Chapter 2 - Meeting Ned
When I first saw Winterfell in its entirety, it looked exactly as I had imagined and nothing like I had imagined at all.
Thick gray walls rose from the hills like they had grown out of the earth itself. Steam drifted from the hot springs beneath the castle, curling around the towers in thin veils. The banners of House Stark, the gray Direwolf on white, fluttered proudly in the wind. From the outer gate, I could hear laughter and the clang of tankards. The Starks and the Northern Lords were celebrating their victory in the Iron Islands rebellion.
The North had come home triumphant.
I tightened my cloak against the chill and stepped forward. The air smelled of woodsmoke, ale, and roasted meat. It was a welcome change after the stillness of the House. The House had no wind, no sound and no warmth. Here, everything felt alive.
The guards at the gate stopped me, their hands resting on their swords.
"Identify yourself," one said.
"Matt," I replied simply." A traveller from far away. I wish to speak with Lord Stark."
The older guard, broad-shouldered and red-nosed from drinking, barked a laugh. "Do you now? You and half the North tonight. Go back to where you came from, lad."
I held my ground, "Tell him I have something important. He'll want to hear it."
The guard gave me a look that said I was either mad or foolish or maybe both. "Lord Stark's feasting with his bannermen. You think he'll drop his cup for a stranger's word?"
I let out a slow breath, meeting his eyes with a calm firmness that wasn't entirely mine. Something about being Master of the House Outside Time gave me a strange confidence. My voice came out quiet but steady. "Please. Just inform him a traveller waits with words meant only for his ears."
The guard hesitated. Maybe it was the way I said it, or maybe he just wanted to prove me wrong, but finally he sighed. "Wait here, then. If I don't come back with his agreement, you better be gone without any drama."
He vanished inside the keep, leaving me under the torches. The cold bit at my fingers. I rubbed them together and looked up at the dark sky.
I have a strategy or a course of action that required me to meet with Ned and gain his trust. If we looked it at from another way, there was no other person or Lord in the whole world that will believe me more easily than him, and neither is a Lord with more morality than him.
When the guard returned, he looked half-confused himself. "Lord Stark allows you to enter," he said gruffly, "Don't cause trouble."
"I'll do my best," I muttered, stepping through the gate.
The Great Hall of Winterfell was alive with noise and fire. Long tables filled the room, groaning under the weight of meat, bread, and pitchers of ale. Men in furs laughed and shouted to be heard over one another. Their voices were rough, full of the North's strength.
I walked in quietly, my boots echoing on the stone floor.
At the high table, Eddard Stark sat beside his lady wife, Catelyn. His eldest son Robb who was less than ten, sat proudly at his side with eyes bright as he listened to the men talk. Behind them stood maids and servants, pouring wine and clearing platters.
To Ned's both sides sat Lord Umber, a huge man with a booming laugh, Lord Karstark whose face was as sharp as his name, Lord Manderly with his big body and fat belly, and other Northern Lords.
I could feel eyes on me as soon as I entered. The noise began to soften. Tankards were lowered and the laughter slowly faded.
"Who's that there?" someone muttered.
"Another sell sword sniffing for coin?" said another.
Lord Stark's gaze found me, steady and assessing. "Who are you? And what business brings you to my hall?"
I bowed slightly, keeping my tone calm. "My name is Matt. I come from far away, my lord and I bring words meant only for you."
A few of the lords chuckled. Greatjon Umber's laugh rolled across the hall like thunder. "Words meant only for him, eh? Speak plain, lad! Or are you a southron weakling who's forgotten how to talk?"
More laughter followed, sharp and mocking. I didn't answer and simply smiled.
Ned Stark's expression didn't change, "You stand in my hall, stranger. Speak what you will, and speak it true."
I met his eyes. "What I have to say should be spoken in private, my lord."
His jaw tightened a little, "You'll say it here, before my men and family. I've no time for riddles."
I hesitated for a moment, realizing I wouldn't get a chance otherwise. Obviously, why would the Warden of North entertain a stranger's request? So I said the only words that would either make the meeting possible or will probably get me killed.
"Promise me, Ned. Promise me."
The hall went dead silent in confusion as nobody understood its significance.
Lord Stark froze, every trace of color draining from his face. His hand, which had been resting casually on the table, clenched into a fist. For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Catelyn turned toward him, confused and concerned, "Ned?"
He didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on me, sharp and searching something. His face was full of fear, disbelief and something more I couldn't name.
"Where did you hear those words?" he demanded, voice low and hard.
"From the one who said them to you," I said softly.
For a moment, I thought he might leap across the table and end me. But fortunately, he did not. Then, slowly, he stood. The lords around him shifted uneasily, glancing between us.
"To my Solar," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Now."
He strode out of the hall and I followed him. We walked through the castle in silence and soon reached the Solar.
As soon as we entered inside, he locked the door and turned towards me. His eyes held concern, anger and shock as he demanded, "Explain. Now. Or this will be the last day of your life."
I stood before Eddard Stark of Winterfell, the man of honour, the Warden of the North, as he stared at me like I was a ghost.
I was a little worried as I had no power at the moment to defend myself. Except Teleportation, which at least left me a way to flee if necessary.
I looked dead in his eyes and said, "What I want to say are connected. Starting with, Aegon Targaryen. The prophecy of The Song of Ice and Fire. And finally The Long Night. Which you may relate more as what your House says, Winter is Coming."
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End of Chapter 2 - Meeting Ned