Merman's Folly
Lady Catelyn Stark, Winterfell
Gods what a day, Catelyn thought as she walked beside her husband to her good fathers solar. Several houses vanquished, even more were ennobled, and yet, something told her that more surprises were to be had.
Ned hadn't spoken a word throughout the entire thing and the only movement he had made was to try and help restrain his cousins brother. He merely stared at the lords on trial and didn't even flinch when Rodrik Ryswell hurled his venomous words in their direction.
“Curse you and the Southron cunt next to you!” He spat. “My daughter should have been the Lady of Winterfell and my grandsons should have ruled the North!”
That had been the least offensive thing he had said during his entire rant. Ned hadn't moved at all and she only grimaced. The Northern Lords were watching them, testing them, if they had done anything more they might have been judged rightly or wrongly. So while it hurt on some level to hear her son and future children be spoken about in such a manner, it was necessary to not react so overtly.
In the end, it wasn't Lord Rickard who stopped the man from speaking, but Brandon. She tried not to wince when Brandon burned Rodrik's mouth close after his father had nodded.
She looked at Brandon now, his face was scarred from his time in the Capitol and he seemed slightly withdrawn than how she remembered him. While she was glad that her husband had one more sibling amongst the living, his presence made her worry.
Yes, he made his vows but words were wind and given all that happened to him, she wasn't sure of his state of mind. She wasn't sure that his child would feel the same either.
“You worry over nothing,” Catelyn looked down at the...being known as Leaf who gave her a sideways glance. “Any child that shares blood with house Stark will be protected by me and my people. Should anyone seek to use them for personal gain, or if they decide to break their word, action will be taken. Like with the rebellious lords.”
That still didn't quell any thoughts about Brandon's bastard but Catelyn kept quiet and glanced around. Most that traveled with her didn't pay her any mind. Her husband, his father, and his older brother each gave her looks. Nothing terrible, more...inquisitive.
“I'm fine,” She was lying and she hated it, especially since Ned knew that she was lying but she didn't want to talk about it. Not now, in front of people who were not family. She felt a presence side up to her and she turned to see her uncle staring down at her. “How is your hand uncle?” She tried to speak pleasantly, but she didn't quite manage it if the look on his face was anything to go by.
“Should be healed in no time. The salve I was given is working wonders,” Her uncle murmured, then raised an eyebrow. “What happened to the Septa who stood by your side?”
Catelyn hid a grimace, “Septa Mordane felt a little faint at the procedure taking place. She took her leave to get some fresh air.” Her uncle seemed to accept the answer but her husband shot her another look. The Septa was actually quite appalled at what happened but wisely kept her criticisms private and made for the Sept that Lord Rickard had built for Catelyn. She was probably praying for all the Northman to give up their 'heathen' practices and see the light of the Seven.
Catelyn almost snorted, it would do the Septa no good to pray for such a thing. The Seven were not strong here and one of the few houses that practiced that religion were wiped out not so long ago. The other major house that did, The Manderly's, were now headed to the solar with them, and they looked nervous.
They should be, She thought. Lord Rickard possessed a forgiving nature but forgiveness only went so far and if they had done something to offend their overlord then they might just be in for some trouble.
Ser Eddard Stark, the Lords Solar
His wife was unhappy, that much was true but she endured and he was grateful for that. She would vent later but to him and him alone. He had responses prepared and would be patient enough as she did so but now he needed to be ready for what was to come. His father sat in his chair at his desk, which had a large chest in front of it. Everyone else was provided with chairs so they too could sit.
Ned took a seat just to the right of his father as he was the heir and Brandon took one to the left as he was an advisor. Cat sat to his right and squeezed his hand when she noticed the rising tension. Benjen was there to help in case things got a little too heated and his cousins were there for good measure as well. So was lord Larence who eyed the two Manderly's with distaste. Leaf stood in one of the corners, waiting offer her opinion if necessary.
Lord Wyman sank down uneasily into his chair. Whether it was due to his weight or the nervousness he felt, Ned wasn't sure. His son and heir, Wylis, stared directly ahead and ignored the person that sat to his left. Lord Wendel was busy tending to his pregnant wife, the lady Asha of house Greyjoy to be here though Ned thought that was a poor excuse since Benjen came when he should have been with Dacey who looked ready to pop at any moment.
Wylla Crow, Ser Callum's wife, scowled at nothing in particular as she sat next to her brother. Her husband sat still like a statue and waited patiently.
“I presume that you know why I have called you here, Lord Wyman?” His father prompted the other Lord.
“I must say, Lord Rickard, that I am most confused as to why I was summoned.” Lord Wyman admitted with a frown.
“And you, Ser Wendel, have you any idea as to why I called you and your father here?”
“I haven't a clue my lord,” Lord Wendel said respectfully. Ned caught a hint of nervousness in his tone but he pushed it a side as he hadn't felt that either of them were lying.
His father opened his drawer and removed a piece of blue parchment from it. He closed the drawer and unfurled the parchment.
“Careful bastard, or you might find yourself in one of these,” His father read aloud and eyed the two Manderly's. Both just blinked at his father but it was the younger one that seemed to go pale. “This parchment was found in this chest,” Lord Rickard unlatched the lock on the chest and tipped it over the desk. It landed to the floor with a loud crash and its contents spilled out of it.
Lord Wyman frowned and tried to pick up one of the items to inspect it but his gut got in the way. Ser Mylton of house Merling, a cadet branch of house Manderly, rushed forward to help the Lord of White Harbor.
“My thanks,” Lord Wyman muttered and the knight nodded back. “This is from the Wolf's Den,” Lord Wyman tapped the etched wolfs head on the iron cuff. “But I don't understand, I ordered them to be melted down since the castle was not in use.”
“So you didn't have this sent as a threat to my sons friend? One who also happens to be the husband of your daughter?”
Lord Wyman turned red, “I did no such thing!” He exclaimed, entirely indignant. Ned didn't feel his skin tingle so lord Wyman was telling the truth. That meant only one thing.
“This parchment is the same color that your house uses and you owned the Wolf's Den until recently. If it was not you then who was it my lord?” Lord Rickard was as calm as ever but his eyes drifted over to Ser Wylis and narrowed.
Lord Wyman opened his mouth before he paused and turned to his son, “Please tell me that you didn't do this my son?”
Ser Wylis remained silent and clenched his jaw.
“Oh Wylis,” Lord Wyman sighed sadly. “I told you to leave them alone.”
“I haven't admitted to anything father,” Ser Wylis bit out. “And even if I did such a thing, this is between me and the bastard.”
The word had barely left his mouth before his sister smacked him so hard that he fell over, the chair he sat in broke under the force of his weight and the fall combined.
“You little shit!” Wylla snarled out, and made to advance on the downed knight. Her husband seized her around the waist and hauled her away from Ser Wylis. She still kicked her legs out and reached for her brother.
“Get your hands off of my daughter!” Lord Wyman roared and made to stand, only to receive a face full of foot when his daughter kicked him.
“I am not your daughter!” Wylla shrieked at him. “You abandoned me when I married Callum! A man who just saved your heir from being murdered! How dare you yell at him!”
“Enough!” Lord Rickard shouted over the noise. When things were calmer, he spoke again. “I cannot have discord amongst my Bannerman. This will be squashed, today. Lord Wyman, as it was your son and heir who committed this transgression, you will have to pay reparations.”
“I will not,” Lord Wyman retorted, “Not after he has defiled my daughter.”
“It wasn't a request,” Lord Rickard hissed at the other man. “I am your overlord and you two are my Bannerman. If you are truly loyal to me as you have often claimed, you will have no problem following my command.”
“If...Ser Callum were a part of a noble house, I would have no problem following your command, my lord.” Lord Wyman appeared contrite for a moment before he continued. “But as he is nothing more than a bastard -”
“Actually, he is the Lord of Rillwater Crossing.” Many people gaped at his father, including Ned himself. “I had planned to ask for the Wolf's Den to be returned to my house but you gave it to a man who saved your life, Ser Bartimus was it? He seems a decent man though he should lay off of the drink before it kills him.
“And given the tension here, it is probably good that Ser Callum and his wife will not answer to you directly. So, for his acts of valor and loyalty, I have named him as a lord, which, as the ruler of this region, I am able to do. Just ask your son Wendel.”
Even though he didn't show it, Ned felt awed by the way his father handled the situation and he knew that it was only going to get worse for Lord Manderly.
“Now, your payment for your sons act of stupidity will be this: you will pay a dowry to their family as is expected of you. I understand that there is some division in your lands between those who worship the Seven and those who worship the Old Gods. Send those who cannot get along with Faith Worshipers to Rillwater Crossing. Any others would be welcome there as I am sure that neither Ser Callum nor his wife care about who follows what religion.”
Here he glanced at the two in question and both nodded their answer.
“But you will not send your dregs there to cause unrest. I will know and I will punish you if that is the case. I also expect two brides to be on offer for Ser Thoros and Ser Digger, I don't care where you find them but I expect good, noble ladies to be ready for marriage. I am sure that you wouldn't mind doing such a thing. Maybe they can spread the Faith to those in the lands of both Houses. Wouldn't that be something? Not to mention that you would have better connections to these two new lords and we could be come a more united region.”
His father paused and narrowed his eyes at the two scowling Manderly's.
“The last thing I will ask for is your support in my endeavor to reveal the true identity of my granddaughter.”
“My Lord,” Lord Wyman asked in confusion.
“The Citadel will announce to the world that my granddaughter is not a bastard, but the true born daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen and my daughter Lyanna, I would like your support should she desire to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.”
Ned felt his hand start to hurt and Catelyn dug her nails into his flesh. He could feel her burning gaze on him but he ignored her for now. It wasn't time to explain.
“You ask too much of me, Lord Stark.”
His father gave Lord Wyman the gimlet eye, “If you truly feel that way then maybe I will find someone who is more agreeable and make them the Lord of New Castle and the city of White Harbor.”
“My Lord-”
“Or maybe you can find somewhere else to live outside of the North. I am sure that there are many people who would give power to the titles you hold. Shield of the Faith. Defender of the Dispossessed. Lord Marshall of the Mander. Knight of the Order of the Green Hand. Not Warden of the White Knife though, that will remain here if you leave.
“I truly believe that any region would take you in after you have been exiled, much like my house did. You may have to add another title to your list when that happens, how about Lord of the Exiled? That has such a nice ring to it. Truly lord Wyman, even with the demands I have made, I know you are smart enough to turn it to your advantage without committing treason and my granddaughter is still a babe. She may not even want the crown when she grows to adulthood and I only ask that you support whatever decision she makes no matter what it is. A lot can happen between now and then so what do you have to lose?”
Lord Wyman still frowned and so did his son. It took a moment for an answer to be said.
“I can accept your demands my lord.”
“Good,” His father said curtly. “You should note that neither your daughter nor her husband brought this to my attention. My Son Benjen did. He did not appreciate what your son did and neither do I. Everyone here knows what nearly happened to Berena Umber and this threat is not only insensitive but it is also childish. Get your son in line or I will do it for you. Am I understood?”
“Yes,” Lord Wyman said through gritted teeth, turning to glare at his son.
“Good, you may take your leave.”
The sigil for house Crow of Rillwater Crossing:
