Ned emerged from his solar with Maester Luwin following close behind his Lord liege. The Stark lord was on his way to the Winterfell courtyard, where he intended to wait for the approaching party, when Luwin interrupted him.
"There is something you should see for yourself before the convoy reaches the castle, my lord," Luwin said.
Ned raised an eyebrow, a frown forming on his face.
"What is it?" He questioned.
Luwin did not respond with words as he remained silent. Ned sighed and finally gave a nod. He would see for himself.
"Send for someone to gather Catelyn and the rest. Our guest must be provided with a proper welcome," he instructed before heading toward the walls of Winterfell.
He climbed the battlements, where his master at arms, Rodrik Cassel, was already standing, his eyes fixed on the distance.
"Lord Stark," Rodrik greeted with a tilt of his head.
Ned returned the nod and followed Rodrik's gaze toward the road leading to Winterfell. At some distance, he spotted the convoy. It was a small one, with no banners flying, just as Luwin had reported.
But what caught Ned's eye left him stunned. It was not the convoy itself, nor the absence of banners, but the beast walking at the front.
A massive black creature, its size rivalling that of a horse though its power was very evident to be far greater.
Beside it, mounted on horseback, a young man was riding with blonde hair. Lucas Lannister. And darting and jumping around the massive beast and Lucas' horse were two smaller cubs, no doubt its offspring.
"What is that?" Ned muttered, his eyes fixed in disbelief on the wild animal.
"We do not know, Lord Stark," Rodrik replied, shaking his head. "Even Maester Luwin failed to recognize the beast."
Ned did not know how to react. The apprehension which had already been gnawing at his mind only grew sharper at the sight.
"Have the men remain at full attention," he ordered the master at arms. "They must be ready with all the hunting tools and prepared to deal with that beast if anything goes amiss."
"Yes, my lord," Rodrik bowed, and Ned Stark descended from the wall.
The walls of Winterfell were already in sight for Lucas Lannister and his party. It had been a little more than a week since his encounter with the beast.
The mother, the largest of them, he had named Islie. The cub with red eyes he had named Redier, and the one with yellow eyes he had named Yellowton. The names were creative, was what Lucas thought.
He still remembered how terrified his men and even Tillie had been when he had first emerged from the forest with the three beasts following behind him.
It had taken him quite some time to convince them that these were harmless, almost cute creatures, and that there was no reason to worry. Even now, though his companions had grown accustomed to the presence of the pack, their minds remained apprehensive.
But Lucas himself had no reason for concern. He had already used his power of 'tame' on all three beasts. They would never disobey his orders.
Beyond that, he had also purified them with his powers, making them stronger. In her current condition, Islie could have slain those two lions with ease, without even struggling.
As for Redier and Yellowton, they were bound to become even more powerful than their mother. For whatever reason, the cubs seemed to be of superior breed perhaps because of their father. What breed their father was, he did not know.
Lucas too had noticed the men watching him from atop Winterfell's walls, and he could easily guess how uneasy they must have felt at the sight of this pack.
Yet, if there was one place in Westeros where such creatures might find acceptance, it was the North.
The southern kingdoms would no doubt respond with fear, suspicion, and hostility. But the North, the North was different. They would be fearful but also probably accepting of the pack.
A few moments later, Lucas and his entourage passed through the gates of Winterfell unobstructed. The instant Islie and her cubs stepped inside, Lucas could feel the tension ripple through everyone present. Every man and woman who laid eyes on the beasts seemed to stiffen.
Standing directly before him was Lord Eddard Stark and his family. They, too, had stiffened at the sight. Though the surprise was clear on their faces, their reaction was restrained, likely because they had already been warned of what to expect once Lucas' convoy came into view.
Lucas dismounted from his horse and bowed his head in greeting.
"Lord Stark," he said.
"Ser Lannister," Ned replied with a nod.
He gestured toward his wife. "My wife."
"Lady Stark," Lucas greeted the Lady of Winterfell. Catelyn offered a polite smile in return, though Lucas could feel her gaze flicking toward Islie from the corner of her eye.
"Robb," Lucas moved ahead to greet the future Lord of Winterfell.
"Ser Lannister," Robb returned politely.
One by one, Lucas greeted the rest of the Stark children. Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. His eyes searched for Jon Snow and found the 'bastard of Winterfell' standing near the stables. Not far from him lingered Theon Greyjoy.
"Lord Stark," Lucas turned back to Ned. "Thank you for having me here."
"Not worth mentioning," Ned replied, his gaze finally shifting toward Islie. "But your companions are certainly surprising."
Lucas chuckled softly.
"It is a long story," he said. "Perhaps I will share it with you in leisure another time. For now, I can assure you they are not dangerous. They will cause no trouble for any resident of Winterfell."
Perhaps Ned Stark had been about to suggest leaving them outside the castle walls, but he thought better of it. Even if he had, Lucas would not have minded.
"Islie," Lucas called gently, raising his palm slightly. The great beast padded forward and pressed her head against his hand.
"See," Lucas said with a grin. "She is as cute and obedient as they come."
He turned toward Arya. "Would you like to touch her?"
Arya's eyes lit up. Though hesitation flickered in her posture, the excitement on her face was impossible to ignore. She nodded eagerly and stepped forward, raising her small hands.
Lucas noticed Catelyn clenching her fists. She clearly disapproved, but she held her tongue, her eyes fixed on Ned. Ned, for his part, showed no objection, though his hand rested firmly on the hilt of his sword, ready should anything go wrong.
Tentatively, Arya placed her hand on Islie's head and stroked her.
"Wow," she whispered. "She is so soft."
Lucas could see curiosity rising in the eyes of all the Stark children. Even Sansa, the most ladylike of them, seemed intrigued.
"Soft indeed," Lucas said with a smile. "But watch."
"Redier, Yellowton," he called, and the two cubs bounded over, rubbing their heads against him. "These little ones are even more lively and cuter."
Arya did not need telling twice. She scooped Redier into her arms, rubbing his head playfully, before quickly turning her attention to Yellowton.
"You can all try," Lucas encouraged, and soon the rest of the Stark children were at his side, delightedly fussing over the cubs.
Islie, Redier, and Yellowton seemed to enjoy the attention just as much.
Lucas glanced back at Ned, who now looked slightly more at ease.
"They will not be a problem, Lord Stark," he reassured.
Ned gave a curt nod, though Lucas was certain the Warden of the North would not grow comfortable with the beasts' presence so long as they remained at Winterfell.
"My men will always be close to them," Lucas added, offering another layer of reassurance.
This time, the relief on Ned's face seemed genuine.
"Come," Ned said. "Let me show you to your chambers."
Lucas followed behind the Stark Lord while Rodrik Cassel began making arrangements for his soldiers.
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