Back home, Harry returned to his usual routine: reading and learning about the world, training, and keeping an eye on his three projects.
At that very moment, Harry was sitting by the window of his tower, reading a book. Arya sat on his lap with her back resting against his chest.
One of her hands absently stroked Hedwig, who was sleeping peacefully.
Arya had slipped away from the septa's lessons and hidden herself in the tower, since not everyone had the stamina to climb so many stairs all at once.
At least not the septa.
Even his mother was reluctant to climb the tower. Of course, Arya couldn't escape her punishment afterward, but she didn't mind.
"Spyglass," Arya said, holding out her hand toward Harry without looking at him.
Harry rolled his eyes and summoned it into his hand before passing it to Arya.
"Here you go, Captain," Harry said teasingly.
The mischievous seven-year-old immediately held the spyglass to one eye while closing the other.
"Wow, there's a girl riding a white bear this way," Arya said with a giggle.
"Hm? Let me see," Harry said as the image of a certain girl appeared in his mind. He doubted anyone else could ride a white bear.
Arya handed him the spyglass, and he immediately raised it to his eye, indeed spotting an attractive young woman with brown hair wearing leather armor.
"It's Dacey," Harry said, recognizing her immediately.
"Who?" Arya asked in confusion.
"Haven't you been paying attention during the few lessons you've actually attended?" Harry said, pinching her cheek.
"She's the heir to House Mormont," Harry explained, recalling their previous interactions. She had told him she would come, and true to her word, she had. Two years had already passed.
"Oh, I want to see the bear," Arya said, not really caring who the girl was.
"Hm, come on. Let's see whether they'll even let her inside with a snow bear," Harry said, hugging Arya and setting his book aside.
"Why?" Arya asked, looking up at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Snow bears are extremely dangerous creatures. That one is still young and hasn't fully grown yet, but it can already carry a rider," Harry explained. Though if it were carrying a large man in full armor, he wasn't sure it would be able to serve as a mount at that age.
As they descended the stairs, Harry was surprised to find the septa talking with his mother, apparently waiting for them to come down.
Arya adorably covered her mouth before looking at him in panic.
Harry smiled, then quietly backed away and climbed back up to the fourth floor. One of the tower windows opened onto the roof of the Great Keep. Jumping through it, Harry slid down the rooftop with ease.
Seeing the edge of the roof just ahead, Harry crouched down and grabbed hold of it with one hand. As he dropped, his body swung forward until the soles of his feet planted themselves against the wall of the Great Keep, bringing him to a complete stop.
"Scared?" Harry asked with a grin, looking at Arya, who was practically strangling him.
"No," Arya replied with a stiff smile.
"Good," Harry said with a grin before letting go of the roof.
"Ahhh!"
Harry let out a quiet laugh at Arya's scream before landing on the ground, his strong legs absorbing the impact as he finished in a crouch with Arya still in his arms.
"I thought you weren't scared," Harry said with a teasing smile.
"That was a scream of excitement," Arya replied shamelessly, though the slight trembling of her body betrayed her.
Harry laughed as he walked toward the castle entrance.
"Are you sure I don't need to change your diaper? I've had plenty of practice," Harry said with a grin.
"I haven't worn diapers in years," Arya replied in exasperation.
"Are you sure? Maybe I should check if it's wet." Harry said, tickling her.
"I'll tell Mother you jumped from the fourth floor," Arya threatened, blushing with embarrassment.
"Alright, alright, you win. I won't check your diaper," Harry said, pinching the tip of her little nose.
By the time they reached the entrance, Arya had her arms crossed and seemed unwilling to even look at Harry.
As Harry had expected, Dacey had been stopped at the gate, the guards insisting that bringing a bear inside was simply too dangerous.
"You don't have to worry. He's well behaved," Dacey said, gently smacking the bear on the head.
"My lady, it's still far too dangerous," one of the guards replied nervously, looking at the bear. Despite its rather foolish expression, its size remained imposing.
Its mere breathing carried a deep, rumbling rasp that sent chills down his spine.
"Let her through. I'll take responsibility," Harry said as he approached from behind the guards.
At his words, the guards said nothing more and stepped aside. Even so, their eyes never left the bear's movements as they kept a tight grip on their weapons.
Seeing Harry, Dacey smiled brightly before climbing down from her bear and walking over to him.
Harry set Arya down while keeping one hand on her head to stop her from running off.
"Hello. It's been a long time," Dacey said, stepping forward and wrapping Harry in a hug with a smile.
Harry raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise, but returned the embrace all the same.
"Yeah, two years. I see this little fellow has grown," Harry said, reaching out to pat the bear's head.
The bear looked at Harry and, for some reason, immediately became wary of him It did not even growl at him for touching it without permission, as it usually did with anyone who dared come close.
"His name's Uru. He spends most of his time lying around at home, and I was starting to worry he'd get too fat, so I decided to take him out for a walk," Dacey said with a smile, patting Uru's head a little harder this time. He answered with a dissatisfied growl while looking at her.
"Come on in and tell me what brings you here," Harry said, leading her inside.
Arya watched the bear with curiosity, though she made sure to keep Harry between herself and Uru at all times.
"Do I need a reason to come visit you?" Dacey asked, meeting Harry's eyes with a smile.
"I suppose not. You're welcome to stay. Maybe we can have another spar and see whether you've improved at all," Harry replied, unable to resist teasing her just to regain a little control. The way she looked at him was slightly suggestive.
"You can count on it," Dacey said as her hand unconsciously rested on the spiked mace hanging at her waist.
"Where would you like to leave him? Does he usually behave around strangers?" Harry asked, looking at the bear.
"Don't worry. As long as no one provokes him, he's quite gentle. Leave him in the stables if there's room," Dacey replied, looking at Uru. He was surely tired from the journey.
The bear's presence naturally attracted plenty of attention. It was uncommon to see snow bears this far south in the North, especially alive.
Inside the stables, Uru walked in with an arrogant stride, looking at the horses shrinking back in fear with obvious disdain.
Then he noticed a black horse that was much taller than he was. It paid him no mind, merely snorting back in challenge.
Uru growled in return as Harry guided him into his own stall. Even through the walls, the growls and neighs of both animals could be heard as they challenged one another.
"It seems your bear is quite arrogant at home," Harry remarked as he walked along holding Arya's hand.
"Quite the opposite. The other cub turned out to be a female, and she's rather dominant at home. Poor Uru gets smacked around from time to time," Dacey said with an amused laugh. They really had become a matriarchal family now.
"Come on, I'll find you a room," Harry said, leading her inside with a faint smile.
"First I should greet Lord Stark and Lady Catelyn," Dacey replied, shaking her head, knowing she ought to observe at least the minimum level of courtesy.
Harry merely shrugged and accompanied her. Unfortunately, there was one casualty along the way—Catelyn caught Arya and promptly sent her back to the septa.
After Dacey greeted his parents, Harry took her on a tour of the castle. They eventually arrived at the training yard, where Jon and Theon were sparring rather intensely, the clash of their weapons ringing loudly through the air.
Neither of them was holding back. Even if their weapons lacked an edge, a solid hit would still hurt.
Without interrupting them, Harry and Dacey simply watched the match continue.
Jon suddenly seemed to gain the upper hand with a feint, redirecting his sword toward Theon's head before stopping at the last possible moment.
Theon clicked his tongue after losing to Jon once again. Lately, he had been winning less and less often.
"It's been two years and you're still losing, Theon?" Dacey said, looking at him with disdain.
"Oh, if it isn't Lady Mormont. I wonder what brings you here?" Theon replied mockingly. He had never been one to take an insult lying down.
"Of course I came to serve my young lord," Dacey said, glancing sideways at Harry.
"With how weak you are? You could probably only serve him in bed," Theon said with disdain.
Harry shot Theon a chilling look, making him shudder slightly.
"Hey! She started it," Theon complained to Harry.
Dacey let out a small laugh, not feeling offended by Theon's remark in the slightest.
"I think he's still a little young for that, but if he asks me in the future, I suppose I won't be able to refuse," Dacey said, looking at Harry without the slightest hint of shyness.
Jon and Theon immediately burst into laughter when they saw Harry's speechless expression.
Harry merely rolled his eyes. Even so, he refused to take the bait by saying he wasn't too young.
"Are you staying for a while?" Jon asked, looking at Dacey.
"That's right. I actually came to accompany Harry whenever he leaves Winterfell. You could call me his personal guard if you like, something similar to what the two of you do," Dacey replied. It wasn't unusual for young heirs to gather companions around themselves.
"Then we'll be able to train together. I already know all of Theon's tricks. It'll be nice to have a new opponent," Jon said, sounding genuinely excited at the prospect of a new training partner.
Harry was far beyond his level, while Theon, on the other hand, was too weak. If Jon remembered correctly, Dacey was quite skilled in combat.
"Ooh," Harry said, looking at Theon with a teasing grin.
Theon stared at Jon speechlessly.
One of these days, he'd shoot him with an arrow "by accident."
....
Last Hearth
A castle stood amid the mountains and the wind.
Inside the great hall, Jon Umber sat in his chair with a tankard of ale in hand as he looked at his son.
"I've heard that the eldest Mormont girl has gone to Winterfell to follow the Stark heir. You'll be going as well," the Greatjon said, looking at his son, Smalljon.
Smalljon opened his mouth to protest, only to close it again when he saw the calm look in his father's eyes.
It was better to travel without receiving a beating first. Besides, it wasn't entirely a bad thing. House Stark had good food.
"I wonder how much that boy has grown. The new grain he's been sending us has been a great help. Go and find out whether he's as good with a sword as he is with grain. I remember he had quite a firm handshake," Jon said, sounding half drunk.
"I'll leave at once, Father," Smalljon replied obediently before withdrawing to prepare for the journey.
The Greatjon took a long drink from his ale as he recalled the rumors about the major movements among the mountain clans, apparently connected to the Stark heir.
Things were beginning to get interesting.
....
Karhold
Amid a cold, densely forested region stood a stone castle covered in frost.
Inside the great hall, Rickard Karstark looked over his family as they ate together at a long table.
The hall was dimly lit, with only the faint glow of the fireplace providing light.
The servants ate at their own tables around the hall, doing their best to keep warm.
"Harrion, you'll be going to Winterfell. You'll accompany the Stark heir until further notice," Rickard said suddenly, drawing the attention of the entire family.
"What?" Harrion blurted out, his food slipping from his utensil as a look of complete bewilderment spread across his face.
"You're leaving tomorrow," Rickard said in a tone that left no room for discussion before rising to his feet and walking away.
It took Harrion a few seconds to react before looking around for support. His mother and siblings appeared just as surprised, yet none of them spoke.
He quickly set down his food and hurried after his father, catching up with him just before he entered his chambers.
"Father, why do I have to become a follower of a child?" Harrion asked reluctantly. It wasn't that he disliked Harry, but unless he was mistaken, Harry Stark was only twelve years old.
"Watch your words. Harry Stark will be your lord in the future. His authority over the North will surpass that of any previous Lord. You must earn his friendship and favor," Rickard said sternly as he turned to face his son.
He could only glimpse fragments of what was happening, but the rumors carried by ravens had already alerted him enough.
The new grain Harry had created was highly coveted, yet it was Harry Stark himself who decided which Houses would receive it.
"You should also try to arrange a marriage for your sister. And while you're there, see if they might be willing to send us some of the new grain the Young Lord Stark developed," Rickard added before entering his chambers and closing the door.
Harrion stared at the closed door for a moment before scratching his head and walking away in defeat. Feeling rather resentful, he headed toward his maid's room and quietly closed the door behind him.
It would probably be quite some time before he saw her again.
The following morning, Harrion departed for Winterfell with a small group of guards.
....
The Dreadfort
A formidable fortress with thick stone walls and towering keeps stood beside the Weeping Water.
The great hall of the Dreadfort was dark and filled with smoke, its torches held by skeletal human hands.
There, upon a stone seat, Lord Bolton watched his son, who had only just returned from the Vale.
The boy who had left so many years ago was gone.
Now he was a man.
"Father," Domeric said respectfully.
"Hm. You've grown," Roose replied, genuine approval showing in his eyes as he looked at the son he considered the perfect heir.
"What do you intend to do now that you've returned?" Roose asked.
"I'd like to travel around our lands for a while, then visit Winterfell," Domeric replied, subtly avoiding his father's gaze.
"I see. I'm glad you were thinking along those lines. In fact, I wanted you to go to Winterfell, preferably at once," Roose said with a nod. He noticed immediately that his son had something on his mind, but he truly did not care.
"Has something happened?" Domeric asked curiously.
"You're going to join Harry Stark's guard, the Stark heir. I expect you to earn his trust and secure our House's interests," Roose said plainly.
He knew his son was an honest and idealistic person, but he needed to learn that when it came to the prosperity of their House, morality and ideals were optional.
"I understand," Domeric replied after a brief silence.
"You should leave as quickly as possible. I'm certain many others have had the same idea. It would not look good if we arrived last," Roose said casually, though his tone left no room for argument.
"I'll make my preparations," Domeric replied with a nod before taking his leave.
Roose watched his son's retreating back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Domeric had only just returned, so there should have been nothing demanding his attention.
The image of his bastard inevitably surfaced in his mind.
Rumors about him had been circulating throughout the castle.
A despicable creature.
If that was truly the case, then his son had all the more reason to leave immediately. The last thing Roose wanted was for the two of them to meet.
As for Domeric, he returned to his room and looked at the luggage that had already been neatly packed on his bed, letting out a quiet sigh.
It seemed he truly had no way to delay his departure.
----
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