Summary:
Arya and Robb POVs. Life at Winterfell changes with the presence of the time travelers. Winterfell receives a raven.
Notes:
A bit more information on the other timeline. This chapter is mainly just setting up and explaining stuff.
Logistically speaking a Valyrian steel warhammer is probably worse than a normal warhammer though you could make up for it in design. The shaft being basically indestructible would help with maintenance but if you can afford Valyrian steel that wouldn't be a problem. Only benefit to it really would be the ability to kill White Walkers and Wights. Hammer are a blunt force weapon and require mass which is lessened with VS.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Arya:
Sleep had not come easy to Arya the previous night. The mix of excitement and guilt led her to tossing and turning more than sleeping. She had tried to get tired by practising sword moves that she had seen the boys attempt but that had been shut down when her mother caught her.
Normally she is woken up by her mother, father, or a maid to break her fast and attend lessons. The days she is allowed to sleep in she and Sansa are often the final two to wake. Today however she doesn't know who was up or not.
By the time she made it to the hall for food nearly everyone was already seated at the high table. Her mother and father sat proudly in their spots, though Arya could see they too were still tired. The time travelers seemed miserable and were wearing the same clothes as the day before. A mop of silver hair was literally in a book, Arya was not sure if Sara was sleeping, awake or dead. Jon looked like a wight, dead on his feet. The only ones who looked close to rested were Arya's siblings, and the only one in a good mood was Sansa.
The yawns passed from one another to the opposite end of the table before returning. No one talked and if they tried it was mostly mumbles with grunts or hums for replies. Before she knew it everyone was splitting to do their duties.
When Mother told the ladies of the group to sew with Septa Mordane, Arya noisily grumbled. She took some pleasure in seeing half of the time traveling women do so as well. Unlike Arya, some of them disregarded the order. Sansa's eldest, Arya's daughter, and Myriah all went to the yard instead. Sara, who had yet to move since Arya's arrival, slept on.
One more fortnight and she will be able to join them! But as she is still nine, she must follow her mother's command even if she dislikes it.
Sansa led the way with Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel and Lady in her arms, the girls following their leader. Behind them was Arya with Nymeria and behind her was her nieces, four of them. Three in truth but if she considers Jon as a brother then Daena is her niece too.
The septa was waiting for them when they arrived, Arya likes to think she was forced to wait a good while. If the frowning scowl had anything to say then she had. "You all are late and I was uninformed we were having guests or pets present."
"Mother only just ordered us here. They are not guests. They are to stay in Winterfell. The direwolves are too young to misbehave." Sansa responded on behalf of the group. Arya could not be more thankful, if she rather than Sansa answered she would have got a scolding.
Mordane huffed. "Well, quit standing around. We have limited time before your other lessons."
The girls all quickly sat. Sansa and her friends were together and Arya's nieces sat grouped. Arya was next to Robyn, a big scowl was on the young redhead's face. The two direwolves were set at the feet of their partners.
When handed an embroidery ring by the septa, Cailin frowned. "Septa. We did not purchase enough clothing fit for our stay here during our travels. Would we be able to use fabric to make more?"
The cranky woman's jaw clenched. Her eyes flickered to the clothing worn by the time travelers, all of which was very fine. "Are you capable of that? I will not entrust Lady Stark's fabric in the hands of someone unproven with a needle."
Cailin pulled at her dress. "I did this. All of it but the embroidery." The blue gown was the same sapphire blue as a Tully's eyes. Winter roses embroidered on its hems. Silver patterning and beads made it all the more beautiful. The only competition the clothing had in Winterfell was worn by Cailin's siblings or cousins, not even the Stark's compared.
Before Septa Mordane could reply Sansa cut in. "They may use the fabric. If they waste it then I am at fault." All those ignorant of Sansa's relation to the women looked at her surprised.
When Mordane finally consented, Cailin handed the embroidering ring back and moved to the fabric and measuring tools. She was followed by Minisa, Robyn and Daena. The four worked together to measure, mark, and cut the fabrics in the most efficient usage of both time and fabric.
While everyone worked Arya could overhear Sansa chatting away in her huddle with Jeyne and Beth. "Father got word that King Robert and his family are coming to Winterfell."
Both girls squealed excitedly and Arya wished to whack them for being annoying. "The king, here in Winterfell? The queen? What about the prince? What are they here for?" The two shot off the questions faster than Arya could comprehend them.
Sansa seemed to adopt their excitement. "Yes, the king, queen and th-their children. Mother thinks King Robert intends to make my father his new hand. Jon Arryn… passed away." The other two girls did not catch Sansa's stutters and stops but Arya did and knew it was dangerous. Sansa is horrible with secrets and lies.
The conversation continued on and on as Arya absentmindedly embroiders while eavesdropping and it shows, the thing is beyond a mess. Unfortunately the septa who had been hovering over Arya's nieces or praising Sansa's work had noticed her random piercings of the fabric. "Arya. Show me your work." The woman stood above Arya like a giant at that moment. After receiving the Stark's work, the woman's jaw dropped. "Arya! You did not even use any of the stitches I have taught you. This- this is a mess, a waste. Why can you not be like your sister? Are you so incapable of following directions?"
Arya glared at the septa's feet with tears building in her eyes. Jeyne and Beth's giggles rang in her ears, Sansa's were there at first too but slowly stopped. On the floor even as young as she was Nymeria did her best attempt at a growl and snarl. If Arya wasn't so upset she may have laughed at it. As Arya was about to dash away through the door, a voice spoke up.
"Good gods woman! You are intolerable! How dare you speak that way to a daughter of Eddard Stark!" Arya turned towards the speaker: Cailin. She wore Jon's scowl.
"I'm the woman in charge of turning this girl into a lady. Who are you to talk to a woman of the faith as you do?" Mordane challenged the taller woman.
Stepping closer to the septa the height difference was all the more evident, Cailin was nearly a head taller. "Duty is no excuse for demeaning a child. Maybe if you did more than that she might actually be motivated to learn. Or you could actually get to know her and find ways to make her enjoy it. And your faith has little importance to me compared to your character." A finger was raised to point aggressively at the septa.
Sharp eyes narrowed and tracked the finger. "And how would you teach the girl?"
Cailin paused to think for a moment for a response. "She seems the practical type. Have her make her own breeches if she wants to go riding. No embroidering. Let her behave how she wants sometimes so long as she acts as a lady when it matters and does her duties. Compromise. Don't compare her to Sansa, they have different skills and interests as all people do. Help her and don't let them laugh at her." Cailin shifted her point to Sansa's group.
The septa seemed to concede and sighed before turning to Arya. "Would you behave more under those conditions?" At Arya's nod, Mordane continued. "Fine. But I expect you to behave civilly and you will become a lady, at least part time." The woman was not happy but Arya could tell she was slightly relieved.
Leaving the room still one of Arya's urges. She could not believe everything that just happened. Of all people Sansa's child just stood up for her and the septa was willing to give Arya more freedom. "May I be dismissed."
Reluctantly Septa Mordane nodded before adding: "If you are to leave I must know where to fetch you for your other lessons." That was a reasonable price.
"The yard."
Mordane's lips pursed but relaxed herself. "No participating."
Arya shot the woman a big grin. "For the next fortnight." Then she ran out the door after swiping up Nymeria into her arms. Running around before all of Winterfell probably counted as being when she should act like a lady but too late.
The yard was crowded. Arya was able to slip through the mass of people though to her brothers' side. Both were nursing bruises. The time travelers nearby. The event that had everyone's attention was Jonnel and Cassana sparring with live steel. Valyrian steel against Valyrian steel.
Cassana wore the same white plate breastplate and scaled armor as she had before. The helm was a new addition that Arya had failed to notice before, Cassana must have had it when she arrived.
On the other hand Jonnel was in a borrowed plate armor set, a good thing as Arya did not think mail would help much against that hammer. The only identifying trait that Arya was able to see was the white pommel of his sword.
The spar was the best Arya had ever seen, the previous best had been her father against Ser Yohn Royce. Both time travelers would perform moves and tricky faints that she had never seen before. Jonnel would avoid swings while Cass would block with her hammer or gauntlets. They would attempt grapples, kicks or trips when their opponents gave an opening for it. The fight ended when Jonnel was forced to block a strike of the hammer with his blade which forced him to his knee.
Arya cheered with everyone else who favored Cassana or were simply satisfied with the fight. Nymeria squirmed and yipped to accompany Arya's yelling. Her shouts brought attention to her, but she only locked eyes with one pair: Cassana's.
Jon's voice brought her out of her stare. "What are you doing here, little sister?" He still called her sister! Ghost and Greywind were in their respective companion's arms.
"It is more fun to be here. I have permission this time," Arya explained.
Surprised, Robb gave her a disbelieving look. "From the septa, I find that doubtful."
Shooting him a big grin, Arya spoke again. "It's true. Cailin had an argument with her and I don't have to embroider anymore but I have to behave when it matters."
Robb snorted. "I'd bet you two have completely different ideas of when it matters."
Cutting in, Theon added: "Even if it were only feasts, I'd think the crone would quickly accept the deal to tame this little beast."
"Have you three already sparred?" Arya asked curiously. She would quite like to see them against Cassana just to see them swiftly put in the mud.
Theon broke out laughing while Robb and Jon's shoulders dropped. "These two had their arses in the mud in seconds."
"And you did not even try and fight." Robb countered.
"I have a sense of self preservation. Did you not see that woman with the hammer? I don't want to die," justified Theon.
Jon broke in, "That makes one Greyjoy with any understanding of survival." Considering the Iron Born started a war against the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms, Jon was not wrong.
Before things could become an argument Robb mediated. "Jon, don't start. Besides you lost to Jonnel quick enough and he lost to Cass. I don't think we can blame Theon. None of us have fought a warhammer either."
With Robb's support Theon grinned at Jon. "You want to go against the woman? I'll gladly watch."
"Best to face a strong enemy in the ring rather than on the field. Or you can run like a coward. She won't hurt us too badly." Jon replied.
"If you can't beat an enemy then it is wise to flee unless you need to buy time. But you should train yourself to face your betters and win. And you are right; I wouldn't hurt you too much." The woman of discussion interjects. Cassana's helm was removed revealing her sweaty black hair. The words put a damper on Jon and Theon.
Bouncing on her toes Arya looked at the woman who just proved her combat skills. "You were amazing. Can you teach me?"
Red blossomed on Cass' slightly rounded cheeks and a smile grew. "Thank you. I'll help teach you when you are allowed to. But from what I know of you, you'd be much more proficient with a blade."
Arya frowned but accepted the fortnight she would have to wait. "Can we talk?"
"Of course. Come, let's go somewhere more private." Cassana smiled down at her. Arya could not comprehend how in the future she would push the woman next to her out of her body. Though Cass would be a babe then but likely a big babe.
"I have to stay in the yard. If I'm not here when the septa comes I'll have to embroider again. Plus we can still watch the fights!" Arya really did not want to use a needle ever again, for the purpose of depicting flowers or whatever.
Chuckling, Cass pointed to a covered wood overlook that was private, close to the Great Keep entrance and had a great view of the yard. "There?" At Arya's nod, Cassana held her helm out to Arya. "Mind carrying this for me? You can wear it if you want. I can take Nymeria but I need to grab my cloak."
Snatching the helmet from her future daughter's hands and passing her wolf, Arya inspected the heavy helm. It was white like the rest of the armor. Most notably was the direwolf with antlers leaping from the fore of the helm. "Did you make this too?"
"No. That is standard issue, though the wolf bit is mine alone. Our helms and brooches are the only parts we can have personalized. Uniformity is important. I'm not a smith by profession." Cassana clarified as they walked.
"Then what are you? You aren't a lady are you?" Arya honestly would be very disappointed if her warrior daughter was just some trophy to a lord.
A slight frown appeared on the woman's face but was quickly masked. "I am a lady by title but I hold no land and I have yet to take a husband. There is nothing wrong with being feminine you know, just as there is nothing wrong with being a warrior as a woman. You can be both."
How can a woman like both fighting and dresses, songs and all that Sansa likes? Arya stopped walking to look at Cass. "No, you can't."
"Your aunt did." Cassana pushed Arya back into their walk to the overlook. "She liked to listen to songs and loved flowers. But she also liked to ride horses, joust, and swordfight. People are different and like different things at different times. No one person's interests are more right than another's unless they like doing something that negatively affects another."
When they arrived at their destination Arya hopped up on the railing. "Aunt Lyanna jousted? Do you?"
Cass leaned against one of the posts supporting the roofing. "She did. I have. I mostly compete when one of my cousins gets a little too confident."
"Can you teach me that?"
Again that got chuckles from her future daughter. "Perhaps you may practice on rings but I don't want you getting knocked off your horse until you're grown. Sadly us women have weaker bones and being unhorsed will do your growth no good. Unless you want to be tiny forever?"
Arya most certainly did not want to be small forever. How would she become a renown warrior if she is too small to carry a blade. "No! I want to be as big as you!"
"Sorry but I don't think that is possible." She gave Arya another sad look before looking down at Sauna and Jonnel instructing Robb and Jon.
A silence fell on them as they watched Arya's two brothers improve. Arya knew she should apologize for what she said at supper but she did not know how to bring it up or how to do it without lying.
"You asked earlier what I did for a living. I'm the commander of the Queensguard and a member of the Royal Guard," Cassana stated.
Queensguard? Royal Guard? Arya had never heard of either but figured they must be similar to the Kingsguard. "Is that like the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?"
Smiling again, Cass nodded. "Yes. It is just some changes in titles. The Kingsguard are men, the Queensguard are women so each can protect their charges where it would be improper for the other gender to follow. The idea was inspired by Jonquil Darke, the Scarlet Shadow and the Good Queen. Our cloaks have a red strip to identify us. The Kingsguard have black." She turned to show Arya the red strip bordering one edge of the cloak.
"And the Royal Guard?" Arya liked the ideas. Perhaps one day Arya would be a member of the Queensguard, possibly even the first lord commander. Even if she has to guard Sansa all day, at least Jon would be nearby, if what Arya overheard at supper the previous night was correct and Jon did become king. She doesn't know about Jonquil Darke but she would like to know.
"They are just both groups together. The commanders are chosen by the king and or queen. One commander of the Kingsguard and one for the Queensguard. One of the two also is chosen to lead the Royal Guards as a whole," Cassana explained.
Arya nodded with a smile. Apologizing was still on her mind and would not get out. "I'm sorry."
The frown returned to Cassana's face and her bright blue eyes lost some of their luster. "For last night?"
"Yes." Arya did not quite know what more to say.
Cassana sighed. "It was not something I did not already know. I understand it was surprising for you, it was just the first thing you ever really said about me or to me. At least that I can remember."
That made Arya feel all the more guilty. "I did not mean it to hurt you."
"I know."
"I still don't want to marry or have kids but I might one day if they are like you." She really liked everything about Cassana but Arya did not want to deal with babes or be with child.
A half smile grew on Cass' face. "Well, you didn't marry."
If Arya never married that meant Cassana was a bastard, born out of wedlock. "You're a bastard!" Arya quickly covered her mouth to block the words she verbalized but was too late. "I'm sorry."
"Aye. I was born a bastard. But Mo- Sansa and Jae made me a Stark." The queensguard watched Jon and Robb spar with a sad smile.
The slip of the tongue bothered Arya more than she would admit. She forgot that Cassana was raised as a daughter to a future Sansa. Arya's competitiveness made her want to dislike Sansa more for the slight but at the same time her sister raised Arya's daughter when she couldn't even though they hated each other. Where was Cass' father? "And your father?"
Swallowing a lump in her throat Cassana turned back to Arya with sad eyes. "I never met him but I'm going to find him. He died protecting you the day I was born. The war was never supposed to reach King's Landing and he was a smith so he stayed behind. But it did and they came and he died. You gave birth to me later that day but prematurely. You survived though because you're stubborn." Cass' voice broke a few times during her speech and she was forced to sit down but her tears did not fall. She embraced her mother's wolf between her strong arms and large armored bosom.
The man sounded like a good man at the very least. He would have to be for Arya to have his child. Arya was not one to like being protected as Sansa might but she could remember how big and tired her mother was when Rickon was in her belly. Cassana's father protected them when they were at their weakest at the cost of his own life. That was the duty of a man was it not, to protect those who can't protect themselves. He did so until he no longer could, it seems. He died for Arya and Cass to live but Arya still was not there for their child.
"But I still die, don't I?" Arya's question was barely above a whisper. She kneeled next to Cass' side and hugged her as Jon does when Arya is emotional.
A slow nod answered Arya. "You wanted to kill their leader. Especially after he killed Bran. So you left a few moons later armed with Valyrian steel but your opponent was too and they were not a normal man. You could only say 'not today' to death for so long…" Cassana pulled Arya closer to her side in a big embrace.
Death. Arya had no experience with death. She was far too young to have known anyone that fell during the Greyjoy Rebellion and on the yester like everytime she was not allowed to accompany the boys to executions. The effects were the only thing she knew about death, the absence of people that her father cares about. It was hard to imagine herself dead, absent from all those who loved her's lives. She was glad she died in battle as a warrior but she also failed to avenge Bran, likely never got to explore and have adventures. She never got to see how great her daughter was with a hammer or smithing.
They stayed that way for a long while until Septa Mordane found them. She looked confused but did not speak up against Arya being in a strange woman's arms. "Arya. It is time for the rest of your lessons."
Cassana gave Arya a smile as she lifted Arya back onto her feet. They traded the helm and Nymeria again. Cass brushed away unshed tears with her gloved finger. "Go. I'm glad I got to get to know you a little better."
Smiling back at her future daughter Arya could not help but agree. "Even though I didn't want it, I'm really happy I got to meet you." She meant it; she really liked Cassana. Stepping closer to Cass, Arya gave her future daughter one last hug before following the septa. Before she was out of sight she turned and gave one last smile.
Robb:
A ten days after finding the direwolves and the arrival of Jon's future children, Robb and Jon's daily routine had completely changed. From training in the yard to lessons the time travelers had stolen the duty of teaching the Stark children. Their lessons with Maester Luwin were mostly unchanged but now they had a greater workload. Politics, war tactics, morality and more were being hammered into the elder Stark's brains. Robb falls asleep within seconds of contact with his bed each night. It was exhausting but if it prevented his or his loved ones' deaths then it was worth it.
Even though Arya had not yet turned ten namedays old, Father had let her join the physical training with the boys. But tonight they were doing a different sort of training, dancing. How it was to translate to swordsmanship Robb had no idea. Because of the method of learning even the girls were present. While Sansa was more than happy to practice dancing, Jon and Arya were quite the opposite.
Minisa was leading the group. She gave an overview of the dance to remind the younger members of the party. When Minisa named pairs he was paired with her. Their dances were simple and she did not seem to have many problems with it. She only had to instruct him to move his foot during a few sections for better balance. While Robb's session was going well the same could not be said for some others.
"Stop stepping on my toes Jon! You're ruining this." Sansa was paired with Jon, something that Robb suspects was intentional on Minisa's part. Unfortunately that appeared to have been a mistake.
With his eyes watching his feet Jon was wearing an annoyed expression. "I'm sorry Sansa. I haven't danced much." That was an understatement Jon had not danced since their lessons stopped when they were Arya's age and he avoided doing so at any feast from then on.
When Jon stepped on her toes one too many times Sansa had enough. "Stop. I'm done with this. Robb dance with me."
Before Robb could speak to Minisa on the switch, the woman herself spoke up. "Everyone stop for a moment." After everyone halted and looked at her she continued. "I'll explain the purpose of this training and how it helps the boys with their swordsmanship. I'll give some tips as well."
Sansa sent Jon a pointed look causing him to roll his eyes.
"Starting with the tips. The big bit of advice is to avoid looking at you and your partner's feet. Doing so means you are reacting and are not synchronized with your partner. In both combat and dance you must be in the moment. If you are half a second behind your partner you will be on the defensive in a fight or stepping on your partner's foot when they are ahead a step. Watch your partner as a whole and you can predict their center of balance and likely footing without taking your eyes from a potential danger. But don't rely on this, focus on the present." Minisa's teachings applied to swords much more than Robb would have thought.
Jon looked rightfully embarrassed at essentially being called out. He likely realized that he was often defensive in their spars because of him being so reactionary. That did not stop him from winning spars often against Robb.
Returning to her lesson, Minisa continued on with her speech. "Another part of it is confidence. You must be confident in what move you will do next. Whether in battle or dance if you stutter you fail. Each move must be fully intentional and aided by instinct. In dance you must make your body remember the pattern of movements and in combat you must decide quickly which action is best for the moment and do it but in both be prepared to quickly adjust if anything goes awry."
That was where Robb often failed in both dance and sparring. Whenever his partner makes a mistake he always struggles to return to their previous state. Most of his losses against Jon came from Robb not being able to react quick enough when he predicted Jon's next move incorrectly.
"Of course, keeping a good strong balance is another important part of why the boys are dancing. This applies more to dances with more movement but fits here. Footword is one of the most important things in both skills. Dancing you want to be mobile but controlled and graceful. Fighting you want to be mobile but always strong. Now I want everyone to return to your partners and try to apply all of this. Partners try to correct each other." Minisa gave a look to her parents that implied who she was really talking about.
As the dancing resumed Robb took in the pairs. Jonnel and Jeyne danced and the girl looked to be half pudding in his arms as she starred with a dreamy look. Beth was much the same with Baelor, who made every movement with a lazy ease. Bran and Robyn seemed to be in a competition to see who would make fewer mistakes. With the purposes of the dancing revealed Arya seemed to quadruple her efforts with Brynnard.
He spotted Theon's hand slowly move lower from Cailin's back to lower back towards her rear. As Robb was about to interject the Greyjoy swiftly received a knee to his privates. Theon hunched and clutched his stones. Even though Robb felt no sympathy for the ward, he did involuntarily imagine the pain in his own jewels.
"That's enough for you Greyjoy. You are free to go. Cailin take Robb, I'll observe everyone." And just like that Robb was now partnered from Minisa to a different niece.
Dancing with Cailin was just as easy as Minisa. He had not seen Cailin around the keep as much as some of her siblings as she had taken the task of creating a wardrobe for her family members. Though he occasionally found her following after his mother with Sansa like they were ducklings. Amusingly the trail of redheaded women looked like three copies of the same woman in different stages of her life.
Jon and Sansa appeared to be doing much better together at the dance. While Robb was happy the two were no longer so distant, he could not find it in him to be happy about them being a them. Though he is sure nothing has happened between them it is still weird that they might be together eventually. Jon had been both his best friend and brother and it felt like a betrayal for him to marry Robb's eldest sister. Together they were supposed to threaten Sansa's betrothed and if that man hurt her then they hurt him. But how could Robb hurt his brother and best friend? A part of Robb still wanted to punch Jon in his long pretty face.
It was a small hope of Robb's that the future Jon had perhaps felt some remorse for putting a babe in his sister's belly, but clearly the man felt none. He repeated the transgression seven times. Five actually, triplets. But it felt as if Jon had waited until all opposition to the match was out of the way: Robb, Mother, and Father. How the relationship began was still a mystery to everyone.
When the lessons were done Alsauna was waiting for them. "Lord Stark requested Robb, Jon, and Sansa's presence. My siblings are welcome as well." Her words dampered the mood for those not invited.
"Sorry. I'll see you at supper." Sansa said to pacify her two friends as she moved to follow the group called.
Sauna led the group. The woman was teaching everyone politics, negotiation, lying and controlling one's emotions. Early in the day she had presented them with a unique scenario and gave them a night to think of the best solution. It involved crossing a bridge held by a greedy bannerman of an ally to help save said ally in time.
As they walked Robb tried to think of his solution but he did not know what to make of it though. Fighting through was a thought of his, they were traitors but he did not know how long that would take or the number of casualties. Accepting whatever terms means he might gain their support and make it in time to save his ally but the terms offered were not ideal. By the time the group arrived at his father's solar Robb was no closer to an answer than he was before.
Inside, Daena and Sara waited with the lord and lady of the keep. Unlike the past few times Robb had seen Sara, she was missing the white owl on her shoulder, it was the one that hunted the rodents that roamed the remains of the First Keep.
"Close the door." Robb's father commanded. When the room was sealed he spoke in a quieter voice. "We received a raven. The Tyrells wish to negotiate a trade deal and are sending a party here."
It was the slight surprise among the ignorant time travelers that told him that this did not happen in the other reality. At the very least they did not know about it. "There is more to it, isn't there?"
Father nodded. "Yes Son. They sent a somewhat hidden message that we have already decoded but Sauna thought this would be a good lesson for you instead of informing you right away." He pushed the message toward the front of his desk.
Picking the paper up, Robb held it so Sansa and Jon could view it with him. On it was the message of the trade deal but next to it were rows and columns of black swirls on small circles of paint. Roses? At the top of the paper was a full moon and the bottom a sun.
The full moon.
A row with two gold roses separate from another four.
Ten more gold roses.
Four blue roses.
Six red roses.
A gap.
Five spirals without paint.
Three more spirals straight on the paper.
Ten red roses.
A single gold rose.
The sun.
The gold roses were the sigil for the Tyrells so they likely symbolized a Tyrell, if they were roses at all. Recalling Luwin's lessons on banners and houses, the numbers could imply different members of the house as some depict on their personal sigils. Blue roses might be winter roses. But the other colors and the sun and moon...
"I assume Jon's children with Margaery Tyrell returned as well?" How Sansa came to that conclusion Robb had little clue. But he could see the potential in the code. She looked a little disappointed however at her own conclusion.
"Yes, that is what your children believe," their father confirmed.
Robb gave his sister a curious look. "How did you figure that out?"
A proud smile appeared on his sister's face. "Gold roses are the Tyrell sigil. Winter roses are blue and are associated with Aunt Lyanna. Ghost is white with red eyes."
If the wolf had been near perhaps Robb would have thought of it but the direwolves were with the younger Dornish sister.
Jon came to another conclusion from the code. "The sun and moon. Do they mean north and south, or the North and Dorne?"
"Close. In this case it does but they represent people. Grandmother often likes to mention that Grandfather called her and Lyanna his sun and moon respectively. The Tyrells seem to be splitting in groups; the silver haired group is going to Dorne for Mother while the rest and Margaery come here," Daena explained to the group.
As if one group of time travelers was not mad enough. Now there are two and possibly a third. "If Jon's children with Margaery Tyrell appeared in Highgarden presumably with their mother then why did you not appear near your own mother?" After living in a realm without magic all his life Robb wanted some sense of logic back.
Sighing Daena gave an exaggerated shrug of her shoulders. "We don't know for sure. As a group we have discussed it but could not come to a conclusion until we read that message. We suspect it has to do with the fact that there are no weirwood trees in Dorne. The trees are the only ones with a substantial link to magic, time and Starks. Stark blood seems to be a factor."
"What do weirwoods have to do with time?" Robb's father inquired.
Alsauna answered for her group. "I'm sure you are aware that Weirwoods seemingly live forever if undisturbed and they do not rot. They are impervious to time. Trained greenseers can use their abilities to look through the eyes of the carved faces. They can see events from the past, present and rarely the future through those eyes. So anything done before a weirwood is immortalized in history."
Maester Luwin told Robb and Jon a similar tale when they were young but then it felt much more like a story told to children rather than the truth. If the words were true it explained a lot of the customs of the North. Oaths and marriages took place before the white and red trees. Father once said one cannot lie before the trees but that was a twisted truth. One would not be able to lie about a vow if it was said before the tree. The only accurate account of history would be through the trees.
"Greenseers are real then?" The lord of Winterfell showed little of his surprise.
All of the time travelers smirked at Eddard Stark's ignorance. "Skinchangers are rare among the blood of the First Men. Greenseers are a rarity among a rarity. Yet you Lord Stark fathered six skinchangers, more accurately wargs, and among them a greenseer. Everyone in this room excluding you and grandmother are skinchangers." Sauna's words surprised those from the present.
His mother seemed to have the most trouble accepting this as she had to support herself on Father's desk to keep upright. "The wolves…"
She was right if he and his siblings were skinchangers then their direwolves were far more than mere pets. There had been four males and two females perfectly matching the numbers and genders of the Stark siblings. The temperaments were also strikingly similar to their owners. They were still small and reliant on their partners but they were all capable of moving on their own. Robb wished Greywind was with him now.
"A warg is safest with their partner by their side. Never cage your wolves. It is a mistake that resulted in death twice." Sara's gaze shifted between Robb and Jon.
Robb had thought long about the revelation of his own death but the only thing he could really do was think of questions that he did not have answers to. He did know that he died before having an heir or meeting Sauna so it was within a few years from the present. The knowledge multiplied his fears, Robb's wish to practice with live steel dimmed. It also provided him with a greater motivation to do better in every aspect of his life from combat and lessons to family.
Their mother had not supported housing the wolves in her children's rooms though it happened the first night in the chaos of the day. That appeared to be changing today. "You will keep the wolves close and free but make sure they can behave." She used her commanding mother's voice, which Robb feared to disobey.
"Yes Mother." Robb replied quickly, he had no intention of locking Greywind up, even more so if it resulted in his death last time. His mind traveled to the earlier topic of discussion. "Wait. I thought there weren't any weirwoods in the South but on the Isle of Faces and the Raventree."
Ever the knowledgeable one Sara did the explaining. "A few of the great houses still have weirwoods in the godswoods of their keeps. Highgarden has the three interlocking weirwoods known as the Three Singers. Casterly Rock has an unnamed one in their godswood called the Stone Garden, as it is in a cave. Storm's End too has a weirwood, though it might soon be burned again."
Father stood up with a slight scowl. He loved the weirwood tree of Winterfell. He always was bitter about the Andals cutting down the trees, though that seems to have been a wise tactical decision. "Who burns the tree?" Burning the tree was also a stupid idea compared to cutting, the wood is highly valuable and makes renown bows.
"Presumably it was done under Stannis or his red priestess' command. There was a resurgence of faith in the Old Gods and more weirwoods were planted after Father became king. Even King's Landing has a weirwood now, or not n-" Sara was interrupted by Robb's father.
"Jon becomes king? Was that what the war was about?" The warden looked surprised and disapproving, not over Jon being king but for the implications. Their father believed Jon to be the cause of all the death in the wars to come. Did he think the same about the Rebellion with Aunt Lyanna? Robb realized he nor Jon or Sansa told their father that they learned Jon's kingship during that first supper, the rest did not even know.
Sara scoffed at the silent accusation. "Hardly. It was the solution. There were at least eight different parties fighting for the Iron Throne, ten if you count the Dornish or the Tyrells. It was at the start of the fifth year of war that Father joined." There was something she left unsaid as she paused with a clenched jaw to glare at the Lord of Winterfell. "He did not even know his parentage until then. You never told him."
Next to Robb, Jon stood straighter and narrowed his eyes at his adoptive father. Jon has always had a strong desire to learn about his mother but Father kept that from him well past when Jon became a man in the other future. Would Father have ever told Jon the truth even if he had not died?
The leader of the time travelers put her foot down and ended the potential conflict before it could begin. "We can get into the details of what happened in our time when the Tyrells arrive." Sauna's voice was hard and commanding, aptly fitting for the soul of Winterfell. "That is what is important at the moment. They were smart enough to send those with the Valyrian look to meet with Muña and Egg."
"Do we have any idea of when the Tyrells might arrive?" As the lady of the keep it was Mother's duty to ensure rooms were prepared for guests and the message gave no mention of date.
Sauna's eyes defocused as she worked out the numbers in her head and verbally. "Eight hundred leagues or so travel. On Willas' well bred horses and only good riders they could cover at max a hundred leagues every third day. So twenty four days at the earliest from when they leave. They probably sent one of Willas' fastest birds too, seven to fifteen. If they appeared in Highgarden the same day we did here that would point to them arriving near the end of this moon. A fortnight to three sennights from now at the earliest."
An annoyed look appeared in the eyes of the warden of the North. "And they expect us to feed them and the king's party?"
"I would not fret about that. Where Tyrells go, food tends to follow. If Lannisters shit gold then Tyrells shit food, very good and edible food. Besides, if Mama stays for long then she'll spend her nameday here. I'm sure you'll get a ship load of grain and fruits just to celebrate it and house her." Jonnel waved off the lord's worries with a lazy smirk.
The mention of fruits attracted Sansa's attention, and Robb imagined her to be near drooling. The girl loved fruits. Perhaps if Robb gets her fat enough on sweets Jon would not be interested in her... Sansa might murder him for costing her chance at being a queen though.
"Speaking of food: supper is probably being served. We should go before it gets cold. Besides, as energetic as Myriah is, taking care of six baby direwolves can wear a woman down." Daena prompted the group, though it was more likely she was hungry but would not admit it. Even inside with the heated walls the Dornish woman was wrapped thickly in furs.
Her brother on the other hand seemingly had a Northman's tolerance to heat or lack of it. "I could use some food." Baelor's slow lazy drawl was fitting for the man's personality but the complete opposite of his body. There was no man Robb had ever seen more relaxed, even in spars the man moved slowly and fluidly but was in actuality incredibly quick, capitalizing on every mistake instantly. He was the first competent spearman Robb ever fought and Robb wore testaments of the man's skill on his skin.
The meeting ended just like that with everyone heading to the Great Hall.
Robb could not help but wonder about Jon's final wife, the one he can't remember hearing much about. Had her kids also appeared with her? Did she even have kids? Were they heading here as well? Regardless, things were getting more and more mad at Winterfell but with ten times the number of Targaryens in the keep, that was to be expected.
Notes:
Nearly split this into two chapters but didn't. Robb's section seems kind of bad but I don't know. The next multi-pov will probably have multiple and smaller sections for a single character in the same chapter.
So I just realized how much the Arya-Cass and the Lyanna-Jon situation are similar but different. Both the fathers die without meeting their kids, the mothers both die relatively soon after, then they are raised by their uncle (and aunt(Sansa)) but because of politics Cass had a better upbringing. She even has family spread over Westeros that are potentially in danger, though they are uncles and aunts rather than adoptive siblings. There was a rather straightforward hint about her journey for this story in this chapter.
Note: I have never danced, like at all. So if anything I said about it was wrong, my bad. The one class period we were being taught in PE in elementary school I got my only detention ever for running away from some kid trying to hug me. Still mad about that.
Another note: Baelor is named after Baelor "Breakspear"; the first Targaryen-Martell prince and heir to the throne. He is not named for Baelor Hightower or the "Breakwind" who was one of Elia's potential suitors.
Next chapter we shall see Margaery again as she and her family start acting and parts of her journey to Winterfell if the chapters can fit it.
Upcoming Chapter POV Order:
Margaery II
Multiple POVs II
Elia I
(1 or 2 more chapters)
Cat II
Ned II (Robert's Arrival)