Ok folks first of so so so sorry it's taken this long to update i just can't seem to find a way to put my ideas into words. However I'd started this story with the thought of it being a Eragana/ Ned pairing but after writing this chapter i'm really starting to want it to be a Eragana/Brandon. Opinions?

Chapter 7

Brandon sighed in relief when he and his party crested the hill and saw the grand castle of Winterfell in the distance. It had been a terrible journey since the third day when they'd been bombarded by bad weather. The weather of the North was unpredictable and they had been caught out badly. He couldn't wait to get into the warmth of the castle and get a hot bath.

As the castle in the distance got larger Brandon wondered on his younger siblings. Lyanna had always been a handful and he only hoped that since Ned had went to the Eyrie she had behaved and not tested their father to much. Benjen had always been the more laid back, usually only in trouble for whatever Lyanna had dragged him into. He'd missed them while away and couldn't wait to see them again.

Once they where close enough for the watchers on the castle walls to spot them clearly they could see guards come out the main gates and make their way to them.

"Lord Brandon, welcome home" the lead rider said as soon as he got level with Brandon.

Brandon smiled and replied "It's good to be home"

"Your Father has the whole house staff and the visiting Lords waiting for your arrival" the guard went on to say and Brandon kicked his horse into a trot as he said "Well we best not keep them waiting then" and headed towards the main gates.

When he entered the courtyard he saw that the guard had spoke the truth and that the whole house was out to great him. His father was standing at the top of the steps leading up to the main doors with his two youngest siblings standing on his right. He recognised some guards and staff that had been with him since he was a small boy and he recognised a few of the Northern Lord's however he didn't recognise the stunningly beautiful woman standing to his father's left. As he jumped down from his horse and walked towards the steps his father moved from the top and meet him half way stopping when he was a step above him. He lifted his right arm and placed his hand on his left shoulder before saying "Welcome home son" which was as much affection as he was going to get out of his father in public.

"It's good to be home father" before he could say any more he was attacked by a blur and he looked down to see that Lyanna had gotten fed up waiting and had launched herself at him. Surprisingly his father didn't say anything about it, however that may have been because his attention had been taken by greeting the men that had been travelling with him. Lyanna took his attention back by grabbing his hand and dragging him up the steps while saying,

"Brandon I want to introduce you to Lady Eragana who has been staying with us for a while". She was leading him straight to the beautiful lady that he had spotted standing by his father when he arrived. She was even more beautiful up close.

"Eragana I would like to introduce you to my eldest brother Brandon" Lyanna said beaming at said lady. Brandon could see the hero worship in his sisters eyes and he wondered at what this stranger had done to become so important to his sister, normally she hated being in the presence of any ladies.

"It's a pleasure Lord Stark". Lady Eragana said to him in the most musical voice he had ever heard. "Likewise My Lady" he replied in a slightly dazed voice. Lyanna giggled beside him and he sent her a glare before noticing that Benjen had joined them. Brandon gave his youngest sibling a hug before returning his attention back to Lady Eragana, however before he could say anything more his father joined them again.

"Come, I would speak to you before you need to get ready for the feast" he said to Brandon before turning to Lyanna "I trust you will be dressed appropriately?".

Brandon waited for the explosion that he was sure to come at his father's request of his stubborn sister, but it never came. He watched as Lyanna smiled before glancing over at Lady Eragana who nodded before she said

"Eragana has gave me an early name day present that I wish to wear tonight." Brandon thought she looked a bit apprehensive, perhaps worried their father would insist on one of her own dresses.

His father did look slightly apprehensive for a moment before nodding and sending her in to get ready. Lyanna skipped away with a smile on her face and Lady Eragana followed after her. As she turned to move up the steps Brandon caught sight of the dagger hanging on her waist inside her cloak. His shock must of shown on his face as his father chuckled beside him and said "You'll find my son that the Lady Eragana has many surprises up her sleeve." Brandon just nodded, not really realizing he was doing it before following his father up the steps and Into the castle where they headed to his solar.

Closing the door behind him, Brandon watched his father settle into his chair before moving across the room and settling into the wooden chair in front of the old oak desk.

"As you are aware I've been arranging your betrothal for the last couple of years and an agreement has been reached with Lord Tully for you to marry his eldest daughter. The announcement will be made at tonight's feast."

Brandon felt a quick flash of anger at his father deciding his life for him but bit his tongue. He'd had that argument with him too many time's already to want to start it up again after being away for so long, so he just nodded his head at his father.

"The young Lord Baratheon has expressed his interest in Lyanna, having heard of her from your brother, and I'm inclined to agree if a marriage is proposed." his father told him. Brandon frowned at his father as he told him this.

"Father you know Lyanna won't agree to that. If your going to arrange a marriage for her at least keep it in the north. The south would destroy her."

"This is not about what Lyanna would want. We need allies and your sister will do what she's told and marry a southern lord if that is what it takes to acquire an alliance."

"Why now? We've never needed close allies from the south, the northern houses have always been enough." he asked his father. His actions as of late and southern ambitions had been worrying Brandon. While he hadn't been home for some time he'd heard that more often than not lately, his father was held up in meetings with several other Lords and none of them ever spoke of what was said.

His father was quite for a long while before he heaved a sigh and said "The King is getting more paranoid with every year that passes. With winter on it's way we will be the first, and hardest hit. We need eyes and ears in the south, people we can trust that'll be in a position to warn us if the King sets his sights on the North. Up until now we've been left relatively on are own but I fear that may change. It would seem that quite a few other Lord's are also concerned about the mental state of our King and what it means for them if he ever had a reason to sets his sights on them." Brandon got the impression there was more to it than what his father was saying but decided not to push him. His Father was as stubborn and bull headed as Lyanna and the more you pushed the more stubborn and tight lipped he got. It was better to wait until his father decided he needed to know what was going on instead of pushing him.

Deciding he'd had enough of talk on marriages, Brandon asked his father the question that had been on his mind since he saw her, "What of Lady Eragana, when did she arrive?"

His father gave him a long searching look before answering, "She arrived here from White Harbour, at my invitation several months ago. Lord Manderly brought her presence to my attention when her ships docked in his harbour. She's not from these lands, not even from Esso's. However she seems to have quite a bit of power. Money too. Her men also don't seem to be all from the same place, meaning she's recruited them from one of her apparently many journeys. She could be a strong ally or a dangerous enemy. Lyanna took an instant liking to her and luckily she seems to return the favour. Although Lyanna's interest may be due to the fact that Lady Eragana was somehow been able to convince me to let her teach Lyanna how to use a sword."

Now Brandon really was shocked. Lyanna had been begging since he started learning the ways of the sword to have lessons, and the answer from their father was always a decisive No. For this stranger to be able to convince him so quickly, she must be something really special. Brandon was defiantly spending some time with the Lady Eragana tonight.

"If that is all Father I think I'll retire to my room to freshen up for tonight." he said to his father. He was starting to feel the effects of the long ride and wanted to wash the dust and grim of his skin.

His father nodded at him and he got up and left the room, shutting the door behind him before making his way to his room where the servants had already brought a tub and hot water up for his bath. Pouring the buckets of water into the tub in front of the fire he sets his new clothes on the bed before stripping out of his dirty clothes and sinking in to the bath, enjoying the way his muscles relaxed in the hot water. Before he knew it he was dosing of to the sound of the fire crackling beside him.