Brandon Stark's Story

EDRICK STARK

Edrick breathed in the warm air of the castle known as the Red Keep, riding up to colossal gates of the capital of his beloved Westeros. A breeze rippled through the party of riders, the Direwolf their emblem. His horse, jet black, snorted at the warmth, not used to the weather. It was a Winter Horse, built of ice and steel, not of this softer Southron metal. His daughter, Alyria rode ahead with his son and heir Brandon. Alyria was betrothed to Steffon Baratheon, and soon, they would be married. His son rode quietly, a mixture of scholar and warrior, admiring the art and beauty of the city and also studying it for weaknesses, the perfect hybrid. His son Brennidon rode beside him, and his Direwolf beside him. He was alert, watching and breathing in the air. Aeron rode behind them, a contingent of Grey Cloaks guarding the youngest like Wolves protecting the youngest of the pack.

He smiled at the honesty, the power, the strength and the North in his children, the finest people in the world. They deserved the life they were about to get. But, Edrick was still not happy. He loved Aegon, his king, his lord, and his friend, and was loyal to the core of his bone. But, in his heart, he hated politics. And being the Hand of the King required him to get involved in politics. Petty disputes, money problems.... these were just some the things his oldest friend had tasked him with. And although Edrick would do whatever his King needed him to, it broke his heart to have to. He missed Winterfell and the bitter cold of the North. He missed his wife, and visiting the Godswood every night. He missed home. He had been travelling before, but he had not always been heir to Winterfell, and when he was, he was younger. He was an older man now, and wanted to prepare his home for the storm that was coming, for something was. Wildling reports were rising south of the Wall, and he was worried. But now was not the time for that. Now, it was time to face his duty, and to honor his King. He turned to his son, and spoke in his usual Northman tone.

"Son, Brennidon, I feel I should tell you something. As Hand of the King, it is now my duty to.....unite the Kingdom as much as Aegon does. So, when the Greyjoy's come to say, I am going to negotiate a marriage between you and one of the daughters. When they arrive, as will all the Houses for Aegon's name day, become friends with them. Get close to them. You will need to. Son, you may hate me for this, but in time, you will understand. It is time you gain a wife."

Edrick slowed his horse down, waiting for Brennidon's reaction the the new task Edrick had just given him.

Aubrey Stark

The young teenage woman sat comfortably atop her horse, a lovely bay with long black mane and tail. She adjusted her riding clothes, a long grey skirt with a matching jacket. Both were warm and well-suited for life in the north at Winterfell, her home.

Aubrey's expression remained calm as she glanced around, hardly betraying the welling excitement she felt within. She noticed her father, Edrick, and younger brother, Brennidon, were riding side by side and decided to catch up for a moment. With a flick of the reins and a gentle nudge Aubrey raced ahead to join the men, her horse snorting as it picked up the pace. She slowed to a trot beside her family members, looking to them both with a smile.

" I assume it will be fine if I rode ahead, just for a little while." She stated lightly, laughter evident in her tone as she glanced toward Alyria and Brandon, her elder siblings. " I'll be near them," Aubrey added as she gave another flick of her reins and leaned forward, urging the mare forward wordlessly, as the graceful creature neighed excitedly and galloped ahead. " Good girl," she murmured, rather pleased with the horse.

She came upon her sister and brother, flashing them both an excited smile as she slowed to match their pace.

" So," Aubrey began, an eyebrow raised as her brown eyes twinkled mischievously. " Either of you up for a race?"

---

Elaena Targaryen

Elaena felt free.

Her beautiful chestnut horse galloping beneath her, his body moving with strength and speed, and the wide open sky above her. Elaena's long platinum blonde curls were pinned up, only a few loose over her shoulders, and she was wearing a black hat over top with a blue ribbon trailing behind her. A solid black jacket, long blue skirt and high black boots that were mainly hidden made up her riding attire.

This was the Princess of Westeros' favourite part of life, even with that stupid Guard following her. Her father, King Aegon Targaryen of Westeros, had insisted the Guard go with her for safety though this was pretty normal for the girl. She, along with the rest of her family, was well aware of her lack of strength and need for protection.

She turned around to look back as the powerful animal ran along the green meadow to look at the older man and his steed. " Can you not keep up, Sir Ferdain?" The Princess laughed, feeling quite comfortable in the saddle as she nudged the large animal to go faster. " I shall meet you back at the castle," the blonde called loudly over her shoulder with another contented laugh as she raced back to the dirt road that lead back into King's Landing. She followed it for a few minutes before slowing her horse as its hooves made contact with the cobblestone pathway that lead directly to the castle, her home.

Elaena found herself at the stable within a quarter of an hour and slipped from the back of her mount, the animal breathing heavily from the exercise. She moved toward his head and smiled as she kissed the top of his nose, still holding the reins lightly in her hand as she patted his side. " I should take you out more often, Aenys," the blonde murmured sweetly as she passed the reigns to a stable-hand. " Thank you," the Princess said gratefully as she gave her horse one last look, " Be good."

With these parting words to her beloved stallion, she was gone and walked into a side door only to be rushed off to her bed chambers. It appeared she was in need of a bath... Who knew? Though she had plenty of time before the Houses would arrive.

As it turned out, she was very nearly wrong when a servant called out to make it known the first of the Houses had been sighted entering the gates and Elaena was just finishing having her long hair brushed and pulled back from her face with a jewelled clip. A matching necklace and earrings, gold with sapphires, seemed to go well together with her ivory dress with the lovely embroidery and long train. One extra accesory, a golden ring with the Targaryen family crest etched into it, was the final piece to her outfit as she slowly and gracefully made her way down the steps.

---

Vysenia Targaryen

" Rhaegar?" The young Targaryen called as she rushed from room to room, down halls and countless stairs. Was her brother out for the morning? Where on Earth could the male be?

Vysenia, with her long dark golden hair and kind blue eyes, sighed as she stopped in the corridor to stand at a window and look out at the courtyard. Lovely blue, violet and red flowers bloomed near the stone walls in the flowerbeds. They appeared to be looking up toward the sky, reaching toward the warmth of the sun's rays. This made the youngest royal calm down from worrying over her elder brother. After all, a seventeen year old man should be able to look after himself.. Right?

With this thought in mind, a slow smile spread over her youthful features as she made her way down the stairs and out to the very courtyard she had been staring out at. Her pale blue dress fanned out behind her, a golden necklace with a pendant in the shape of a seven-pronged star within a circle and a circle within it. The symbol of the Faith of the Seven.

The young girl knelt to gently touch one of the violet flowers' petals, her touch as light as a feather, as she gripped her pendant with her free hand. " The soil is as fertile as the Mother," Vysenia said quietly, her gaze on the flowers. " to allow such lovely flowers to grow here." Her tone was happy as she said this, closing her eyes to imagine the face of the Mother planting each seed with care and tenderness. How like her to picture her own mother's face, unblemished with beautiful eyes and long golden hair, as the Deities'.

A strong white Courser stallion snorts and swings its bushy tail side to side as it smacks the nagging flies out from the sky. A strong young man saddled on this warhorse clothed in a brigandine with the dire wolf symbol on its chest and a studded leather cuisse and greaves to finish up the attire. He looked like any other man in the Stark guard heading down a dusty trail with King's Landing in sight, yet he was no simple guard. He was of Stark bloodline. Brennidon Stark was who he was; the fourth child, second son of Edrick and Dyanna Stark.

Brennidon kept a hand on his bastard sword sheathed to his side as his mount walked in a steady trot along his father. His eyes scanned the horizon looking for anything to cause him to draw that blade. Once in a while though when no one was looking he would bring his eyes upon King's Landing and a slight glimmer of anticipation. Anticipation of seeing the capital of the Westros and what pleasures and secrets it holds, however, he wouldn't let his eyes linger for to long. Soon after he would be looking at across the horizon again for trouble. He was doing this for about a silent hour before his father spoke.

What his father said struck him as a surprise; he was not expecting that this trip would possibly lead him to marry a Greyjoy. Yet he knew his father was a man who knew best, so Brennidon nodded and responded, "Father, of course I will try my best to please you. I will do whatever you think is best father. I wish to talk to you about this later father though" As soon as his last words slipped from his lip Aubrey on her bay saying that she was going ahead "I will go with you Aubrey" Once Aubrey left and trotted her way up to the oldest siblings, Brandon and Alyria Stark, he turned back to father and said, "Father please give me my leave"

Then with a flick of the reins the stallion raced away from his father pasting Aubrey. He turns his head to look behind at Aubrey and yelled, "Come on. Or you are going to lose!" He smiles and turns back to towards King's Landing.

EDRICK STARK

Edrick laughed at his youngest sons comment. The boy was his only source of amusement, a light in a dark tunnel. He was a welcome rest from the politics and distrust in the realm.

"Well, Aeron, would training with Brandon, Brennidon and I be fun? Perhaps we can arrange Callum, Kale and Steffon to join in, eh lad?" He smiled at the younger boy, and noticed his Stark features were growing every day. He reminded him a lot of what he was like at that age, before his brothers and father had died.....

"MY LORD! SER RODRIK IS APPROACHING!" Edrick nodded at the arrival of his captain of the guard, wondering what news he brought him.

"My Lord Edrick, Baratheons have been sighted not too far behind us. I thought you would want to see them."

Edrick nodded, happy the Baratheons, one of the Starks oldest allies, had arrived.

"Keep an eye on Brennidon, Alyria and Aubrey, Ser Rodrik. Brandon and Aeron will come with me." Rodrik turned around, and Edrick quickly added "Keep Alyria company, and tell her to prepare for Steffon's arrival." With that, he picked Aeron of his smaller horse, and placed him in front of him.

"Brandon, with me!" Edrick called, before charging through the streets and turns of Kings Landing, coming out to the final stretch, the gates, sighting the Baratheon banners.

"Is this fun, Aeron?" he whispered to his son, before calling out to his oldest friend.

"KALE!!! IT IS ME, EDRICK! IT AS' BEEN TOO LONG, OLD FRIEND!"

He rode the final stretch, stopping before Kale Baratheon, great general, warrior and womanizer. He allowed himself a smile before gripping the mans arm.

"Too long, old friend."

TYBOLT LANNISTER

Tybolt smiled at Joanna's comment, glad she understood what to do. He had brought her up well, and he honestly wished she was his heir. She was smarter, stronger, more manipulative than any of his other children.

"I am glad you wish to see the Wolf again. If it does not go correctly with Aerys, we have a fallback plan. Play with him if you want. He is a nice boy, but his love for you is his weakness, and you can use it against him. I got you some gifts, you will receive them at your room, later. For now, though daughter, I ask your advice. Your mother is not here, and you are the closest to her there is. I am going to offer to fund a tourney for Aegon's name day, being the richest man in Westeros. However, I need a second gift. Before we arrive, what should it be? A sword? Money? Armor?".

He queried this with his beloved daughter, realising they had reached the Red Keep, people swarming to welcome them. He smiled, handsomely, winking at women as he went. As he got off his Horse, he grinned, before offering his daughter his hand to get down, waiting for her response to his question...

BRANDON STARK

Brandon nodded to his father, noticing this was a political moment that Brandon should not be involved in.

"Father, I am going to go ahead into the hall. Kale, it was good to see you again. Steffon, it's always good to see you brother. Oh, Callum, keep Aeron out of trouble will you?"

And with those comments, he strode off into the hall, wearing mail, and leather pants, with boots. On his back was a large great-sword, Prowl, which his father had commissioned to prepare him so he could wield Ice, the ancestral Stark sword.

When he walked into the hall, he saw the slim, attractive build of Joanna Lannister, wearing red and gold clothing, and a lion necklace which perfectly complimented her golden hair and green eyes. He was stunned, and lust and love overpowered him.

"My Lady Joanna!! A word, please, my Lady?" Brandon called, and instantly regretted, realizing what he had just said, prying she didn't just outright reject him...

Willem Lannister

How right Rhaegar was. Being a prince was a dull affair, riddled with responsibility and a future that was determined for you. Being a Lannister, however, or more accurately, being rich, was quite the opposite. What Willem wouldn't have given to not be a prince, to not have all the responsibilities saddled on him, and to maintain his wealth...well, it was too good of a life to hope for. Still, he had a right to dream.

"When all this royally dull business is through here," he called as Rhaegar left to join his family, "you and I will see what trouble we can get up to!"

Willem sighed when Rhaegar was gone, knowing that he needed to rejoin his own family as well. The sooner this was over, the better. It was impossible to experience a city trapped in a keep like this. He walked swiftly back towards the entrance of the Great Hall, passing various people, some he recognized, some he didn't, few he was interested in speaking with. He knew how these reunions of the Houses worked. This was a time for alliance building and backstabbing, political pandering and arse-kissing to get one's House on top. Willem wanted no part of it. Some of these people were nice enough, but the young Lannister prince would much rather spend time among the honest common folk of Kings Landing, and in the company of good friends, rather than licking the boots of those who you wanted something from.

He passed Joanna, who had just engaged in conversation with Brandon Stark, he who had so famously granted Willem's sister her lofty title. He was tempted to interrupt with some playful, teasing comment, but instead gave his sister a small smile and a knowing wink, before heading off without a word. Joanna was likely at the forefront of his father's power games he so loved to play. He felt sorry that she probably didn't have much choice in where her life was to go from here.

"Father," he called, seeing Tybolt a ways past Joanna, and coming to a stop at his side. "Sorry for running off like that, I simply had to find Rhaegar before all this royal...well, before the celebrations began."

He'd been about to speak negatively about Uncle Aegon's whole nameday affair, but thought better of it at the last second. He and his father had quite different ideas about responsibility, and Willem had no doubt that Tybolt did not think kindly about Willem's obvious aversions to it.

---

Donnel Greyjoy

The eldest Greyjoy hardly had time to recognize his sister before she threw herself on him. He laughed at the warm embrace, smiling at her when she finally released him. "Likewise, Alys. I'm glad to see the city doesn't daunt you. It's a bit much to take in on your first trip here."

Donnel was quite protective of his younger sister, and had been somewhat worried about how she would fare in a city like King's Landing, but judging from her state of excitement, Donnel guessed she was doing fine. One of his father's men, Duncan, approached then with a horse brought for Alys. He greeted the three Greyjoys, stating his intention to return Alys to her father's side, and to summon Donnel and Harlon as well. They needed to greet the King.

"No doubt we'll need to greet the Lannisters too. I know they've sorely missed our company. We'll catch up with you at the castle, then."

Donnel hadn't brought any horses aboard Lady Amalya. He detested having the animals aboard his ships. All they did was get in the way, and shit on the decks. He was a skilled rider, of course, but horses didn't belong on boats anymore than boats belonged on land.

His sister then rode off with Duncan, leaving Donnel and Harlon alone with the crew once more. Donnel noted that they looked eager to be away from the ship, to explore the city as they would. Donnel adjusted the shield slung across his back, and patted Harlon on the shoulder.

"We'd better get going, father won't want us to be late. Just...remind me to leave the axe at my belt if any of the Lannisters get out of hand. I'm likely to start a war if there's another brawl between our fathers like last year."

---

Callum Baratheon

It was a big meeting of the Stark and Baratheon Houses, with Callum's father greeting Edrick Stark, his brother Steffon reuniting with his betrothed, Alyria, Brennidon and Aubrey conversing off to the side...Callum suspected it was because there wasn't a Baratheon near their ages. Callum himself hadn't become too close to either of them, though he thought them nice. Brandon Stark was the only one not present, having disappeared into the Great Hall after telling Callum to keep Aeron out of trouble. Callum laughed at that. No one could keep Aeron out of trouble. He watched Brandon leave. Callum had excitedly informed Steffon last year that the eldest Stark thought Joanna Lannister was some kind of queen of beauty and loveliness or something, only to be told that all the Seven Kingdoms already knew.

And there was Aeron. Callum grinned from ear to ear, waving at his friend from atop his horse.

"Tell me you've got something in mind for what to do when all the greetings are done," he said. Aeron always had the best ideas, even if they occasionally got him into trouble. The young Baratheon always seemed to have significantly more fun when Aeron Stark was around.