Chapter 15: A Merman’s planning (Wyman – I)

Summary:

In White Harbour, Lord Wyman Manderly receives a raven from Eddard Stark and reacts to it, planning with his family...

Chapter Text

As I sat in my solar, the weight of Lord Eddard Stark's message pressed upon me like a leaden cloak. The ornate letter, sealed with the Direwolf sigil, had arrived earlier in the morning, and now its words beckoned me into a world of treachery and intrigue. I glanced once more at the parchment, re-reading the words that carried both urgency and concern. I knew each part of the message ever since Maester Theomore had delivered me it when announcing a raven's arrival.

"To Lord Wyman Manderly, Lord of White Harbor,

My esteemed friend,

May this message find you in good health and spirits. It is with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency that I write to you, seeking your counsel and assistance in these uncertain times."

The words of Ned Stark, a man I held in the highest regard, resonated deeply within me. He was a true friend of House Manderly, and his appeal for aid bore a concern that I could not be ignore.

"When the king's cortege stopped at Darry Castle, there was an incident that forced me to send my youngest daughter back to Winterfell for her safety and to appease the Crown. She is accompanied by a strong escort, but I am still concerned for her safety. The incident has angered the Queen and the eldest Prince, and I worry about foul play."

I pondered the implications of this incident at Darry Castle. Troubling times indeed, when even the royal court was fraught with danger and intrigue. I wondered what could have made the Queen and Prince Joffrey angry? Then again, the queen being a Lannister, I could think of many things she might have taken for a slight.

"During this stop, a jurat also came to see me, giving me information that left me wary of what awaits me at King's Landing. His report made me aware my position as Hand of the King might not be strong enough to face the lies and deceits of the city should the events go awry."

Questions swirled through my mind. What had this jurat revealed? What lurking dangers awaited Ned Stark in the shadowed alleys of the Red Keep? I knew not, but I could not stand idle while my liege lord faced such peril. Starks didn't do well in the South, they said, and it seemed my friend was aware of this possibility.

"You are the only one I can reach out to in a short time, to support my household and to ensure the protection of my family against the dangers of the Red Keep. I also humbly ask that you send a ship to King's Landing with trusted individuals whom you shall appoint. We need a reliable means of communication and transportation in these uncertain times."

Ned's request was clear, and his trust in House Manderly was a bond I would honor with unwavering loyalty. I knew I had to act swiftly, for the safety of my friend and his family hung in the balance.

With a heavy sigh, I folded the letter and placed it carefully on my desk, the parchment bearing the weight of a heavy decision. My mind raced with thoughts and strategies as I anticipated the arrival of my sons, Wylis and Wendel. The fate of House Stark and the North itself rested upon our shoulders, and I knew that time was of the essence.

As I began to formulate plans, there came a series of polite knocks at the door of my solar. I straightened my posture and called out, "Enter."

The entry slowly creaked open, and Maester Theomore, a portly man with a rosy-cheeked countenance, entered the room. He had a head of golden curls that seemed at odds with his rotund appearance. His reputation as "all head and no heart" was well-known, but I trusted his intellect and discretion. However, with this message, I might have to be cautious as I remembered his potential ties with the Westerlands.

"Lord Manderly," he began with a respectful nod, "Your sons have arrived, as you requested."

I nodded in acknowledgment and gestured for the Maester to continue. "Very well, Theomore. Please, show them in."

As Maester Theomore stepped aside, my two sons, Wylis and Wendel, entered the room. They were both large men, like me, though each bore his own distinct features. Wylis, the elder of the two, was bald with a bushy thick mustache that obscured his mouth. He carried an air of formality about him, and his clothes, like mine, showed signs of the ample feasts we enjoyed.

Wendel, the younger, had a an equally large mustache of his own, but unlike his brother, he was loud and boisterous, with a booming voice that filled the room. His clothes were also stained with the remnants of his voracious appetite.

I greeted them with a nod and a warm, albeit weary smile. "Thank you for joining me, my sons. Please, take a seat."

They exchanged glances, clearly curious about the reason for this summons. Wylis, ever the more formal of the two, finally spoke up.

"Father, what brings us here today? Your message carried an air of urgency."

In response, I reached for the folded letter on my desk and presented it to them. "Read this, my sons. It is a message from our dear friend, Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell. I'm afraid it bears grave tidings."

Wylis and Wendel exchanged the letter, each taking turns to read its contents. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to concern as they absorbed the words of our friend and liege lord.

Wylis was the first to break the silence, his voice tinged with worry. "This is troubling indeed, Father. The safety of Lord Stark's daughter and the implications of this incident at Darry Castle weigh heavily upon him."

Wendel, always quick to voice his thoughts, added with a hint of anger, "And the treacherous nature of King's Landing is well-known. To think that even Lord Stark's position as Hand of the King may be precarious is deeply unsettling."

I nodded gravely, my fingers drumming on the arm of my chair. "Indeed, my sons. Lord Stark has called upon House Manderly for aid and protection in these uncertain times. His trust in us is unwavering, and we shall not fail him."

Wylis and Wendel exchanged determined glances, their loyalty to House Stark and our family's duty to the North echoing in their eyes.

"We shall prepare the necessary arrangements, Father," Wylis affirmed.

Wendel, always the more impulsive of the two, added with a fervent nod, "And we will ensure that our support reaches Lord Stark in his time of need. You have our word, Father."

I smiled at their unwavering dedication, a rare expression for a man with four chins. "Good. I knew I could count on both of you."

Wylis leaned forward and asked, "Father, how many men do you believe we should send to King's Landing to aid Lord Stark?"

I leaned forward in my chair, considering the question carefully. "Enough to be of help to Lord Stark, but not so many that we overshadow his own forces," I replied. "Our goal is to provide support and protection, not to provoke any unwanted suspicion at the Red Keep."

Wylis and Wendel exchanged thoughtful glances, clearly absorbing the weight of my words. Wendel, ever eager to offer his thoughts, spoke up, "Do we know the size of Lord Stark's household in King's Landing? That would help us determine how many men we should send."

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating the information we had. "If the rumors and whispers are to be believed, Lord Stark's household in the capital may consist of less than a hundred men," I admitted. "It is a delicate situation indeed, but one we must address with caution."

Wendel, always one to propose solutions, suggested, "Father, perhaps we should send a group of fifty men. Enough to provide security and support, but not so many as to draw undue attention. They can blend in with the city's populace."

I nodded in agreement, acknowledging the wisdom in his suggestion. "A group of fifty men it shall be, then."

My sons exchanged knowing glances, and it was Wylis who asked the next pressing question. "And who shall lead this group, Father?"

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze fixed on Wendel. "Wendel, you shall lead our men to King's Landing. Your experience in arms and your decisive nature make you the right choice for this task."

Wendel's eyes widened in surprise at the appointment, but he quickly composed himself and nodded with determination. "Very well, Father. I shall do my utmost best to ensure Lord Stark's safety."

With the matter of leadership settled, we turned our attention to the practical aspects of aiding Lord Stark.

"We need to gather information on the situation in the capital to prepare our men and for whatever danger they may need to look for once there", I said.

Wylis proposed, "To gather information in King's Landing, we could rely on the merchants of White Harbor who trade with the capital. They have their ears to the ground and may provide us with valuable insights."

I nodded approvingly at his suggestion. "A sound plan, Wylis. We shall enlist the aid of our trusted merchants to keep us informed of the goings-on in the city."

However, the issue of communication remained a challenge. Wendel raised this concern, saying, "Father, we must also establish a reliable means of sending messages between King's Landing and White Harbor. In these uncertain times, swift communication is necessary and we do not know if our messages will be read."

I nodded in agreement, knowing that the distance between our two cities could pose a significant obstacle. "You are right my son. If we need to communicate about the situation or to allow lord Stark to send messages he wants secured, it is a necessity. I shall consult with Maester Theomore on this matter. Perhaps he can devise a method using ravens or other means with the ship."

My sons nodded in acknowledgment, clearly satisfied with the direction our preparations were taking.

Wendel then asked, "Father, when do you intend for me to depart for King's Landing?"

I considered the timing carefully before answering. "Wendel, you shall leave within the fortnight. There is no time to waste. Begin making the necessary preparations immediately. Choose the men whom will accompany you."

He nodded, his spirit unwavering, and rose from his seat. "I shall see to it, Father."

As Wendel exited the room to carry out his task, Wylis remained, his thoughtful gaze fixed on me. "Father, this message from Lord Stark presents a unique situation. What more can you tell me about it?"

I sighed heavily, recognizing the depth of my son's curiosity and concern. I leaned forward, my expression serious. "I want you to bring your two daughters to my solar. There is a matter I want to discuss with them."

Wylis nodded again, his face showing a mix of curiosity and concern. "Of course, Father. I will summon them immediately."

He turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As I waited for Wylis to return with his daughters, my mind wandered to the weighty responsibility that lay ahead. The fate of House Stark and the stability of the North hung in the balance, and it was our duty as loyal allies to provide support in their time of need. But the situation presented an opportunity that could fortify my house's position with the Stark's and in the North.

My thoughts then turned to Lady Arya Stark, the youngest daughter of my Lord, whom was riding back to Winterfell from Darry Castle with an escort. The incident at Darry Castle had raised suspicions, and the concerns my liege lord expressed in his message made me concerned about his daughter's safety. I vowed I would do everything in my power to ensure her well-being.

I also contemplated the need to inform the Lords near the Riverlands and considered the Crannogmen, who had a reputation for their stealth and loyalty. I knew that their lord, Howland Reed was a friend of Eddard Stark, and I thought it wise to warn him of Lady Arya's return to Winterfell and to seek his assistance in protecting her escort.

With these thoughts in mind, I decided to write a message to Howland Reed. I reached for parchment and a quill, ready to put my words in writing, and seek aid from the loyal Lords of the North.

Just as I began to write, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Stopping my writing, I turned my gaze on the door and called out,

"Enter."

The entry opened, revealing Wylis and his two daughters, Wynafrid and Wylla, who entered the room with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension in their expressions.

I smiled warmly at them, despite the gravity of the situation. "Ah, my dear grandchildren, it's good to see you," I said, gesturing for them to take a seat. "Please, join me."

Wynafrid and Wylla exchanged looks before they seated themselves, clearly wondering why they had been summoned to their grandfather's solar.

Wylla, the younger of the two, couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and asked, "Grandfather, why have you called us here today?"

I reached for Lord Stark's letter and handed it to them, saying, "This message from Lord Stark will shed some light on the matter." I watched as they both took the letter and began to read.

Wynafrid's brows furrowed in concern as she read, and she looked up at me with a worried expression. "Grandfather, what does this have to do with us?"

I leaned back in my chair, considering how to explain without revealing the full extent of my plans. "My dear Wynafrid, my precious Wylla, this message is of great significance. It presents us with an opportunity to further fortify our relationship with House Stark."

Wynafrid, always sharp and perceptive, seemed to guess my intent. "You mean Lord Stark's heir..."

I nodded, acknowledging her insight. "Precisely, Wynafrid. When the news of Lady Arya's return reaches Winterfell, I intend to send a message to Lord Robb Stark, inquiring if he would agree to a visit from you after Lady Arya's arrival."

Wylla and Wynafrid exchanged excited looks, clearly understanding the implications of such a visit. Wynafrid spoke up, her voice filled with hope, "Helping Lady Arya to safety could be a remarkable opportunity, Grandfather. And if we can win Lord Robb's favour, it could bring great benefits to House Manderly."

I smiled at their enthusiasm and nodded. "Indeed, my dear. And since lord Robb is still unmarried andis as acting Lord of Winterfell and is also the next Lord Warden of the North, building ties with him is not only relevant but also strategic."

Wylla's eyes widened in understanding, and she exchanged a knowing look with her sister. "You mean, this could be a chance for one of us to..."

I chuckled softly, finishing her sentence, "To potentially secure a betrothal with Lord Robb Stark, yes. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. First, we must ensure the safe passage of Lady Arya and her escort. I am preparing a message that would bring help for her to come back without issues. And then, if Lord Robb agrees to our proposal, you two shall have the chance to meet and hopefully befriend him. But remember, the safety of the Stark family is our foremost concern."

Wylla and Wynafrid both nodded in understanding, their young hearts filled with a sense of purpose and duty. The weight of our task was clear to them, as was the opportunity it presented.

I paused for a moment, considering the gravity of our situation and the potential outcomes. "This mission is not without risks, but it is one that could shape the future of our house and the North itself. I have faith in both of you to carry it out with grace and determination."

Wynafrid spoke up, her voice filled with strong willingness. "Grandfather, we understand the importance of this mission. If it is your will, one of us will gladly take on this responsibility."

Wylla echoed her sister's sentiment. "Yes, Grandfather. We are ready to serve House Manderly and House Stark in any way we can."

I couldn't have asked for more from my granddaughters. Their dedication to our house and the North was clear, and I knew they were up to the task.

"Very well," I said with a nod. "You may take your leave for now, my dear grandchildren. I will prepare with you in the coming days to ensure everything is in order for Lady Arya's return and your potential journey to Winterfell."

Wynafrid and Wylla both rose from their seats, their faces filled with anticipation. They exchanged a final glance and then left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Once the door had closed behind them, I turned my attention to my son, Wylis, who had remained in the room. He had a questioning look in his eyes, and I could tell he was curious about my plans.

Wylis finally spoke up, his voice tinged with a hint of concern.

"Father," he began, "I can't help but think of the last time my daughters were at Winterfell. Wynafrid danced with young Robb Stark, but there was no talk of betrothals then. Are you sure this plan will be successful?"

I nodded, understanding his reservations. "I remember that visit well, Wylis. But circumstances have changed, and the need for strong alliances in the North is greater than ever. Strengthening our position in the North and fortifying our bonds with House Stark are of utmost importance, especially given the current situation we have at hand."

I added, "Besides, both Wynafrid and Wylla have grown up."

Wylis seemed to consider my words carefully before finally nodding in agreement. "I trust your judgment, Father. If this is what you believe is best for House Manderly and the North, then we shall support you wholeheartedly."

I clasped my son's shoulder, grateful for his understanding and support. "Thank you, Wylis. Together, we shall navigate these treacherous waters and ensure the safety and prosperity of our house and the North."

With our plans set in motion and the future of House Manderly hanging in the balance, we were prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead, guided by our unwavering commitment to honor and duty.

A.N.:

And here we are ! The new interlude is depicting the first external POV not tied by the direct events and yet affected by them (though, in an indirect way). This chapter was something I knew would be present both to illustrate the first true ripples beyond the immediate and obvious ones depicted in the first chapters.

I tried to be as faithful as possible with how lord Wyman Mandery is depicted in the books, i.e someone loyal to the Starks and yet cunning in his own ways. Including his sons was kind of logical and necessary in regards of the context and the presence of his granddaughters help to give depth to the potential complexity of the character, not to mention a suggestion of my beta reader I find interesting and rather relevant. And of course, I take advantage of the blanks in the canon background concerning the years preceding the first book and season to give depth and context. And obviously, the Manderly would play an important part in incoming events...

I take advantage of this new publication to make an announcement concerning the nature of the interludes : while they would still play the role of timeline landmarks and of depicting key events or to depict how the characters react to the changes or to the SI, they would serve for the plot-striven part of the story (for most of them). After all, while there is a SI we are following in how he finds his way and interacts with other characters, the universe of ASOIAF is so developped and complex that it would be a shame not to depict this side of this universe. This new addition to the purposes of the "interludes" (or can they be called interludes as we will move forward in the story ?) partly result to the long-planning approach of this fanfic thanks to the help of my beta reader who is a very good pillar and source of propositions that I discuss and think upon them to give shape to the story. Besides, what we love in ASOIAF and GOT is both the characters and the plots they are embroiled in (as long as the way it is built make sense, of course). So giving another purpose to those chapters is relevant for this reason.

Of course, that raises the question of the balance between the SI's arc and the plot-driven tale as not much interlude would prevent the plot-driven story to thrive (especially with the multiple POVs that featured GOT/ASOIAF). The current approach would be a "cycle" : two to three chapters from the SI's POV, one interlude and then the cycle is repeated. However, for events that may need a multiple perspective, either a multiple POVs chapter or two to three "interlude" chapters might be necessary. While I have my personal preference, I'll discuss it with both any reader on that matter and my beta reader, mainly because I am very attentive to details and consistency in a story (and while no story is perfect, I am determined to work my stories in such a manner that the context, the characters' actions and the events make sense and that every detail for background or plot counts).

This newfound approach however helps me to deepening the fanfiction and to decrease the "Gary-Stu" temptation, especially due to the nature of the SI, even if his role and influence will be present. And to help me to develop in the most detailed and consistent manner the story, I began to develop a personal timeline of the events tied to the SI and the plot-driven story (and background details) with an inspiration from Vandal ASOIAF Fan Timeline.

Teaser : the next chapter is on a new step of the SI's journey through bonding and tales during the ride...

Have a good reading !