Rickard Stark

He’s taught it to Torr, too, did you know? He’s begun saying ‘no’ to things he likes, just because Brandon does.

He has? Then it seems we’re both in trouble.

Sounds like a growing young man.

Aye, like a weed. I imagine it’s the same for your boy, is it not? How is he anyway, and you newest babe? Alys tells me it was a girl.

It seems like the hardest part of parenting.

Agreed, should I thank Mother for not warning me about it at all?

Thank you. That was all I wanted. You’re now my liege lord. I would hate for my children to grow up at a disadvantage because of my disrespect. It’s something I hope my children will never know about.

Your thanks is unwarranted, I’m not doing it for you. And for clarification, if your children ever find out about what you did, it won’t be from me.

My family, my children. The future of House Forrester. What I did was wrong and I know that, but I don’t want you to hold any of my mistakes against Rodrik and my children or any of the other members of House Forrester for that matter.

Rest easy, cousin, and know I am neither cruel nor foolish enough to begrudge your sons for their mother’s disrespect.

I think because of how young he is, he finds it so fascinating.

The Maester says he’ll tire of it soon enough, all I can do is hope he’s right.

He is just a year older than Valerion then. He has grown up quite quickly indeed. I still remember the day I was told your wife gave birth to a son. A long-awaited one.

Valerion is your... second youngest, yes? I can hardly keep up with you and your wife. Yes, little Brandon brought a huge wave of relief when he came into the world.

I came here to talk, Rickard. If you can put aside your hate for me for a moment.

And what exactly do we have to talk about?

Oh, but he’s so proud of himself whenever he says it!

Maybe, but needless to say he isn’t quite as proud after being told that he in fact has to actually eat eventually.

I’m not worried either. I don’t have the pressure of providing you with an heir anymore. Now perhaps everything can relax. 

Then neither am I. I can’t speak for you of course, but I must say that I’ve been quite relaxed these past couple of years.

“It’s not top of my priorities, cousin, no. And ‘some northern lord’? You’re not making marriage sound appealing in the slightest, Rickard, it must be said but I’m afraid, I might have to say no to all three of them.”

Though as I understand it, it’s near the top of Ashara’s. Hey, arranged marriage isn’t terrible. Look at me and Alys, and Will and Lyanna, and Minisa and Willas. If you think about it, us Starks have a good record when it comes to arranged matches.

Most children are like that at that age. They usually learn to stop saying no to everything after a while.

He is growing up, is he not?

He is, three already if you can believe it.

Children grow up quickly.

Aye, that I know, and have no issue with other than my son’s discovery of insolence.

Of course, I know that. It’s not something we need to worry about right now, though.

I’m not worried Alys, I promise. I’ve got a strong and healthy heir and that’s all I need.