After the remaining soldiers in Dreadfort surrendered, and we confirmed our victory, I discussed with Lord Stark what to do with the lands.
I wanted a piece of the land, but it didn't necessarily have to be mine.
So I proposed to make the lands an industrial area, were people could invest by renting a piece of it for factories, farms, and stuff.
With this idea, I would be able to rent a piece of the land to put some farms to start making crops for the north.
Lord Stark seemed to like the idea and started to ask how much money we would need to make the idea profitable for the north.
My idea was simple; I wanted to create some hydroponic sheds, many of them to make our crops, while the technology in Westeros was quite stagnated; I knew this was possible.
Winterfell had a garden with flowers and roses from the south that Catelyn Stark had commissioned to feel more at home.
So using the same principle, I would ensure the north didn't depend on the Tyrells for food.
This would cost a lot of gold, but money wasn't a problem.
So Lord Stark and I made a deal, he would let me build my hydroponic sheds on the land, and I wouldn't have to pay him anything, all he wanted was to be my business partner.
He wanted to invest in the idea and make profits out of it.
I obliged, it didn't matter much.
"So how long do you think I'll take?" Lord Stark inquired, trying to hide his excitement and failing at it.
It was clear as the day he wanted to make the north self-sufficient, and he was quite happy with the prospect of that being close.
"The construction of all the sheds? Haft a year," I smiled, "The crops, that depends on what we try first,"
After that, we discussed how we would distribute the food; I offered to be the one dealing with the business; after all, I was the major investor in the idea, Lord Stark agreed to it.
"I might need help finding more workers, the more people we have building our sheds, the less time it will take," I said.
"Aye, I will have someone to find you, good reliable workers," Lord Stark nodded in agreement.
"Well, it was a pleasure doing business with you, But I have things to do in my home," I said, getting ready to leave with my men and bears.
"I understand, but before you leave, I have a question," Lord Stark said, pointing to my bears, "How did you do that?"
"You mean make the wear armor, and fight?" I chuckled as he nodded, so it was time to lie, "I think every house is connected to their respective sigil, me with my bears... and House Stark with the dire wolves, or maybe I was blessed by the old gods, all I know is that bears love me," I smiled as I thought, not only bears, every animals.
*And Ravens! Ravens love you and your corn!* A raven protested in the background.
"Aye, too bad we don't have a dire wolf to see that," Lord Stark smiled.
"Hey, don't wave that idea off, who knows, the gods might put some in your future," I smiled, knowing full well, in a year or so, a couple of dire-wolves would be found.
"Maybe," Lord Stark laughed, "Tell my daughter that Arya misses her, even if she doesn't admit it,"
"Aye, I will, sir," I nodded as I finally got the green lights to leave.
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[Ned Stark POV]
Lord Mormont had offered me one of my life long dreams to make the north rich and self-sufficient without the dishonesty of the south.
His ideas were strange but had merit; sometimes, I forget he is a kid; it feels like I'm speaking with a maester.
Hydroponic sheds, his idea to make the north make our own crops, so that we didn't have to pay almost double the price the south pays to the Tyrells.
Lord Mormont was truly a mystery, I could see on his eyes he was happy with his position, but I could also see his ambition; usually, this would make me feel uneasy.
Lord Bolton had an ambition; I always knew he wanted my place.
Every lord wants something, but all he desires is to make the North advance without losing our ways.
He didn't want more power; he wanted to ensure progress.
It was unusual to see someone like him without the backstabbing dishonesty of the south.
"Send a Raven to my wife, I need to tell her about this," I couldn't help but smile, the north was getting better and better every day.
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[Balon Greyjoy POV]
The Bear Islands, the seat of House Mormont, they use to pay the iron price, we use to raid them, a lot.
But now, every time I sent a ship there, all I would get is a bunch of drowned men and a destroyed ship, no survivors, nothing.
In the span of four years, they became impossible to raid, no matter what I tried, or how I try it, it was impossible!
"Father, we haven't heard from the last ship we sent to Bear Island," Asha informed me.
"Another failure!" I hissed, how can this be, now that they are rich, they should be paying the iron price! But we can't get our hands in what belongs by right to us, their money, their woman, especially now that Sansa Stark was there, I could bring the wolf bitch here and teach the Starks a lesson, but I can't!
"There is something unnatural about this, I can't put my finger on it, but one day we could raid them, and now is like the drowned god himself is stopping us," Asha said with a thoughtful look of her face.
Blasphemy! The drowned god would never get in the way of the old way, the iron way, "No, we just haven't tried hard enough! I will get what's ours by right, and nothing can stop me!"
*By the mighty and delicious power of corn we the loyal and incredibly handsome ravens will inform our master of this, I swear it by the corn!*. Unbeknownst to both of them, a raven was on a window listening to their conversation.
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Author note: Here, ya go, a new chapter.
Lord Stark and our MC are investing to make the North a better place; the lands remain technically without a lord, though by default Lord Stark is the lord of them.
The Greyjoy's/ Ironborn are fuming with anger at the prospect of not being able to make The Bear Island pay the iron price.
—-enjoy!