Chapter 270: Lord Stark's Insidious Plan
Winterfell, Stark Lands
POV of Domeric Bolton
"Ser Jamie is ready for the next round of your duel." Lord Stark said as Domeric sat in the man's Solar once again. "It'll take place in three hours in the courtyard."
"You could have sent a messenger to tell me about it." Domeric said, "Was calling me here really necessary? Or do you like to be melodramatic about everything, Lord Stark?"
"No. I need your presence for another matter."
"And that would be?"
"Arya."
"I'm not getting betrothed to her… if that's the angle you were going for."
"Let me speak first." Lord Stark said with a frown, and Domeric gave a 'go ahead' motion with his hands and made himself comfortable in his chair.
"This is not about betrothal." Lord Stark said. "I want to talk about Arya's time in the Dreadfort. I don't want Arya to be just another ward raised in another castle. Instead, I hope you can keep her close and let her learn from you and from people in your inner circle."
"A young girl being sent to foster at a young boy's side," Domeric said with a wicked smile. "I did not know you were so manipulative, Lord Stark."
The man didn't even smile at his joke, so Domeric rolled his eyes.
"After what happened with Aunt Barbrey, do you want another daughter of yours to be around me and learn from my people and me? I hope you realize this means Arya will be coming face to face with Aunt Barbrey often and may even have things to learn from her." Domeric said solemnly.
Lord Stark's ice-cold facade did break at that, but he put it back on swiftly enough. "Yes… I was hoping that your aunt won't hate my daughter for my mistakes."
"What we hope for and what we get after are often two different things, Lord Stark."
"Yes. I know that particular lesson well enough." Lord Stark said, his eyes looking in the distance in sadness, before they focused once again, "But Arya… she's like her aunt, Lyanna. Willful and headstrong. She does not fit in with the other girls in this castle. She does not fit their definition of a lady and thus suffers because of it."
"So, the reason you want me to keep Arya close is because, unlike most other lords, I allow girls to do many of the same things men do, like carrying weapons and learning how to fight. So that she might make friends and gain some self-confidence? And you also want Arya to see the duties of lords and ladies up close while doing other things?"
"Yes." Lord Stark replied. "I was also hoping that Lady Ygritte would take her as her apprentice. I've heard about her archery skills from my sons. And if she's even half as good as they say she is, then my daughter will learn a great deal under her."
Domeric almost snorted when he heard the phrase "Lady Ygritte". Yup, he was definitely going to tease her about this later on. But for now…
"You're not secretly hoping that I'll fall in love with Arya during her stay on my side and ask you for her hand, are you?"
Lord Stark stayed quiet, and Domeric's jaw dropped.
"So, you were hoping for that, huh! I did not know you were this devious, Lord Stark. I must take notes."
Lord Stark sighed at Domeric's playful nature that only revealed itself when he's around dour people like Lord Stark. "That will not be necessary, Lord Bolton. And I assure you that the main reason for my request is to help her build her self-confidence. But if you both fall for each other, then know that I won't step in between you either."
"You really do want a long relationship with House Bolton, don't you?" Domeric said, and Lord Stark simply nodded.
"I won't deny that. The wealth and prosperity you've brought to your lands, and the miracles you can perform, have given me a fair number of sleepless nights when I stay awake and wonder what would happen if Lord Domeric Bolton turned out like his ancestors. After hearing first-hand accounts of your army, I'm sure that a war with you will definitely bring ruin to the North. And that is something that I don't want to happen."
Once Lord Stark was finished, they both stayed quiet for a long moment. He knew that Lord Stark felt this way, so saying it out loud didn't really shock him all that much. But still…
He looked back at Lord Stark and nodded. "I see no problem with your request. Actually, even without you mentioning it, I was already planning for Arya to receive the best possible training. And not only from Ygritte, but also from Varko and, in the future, even from Raksa. However, don't hope that I'll turn her into a proper lady. In fact, she might become even tomboyish in my care."
"Tomboyish?"
"…girls who love to imitate boys and their hobbies," Domeric said. "Besides, you don't have to worry about Aunt Barbrey. She doesn't take it out on children. The last time was just a feud between Lady Catelyn and my aunt spilling over. Besides, my aunt will be responsible for training Arya to become a proper Lady. But whether she puts that training into practice is up to Arya. As for a betrothal, don't hope for one. I love Ygritte and I won't betray her no matter what." Domeric said.
Lord Stark simply nodded his head in response.
Domeric was about to get up to leave before he remembered something and looked at Lord Stark once again.
"Lord Stark."
"Yes."
"I've a blacksmith in my service who knows how to reforge a Valyrian Sword. Would you like me to have him reforge the Ice, the Stark's ancestral Valyrian steel sword?"
"There is nothing wrong with the Ice." Lord Stark said, "It has been the ancestral sword of House Stark for centuries and has served us well."
"Probably." He said. "But you do have to admit that it's a bit… unwieldy. And we would need all the advantages we can get against the White Walkers if we want to survive the Long Night. I think it would be wiser to turn Ice into two one-handed Valyrian swords. One wielded by you and one by your heir."
Lord Stark stayed silent for a long moment. "I'll think about it."
Domeric shrugged at the response and left the room.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.271: Lady Stark's Plea
Ch.272: Second Round of the Duel
Ch.273: The Duel Concluded