asked.

"If he refuses then I'll convince him of the merit of my plan. After all the Skagosi are supposed to be bannermen of House Stark yet they seem to be content in ignoring the North, though the North has itself ignored them in turn which was just not smart. If we call them hear and make our offer and they refuse then father would have no choice but to act as such defiance of Winterfell's authority can't go unchallenged" I said.

"Well I can't argue with that, you have my support Robb" Jon said.

"And mine" came from Theon.

"Mine too" was Dacey's reply.

Alys, Jorelle, Wylla and Wynafred all gave their approval and support to my plan.

"My thanks for your confidence" I said before we all left to the training yard for some practice. Upon arrival I was about to get on some training gear when a guard arrived.

"My Lords, my Ladies, Lord Eddard bid me inform you that the King's procession was spotted and that you should all get ready" the guard informed us.

"Thank you Billy, we'll get ready" I said to the guard who I recognized as Billy.

"Yes my Lord" Billy said with a hint of a smile at me remembering his name before leaving.

We all made our way to our rooms to get ready. While in our room getting ready me and Jon talked about the King.

"How do you think the King has been since we last saw him? Think he's still the same as before?" Jon asked.

"Perhaps. perhaps not. A lot can change in the years that have passed. But the King is probably the same as ever" I said.

"And what counts as same as ever?" Jon asked as he finished putting on his boots.

"Loud" I said.

That got the both of us laughing.

After putting on my doublet I was ready to go as was Jon and we made our way to the courtyard where mother, father, Bran, Rickon and troops of the 1st Legion and the garrison of Winterfell gathered to await the King and his procession's arrival. Sansa eventually arrived, as did Theon, Jory, Dacey, Wylla, Wynafred, Alys, Smalljon, Domeric, the Karstark brothers, Daryn, Cley and all the other heirs arrive. Only Arya is missing, something mother notices as she asks Sansa where Arya is, but Sansa shrugs not knowing. We didn't have to wait long though as Arya came running wearing a helmet, where and how she got it I don't know, before father stopped her to take the helmet before sending her on her way as she took her spot next to Bran.

I looked at Jon and we both let a quick laugh before quieting down. Same old Arya.

Eventually we heard the sound of horses approaching and there they were. The King and his procession. First came the Winter Wolves who had been assigned to escort them, then Baratheon and Lannister guards and I wanted to grind my teeth at the presence of the Lannister men, then came the legendary Kingsguard in their white armour and cloaks. They looked almost like warriors from heaven, then came a boy who looked pure Lannister with an aura of arrogance and superiority coming off him as he gazed around Winterfell as if it were his.

"This is no doubt the crown prince" I thought already not liking the boy.

The prince then casted his eyes on Sansa and smirked at her. Sansa smiled back politely before looking away, not really all that interested. I looked at Domeric who was clenching his fists while glaring at the prince and then looked at Jon who was also clearly not pleased either. Mother on the other hand seemed pleased that the prince was looking at Sansa, no doubt already imagining a wedding. I couldn't help but shake my head. I loved my mother, but she could be so blind at times.

I then looked back to see and absolute monstrosity of a wheelhouse enter the courtyard next. It was windowless, double decked carriage of oiled oak and gilded metal and required an outrageous forty horses to move. If it weren't for the fact that Winterfell's gates were made larger and wider during the refurbishing of the place then that thing would have never gotten inside. It was huge and wasteful. The queen had to be the one using it. I was proven right as the door was opened and out came Cersei Lannister herself. Decked out in a beautiful dress of red and gold while wearing some furs. She was very beautiful, that much was clear. Curly blond hair, fair skin and a slender, graceful figure. She was nice to look at, but the haughty, vain and arrogance look I saw on her face briefly as she gazed upon us made me dislike her immediately. Coming out next were two children both who looked very Lannister like, a boy and a girl.

"Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella" I realized.

I looked back to see another horse ride come with a very large and fat man riding it. It was upon seeing the black hair that I realized who it was and I was shocked beyond belief.

"Cohort attention, present arms!" The commander of the 1st Cohort of the 1st Legion commanded.

At that everyone else proceeded to kneel before the king.

The man dismounted from his horse before striding towards us stopping in front of my father before gesturing for us to rise and so we did.

"Stand at ease!" The 1st Cohort's Leftenant Colonel commanded and the his troops immediately obeyed.

"You've gotten fat" The King said to my father.

"The fuck" I thought.

Everyone looked at the king with some degree of incredulousness. Then the man began to laugh and hug my father before breaking it up.

"Years I haven't seen you, where the hell have you been?" King Robert demanded.

"Holding the North for you your grace, Winterfell is yours" father replied.

The King smiled before making his way down the row, hugging my mother as if she were a long lost relative, before stopping in front of me.

"Ah, here he is. The boy that transformed the North, the Second Builder himself" the King greeted me.

"Greetings your grace, glad to know your still alive and kicking, then again it isn't easy to take down a Baratheon" I stated with a smile.

"Damn right. I brought Thunder's Bane with me. That hammer is still as formidable as ever" King Robert said with a jovial smile.

"Well of course it is your grace, it wouldn't be a weapon of my design if it wasn't" I said.

"I also hear you're set to marry three women, three. I'm impressed that you can handle so many" the King said with a grin.

"I'm Robb Stark your grace. I'm ready" I said with a smug grin.

The King laughed again before patting me on the and greeting Jon next who greeted the King and actually traded some jokes with him. Fat as he now was Robert Baratheon was still fun to be around.

The queen then made her way towards my parents holding out her hand to my father who then placed a chaste kiss on it as protocol dictated.

"My queen" he greeted.

"My queen" mother curtsied to the queen.

Eventually Robert finished greeting the rest of my family he turned to my father.

"Take me to your crypts, I'd like to pay my respects" he said and we all knew who he meant.

"We've been travelling for a long while my love, surely the dead can wait" The queen said.

The King didn't even hesitate before ignoring her and simply turned to my father.

"Ned" he said before making his way to the crypts. Father apologetically bowed to the queen before following the King. I looked at the queen to see an angered and annoyed expression on her face at being so publicly ignored.

"Where's the imp?" I heard Arya ask.

The queen looked at her before making her way back to a Kingsguard who I realized was Jaime Lannister, her brother. I heard her tell him to go find their brother.

"Well this is going to be quite the interesting visit" I thought.

Notes:

There you have it folks, the King and the royal family have arrived. Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter 39: The Offer

As they descended the steps of the crypts Eddard still couldn't believe that the man accompanying him was Robert. When he had last seen Robert when Robb granted him his hammer (what a headache that caused) Robert had been strong, muscular, had an aura that commanded and demanded respect and blood clung to him like perfume. Now perfume clung to him like perfume, he was more fat than muscle and while he still probably had that aura about him it was no doubt much diminished. As they finally reached the bottom of the steps Robert was wheezing and panting.

"Just how badly have you let yourself go that some mere steps could tire you so Robert?" Eddard couldn't help but wonder before deciding that he didn't want to know.

As they went, they passed by the tombs of many Stark Kings and Lords and Eddard couldn't help but wonder if they could see how far the North had come because of his son and if they were pleased. He believed they were. After all the North was now by far the richest and the most powerful country in Westeros. Profits now stood in the hundreds of millions, the population from the last census now stood at 15 million having risen from 10 million previously whether this exceeded the Reach or not he wasn't entirely sure as he didn't check on that, but he wouldn't be surprised if the North now exceeded or nearly exceeds the Reach, our economy was massive, diverse and booming and our army was practically unstoppable on the field and our navy could easily rule the waves if we wanted. Yes, my ancestors are no doubt pleased.

We eventually came upon the statues of my father and brother, Rickard and Brandon Stark. Both men I loved, even my relationship with my father was a bit cold and distant, who suffered gruesome deaths. Father burned alive in wildfire and Brandon strangling himself to death trying to save him, all while that mad bastard Aerys laughed. That wretch could die a million deaths, but it would never be enough. We passed by them and stood in front of the tomb of the person Robert had wanted to see, my sister, Lyanna.

"I marched south to get justice and vengeance and came back with death, loss and secrets for my troubles" Eddard thought a bit bitterly, but it hadn't been all bad given what he had now.

Robert placed a rose a upon my sister's tomb before reaching out to touch the face of the statue as if hoping to feel something beyond mere cold stone.

"Even after all these years you still pine for her Robert" I thought sadly.

"Did you have to bury her here in this dark place? She deserved to be buried where the son could shine upon her" Robert said gruffly with a bit of melancholy.

"She was a Stark of Winterfell, she belonged here" I said in reply.

"She belonged with me!" Robert said with pure sadness and a bit of anger in his voice before going silent.

"I kill him every night in my sleep" Robert said speaking again and I didn't have to guess who his friend and King was talking about.

"Rhaegar is dead, Aerys is dead, the Targaryens are gone your grace" I said trying to steer clear of this topic for more than one reason.

"Not all of them" Robert said before turning to me.

"Tell me about Jon Arryn" I requested, though inwardly he wanted to demand instead of request.

"It was sudden, one day he's hale and healthy and the next the fever struck him and struck him hard, burning right through him" Robert said.

"Fever, why do I have a feeling that it was no fever?" I couldn't help but wonder.

"I loved that man" Robert said a bit of longing in his voice.

"We both did" I replied.

"You remember when he always told us not to be irresponsible and avoid recklessness? Always tried to knock the foolishness out of us Jon, he showed what was what" Robert said and I couldn't help but stare incredulously, Robert noticed.

"Don't look at me like that, not his fault I never listened" Robert said with a grin drawing a laugh from me.

"I need you Ned, need you with me in Kinglanding, not up here where of no use to anybody, we took Westeros together we should damn well keep it together. Eddard Stark I would make you Hand of the King" Robert proclaimed, finally stating his reason for coming here and it wasn't a surprise to me at all. I kneeled.

"You honour me your grace" I said simply.

"I'm not honouring you; I want you to run my kingdoms while I drink and fuck myself into an early grave" Robert said in reply. That didn't surprise me either.

"I was supposed to marry your sister and unite our bloodlines but was denied that, let us rectify that now, you have a daughter, I have a son, let's unite our bloodlines and make ourselves family, Stark and Baratheon as it should have been" Robert said as I rose up.

I was a taken aback by this as I hadn't expected Robert to want a betrothal as well. I couldn't help but feel bad for Sansa and Domeric, I could tell that the two were smitten with each other, but they were dancing around it a lot and I let them as I believed that there was still time. That apparently came back to bite me now.

"Your grace, this is quite the offer you have made to me and a great honour, but I'm afraid I can't make this decision myself as it effects my whole family. I would request time to discuss this with them" I replied trying to buy for time.

"Very well old friend. I understand it's a huge thing I've offered, just don't keep me waiting too long. Oh, and stop with this your grace shit, I get enough of that from my court I won't have it from you Ned" Robert said sternly.

I couldn't help but laugh at that. Changed as he no doubt was there was still the old Robert in there. As we made our way out of the crypts I thought about the offer Robert had made. Sansa for the Crown Prince. For most it would be the greatest offer ever made, but for me I didn't like it at all. Sansa would have to move to Kingslanding and live in the same place as Robert's Lannister wife and the rest of the cronies and lickspittles that inhabited that wretched place. Sansa wasn't clueless about politics as Robb had insisted, she be taught in order to give her an edge and he even wanted to give her weapons training, but Catelyn protested vehemently and Robb seemed to have conceded though I knew he was no doubt teaching her in secret, just like he was Arya. After all I doubted Arya learned her skill with the bow out of thin air.

"Robb and Jon are teaching both my girls in secret and they know I know but I've given them my silent approval and never have I been happier to have done it as I do know" I thought to myself.

I had never met the crown prince in person so I can't make any judgement until I've seen his behaviour for myself though I had seen the way he looked around Winterfell as he rode into the courtyard with an arrogance and entitlement only royals can have. While this was quite typical of anybody of high societal status it still wasn't a good first impression. Domeric Bolton on the other hand was everything a noble was supposed to be. He was confident, but humble, was aware of his rank but didn't view others as being beneath him, he was everything I would want for my Sansa.

"I should have made a betrothal agreement with Roose as soon as I saw the signs, damn it all!!!" I thought with anger and frustration.

Sansa would do her duty if the betrothal was agreed to, but gods above I will not see my daughter in a city full of Lannisters, especially with a prince with an arrogance like that.

"Wait, arrogance, that's it. If the boy is as arrogant as I believe, then it won't be long before he does something so stupid I can use it as pretence to end the betrothal, and Robert would have no choice but to agree lest I reveal it" I thought with triumph.

I didn't want to do that to Robert, but I was no fool. if Sansa went to Kingslanding to stay she would be a hostage in everything but name as soon as Robert dies. Gods above I will never let that happen, never.

As Robert and I left the crypts I immediately knew that I had to find Cat, Maester Luwin, Robb and Jon to discuss this more, Catelyn will no doubt be above the moon in joy when I tell her, but that was her problem. I loved my wife, I really did, but she was too blind by the glamour in front of her that she often times couldn't the rot behind it. She had been badgering me about setting up southern betrothals for Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon. The fact that she couldn't see that Sansa was clearly in love with Domeric and that Arya simply isn't that kind of person is quite concerning.

"My children will all marry in the North or not at all if I have anything to say about it. I will not sell them to the untrustworthy, scheming, backstabbing south. Never" I thought firmly with conviction.

I would get my opportunity, and I would take it, for I am Eddard Stark.

I will fight all of Westeros if I must to keep my family safe.

Notes:

There it is Ladies and Gentlemen, Robert makes his offers, and Ned is scrambling to find a way out of the betrothal offer. How he does it you'll see. As is our custom Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Notes:

This is my first time writing a story and I want to do it good. Constructive Criticism is welcomed. I'm DominicAsh and let's get into it. This is a story of Harry Potter being reborn into the Stark Family after the conclusion of the Second Wizarding War and it's aftermath. We'll see as he navigates in a new world, different from his own, but very similar in others.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of The Era of the Direwolf