Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/4187937.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      No_Archive_Warnings_Apply, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/M, Gen, M/M
  Fandom:
      Game_of_Thrones_(TV)
  Relationship:
      Talisa_Maegyr/Robb_Stark, Eddard_Stark/Nymeria_Martell_(OC), Eddard
      Stark/Ethan_Forrester, Sansa_Stark/Loras_Tyrell, Prince_Trystane_Martell/
      Princess_Aliandra_Martell, Arya_Stark/Gendry_Waters
  Character:
      Robb_Stark, Eddard_Stark_(Son_of_Robb_&_Talisa), Talisa_Maegyr, Catelyn
      Tully_Stark, Sansa_Stark, Talisa's_Mother, Talisa's_Father, Phiranea
      Maegyr, Malaquo_Maegyr, Loras_Tryrell, Ryon_Forrester_(OC), Ethan
      Forrester_(OC), Maester_Waylar_(OC), Thorren_Glenmore_(OC), Wyman
      Manderly, Jon_"The_Greatjon"_Umber, Royce_Harner_(OC), Bran_Stark, Rickon
      Stark, Arya_Stark, Prince_Trystane_Martell, Princess_Aliandra_Martell,
      Gendry_Waters, Lannisters
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-06-22 Chapters: 1/? Words: 4474
****** Heir of Winterfell ******
by Shaym15
  The strong, fortified walls of Winterfell rise up around me, its strong
stones that have lasted thousands of years, the walls that enemies have tried
to crumble, to destroy, yet they remain standing, they remain as strong as the
day they were put together, to create this stronghold devout to the rulers of
The North, devout to my family who has roamed its halls, who this fortress was
made for, The House of Stark. Lord Father stands above me, he stands with his
auburn hair slicked back from his face, a hint of stubble coating his chin as
Lady Mother stands in a fine gown of grey, a fur collar around her neck as her
slender fingers rest against the wood of the balcony. They both wear a blessed
smile, them both standing as regal, majestic, the way a king and queen should.
The glistening rays of the sun gently touch Lady Mothers cheeks, giving her
life, her cheeks a faint red as its rays kiss everything around, the light
causing shadows to coat the ground, the sun somewhat blinding from time to time
as I move around the courtyard, to view Rodrik as he aims for the center of the
target set up a couple of yards away. 
  "Control your breathing Rodrik, steady your breathing and fire" Lord father,
King of The North, King Robb Stark sounds, my attention turning to him as my
hands lie on my waist, a small smile present on my lips as the arrow falls to
the ground instead of the target, although I do not blame him, he has only had
nine namedays, he'll learn for sure. 
  "Is that all you have?" Bran jokes, it is only me and him that share Lord
fathers auburn hair, our brothers Rickon and Rodrik and our sister Lyanna, have
lady mothers dark brown hair that this morning has been done nicely, rolled up
to the nape of her neck, northern style. It is quite on the contrary for Bran
too has only just managed to conquer the bow and arrow, him being the second
youngest at only eleven. 
  "Don't tease your brother" Lady mother raises her voice to battle with the
neighing horses in the stables, and the clinks and clangs of the armory as
blacksmiths fashion swords or anything to do with weapon making, Bran surely
settles down, though a smile still evident on his face. "Your grandmother will
be here soon, you all need to go freshen up, go on now" 
  I smile in reply, turning on my heels but the sound of fathers voice fills my
ears as he speaks in a raised tone, to ensure I hear him, makes my feet not
even leave the ground, craning back round to see as he runs a hand through his
auburn hair, slicking it back with his gloved hand. "Ned, I need you to come
with me, we have a small council meeting to go to, you'll have to meet your
grandmother afterwards". And so I wait, glancing around the courtyard as he
retreats from the balcony from where he stands. Winterfell was damaged, damaged
to such a mean that most of all the wooden structures had to be rebuilt,
however it was enlarged in the process, adding several new structures, and
given a new name, The Palace of Winterfell. The Tower of The Hand, one of the
tallest towers where the Hand of The King lives and works, Lord Eddard's
Holdfast, named in honor of my grandfather, part of the royal apartments, Lady
mother and Lord father both have quarters there, and The Guard Tower, the
principal seat of the Kingsguard, they live there. I've always been in ore of
Winterfell, its magnificence, its shocking beauty, I think it will be hard to
live up to the names of my ancestors, my predecessors as King of The North. I
am scared. 
  Lord father stands just taller than me, even in his pure black leather boots,
he has said I am tall for my age, just like he was apparently or so Grand Lady
Catelyn, my grandmother has told me. She says I am identical to him, his smile,
his fierce grey eyes that are striking, yet they are sparkling silver in
happiness, and his auburn hair, my own lies flat against my forehead. Though
Lord father insists that I have Lady mothers fine complexion, her pure, fine
cut jawline that could possible cut through marble if she really wanted it too,
he insists that I am Lady mother through and through. With a smile on his face,
his hand resting on the hilt of his Valyrian Steel sword, Ice, he extends his
arm for me to walk, and so he head for The Tower of The Hand for their is a
Small Council meeting taking place in a short while. Lord father speaks up, his
voice calm and natural as it always has been, it is the voice of my hero for he
has always been there for me, even when kingly duties have dictated not, he has
always been there for me to talk to, I want to be as good as him, to truly do
him proud. 
  "Has your mother told you about your grandparents?" Lord father asks as we
pass several guards who are doused, head to toe in silver, pristine, freshly
forged chain-mail, they remove their helm as they pass Lord father in respect
to their king before continuing past us. 
  "No" I reply, my eyebrows knitting together in confusion, my brain running
with why Lord father would bring it up, though I am sure that they would not be
in danger, or trouble, it is probably a good thing. 
  "I thought she would have, you have that type of relationship that is so
close, I've never truly understood it myself" He replies with a short smile
before continuing. "Phiranea and Malaquo are visiting, a raven returned early
yesterday evening, they have set out on their ship from Volantis, they'll
arrive at Maidenpool where your grandmother will greet them, they'll arrive
here in the next couple of weeks, in time for your wedding" 
  My heart somewhat sinks, I knew that it was coming, I knew that at some point
it would happen because having an heir as soon as possible would be the best,
ideal situation for Lord father, if he and I were to fall, my son bore by my
wife would be able to inherit the throne and so on, the more the heirs, the
more there is to the throne staying alive, the more my Lord fathers legacy will
go on, the king who own back our freedom. My face must look a mess, or
hilarious for a smile appears on Lord fathers face as his hand holds open the
door to The Tower of the Hand, the large tower that rages up and up, it makes
me queasy just looking up at it, and I'll be at the top of it in moments. 
  "You know this would be happening Ned" Lord father continues, his voice
completely un-phased, I suppose it is better to be brutally honest than coat it
with soft undertones which could lead to misunderstanding. "This is why I have
asked you to this Small Council Meeting, I wrote to Prince Trystane of Dorne
over a week ago and we believe he has finally agreed, you are going to wed his
eldest daughter, Princess Nymeria, a raven arrived this morning, we believe
that this will be the yes or no, otherwise, we have other offers" 
  "Princess Nymeria? I don't even know what she looks like?" I reply,
physically I accept it, I know that one day I would marry, one day I would
produce heirs, one day I would have and make my love a queen, but that is what
I fear, will I ever love Princess Nymeria. I do not even know her, I have heard
her name once or twice when we held court at Riverrun, I've never had the
pleasure to meet her, speak to her, to walk her through the gardens of
Winterfell, to have at least one moment. Lord father married for love, he
married Lady mother for love despite him promising his hand to one of Lord
Walder Frey's many daughters, and in return he offered his uncle, Edmure Tully,
Lord of Riverrun to marry one of his daughters instead. However mentally, I
fear that I have not accepted it, for I cannot let Lord father down, yet I cant
seem to grasp the idea with two hands and say yes, to say I will marry a girl I
have never met before in my entire life. 
  "You will, like you will learn to love her, for her to love you back, you
will be King Eddard and she, Queen Nymeria, you will run the North and The
Riverlands together, and you'll produce a heir, and live your life together,
loving one another with all your hearts" Lord father insists as we reach the
top step of the tower, the stone walls briefly lit by torches and slits in the
stone that allow a little of the suns light in. 
  The steps directly expose us to the solar, a fine, large room that has floods
of golden light in, the warm sun gently casting its arms across the stone
ground, and the large table that sits in the direct center of the room, the
amount of light that touches it makes it look like its being worshiped by the
sun, by the gods. Lord Ryon Forrester, Hand of the King sits in the center
chair that is somewhat taller than the rest, the lord dressed in a pinned black
doublet with thin long sleeved undergarments, his soft blonde hair is undone,
lying in loose curls on his forehead, his face somewhat skinny, with defined
cheekbones, Lord father selected him as Hand for his support in gaining
independence for The North. Lord father appointed Thorren Glenmore, a man of
broad shoulders with thick, matted brown hair sits next to him, he was
appointed Master of Laws when Lord Ryon suggested his service. Positioned at
the top end of the large table, a man of round stomach draped in his house
colors of blue-green, Lord Wyman Manderly sits with his busy beard, his skinny
lips peeking through his matt of brown hair, Lord father appointed him Master
of Coin. Lord Greatjon Umber, a man with a white beard, dressed in a fine
doublet of wool sits on the table next to Thorren Glenmore, he took has a
swelled stomach yet not as swelled as Wyman Manderly, Lord father appointed him
Master of Whispers. As well as they great lords, Maester Waylar, a old man with
a slight spot of balding on the crown, him dressed in his grey robes with his
chain, that clinks and chinks as he walks or adjusts himself as he sits. Lord
Commander Royce Harner, draped in golden chain-mail, his golden helm tucked
under his arm as he rises to his feet, his blue cloak draping from his
shoulders, as does all the other great lords, all bowing their heads in turn. 
  "Your Grace, Your Highness" Lord Ryon sounds, his voice deep, a little more
deeper than what I would expect for a man of his rather thin stature, I would
expect it more on Thorren Glenmore than Lord Ryon. 
  Lord father takes the lead, walking around the head of the table as the rest
of the lords regain their seats, the shuffling of chairs as they pull them in,
so that all the lords sit around the thick, strong wood table that was imported
up from Riverrun, a gift to Lord father from his uncle Edmure. I let out a
smile and the nod of the head to Lord Wyman as he nods to me, in respect I
think, or out of the ideology of respect anyway, he is devout to The North, he
would not betray our family, not after Lord father gave him the title of Master
of Coin, giving him the up most highest of honor, upon him and his family.
There is not a sound from my chair, a high chair with a crown stitched into the
back of the seat, the crown for a Crown Prince. 
  "I do not wish to hurry our meeting today for as you all know, my Lady mother
is arriving anytime soon, and I wish to greet her at the earliest opportunity"
Lord father greets everyone, lowering himself into the highest, grandest of the
chairs at the table. "I have informed Prince Eddard of our agreement with
Prince Trystane, I was informed that a raven arrived from Dorne, have we heard
anything Lord Wyman?" 
  "Maester Waylar greeted me this morning with the letter from Dorne" Lord
Wyman replies, sliding the piece of parchment across to Lord father, my eyes
fixated on the roll of cream, yellowed piece of parchment that has future upon
it, my marriage, my entire life depends on the reply from Dorne. 
  Lord father takes hold of the parchment, breaking the seal that keeps the
piece of parchment tightly rolled up in a tube. It takes a moment, yet that
moment seems to last a lifetime, my heart thundering in my chest, like a crazed
man reeking havoc across his land, it thunders roughly against my rib-cage. I'm
scared. I'm scared for I don't know how my life is going to be, whether it is
with Princess Nymeria, or with another girl, the only thing that I know for
certain is that I will not have a say in it, I will not have a say in who I
love, if I ever will love, but I hope that it will come, it is just scary, the
idea I will live with a girl I do not know...but it can't be all bad, not
really. I know that I can learn to love, we can learn to get to know each
other, however I feel as if it depends on her, on the girl I will marry for if
she is caring, and comforting, I can be that also. When Lord father coughs up,
getting all of our attention, my heart skips a beat, it races faster and faster
until I know what will happen with my future, for as much as I do want to know
the outcome, I cannot turn my attention away from him, from the words he
speaks. 
  "Your Grace, in our past relations I believe that we have one common goal,
that the safety of our children, and the stability of our nations are of key
value, having spoke with my wife, Princess Aliandra, we have come to the
agreement that we accept your marriage proposal, we are pleased to accept Crown
Prince Eddard into our family as you are of Princess Nymeria, and at your
invitation, we shall travel to Winterfell in the coming days" Lord father
reads.
  Instantly there is a large uproar, large hands clapping together as they all,
all of them with their eyes turn towards me, even Maester Waylar taps his hand
on the grand table in support of the marriage. Listening to the message,
somewhere deep inside me I knew that this would be the outcome, that I would be
set to marry Princess Nymeria, who they say is the most beautiful of the three
daughters of Prince Trystane and Princess Aliandra, and that is all that I know
of Princess Nymeria. Lord fathers hand grasps my shoulder, a grasp of
happiness, of pride also, for my child with Princess Nymeria will be King of
The North, King of The Trident and Prince of Dorne, in a matter of years,
father has with this wedding conquered three of the Seven Kingdoms. Something
they've already been talking about clearly, as Lord Ryon speaks up.
  "With this marriage, we will have taken three kingdoms from the Lannister's,
they will not be happy with what will come about, with our alliance with Dorne,
what's to say they will stay seated while we snap up every kingdom around them"
Lord Ryon sounds, resting his hands on the table in front of him. 
  "We cant do anything just yet, we place an extra hundred men on the
Riverlands boarder and they'll smell a rat without anything happening" Lord
Commander Harner raises up his voice. 
  "But we cannot leave ourselves exposed on the boarders encase they try to
attack, they still have five kingdoms as far as they are concerned, they can
call their banners anytime, if they smell anything not right" Lord Wyman
inputs. "The Iron Bank of Bravos has agreed to a further loan, we can support
our men, we just have to say the word and we shall be fine if anything was to
happen" 
  "We do nothing" Lord father breaks into the conversations. "We need men to
greet the Martell party as soon as they cross into the Riverlands, I'm sure my
Lady mother would be more than willing to great them as they arrive, Maester
would you write back to Prince Trystane, thanking him for the marriage but do
not send the raven until Prince Eddard has delivered his letter for Princess
Nymeria-' he turns to me now, his face rather stern and regal, as a king should
'-I wish for the raven to be sent by tomorrow Ned, you need to get to know her,
you will be husband and wife, you will be king and queen" 
  I nod. "May I be excused my lords, I fear I better start writing my letter". 
  "Of course" Lord father replies. "If you need any help, I am perfectly sure
your Lady mother will help you" 
  He offers me an encouraging smile, he must see the frightening expression
that battles its way across my face, yet I don't seem to be good at hiding my
true feelings, that I am scared of what is to come, that I am scared of the
future, yet the future is tomorrow, and I shouldn't be scared of it, but I am.
I am scared of marriage, I am scared of how this will end up, once I marry,
there will be no going back, but the deal is done now, and somehow in my mind,
I need to accept it, I need to accept that my future has been decided, that it
is set in stone. I have to get my head around it, but I don't want to right
now, I want to forget for a moment, and just have one last night of fun, for
this will be the last chance I have, because I plan to be a loyal and honorable
husband, bedding no one but my wife, which now will be Princess Nymeria. Taking
a deep breath, I push myself up onto my feet, the rest of the council rising
too before sitting back down as I head from the solar, hurrying down the
spiraling steps of The Tower of the Hand. 
  I find myself in the courtyard, my siblings Bran, Rickon, Rodrik and Lyanna
and Lady mother have not returned to the courtyard, them all having went to get
prepared for Lady grandmothers arrival, if she has not arrived yet, she should
be arriving momentarily. The sun somewhat blinds me as I come from the dark
stairwell, I pause for a moment, wondering where he would be, where Ethan would
be, we are good friends, from time to time we have been more than friends but
this time, it is the only time I will get, the only time we will get to be
together before everything changes. I glance back at The Tower of The Hand, is
this a good thing, of course it is, but for a moment I stop because Lord Ryon
Forrester is Ethan's brother, it seems wrong, I don't know how but it does to
me, in this moment however I don't care, Ethan is the only one who can care for
me now. I hurry across the courtyard in the direction of the training ground,
he'll be there, I know he will be for we have always trained together, he's
been ward here at Winterfell for several years now, and we've gotten along
kindly, friendly, passionately, we get along, he is my best friend and I hold
him close to my heart. 
  Ethan Forrester with shaft of golden light bouncing of his blonde locks of
hair, that are mud stained from the grass that has been soaked from a spot of
rain, creating mud patches to intersect the training field. He stands roughly
the same height as me, me slightly taller than him, however that does not
matter, placing my fingers in my mouth I whistle loudly, a small smile creeps
across my face as he almost falls into a patch of mud as he turns around. His
sapphire blue eyes flash in the golden light as he holds the sword in his hand,
the sapphires could have easily being plucked from Tarth and put into his eyes,
they glisten in the sunlight as he gently jogs over, his pristine while smile
spread across his face, his faint blonde curls limp on his forehead, he digs
the blade into the grass, resting his hands on the hilt. 
  "What can I do for you?" He asks politely, he smile spreads somewhat more, a
bright smile that appears to match that of the sun, it just makes me think, how
will he react? I know I am scared, there is something between us, we both know
nothing can happen, we both know that we have too much to loose if anyone
catches us, but we do it because we can care for one another in way that a lady
would, only there has been none of them, there has just been us two until now,
until the foundations of my marriage, until I found out just minutes ago.
  "I - I need to speak with you... in my chamber" I whisper the latter, hoping
he will understand but I know he will, there has been situations like this
before, where he has come to me, or I have gone to him, whenever we need
comforting, or even if there has been a time when we need have some fun. 
  He doesn't need to say anything, he pulls the blade from the ground, sliding
it on his belt and we make for my quarters, for there we will have utter
privacy where we can talk, and care, for I'm sure he will be able to comfort me
in a way that he knows will work. He always knows what to do, Ethan knows
everything, he is the best friend that you can trust with anything, you can
trust him to keep secrets, to keep his tongue, to be there when you need him
and in return I do the same, we have enough trust in one another that I would
trust him with my life. My chambers are connected to the Great Hall, the place
in which huge banquets are held when guests of the king come, and I am sure
that is where the wedding ceremony will be held, where guests can watch and
then another will be held, before the weirwood tree for I belong to the Old
Gods, my family has always worshiped the Old Gods in the Godswood. We climb the
stone steps of the tower, climbing them, me leading the way with Ethan
following me only a step behind, I dare not speak of my marriage, not yet for
if someone heard, it would travel like wildfire and I don't like Lady mother
even knows yet, not officially. However, I'm sure Lord father will tell her in
due course. 
  My chambers are always kept warm, braziers are kept burning in the large room
where a poster bed lies upon a raised platform, it stands draped in the finest
of comforters, the bedding made up of fur, it surely does keep me warm during
the night, Lord father says that it would keep me warm even in cold winters.
The fire burns brightly, flames licking the stone walls while a bear skin lies
on the ground before it, several wooden chairs pointing the fire. It is
naturally warm today, but the fire and braziers make sure that it will never go
cold, in The North it can change with a wisp of a breeze, or so grandmother has
told me, she has told me tails of winter, and summer, both of which are
naturally cold in The North. I ensure that the wooden door behind us closes,
bolting it. Ethan has removed his sword, setting it on the table by the window,
I watch him for a moment before he takes a seat on the edge of my bed, grasping
the fur bedding. 
  "What has happened, Ned?" Ethan asks, running a hand through his limp curls
of blonde, removing most of them from his forehead, his sparkling blue eyes
looks as me full with concern, I can see it in his eyes, he just wants to help,
I know he does. 
  "My father" I reply, travelling a couple of steps to join him on the edge of
the bed, one leg crossed so I sit facing him, rather than standing above him as
he sits. "He got word from Prince Trystane, they have been speaking, sending
letters and messages to one another, I am to wed Princess Nymeria of Dorne" 
  As soon as her name has passed my lips, I feel his faint pink ones against
them, his hands holding my waist as his sweet scent, somewhat sweaty from
training but it doesn't worry me, for this will be the last time that this
happens, and even though it is wrong, wrong on so many levels I can't help but
wanting to enjoy this to the fullest, to enjoy this, for it to pleasure me for
I know it will be the last time, and that's why I'm going to enjoy it, for
after this it shall be a happy memory I hold of him. My eyes falling naturally
closed, I allow for Ethan to lead, to allow him to take charge, my lips
replying to his, as I lay back against the warm furs, a smile appears upon my
lips as they kiss him, his tender lips that have pleasured me many times. I am
going to enjoy this, instead of refraining myself when I would normally remain
neutral, let him care for me, instead my arms curl around his neck, pulling him
closer, my legs wrapping around his as his fingers work the latches of my
doublet. It would be the best time we'd share together. 
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