Teela's life had always been a series of ups and downs. She lived in a small village in the North with her mother and two brothers. She had a happy and sweet childhood… until it happened, a cold summer.
Her mother was asleep, exhausted from her work as a needleworker, weaving rugs for noble houses. Teela was cold, her brothers were shivering, and she did not want to wake her tired mother. So she brought some burning coal inside to warm her family against the biting chill.
Her brothers told her they both had headaches. She told them they should get some sleep, that tomorrow they would be fine.
Time passed. She remained awake to finish her chores, but a thought kept trying to surface in her mind,a warning, perhaps. Then the headache again. She looked at her family, sleeping peacefully, and then she saw it: the coal still burning in the middle of the house.
Panic overwhelmed her senses. Tales of witch's coal that had killed entire families rushed through her mind, and she knew she had to do something. Her feet felt like lead and her thoughts began to drift, her body urging her to sleep. Maybe tomorrow everything would be all right. She comforted herself
No! she thought, mustering her will.
She stumbled toward the coal, a burning piece grazing her face and jolting her body into motion. She crawled, and crawled, and finally reached the door and pushed it open.
"Ahhh." x4
Her family, and she herself, took a deep breath of fresh air.
They were safe. She was burned, but they were safe.
And now, that same dread, that same wrongness assaulted her once more, full force.
Clap. Clap.
"Teela, are you there?" Sebastian asked with concern.
She blinked out of her thoughts and looked at the butler.
"Is something wrong, Teela?" he asked.
"Why are you sad, my lord?" she asked, unsure why she said it, only that she did.
Sebastian took a moment to compose himself.
"Sad? I am not sad, Teela. Now we need to go, the chores won't complete themselves," he said, as a bewildered and confused Teela followed him.
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Arya had always been a perceptive girl. She liked to play, she liked adventure, and she loved her family.
Like Sebs, she thought. Though he was not her blood brother, she had always seen him as a caring older brother. He taught her things, explained her and even spoiled her rotten from time to time
After that fishing trip, which she loved and still longed to repeat raw fish included, she began her training with the kunai. He gifted her a wooden one, balanced to weigh the same as a metal blade. Every day she practiced her katas, performed her exercises, and whenever possible trained her aim secretly in her room, careful not to be caught by her mother.
She also grew much better at embroidery, knowing she had to do it perfectly so that one day she could stitch wounds.
Everything felt perfect.
Until it didn't.
Winterfell felt different, as if something was happening that no one could quite see.
Teela, the girl with the burned face, was given more and more responsibilities. The cook began using Sebastian's favored metal stove. The food was good… but it lacked something, and…
"Good morning, Lady Arya," Sebastian said.
"Sebs!" She ran forward and hugged him, and Sebastian laughed.
"I prepared your favorite," he said, pointing to the table.
"Is that?! But, it's not my nameday yet!" she shouted happily.
"So? I knew you would enjoy Bruce Mom's cake, little one," he said conspiratorially.
"Thank you!" She hugged him tightly.
"Alright, little pup, let go of me and I'll give you this," he said, handing her a fork.
She dug in eagerly, delighted by the cake, yet confused by Sebastian's reaction.
He looked almost…
sad.
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Winterfell - Catelyn Stark's room
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," she said.
"M'lady, Lord Stark summons you to his solar," Teela announced.
Catelyn furrowed her brows for this was not usual.
She made her way to the solar, skirts brushing softly against the stone floors. As she reached for the door, it opened from the other side.
For a brief moment, she and Sebastian faced one another.
She could feel the smugness coming from him, masked or not.
Once inside, voices rose.
Catelyn argued.
She even shouted.
But Eddard answered with finality.
"He will not learn to rule by hiding behind his mother's skirts."
And there wasn't anything she could do about it.
She left the solar with stiff steps, her hands clenched tight, regret settling heavily in her chest.
_ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Catelyn found herself in the glass gardens. She needed to breathe.
This… this was not supposed to happen. My boy, he is taking him away from me, she thought, dread pooling in her chest.
She paced the garden, trying, and failing, to calm herself.
She tried to wrap her head around it. She knew there had always been a possibility, but she had dismissed it. She had seen the butler's loyalty firsthand, and it reminded her how many minor nobles and smallfolk would follow Ned without question.
This is his revenge, she thought, aware that she herself had fanned the flames to diminish Sebastian's prestige. She knew, of course she knew, that Sebastian wasn't Ned's, but she had played that card to keep him leashed. The Riverlands deserved that success, and it would have humbled the butler.
He was smallfolk and they were nobles. While she appreciated the knowledge he imparted to her children, they were growing too close for her comfort.
He knew. He wants revenge. That's why he's taking Robb from me, she thought, but there was nothing she could do about it.
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Flashback
Winterfell - Solar
"Knock knock," Sebastian said.
Lord Stark sighed as Sebastian shrugged.
"You told me not to knock. You never said I couldn't say knock knock," Sebastian explained cheekily.
"Report," Lord Stark ordered.
"The Old Gods festival was a great success, especially during the cold summer. Suicides dropped thanks to the festivities, and old, but still edible food was used, avoiding waste. Our 'paw patrol' has been implemented successfully, eliminating most of the rats through our 'pawed protectors.'The kids loved it. Also, the peat from the Reeds has been a massive success among the smallfolk, reducing the need to cut more trees or import coal from the Karstarks, and—"
Sebastian paused, eyeing the pile of letters.
"—would you mind telling me what has you so worried, my lord?" he asked.
Ned Stark passed him a letter from the Tullys. Sebastian read it.
Silence stretched.
"They're desperate" Sebastian grunted.
"Indeed," Lord Stark replied.
"What do you plan to do, my lord? I would suggest a series of unfortunate events. Something amusing, like an old lion dying while shitting, just to see if he really shits gold" Sebastian paused "Sadly, I'm sure you will disagree," Sebastian offered, easing Ned's headache and earning a faint smile.
Ned shook his head.
"If only it were that easy. No, your presence is needed here Sebastian. I will send a letter to Jon Arryn, explaining my recent movements as a way to strengthen and defend the North from a new King-beyond-the-Wall and how you acted on my will. Also that the steward marriage rumors are false."
"Will they believe it?" Sebastian asked.
Ned shook his head.
"At least it will buy us legitimacy. And Robert knows I do not jest about defending the North. Sadly, it will mean more marriage proposals for you," Ned added with a chuckle, Sebastian shivered.
"And the rumors about 'Sebastian Snow'?" Sebastian asked, knowing he could not show his face to just anyone.
Ned answered with silence.
"So you'll let your honor be tainted once more, to protect a lowly servant?" Sebastian sighed.
Ned did not, he just nodded.
"You are too kind for your own good, my lord, but I—" Sebastian paused, removing his mask. "—I refuse."
Ned frowned but motioned for him to continue.
"These greedy fuckers are too problematic. The changes were too good, too fast, that's why they're rattled. My presence will only bring you more trouble. The best outcome would be for Lady Catelyn to defend me, but we both know that won't happen. With all due respect, my lord."
Ned said nothing.
"So I need to leave. Not immediately, but when the time comes. It will let the North breathe again while I deal with our enemies far from my greatest weakness," Sebastian said calmly, though his red eyes were cold as ice.
"There is no nee—" Ned began.
"But there is need, my lord," Sebastian interrupted softly. "I quit."
Ned closed his eyes and thought, then he got interrupted by sebastian's voice.
"I still think your decision of not implementing a spy network was a mistake," Sebastian said quietly. "Had we known sooner, this trap could have been avoided."
"Aye," Ned agreed.
"What will you do now?" Ned asked.
"I… I would like to travel, my lord. To see things. And after that, who knows?" Sebastian said, then smiled mischievously. "Lord Ned, would it be possible to take the children with me?"
"We could visit other major houses, forge alliances. And while I said I would quit, I never said when. I could do so on my way back." Sebastian reasoned innocently.
Ned considered, then nodded, knowing perfectly well that the kids safety would be guaranteed.
He then stood, removed a key from around his neck, and opened a small locked cabinet. He took two glasses, uncorked the wine, poured, and handed one to Sebastian, who chuckled.
"You do know I'm still underage, right?"
"Aye," Ned replied.
"When I came of age, my father brought me here, opened that same cabinet, and shared a drink with me. Robb and Jon are not of age yet, and when your six-and-ten nameday comes, you may not be here."
Sebastian looked at the glass, then at the man before him, and smiled. A deep smile. A genuine one. One that has become quite rare these days.
He drank, accepting Ned's kindness and the words left unspoken.
Before five minutes passed, Sebastian put the mask back on, still sad, but more resolved than ever.
Ned stored the wine in the cabinet and ruffled Sebastian's hair.
"Take care of them," he said softly. "And of yourself."
"Yes, My Lord" accepted Sebastian
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A/N: THAT WAS SO LONG. I started this morning, I scrapped the idea, rewrote it and then edited, rearranged until I liked it. And here is the result. Also, while researching for information, I came across a quote that said " Catelyn Stark is a medieval karen" (sorry for the girls who are called karen, it's the equivalent of a kevin here in southamerica) and yes, I can see and understand her actions from that perspective. Also, in this way, it allows me to make a last trip with the boys and then *boom*canon. But, I will cross the bridge when I get there. For now, thanks to all of the people who started with me and all the people who are new here. Hope you enjoy and please, leave comments. They are so fun to read or think about (I added more plots thanks to some pointed but marvelous questions) or correct mistakes (english is not my first language, and just like my previous fics, this is a way to get better at my english). Just like before I will not be posting chapters for new year (my mom will use me as free labor 'esperanzito'). So, in advance, I wish you a Happy new year! (moaa)
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P/d: This chapter is dedicated for Luna Lovewood, my dog. I love you and hope that someday we can reunite in this life or in another.
30/12/2025