章 58: Brandon Stark
Moat Cailin, The North, ninth moon of 281 AC
Brandon Stark POV
The North and its people held the Neck in high regard, the place where thousands of Andals invaders were crushed and defeated. A place hit by the hammer of waters and where one hundred of the 500 Giants that came from beyond the wall chose to settle. Brandon Stark could only imagine how useful these giants could be, both in wartime and peacetime. They were excellent builders and surprisingly good at farming, as many didn't eat meat. Their mammoths could carry heavy loads, and in wartime, they would be one hell of a cavalry.
As he approached the ancient ruins of Moat Cailin, Brandon couldn't help but imagine how imposing the Fortress would be when rebuilt. The Moat would be rebuilt as per the agreement of his Father and Lord Dovahkiin; a Stark would sit in the moat, most probably, Eddard.
Brandon and his party, consisting of Lyanna, Barbrey, and many other northern lords and heirs, were greeted by a group of crannogman; their leader wore classic crannog leathers and had a trident in his hand; he bowed to Brandon in respect as he addressed him.
" My Lord Brandon, Moat Cailin is yours. I am Jijen Blackmyre of Blackmyre Hall, third son of Lord Blackmyre." Jijen Blackmyre said calmly, and Brandon smiled at the small man.
" Rise, Lord Jijen. Tell me, how is the construction going? Is everything going as planned?" Brandon asked as he knew Jijen Blackmyre was the one overlooking the construction of the Canal.
" Aye, my Lord. Everything is in order, and thankfully, there was no conflict. The giants are a peaceful lot… most of the time. They usually don't start fights and rarely get into one, and the men are too afraid to disturb the giants' peace after the whole assassin's issue in Skagos." Jijen said, and Brandon grimaced.
" What happened? Why would the men fear the giants for something that happened in Skagos?" Lyanna asked curiously.
" Well, mostly because they were so angry they began sparing against themselves and training as if reading for some war. They would lift giant boulders and throw them in fits of anger when they were told the attack was not meant only for Lord Dovahkiin but his young daughter as well." Jijen answered truthfully, and Brandon once again grimaced.
" Have the Lords coming by ships arrived yet? Is my brother here?" Brandon asked
"Is the Ice Dragon here?" Smalljon Umber asked
" Ice Dragon? Do you mean Lord Dovahkiin or Lady Dovahkiin's dragon?" Jijen asked, and Smalljon laughed
" Aren't they the same? They said the she-bear tamed them both! The best warrior in the realm, the most feared Lord, couldn't fight against the she-bear's cunt!" Smalljon said, and all present laughed.
" Guilty as charged…" a deep voice said on Brandon's left, which made him almost jump; as he looked to his left, he saw Lord Dovahkiin standing with a smile on his face
"By the Old Gods! How long… how the fuck did you sneak on me! There are more than 60 guards and 40 Lords here!" Brandon asked loudly as the other lords looked flabbergasted at Lord Dovahkiin.
" You have your secrets, child… I have mine. Lord Brandon, Lady Lyanna, Lord Umber, Lord Smalljon, Lady Barbrey…" Lord Dovahkiin greeted them all, " How was your trip? I hope it was uneventful… lack of excitement is better than the excess of deathly situations; most of the time." Lord Dovahkiin said
" Where is Benjen?" | "Everything was alright," Brandon and Lyanna said at the same time
" Was Rickard allowed to come?" Asked Greatjon Umber.
" Only the five best students at the college were allowed to come…." Lord Dovahkiin said, " And Rickard was one of them. The boy is one of a king in self-alteration, second best, losing only to Benjen. Still, my foster-son in on a league of his own; he is almost as talented as I was when I had his aged," Lord Dovahkiin said. Brandon noticed Greatjon looked incredibly smug, as did Lyanna.
" Where are they?" Lyanna asked again, with irritation in her voice. Lord Dovahkiin looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
" Aye… wolf blooded indeed. But I will not amuse you this time, little one… Rickard spoils you too much. You will have to wait like everyone else." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Brandon laughed, much to Lyanna's annoyance.
" Father doesn't spoil me!" Lyanna and Lord Dovahkiin said simultaneously, but Lord Dovahkiin's voice was in mockery.
" That's what all spoilt children say." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Brandon laughed again, as did most of his party.
" Who else came with you, my lord?" Brandon asked as he decided to end Lyanna's suffering
" Lords Karstark, Forrester, Hornwood, and Flint. Howland Reed, Harwin Crowl; and Theon Stane." Lord Dovahkiin said. " My Lady wife and daughter as well." Lord Dovahkiin completed.
" And where are they all, my Lord?" Brandon asked calmly.
" Inside Moat Cailin, of course… where else would they be? You insisted on riding from the Moat all the way to Harrenhal after all." Lord Dovahkiin said.
" Let's get in then! It's been ages since I saw my brother," thundered Smalljon
"Aye," said Greatjon as they began entering the castle. Brandon was about to follow them, but he heard a roar in the skies; he looked at Lord Dovahkiin, who was smiling as he looked at the sky.
Brandon had heard about the Ice Dragon, but seeing it land in front of him was something else, Greatjon and Smalljon both returned, running to see the massive white dragon. It was more magnificent than Brandon could ever imagine. The ice dragon lowered itself so its rider could dismount. From the Dragon's back, Dacey Dovahkiin dismounted, wearing a dark red winter dress, Lord Dovahkiin helped her out, and they kissed quickly. Lord Dovahkiin then looked at the Dragon, that seemed to bow to the man, and nodded; the dragon jumped and flew to an abandoned section of the castle, where it "perched."
" My Lords and Ladies… it's a pleasure seeing you all again. My Lord Stark," Lady Dovahkiin said as she curtsied
" Lady Dovahkiin," Brandon said absentmindedly, still mesmerized at the Dragon
" Let us get inside the castle then…." Lord Dovahkiin said as he and his wife began walking to Moat Cailin.
Inside the fortress, Brandon saw many people talking or training, his youngest brother among them. Benjen had grown a lot since the last time Brandon saw him; Brandon couldn't help but marvel at the sight of his little brother fighting three men simultaneously, one of them being Lord Karstark himself. Benjen moved like a wolf, fast, precise, decisive; it was almost like he was dancing.
" Impressive, isn't he?" Said a distinctive voice behind Brandon. "When your father asked me to teach Benjen everything he would need to become the shield of the western shores, I did precisely that. I taught your brother how to battle at sea and land; how to form strategies to break any attack on the North by sea or land. Benjen Stark will be your greatest asset in the wars to come." Lord Dovahkiin completed, and Brandon frowned.
" What about you and your family? Wouldn't you be my greatest assets in the wars to come?" Brandon asked
" That's is quite debatable… would you trust me as you would Benjen? Would you come to me when you have no idea of what to do or how to act? Would you trust me like you would family? If so, then yes. If not, then… no." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Brandon frowned, thinking Lord Dovahkiin's words were borderline treasonous.
" Do not question my loyalty, Brandon Stark!" Lord Dovahkiin said before Brandon could say anything. " I wouldn't be your greatest asset if you didn't trust me, not because I would betray you… but because a hammer can only hit a nail if held by steady hands, and it can only help you to build something if you can use it properly. Your father trusts me; look at what it brought us. Prosperity." Lord Dovahkiin said calmly.
" So you expect me to come to you with any problems I have, to have you make the decisions for me?" Brandon asked, his voice respectful yet challenging.
" Nay. You are the heir to Winterfell, not me. You will rule The North, not me, and honestly, I don't envy your position. What I ask you is that you trust me. Not to make your decision for you, but to give you advice should you need it." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Brandon nodded, " We are of The North, Brandon Stark; we are as strong as we are united and as weak as we are divided. We don't play southern court games here; you know that better than I do." Lord Dovahkiin completed
"Aye… those southern and their games! Damn them all! Father wants me to marry one of them, a trout! A follower of the false gods!" Brandon ranted; he hated the idea of having to marry a southerner woman with no personality, no excitement, only a dull woman.
" It is a good match, although not the one I would make. Lady Blackwood would be a better choice. But Lady Tully is not a bad woman; it could've been worse, honestly. You could've been stuck with a Tyrell girl." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Brandon looked at him horrified.
" Father wouldn't… right?" Brandon asked worryingly
" Lord Tyrell did write to him. You were one the most sought bachelors in Westeros. All Lords know I'm loyal to your house, so whoever managed to make their daughter the Lady of Winterfell would have the protection of the North to their House. Lord Tully had twelve of his less loyal bannermen reaffirming their oaths to his house by their own choice… this year only." Lord Dovahkiin said humorously, and Brandon couldn't help but laugh
" Ha… who would've guessed? The Reach begging for our help! The sheer irony! Father chose the lesser evil, then," Brandon said
" Catelyn Tully is not a bad match… I've heard she's quite the looker. Alburn hair and all that. Riverlander through and thorough." Lord Dovahkiin said
" Aye… not a bad prospect altogether," Brandon said, and Lord Dovahkiin laughed.
" Yield?" Brandon heard Benjen say to Lord Karstark
" Aye, lad!" Lord Karstark said, " By the old gods, lad! You fight like a demon!"
" Hahaha, no! I fight like a Direwolf!" Benjen said, and from behind Lord Karstark, a giant wolf made its way to Benjen, who simply petted the large animal
" What the fuck is that? Is that a Direwolf?" Brandon asked as he made his way to his brother
" Brandon!" Benjen said as he walked to Brandon and hugged him, "How long has it been, brother?"
" Too long little brother… too long! Long enough for you to become too good with a sword!" Brandon said, and Benjen chuckled
" Better than you, aye," Benjen said
" That's not what I said," Brandon replied
" That is the truth," Benjen replied, and Brandon smirked
" Shall we see?" Brandon said
"Aye! Let us!" Benjen replied
Brandon had never fought someone as fast as Benjen; his brother twirled and twisted, spun and ducked, dodged and parried like no one else, they fought for 15 minutes, and not once he had the advantage of upper hand over his brother, so it was not a surprise when Benjen blade was on his neck as they both panted.
" Yield!" Benjen said, and Brandon smiled
"Aye, little brother," Brandon said
Brandon and the other Lords didn't stay long at Moat Cailin, only long enough for them to get some rest. Lord Dovahkiin introduced his baby daughter to all Lord; the little girl was a smart one, and according to his Lord Father, she would one day marry his eldest son.
( Time- skip two weeks)
Brandon and his party of Northen Lords arrived at Riverrun two weeks after leaving the Moat. The ride through the Neck and northern Riverlands was smooth and with no problems. The only issue was the crossing at the Twins, but Lord Dovahkiin solved that without even talking to Frey. Lord Dovahkiin, Benjen, and Lady Dovahkiin's Ice Dragon froze the waters of the green fork, creating an ice path of sorts. Lord Dovahkiin's magic was as strong as the Ice Dragon's breath; it was simply impressive seeing him sending waves of "frost" through his hands, and seeing Benjen do the same was honestly the highest point in all that, although not near as powerful as Lord Dovahkiin's Benjen's magic was nothing to scoff at, that frost wave of his could easily kill a man.
The Castle of Riverrun was a beautiful place; the three-sided castle sat at the confluence of the Red Fork and the Tumblestone. The green grass around the rivers contrasted well with the blueish waters of the rivers, which in turn made the White Castle look almost ethereal.
Lord Tully and his household were waiting at Riverrun's gate; his two daughters and young son looked remarkably like him; Brandon noticed.
When he saw Catelyn Tully, Brandon had to give in and admit that, once again, Lord Dovahkiin was right. It could be worse, and she wasn't a bad match; she was one of the most beautiful women Brandon had ever seen.
" Welcome to Riverrun, my Lords! Please have the bread and salt," Lord Hoster Tully said.
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A/N: Wassup guys! One Brandon Stark POV for y'all! The Tourney at Harrenhal is coming!
Thank you for your support!!
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