What if Ned Stark had been King in the North after the War.
Eddard Stark had arrived early to King’s Landing and had taken the city before Tywin’s men had arrived. Thus slaying the Mad King himself and allowing Elia Martell to survive the sack. All this had happened because Lyanna Stark had managed to escape the dragon prince Rhaeger. Ned had won the throne with Robert, yet the realm was so impressed with him that they named him their king, as did the Riverlands, Dorne and the Vale. So the realm split in two.
Ned never wanted to be a King, but he realized he could finally do good. Finally make the realm, or at least what he controlled honorable. Ned’s first act was to rid the Riverlands of the Freys, the Boltons from the North, and the savages in the Vale. No longer would the common people suffer. Robert had approved of his choice and brought with him the fury to crush all who opposed. His next set had been to strengthen the North itself and its military. He did that by aiding the watch and breaking tradition. He aided the Watch by sending people to enlist, people to help not only build but expand the castles as finally making agreements with Wilings. The Free Folk were causing trouble, so to change this, Ned met with the most open and well meaning tribes and offered them membership in the Watch or land in North. The land would be abandoned and empty, yet theirs to build from. All they had to do was agree to his terms. Thus the Golden Winter began.
There had been small hiccups like the Greyjoy Rebellion, yet that had been crushed. To make sure the Greys never acted against him, Ned had taken both Theon and Asha Greyjoy as his wards. Originally he was only going to take Theon, yet he realized to have something or home might do the boy good. So both children left and Ned raised the children as his own, knowing that loyalty was easier won by love and respect, not coldness and fear.
Winterfell: The size of the castle is ever expanding, growing in size as the the lands grew in power. Ned did not treat the North as old traditions did. Ned had let Direwolves be rescued and breed, making the appearance of the large wolves no longer a rarity. Bastards had to be accounted for and taken care of. The line of succession no longer went by Gender, yet when the heir was born. Every man, woman and child were given a sword and it was mandatory for them to serve their Kingdom in some way. Ned had made changes others disagreed, yet he improved the way of life and the people loved him. Even Jaime Lannister, the former King’s guard had left King’s landing to serve in the North.
Direwolves: During the early stages of improving the North, Eddard and Benjen had found a litter of direwolves. The men took care of them and brought them back to Winterfell. Almost 20 years later the North is populated by Full breed direwolves and halfbreed direwolves that had mated sith normal wolves. Eddard and Cat had taken the legendary wolves as pets, as well as given their children direwolves.
King Eddard Stark: The Quiet Wolf, Ned is an honest and fair man. The father of the Wolf Pack and War hero of history, Ned only wants the best for his family and Kingdom. Once he had been afraid to break tradition, but he knew it had been the only way to thrive. Ned hasn’t lost his competitive nature and still enjoys a good spar with King Robert Baratheon or Jaime Lannister, the northern lion. Ned is also grumpy and acts more like an old dog. Sighing when he hears breaking stuff in the castle. Sometimes he thinks about forcing them all to take the black.
Queen Catelyn Stark: As Queen and a Tully, Catelyn spends much of her time as an ambassador for the Riverlands and the North. Enforcing Ned’s rue over the Riverlands. At one point she had been terrified of the changes Ned had wanted to make, yet after the exhilarating feel of holding her first sword, she loved it. Catelyn has grown to be apart of the North, and when she goes south, she finds herself longing for the chilling winds of Winterfell. Cat often hopes to keep her family out of trouble but they never listen.
Prince Robb Stark: Heir the Throne and eldest Stark child, Robb is the pride of the North. The boy is much his father and the realm is well aware. Growing up he had fostered at Bear Island for a time this his connection with the Mormonts is strong. Robb had been personally trained by Jaime Lannister and is considered one of the best swordsmen of his generation. He treats his siblings as good as can be and is considered their hero. He considers his best friends Prince Jon Baratheon and Ser Theon Greyjoy to be his brotherrs. Even though words haven’t been spoken, it is common knowledge that Robb will most likely marry Margaery Tyrell to help strengthen the North.
Princess Sansa Stark: 2nd in line for the Throne, Sansa is tutored and train like Robb to rule because of her close proximity to succession. Like Robb, she is very close to her siblings and is often the voice of reason. She was trained with Robb by Jaime Lannister and often enjoys sparring with her brothers and sisters. While not overly found of Southrons, Sansa feels herself drawn to Jon Baratheon, her cousin. It’s just a crush though. Currently she is in King’s landing visiting her family.
Princess Arya Stark: The youngest girl of the Starks, Arya is currently in Starfall. Fostering with the Daynes. Arya loves her northern heritage and will often talk about it. The girl longes for af adventure, to see the world, beyond the known map. It helps her friend Edric Dayne shares the same feeling. She use to be smitten with Prince Gendry, yet after spending So much time with the young blonde Dayne boy, she finds herself falling for him. She is 3rd in line for the Throne. Though everyone fears of Queen Arya ever becomes a thing.
Bran Stark: The Wolf with wings. The lad has no desire to ever take the throne and would share the same fate as his Arya. Travel the world and see new and amazing things. Currently the boy is fostering with the Reeds, yet he will be returning home for his Name day. Bran is intelligent and resourceful and is one of the sharpest Starks. He is also the only Starks to have his hand Promised to Marry someone. Meera Reed. Though the boy doesn’t seem to mind. 4th in line for the Throne.
Rickon Stark: The Wild Wild is his uncle reborn. Rickon enjoy an easy going lifestyle since his lessons of becoming King are much less strict due to his age and line of succession. Currently he is fostering on bear island line his brother Robb did when he was a child. Rickon’s best friend is Lyanna Mornont.
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