Harrenhal, the Tower of the Burning King
Inside the study, Eddard spoke with a calm authority. "Abel, I've arranged a marriage for you—with the young lady of House Waynwood from Iron Oaks."
He patted his cousin on the shoulder and smiled. "This is quite a step up for us. You must treat her well after you are married."
As both a liege lord and a relative, Eddard felt a responsibility to help Abel find a suitable match once he reached an appropriate age. Of course, no one was forced. If Abel already had a beloved, and if no political conflict arose from it, Eddard would not object.
"I will," Abel said, accepting the arrangement without hesitation.
Considering his birth and current standing, Abel had only expected to marry the daughter of a knight—or, if circumstances required, a wealthy merchant's daughter. The chance to wed the daughter of a Countess was entirely unexpected.
He asked hesitantly, "I remember Scholar Bennet once saying that House Waynwood of the Vale is ancient and proud. How could they possibly agree to marry their daughter to me?"
Eddard did not conceal his reasoning. "It is for the Lady's sake. In the Vale, I also need House Waynwood as an ally, so I arranged this marriage for you."
Since returning to Harrenhal, Eddard had been carefully plotting how to handle Littlefinger, who lingered in the Eyrie. Though Lysa Tully was Sansa's aunt, she was notoriously sycophantic. Charges of kinslaying meant little when Littlefinger's subtle manipulations could sway hearts and minds.
The lords of the Vale still cared about their reputations, reluctant to blindly follow chaotic commands. Yet Eddard knew Littlefinger's schemes were clever, insidious, and not to be underestimated. It was better to strike first.
Some of the Vale's nobles supported the Warden, but most merely tolerated Littlefinger, maintaining a semblance of peace due to Lysa and Robert Arryn's presence. To bypass this obstacle, Eddard targeted the most influential lords, starting with House Royce of Runestone.
Bronze Yohn Royce harbored a deep dislike for Littlefinger and enjoyed a positive relationship with the Starks. When sending Waymar Royce to the Wall, he had stayed in Winterfell for several days, hunting with Duke Eddard. Using his sister's reputation as leverage, Eddard proposed a marriage alliance with House Royce—a union that promised political and familial stability.
Lord Rickard had sought a southern lord for his daughter, but the Vale was both secure and wealthy. House Royce's history extended back to the Age of Heroes, making them an ideal match for House Karstark. Eddard's efforts succeeded. Likely, Lord Royce's acceptance stemmed from the desire for a powerful ally beyond the Vale, able to counterbalance Littlefinger's influence.
Meanwhile, House Waynwood of Iron Oaks presented a more formidable challenge. They were long-standing in-laws with House Frey; Old Walder's granddaughter, nine-year-old Cissy Frey, lived in Iron Oaks as Lady Anya Waynwood's adopted daughter. Eddard had personally dismantled House Frey's authority, leaving a bitter enmity between the families.
Yet House Waynwood faced dire financial troubles. Debts in gold dragons weighed heavily upon Iron Oaks. After the Brotherhood Without Banners' incident in the Vale, Littlefinger had managed to convince Lady Anya to switch allegiances with promises to repay debts. Eddard refused to leave such a vulnerability in Littlefinger's hands.
With careful planning and sufficient gold, he eased tensions between the families, smoothing over the already tenuous relationship. Eddard did not lack resources; the Riverlands paid taxes to the Queen of the Trident, and gold from previously withheld portions now flowed freely. The Golden Tooth mines had begun yielding steadily, and wealth accumulated in Harrenhal's vaults.
Abel did not need to know these intricacies. All that mattered was his consent to the marriage.
"Ah, I understand," Abel replied, nodding respectfully. "Your Majesty, if there are no other instructions, I must return to Twin River City immediately. Winter approaches, and much must be attended to."
His primary task at Harrenhal was overseeing the transport of supplies. Twin River City had produced a bountiful harvest, thanks to the Green Fork River, and Eddard allocated a portion for Harrenhal's nearly thirty thousand Free Folk, including two hundred giants. Tywin Lannister would not wait indefinitely, and the Riverlands had to be prepared in advance.
"Go," Eddard said softly, watching Abel step back, turn, and leave the study.
Half a year's experience had transformed the boy from a trembling novice into a steadier, more confident presence.
Outside, the Godswood of Harrenhal bustled with activity. Gendry stood atop a scaffold, measuring a giant who stretched nearly three meters tall. The red-haired Free Folk girl beside him called instructions in the Old Tongue. The giant scratched his chest and raised his arms, holding them horizontally as directed.
Nearby, blacksmiths and their apprentices worked tirelessly to craft armor for the giants. Each suit was custom-fitted, sturdy, and designed to withstand arrows and blades. Ornamental gilding or silver inlays were unnecessary; practicality came first.
"How is it? Everything going smoothly?" Eddard asked, walking among the blacksmiths.
The workers bowed in response, and the Free Folk shouted loudly, attempting to catch the Regent's attention. The giants emitted deep, resonant greetings in their native tongue—signs of respect rather than language. Eddard replied in kind, demonstrating a connection with those he commanded, before approaching Ygritte.
"Smoothly," she said, with a hint of irritation. She missed Jon Snow terribly. Being confined to a foreign castle, far from her beloved, left her restless.
Eddard, unbothered, continued on. Controlling Ygritte was also a way to maintain influence over Jon Snow, the wolf-dragon bastard who was hopelessly romantic. Her growing belly reminded Eddard that patience was necessary.
"When can I leave?" Ygritte asked, frustration creeping into her tone.
"Leave? Go where?" Eddard asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You are carrying my wife's brother's child," he said carefully. "You should rest. I arranged this work to occupy you so that you are not idle all day."
"Is there a problem?" Ygritte asked, curious.
"I have not seen Jon Snow for some time," Eddard replied. "How could a child be born without its father present?"
Touching her belly, Ygritte's expression mixed happiness and annoyance. Eddard smiled slyly. "Perhaps in the South, fathers are not always present. It is a tradition that should be preserved."
"Hmm?" Ygritte sniffed, intrigued.
"Behave yourself, and once the child is born healthy, I will tell you some stories about Jon's past," Eddard promised.
"It's a deal," she said, smiling as she walked away.
Eddard continued deeper into the Godswood, where shouts of exertion rang out. Marga, the largest and strongest of the giants, wielded his shield, generating phantom windmill-like gusts that sent ripples through the air.
Fully armored, he resembled a walking steel statue. Plate and chain armor protected his body, his feet were shielded by steel scales, and a curved visor covered his head, leaving only a slit for his eyes. The suit was cumbersome to forge and required at least four assistants familiar with giants' temperaments.
Yet the effort was worth it. A giant in armor could shatter cavalry charges with his brute strength and a shield alone.
Eddard approached with Towyn, who translated his brief Old Tongue instructions. "Marga, is it heavy?"
"Not very heavy, Eddard," the giant rumbled. "I can wear it all the time. Fighting is no problem."
Towyn explained each nuance, and Eddard nodded. "If it feels uncomfortable anywhere, have the blacksmith adjust it."
"No need. It is very good," Marga replied.
Eddard moved on, observing the remaining training grounds. Once covering twenty acres, the Godswood had transformed into a bustling military zone. Fully armored giants practiced, wielding weapons adapted from logs, stones, and old steel. Only thirty had armor, though shields had been quickly crafted from oak and iron, bearing golden suns painted in bold strokes.
Eddard designated them the "Sun-Glow Giant Corps," personally commanding them. They would obey only him, ensuring loyalty and control.
Through the system, the giants did not gain physical prowess but intelligence. Marga, the first to integrate, had already leveled up after dispatching a bandit group with ease. His logic improved, and communication with Eddard became clearer. Higher levels could unlock the Common Tongue and skills like farming and smithing, though their primary use was the battlefield.
A phalanx of Free Folk trained nearby, advancing imperfectly but steadily. Eddard relied on simple principles: reward merit, punish faults, and maintain discipline. The Free Folk were surprisingly adaptable, proving that even those softened by life could learn structure.
Suddenly, Dita Kalander whispered urgently, "Your Majesty, movement from King's Landing—Randyll Tarly has arrived near God's Eye with at least ten thousand soldiers."
Eddard laughed heartily. "An old friend!"
The stage was set, giants and Free Folk prepared, allies secured through marriage, and Winter's approach looming. Harrenhal was ready for the storm to come.
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