The autumn sky was clear and cold over the lands of Hornwood, an ideal day for a celebration that would mark the history of the house. For the first time in decades, Hornwood Castle—restored in stone with towers as firm as oaths—was filled with guests crossing from the Trident, the North, and beyond, braving the chilly temperatures and rumors of war.
Colorful pavilions fluttered in the wind, and the banners of allied houses decorated the courtyards. Long tables overflowed with delicacies brought from the coasts and mountains: game birds, fresh bread, wines from the Vale, and honey from the Northern forests.
At the center, the couple stood out among the crowd. Robert Hornwood, 17 years old, wore light armor embroidered with the antler symbol on his breastplate, a pride of his lineage; beside him, Marya Frey, in a pale blue silk dress that highlighted her figure with moderate but dignified and firm beauty, walked with the composure demanded by her position.
What made this wedding exceptional was not only the union of the Hornwoods and the Freys but the fact that most of the important houses of the North and the Trident had gathered to attend. Lords of Rosby, Rykker, and Stokeworth exchanged looks of respect and caution.
Among the prominent figures, dressed in a dark gray cloak with a severe yet proud gaze, was Brandon Stark, heir to Winterfell, a 21-year-old young man attending not only because of the alliance but also because the wedding showed the growing influence of the Hornwoods, an important ally for the Starks in the North.
Lord Rickard Stark, Brandon's father, was also present, watching with approval the ceremony as it began. In the corners, captains of the houses' guards observed attentively, aware that these alliances were forged for darker and more decisive times ahead.
The ceremony was simple but solemn. The septon spoke words about honor, duty, and the commitment that bound them not only as a couple but as houses. When Robert took Marya's hand, murmurs ran through the crowd: the union symbolized more than marriage—it was a strategic pact with growing weight.
During the feast, toasts were numerous and fervent. Halys Hornwood, the elder brother and host, raised his cup and spoke clearly:
—May this union be the cornerstone that supports not only our families but the entire North and the Trident. Prosperity and peace are forged with blood and loyalty—let our enemies know this.
His words echoed, met with cheers.
In a more private moment, Lord Flint of Pebbleton approached Halys with a smile:
—My daughter Joana and your brother Eddard… an alliance that will seal our houses even more. The North grows stronger.
Halys nodded firmly, seeing how the web of alliances expanded like a spider's web.
The day ended with dances, songs, and whispered plans in the halls, while the moon illuminated the fortress of Hornwood, rising imposing on the hill—a symbol of power and destiny.