(Author's Note: As you may have noticed, almost all characters are going to be aged up. So I thought I'd put the starting ages here for clarity.
(Ages order: book or TV to the new age assigned)
Sansa Stark from 11 or 13 to 17
Arya Stark from 9 or 11 to 15
Robb Stark from 14 or 16 to 18
Daenerys Targaryen from 13 or 16 to 18
Theon Greyjoy from 18 or 16 to 19
Jon Snow from 14 or 16 to 18
Joffrey Baratheon from 11 or 16 to 17
Tommen Baratheon from 6 or 8 to 12
Myrcella Baratheon from 7 or 10 to 15
Margaery Tyrell from 14 or 18 to 20
All others will be using their TV show age since it wouldn't make sense for characters such as Eddark Stark to be 34 when having his oldest child be 18. Talk about having kids young. BUT the events will be spaced such as the books, in which there's 2-3 years between events. Ok, Note over. Thank you for reading if you did.)
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Chapter 2
Lyle and Elena layed in their bed some three hours after meeting Sansa. It was quiet, but Lyle could tell his wife had something she wished to say.
"What is it?" He asked, cuddling into her.
"It's just... The events you talked about are going to start soon, aren't they?" Elena asked. The peace they had been experiencing had been novel to her, something she didn't want to change. She was even contemplating asking for a child, which would be hard with a war ongoing. But...
"Hmmm..." Lyle hummed softly. "We could go somewhere else. The only worlds I know all have some kind of conflict in them. This one just happens to be relatively low risk to us."
"I know that's why you picked it, but... I've grown attached." Elena has always been soft spoken and had trouble expressing herself, but Lyle could always understand her. It wasn't in the plans, but if his wife didn't want the Starks to die, how could he deny her. He already had his rest, and his blood sings for conflict anyways. He broke the embrace and stood to dress.
"Then, it seems we're on the Hunt again." They shared a smile with a promise of blood.
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The preparations for the feast done, Eddard Stark sat in his solar waiting for all the guests to arrive. The ages of 3, 13, and 17 all had a feast to accompany them, making them somewhat special. Three being the confirmation your child would live, Thirteen being the age of fertility, and Seventeen being the age of adulthood.
He wished he could focus solely on his daughter's namesday, but the letter in his hand would not leave his attention. The letter stating Jon Arryn had passed. The man was basically Eddard's surrogate father, raising him since his time in Kings Landing. Eddard just wished he could stop losing people.
It wasn't the only concern though, the letter also pointed to something suspicious with Jon's death and Eddard intended to find out once the King arrived in the North.
Sighing, he rose, temporarily siding the issue. The King wouldn't arrive for months at this point and it would be no use fretting. He would find his answers though, he would.
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The feast was just starting and Sansa stood at the entrance to the Great Hall to welcome and recieve congratulations. She greeted everyone with a smile, but she was truly looking for one face.
When Lyle and Elena finally arrived, Sansa gave her widest smile yet, and everyone around could only release a sigh. Chief among them being Lady Catelyn Stark. She had tried to curb this crush of her daughter, but was having little success. She had thought to restrict her from visiting the Caddels, but knew it would only lead to sneaking out. She liked the Caddels, they have done a lot for the family that would never be known to any other than her husband and her, but her daughter's crush could only lead to heart break. The man was already married for one, and... the request of betrothal her husband has still not deigned to inform their daughter about.
She was against it of course, they were a Warden family and had no need for arranged marriage. She was of the mind to let her children marry for love, an option she didn't have. She loved Ned now, but marrying for alliance had been daunting at the time.
It was the King though, and add in the fact they consider each other brothers, and she knew her husband couldn't refuse.
Rising, she made to greet the Caddels herself. Despite her misgivings, she still favoured them and would give them respect. She didn't need to walk far, the Caddels spotted her and met her halfway.
"Lady Stark, you have outdone yourself." Lyle bowed before making of show of examing all the decorations around the hall. The note of teasing in his voice caused Catelyn to smile. Yes, she did favour them, but she wouldn't fall for his baits. She knew it would lead to him flirting with her. Probably something along the lines of her being the masterpiece of the hall.
"Elena, I hope you've been keeping your husband in line." Catelyn pointingly ignored Lyle.
"I have tried, Lady Stark. I have tried." They shared a smile, they both knowing he did whatever he wanted.
"Yes, while you two gossip about your men, I will go do the same about the women with Lord Stark." Lyle said mock petulantly, causing the women to scoff at him, but not respond. Lyle shrugged, ignored their whispering and made his way to Lord Stark.
"Lord Stark, it's good to see you out from your gloomy chancery."
"Ah, Lyle." Eddard rose to shake Lyle's hand, but before letting go, he closed in to whisper. "There is something I wish to speak to you about after the feast."
Lyle kept his smile, but sersiously nodded.
"Join me, Lyle. Let me introduce you to my Bannermen."
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The feast was finally starting to wind down as guests either left or found themselves drunk on the floor. Quite a few of those that drunk into coma were Lord Stark's own bannermen. They didn't all arrive, but the ones that did certainly liked to party.
Lord Stark caught his eyes, signaling the awaited talk. Lyle rose with him. After a short goodbye to his wife, the Stark children, and Lady Stark, they retired to Lord Stark's chancery, or a medievil office.
While Lord Stark sat behind his desk, he handed Lyle a letter with the Kings crest on it. Lyle immediately knew what it was about, though he read it anyway to comfirm the details. Both worlds he has visited so far has had some major changes from the works he knew them from. Thankfully, so far this world he has only noticed changes to ages.
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Lord Stark stayed quiet while Lyle read over the letter, giving him the time to digest it. Lyle was basically Eddard's secret weapon to any threats against his family. When the Caddels first arrived at Winterfell, the only reason he had actually talked to them was for concerns of their blood. Considering Jon, he didn't want any rumors of Targaryens in the North. In that private meeting, many things changed, as had things in the following years. Magic. It was real, and the Caddels were practitioners. It was a heavily guarded secret, since Eddard knew what Sevens reaction would be. While the Seven didn't have heavy influence in the North, they had enough.
Since then, the Caddels have offered all the services they could provide, only for the price of refuge. Ofcourse, Eddard was hesistant at first until the Caddels showed exactly what magic could do. The North was doing much better with food production, and while they still had to rely on the Reach, it was marginally better. The enchantments to clothing and accessories have helped reduce injury with the guards and smallfolk, though it was credited it to being artifacts from the Children. There were many other things they have helped with, and he genuinely believed they had a connection to the Old Gods.
He was right, just not the ones he was thinking.
This all came together to build a trust that was almost unbreakable to the Caddels. It was why he wanted, needed their help. He could feel something brewing, possibly war, possibly something else. He only knew he felt threatened.
"What exactly is it you wish for my help with?" Lyle finally broke the silence. Eddard considered him for a second, feeling guilty despite himself. All the help they have provided, and they only asked for a home. He was a man of honor and usually he wouldn't feel guilty for asking for his men to defend their home, but there's only so much you should ask of your men.
He composed himself, convincing himself it was for his family, though he swore to repay this debt.
"I was hoping for fully enchanted items for my family, and a... divination for Jon Arryn's death." He asked, knowing it was possible from Lyle using such methods to solve many issues over the years. Lyle nodded in response.
"Very well." Eddard noticed Lyle seemed to want to continue, but was hesistant. Eddard motioned for him to continue.
"There are many things I could tell you about what is to happen, and honestly I wasn't planning to get involved. I would of provided help, but not actively pursued changing things. My wife, along with your children, has convinced me the need to participate." Lyle spoke honestly, knowing it could offend Lord Stark. "I'm going to need standing. I could use tourneys and battle, but it would take time--"
"Done." Before Lyle could finish, Eddard interrupted. "It will take some time, but I will try to rush things before the King arrives."
Lyle bowed in gratitude, though slightly regretful. This was building roots in this world. Something that would commit his wife and him to future events. The House of Caddel did sound nice, though.
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On the other side of the castle, another serious conversation was taking place. Sansa was crying and Elena was offering quiet support. Lady Stark finally brought up the betrothal.