Construction on the longhouses began the very next day, as smallfolk from the lands of House Woods and House Branch arrived to lend their labor.
The weather had turned mercifully warmer, and the empty dwellings in the Winter Town were being hastily prepared to house the clansmen temporarily.
Ned and Ra were observing the renovations in the Winter Town from horseback when a stableboy scrambled up to Ned, bowing low.
"M'lord, there is a raven... er—an owl for you, M'lord," the boy stammered nervously, offering the scroll with deep respect.
"You need not address me twice, Will," Ned said gently, taking the letter from the boy's trembling hands. "Good work, lad. Tell Donal you've earned extra bread and stew tonight."
The boy beamed and bowed deeply before dashing off.
"Children, eh? They are a storm that knows no rest," Ned chuckled, shaking his head.
"Why do you sound like an old man?" Ra asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The letter must be from your brother. I am looking forward to handling two of you," Ned muttered the last part dryly as he broke the seal. He scanned the contents quickly.
"He arrives today. Soon, in fact." Ned gestured for Ra to follow as he nudged his horse back toward the castle.
Upon reaching the keep, Ned immediately began issuing orders to Maester Luwin and the Household Guard to prepare the Great Hall for court.
If Zeus were merely Ra's brother coming for a visit, Ned would have met him at the gates with his family to welcome a guest.
However, Zeus was bringing the members of the Vale Mountain Clans with him. That required the formality and authority of the Stark seat.
Winterfell bustled with activity. Servants rushed to prepare the Great hall for holding court, and an honor guard was dispatched to the main gates to escort Zeus and his party upon their arrival.
Ra stood in the courtyard, fully relaxed, watching the preparations.
"Ser Ra?" A small voice piped up.
Ra looked down to see Jon Snow addressing him. He crouched down to be less intimidating to the boy. "Yes, Jon?"
"C-could you ask father if I may be present at court as well?" Jon asked, his expression hopeful but timid.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Ra replied. He scooped Jon up in his arms and walked over to where Ned was directing the preparations, wearing the dark cloak Ra had gifted him.
"Lord Stark, your son wishes to ask something of you," Ra said, catching Ned's attention. He set Jon down gently so the boy stood on his own feet.
"Hm? What is it, son?" Ned asked, looking down kindly.
Jon straightened his posture, gathering his courage. "Father, could I stay beside you in court?" he asked, maintaining direct eye contact as he spoke.
Ned studied him for a moment before nodding. "You shall stay to my left. And you will observe, and you will listen more than you speak."
"Yes, My Lord," Jon said, his back straightening even further at his father's words.
"Good lad. Now, go watch over the preparations taking place in the Great Hall," Ned said with a smile. He watched the boy run off toward the keep before giving Ra a grateful nod and heading toward the family quarters to change and bring Catelyn.
"Is he here?" Rhaenys ran up to Ra, breathless with excitement as she saw the commotion in the castle.
"Yes, dear. He will be here by evening. However, he must speak to Lord Stark first," Ra told her gently.
"I will go tell mother and Aegon!" Rhaenys shouted, sprinting away as fast as she had arrived.
Ra chuckled and followed her, finding Rhaenys already recounting the news to Elia and Aegon.
Elia noticed Ra and raised an eyebrow in silent question. He nodded, confirming Rhaenys was right.
"Let's go to the castle gate to welcome him!" Aegon suggested, bouncing on his heels.
Rhaenys scoffed, crossing her arms and looking down at her brother. "He will be escorted by guards, and he has to present himself to Lord Stark first. You know nothing of protocol."
Aegon looked from Rhaenys to Elia and back again. "Mother is so sweet and kind. You should try learning from her and stop showing me your dirty nose," Aegon muttered, hiding behind Elia's skirts.
Elia and Ra exchanged looks of amusement before Ra stepped forward and picked Rhaenys up.
"How about you both get ready to meet your uncle?" he asked. He carried Rhaenys toward her chambers while Elia shepherded Aegon along.
Ra returned from bathing and readying Rhaenys and Aegon, ensuring they looked princely, before walking to the Great Hall.
Ned sat upon the high seat of the Starks. Ice, the ancestral greatsword of House stark, rested upright beside his seat, an imposing blade as tall as Ned himself. Jon sat on a smaller chair to Ned's left, while Catelyn and Robb sat to his right.
"Lord Stark, Lady Stark," Ra greeted them with a formal manner, respecting the solemnity of the court.
"Ser Ra, welcome. Please, sit," Catelyn said with a warm smile, offering him a seat beside herself.
Ra accepted with a nod and before he sat, he gave Jon an encouraging pat on the cheek.
By now, Catelyn had learned to filter Jon's existence out of her mind entirely.
Ra had noticed the shift, while it was better than the boy being actively scorned or hated, it still broke Ra's heart to see that Catelyn could find no kindness in her heart for the child.
"My Lord and Lady Stark. I present Ser Zeus, and the two leaders of the Vale Mountain Clans, Ryk son of Claw and Galt son of Stone." the Master-at-Arms announced the arrivals in a calm voice.
The heavy doors of the Great Hall groaned open. Three figures entered. Two of them knelt immediately before the Stark dais, while the center figure simply bowed.
Zeus stood tall in his Custodian armor, matching Ra in height and presence. However, where Ra was broad and golden, Zeus was leaner, his armor streamlined for speed, with a longsword resting at his hip.
"Lord and Lady Stark. I thank you for allowing my arrival," Zeus addressed them, his voice calm as the court examined him.
(Image here)
"It is a pleasure to have you with us, Ser Zeus. We consider Ra as family here, and we welcome you with open arms," Ned spoke after a moment of assessment. He glanced at the kneeling figures and gestured for them to rise.
"I hear you wish to serve as my bannermen," Ned addressed the two clansmen, getting straight to the point.
The two men were gruff, hardened warriors of the Mountains of the Moon. They glanced at Zeus briefly before bowing to Ned in response.
"We do, Lord Stark. By the Old Gods, our service is yours until death," one of them said firmly. The other nodded his assent.
"Do you pledge to accept the King's Peace?" Ned asked, his grey eyes boring into the men.
"We do, My Lord," Ryk answered without hesitation.
"Very well then. Kneel and pledge yourselves. When you rise, you will be Northmen of Stone Watch," Ned said, standing up. Catelyn followed his lead, rising gracefully beside him.
Stone Watch was the name Ned had chosen for the keep he had planned for them.
"I pledge myself, Lord Stark," Ryk declared, his voice echoing in the hall. "My life, my axe, and the loyalty of those we lead. We are Northmen now, and we will hold the Stone Watch for your blood until the mountain turns to dust!"
Galt repeated the vow immediately after.
Ned nodded, pleased by the simplicity of the vows and their swift acceptance.
"Arise then, Ryk of House Wolfsguard." Ned descended the dais, placed his hands on Ryk's shoulders, and bade him stand. He moved to the second man. "Arise, Galt of House Wolfsguard."
He had granted them a House name to unite them, expecting the clans to decide amongst themselves which of the two would serve as the Lord of the new house.
"The matter of Stone Watch is settled, and the pledge is made. Now," Ned said, turning to a servant waiting nearby with a tray, "House Stark offers you its hospitality and protection. Bring forth the bread and salt for Ser Zeus, Ryk Wolfsguard, and Galt Wolfsguard."
A/n: Give me your thought on the chapter and reviews on the fic.
And.. you got any power stones? Well, hand em over then.